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QGIS Quick Start Guide
QGIS Quick Start Guide

QGIS Quick Start Guide: A beginner's guide to getting started with QGIS 3.4

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QGIS Quick Start Guide

Loading Data

The next two chapters are all about using data in QGIS. In Chapter 3, Creating Data, we will look at how we build and edit GIS data. In this chapter, we will start by loading existing data. QGIS supports many GIS data formats. It makes use of the OGR library for vector data and the GDAL library for raster data. By default, QGIS uses the GeoPackage format. As such, we will make this the default format for this book.

These are the topics that will be covered in this chapter:

  • Vector, raster, and other data types
  • GeoPackage
  • Loading data
  • Projections
  • Creating and saving a project

GIS data

What do I mean by GIS data? By vector data, I mean points, lines, and polygons. The most common file format is a Shapefile (multiple files make up a Shapefile). By raster data, I mean (georeferenced) bitmaps. The most common file format is GeoTIFF.

Download the QGIS sample dataset from https://github.com/PacktPublishing/QGIS-Quick-Start-Guide/blob/master/qgis_sample_data.zip. Extract it to a working directory on your computer.

In QGIS, you should now be able to see this data in the Browser panel, as shown in the following screenshot:

Browser panel

Loading data

Loading data into QGIS can be done in several ways. Three of the most common ways are as follows:

  • You can drag data directly from a folder (Windows OS) straight...

Interacting with the data

In this section, we will use Map Navigation and Attributes Toolbar. Create a new project (Project | New) and load the following data from the GeoPackage into the QGIS project:

  • Airports
  • majrivers
  • trees

Load SR_50M_alaska_nad.tif from the raster folder. Make sure the layers are ordered in this way. Zoom to the extent of the Airports layer. Your screen should look similar to the following screenshot:

The overview of QGIS with layers added

Identifying data

From Attributes Toolbar, click on the blue i button and then click on a point from the Airports layer in the map. This will display the Feature attributes in a new panel; again, like all panels, you can move it around and resize as needed. The clicked...

Summary

We have looked at geographic/spatial data in QGIS. We talked about vector and raster formats. This chapter has introduced the default file new format, GeoPackage. In the next chapter, we will be creating data in a GeoPackage. QGIS still fully supports Shapefiles and GeoTIFFs, and they are both still widely used throughout many sectors and the GIS community. In Chapter 7, Expanding QGIS 3, we will look at exporting and loading text files into and out of QGIS.

We have explored the options for exploring data, via Attributes Toolbar. We looked at querying, selecting, and measuring data. There is so much more we can do, and in the next chapter we will look at building data in QGIS.

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Key benefits

  • Work with GIS data, a step by step guide from creation to making a map
  • Perform geoprocessing tasks and automate them using model builder
  • Explore a range of features in QGIS 3.4, discover the power behind open source desktop GIS

Description

QGIS is a user friendly, open source geographic information system (GIS). The popularity of open source GIS and QGIS, in particular, has been growing rapidly over the last few years. This book is designed to help beginners learn about all the tools required to use QGIS 3.4. This book will provide you with clear, step-by-step instructions to help you apply your GIS knowledge to QGIS. You begin with an overview of QGIS 3.4 and its installation. You will learn how to load existing spatial data and create vector data from scratch. You will then be creating styles and labels for maps. The final two chapters demonstrate the Processing toolbox and include a brief investigation on how to extend QGIS. Throughout this book, we will be using the GeoPackage format, and we will also discuss how QGIS can support many different types of data. Finally, you will learn where to get help and how to become engaged with the GIS community.

Who is this book for?

If you know the basic functions and processes of GIS, and want to learn to use QGIS to analyze geospatial data and create rich mapping applications, then this is the book for you.

What you will learn

  • Use existing data to interact with the canvas via zoom/pan/selection
  • Create vector data and a GeoPackage and build a simple project around it
  • Style data, both vector and raster data, using the Layer Styling Panel
  • Design, label, save, and export maps using the data you have created
  • Analyze spatial queries using the Processing toolbox
  • Expand QGIS with the help of plugins, model builder, and the command line

Product Details

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Publication date, Length, Edition, Language, ISBN-13
Publication date : Jan 31, 2019
Length: 164 pages
Edition : 1st
Language : English
ISBN-13 : 9781789340044
Vendor :
QGIS Development Team
Category :
Languages :
Tools :

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Product Details

Publication date : Jan 31, 2019
Length: 164 pages
Edition : 1st
Language : English
ISBN-13 : 9781789340044
Vendor :
QGIS Development Team
Category :
Languages :
Tools :

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Table of Contents

8 Chapters
Getting Started with QGIS 3 Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Loading Data Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Creating Data Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Styling Data Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Creating Maps Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Spatial Processing Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Expanding QGIS 3 Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Other Books You May Enjoy Chevron down icon Chevron up icon

Customer reviews

Rating distribution
Full star icon Half star icon Empty star icon Empty star icon Empty star icon 1.5
(2 Ratings)
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1 star 50%
Ernesto Aug 23, 2023
Full star icon Full star icon Empty star icon Empty star icon Empty star icon 2
Come dice giustamente il titolo, il libro si presenta volutamente molto sintetico, ma le sintesi bisogna saperle fare. Solo i veri maestri ne sono capaci e l'autore deve molto migliorare da questo punto di vista. Per esempio, nel descrivere la schermata iniziale del programma, vengono impiegate 4 o 5 pagine scarse, quando invece era proprio qui che andava fatto un ampio quadro, panoramico ed orientativo. A seconda poi di cosa voleva apprendere, ogni lettore poteva capire quali di queste funzioni gli erano più o meno utili. Il libro è forse adatto per chi ha già una discreta padronanza di questo programma, non per chi comincia da zero.
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B.K. Roberts Jul 04, 2022
Full star icon Empty star icon Empty star icon Empty star icon Empty star icon 1
Competent with AI I have turned late in life to QGIS and and the books published to 'help'!Two basic comments:1: Learn how to assist those who seek to learn with CARE: personally I do NOT wish to merely pull the material for a map from an existing map, I wish to USE an existing map as the basis for creating a new map, MY map!2: All authors in the field need to learn how to create an INDEX, a proper, competent, INDEX: none know how to do this, yet WORD now has an inbuilt system. to make it easy!My competence may be (IS) undoubtedly limited, but having spent 20 years creating good computer maps with AI I do possess some skills, and indeed had been a creator of maps for 25 years before this , beginning with Indian ink and cartridge paper! ...Faced with consoles that resemble a complex organ, and instructions written in Old High Tibetan (I am sure a fascinating language with much to saty!), I do bend a little at 84 ... but the Packt> authors (ALL of them ... so far as I can see) need to invest more time in TEACHING and PREPARATION! I do not speak the languages ... but how many do ?Keep paddling the canoe ... but do bet, do better, do best ...BKRPS This windoiw for comment COULD be improved ... ...
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