Add a Multidirectional Hillshade Layer
A standard hillshade layer simulates light from one direction, which can leave north-facing slopes looking flat or too dark. The multidirectional hillshade type blends several light angles to reveal terrain detail more evenly across the entire map. Use this variant when a single-direction hillshade creates too much shadow in valleys or creates misleading depth in complex mountain terrain.
const API_KEY = 'YOUR_API_KEY';
const map = new maptoolkit.Map({
container: 'map',
apiKey: API_KEY,
style: {
version: 8,
sources: {
'dem': {
type: 'raster-dem',
tiles: [`https://vtc-cdn.maptoolkit.net/terrain/{z}/{x}/{y}.webp?api_key=${API_KEY}`],
tileSize: 256,
minzoom: 5,
maxzoom: 12,
encoding: 'terrarium'
}
},
layers: [{
id: 'hillshading',
type: 'hillshade',
source: 'dem',
paint: {
'hillshade-method': 'multidirectional',
'hillshade-highlight-color': ['#FF4000', '#FFFF00', '#40ff00', '#00FF80'],
'hillshade-shadow-color': ['#00bfff', '#0000ff', '#bf00ff', '#FF0080'],
'hillshade-illumination-direction': [270, 315, 0, 45],
'hillshade-illumination-altitude': [30, 30, 30, 30]
}
}]
},
center: [11.39085, 47.27574],
zoom: 10,
attributionControl: { compact: false }
});<!DOCTYPE html>
<html lang="en">
<head>
<title>Add a Multidirectional Hillshade Layer - Maptoolkit Maps JS</title>
<meta property="og:description" content="Add a multidirectional hillshade layer that simulates light from multiple angles." />
<meta charset="utf-8">
<meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1">
<script src="https://unpkg.com/@maptoolkit/[email protected]/dist/maptoolkit.js"></script>
<link rel="stylesheet" href="https://unpkg.com/@maptoolkit/[email protected]/dist/maptoolkit.css" />
<style>
html, body { width: 100%; height: 100%; margin: 0; padding: 0; }
#map { width: 100%; height: 100%; }
</style>
</head>
<body>
<div id="map"></div>
<script>
const API_KEY = 'YOUR_API_KEY';
const map = new maptoolkit.Map({
container: 'map',
apiKey: API_KEY,
style: {
version: 8,
sources: {
'dem': {
type: 'raster-dem',
tiles: [`https://vtc-cdn.maptoolkit.net/terrain/{z}/{x}/{y}.webp?api_key=${API_KEY}`],
tileSize: 256,
minzoom: 5,
maxzoom: 12,
encoding: 'terrarium'
}
},
layers: [{
id: 'hillshading',
type: 'hillshade',
source: 'dem',
paint: {
'hillshade-method': 'multidirectional',
'hillshade-highlight-color': ['#FF4000', '#FFFF00', '#40ff00', '#00FF80'],
'hillshade-shadow-color': ['#00bfff', '#0000ff', '#bf00ff', '#FF0080'],
'hillshade-illumination-direction': [270, 315, 0, 45],
'hillshade-illumination-altitude': [30, 30, 30, 30]
}
}]
},
center: [11.39085, 47.27574],
zoom: 10,
attributionControl: { compact: false }
});
</script>
</body>
</html>Use the prompt below with any LLM to get the same result. Make sure the Maptoolkit MCP server is connected first — check out AI Integration & MCP to get started.
Use the Maptoolkit Connector. Create an interactive map with zoom level 10, centered around [11.39085, 47.27574], displaying a multidirectional hillshade layer.