Welcome to Nimbo Earth Basemaps TMS Documentation!

Concepts

Nimbo Earth Basemaps is an innovative Earth observation service providing cloud-free, homogenous mosaics of the world’s entire landmass as captured by satellite imagery. Mosaics are updated every single month and served in WMS/WMTS formats.

The plugin provides users with 4 distinct data layers every month:

  • Natural colors (RGB) at 10m resolution.

  • Infrared (NIR) at 10m resolution.

  • NDVI (vegetation health index) at 10m resolution.

  • HD Natural colors (RGB) at 2.5m resolution (AI enhanced through in-house algorithms).

Data Availability Timeline

For all 10m resolution layers (RGB, NIR, NDVI):

  • From October 2019 to present: Europe, Northern Africa, and Middle East.

  • From March 2022 to present: All of the above + the USA.

  • From February 2023 to present: Full Global coverage.

For the HD Natural colors (RGB) at 2.5m:

  • From May 2025 to present: Full Global coverage.

Running Nimbo Earth

You can launch the plugin either by clicking its icon in the QGIS toolbar or via the Web menu. Once opened, the Welcome to Nimbo Earth Basemaps TMS dock widget will appear on the right side of the QGIS interface.

1. API Key Validation Tab

When you first open the plugin, you will interact with the API key validation tab. This interface is split into three main sections:

  • Try our cloud-free basemap service: Allows you to instantly test the service by loading a free sample layer (June 2023 | RGB) without requiring an account.

  • Create your account: If you don’t have an account yet, use the Sign up to Nimbo or See offers buttons to register and access the monthly tiers.

  • Already have a Nimbo account?: Authenticate directly using one of two methods:

    • Enter your E-mail and Password then click Login to securely fetch your token.

    • Paste your personal API key extracted from your online dashboard, then click Validate your key.

2. Layer Selector Tab

Once authenticated, the Layer selector tab becomes active and accessible.

  • Geocredits Tracking: The top bar displays your remaining balance of Geocredits.

  • Parameters Filtering: You can easily filter the extensive catalog of monthly basemaps using three dropdown comboboxes:

    • Compositions: Filter by image type (All, RGB, NDVI, Infrared, etc.).

    • Months: Filter by a specific month.

    • Years: Filter by a specific year.

  • Adding Layers: Select a layer from the reverse-chronological list view and click the Add layer button to load it into your current QGIS project workspace.

Important

Please note that each layer you enable (i.e., check/select) will consume credits from your balance. You can monitor your detailed data consumption from your personal online dashboard.

Professional Plans

For advanced users requiring custom integrations, multispectral basemap downloads, or real-time environmental monitoring, use the Discover offers button under the Professional plans section to learn more about advanced geospatial options.

Indices and Tables