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Learn QGIS
Learn QGIS

Learn QGIS: Your step-by-step guide to the fundamental of QGIS 3.4 , Fourth Edition

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Learn QGIS

Data Creation and Editing

At the core of any GIS is data. Without it, we cannot create maps or perform spatial analysis. In this chapter, we will load, edit, and create data. We will look at the large range of formats and types and how QGIS 3.4 helps us to work with them.

If you are familiar with GIS, then you will already know that we often work with vector data, namely points, lines, polygons, and raster data, as pixels. Vector and raster data are the core data types that we use in a GIS. However, text files, databases, and web services can also be integrated into GIS. We can use a location associated with a file (such as a coordinate), or we can perform joins to extend or spatially enable our existing data.

In this chapter, we will explore all of the data options in QGIS. The topics covered in this chapter are as follows:

  • Data formats
  • Loading data
  • Interacting with data
  • Vector...

Data formats

QGIS supports many GIS data formats. It makes use of the OGR library for vector data and the GDAL library for raster data.

To see the latest list of OGR vector formats, check out http://www.gdal.org/ogr_formats.html, and to see a list of GDAL raster formats, visit http://www.gdal.org/formats_list.html. If you can't find your format on the list, it is probably not supported in QGIS at this time.

Shapefiles are the most common form of vector data today, and QGIS supports this format. Similarly, GeoTIFF are probably the most common form of raster data, and QGIS also supports these. In this book, we will work with and use these formats, as well as the new GeoPackage format.

GeoPackage

QGIS 3 has chosen GeoPackage...

Loading data

We are going to start by loading data into QGIS 3.4. You may have some of your own data that you wish to use, but all of the techniques are applicable to any GIS data you have. We will use the QGIS sample data for these examples. Over the following chapters, we will use the sample dataset to eventually build maps.

Download the QGIS sample data from https://qgis.org/downloads/data/ and look for the qgis_sample_data.zip file. Download and extract this data to a folder on your computer.

Getting data into QGIS

Loading data into QGIS can be done in several ways. The three most common ways are as follows:

  • You can drag data directly from a folder straight into the map.
  • You can drag data from the browser panel (shown...

Interacting with data

When you loaded the Alaska layer, you probably noticed that the data appeared as a relatively small object. In this section, we will cover some of the basic interactions we can perform with data. Let's start with zooming in.

Navigation

Later, we will show you how to zoom in on a layer to look at it in more detail. But first, let's remind ourselves of the project and navigation toolbar:

Project and Navigation toolbar

These tools are the workhorse of the GIS. They allow us to move around, inspect, measure, and select data. All are critical in any GIS, and if you have used mapping software before, you should be familiar with them.

Start by clicking on the zoom-in icon (a magnifying glass icon...

Vector data

Now that we have become more familiar with inspecting, selecting, and interacting with data within QGIS, it's time to create data. In this section, we are going to edit attribute data, create vector data, and join data.

Editing attribute data

With the AREA_MI <= 1000 selection, let's add a field and populate it with a marker based on this selection.

Click on the Field Calculator button in the attributes toolbar to open up the field calculator.

This window contains considerable information; there is a great deal of power within the field calculator. In our case, we want to create a new field called small_area and assign yes if it is =< 1000, or no if it is >1000. As with many of the tools in GIS...

Raster data

Raster data is not created like vector data. Quite often, raster data is created from other raster data, such as creating a slope raster from a topographic raster. Raster data can also be created from vector data, which can be done by gridding a series of coordinates/points. QGIS has the ability to perform all of these functions. We will further explore raster visualization in Chapter 4, Creating Great Maps, and processing rasters in Chapter 6, Extending QGIS with Python.

In this section, we will convert our Canada_Provinces.shp to a raster. In the menu, click Raster | Conversion | Rasterize (vector to raster), as shown in the following screenshot:

Vector to raster

In the following dialog box, enter these parameters:

  • Input Layer: Canada_Provinces.
  • Burn-in value: id.
  • Output raster size units: Pixels.
  • Width: 10 (this will create a raster with a width of 10 pixels...

Other data

Finally, we will take a look at databases and the process of creating data in the new GeoPackage format.

Creating a GeoPackage

At the start of this chapter, we looked at data formats and the GeoPackage format. Remember that, in QGIS 3, the GeoPackage format is the default format. So, let's finish this chapter by creating data in the GeoPackage format:

Create a new GeoPackage layer by clicking Layer | Create Layer | New GeoPackage Layer...:

Create a New GeoPackage Layer

Now fill in the resulting dialog box. Let's create a GeoPackage called My_first_GeoPackage, set the Geometry type as a Point, and add the ID and Name fields.

It should look similar to the following screenshot:

New GeoPackage Layer dialog...

Summary

In this chapter, you learned the basics of using data in a GIS. QGIS 3.4 supports all the formats in OGR and GDAL. The default format for QGIS 3.4 is the GeoPackage. We also looked at creating and editing Vector data, as well as attribute tables and geometries. Furthermore, we joined data and used snapping tools to preserve topology. Don't ignore Raster data though; we will use it many times throughout this book. In this chapter, we briefly reviewed its creation and hinted at the powerful GDAL tools built into QGIS. Finally, we looked at spatial databases in QGIS 3.4 and connected to them in DB Manager.

In the next chapter, we will look at styling and visualizing this data.

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Key benefits

  • Leverage the power of QGIS to add professionalism to your maps
  • Explore and work with the newly released features like Python 3, GeoPackage, 3D views, Print layouts in QGIS 3.4
  • Build your own plugins and customize maps using QT designer

Description

QGIS 3.4 is the first LTR (long term release) of QGIS version 3. This is a giant leap forward for the project with tons of new features and impactful changes. Learn QGIS is fully updated for QGIS 3.4, covering its processing engine update, Python 3 de-facto coding environment, and the GeoPackage format. This book will help you get started on your QGIS journey, guiding you to develop your own processing pathway. You will explore the user interface, loading your data, editing, and then creating data. QGIS often surprises new users with its mapping capabilities; you will discover how easily you can style and create your first map. But that’s not all! In the final part of the book, you’ll learn about spatial analysis and the powerful tools in QGIS, and conclude by looking at Python processing options. By the end of the book, you will have become proficient in geospatial analysis using QGIS and Python.

Who is this book for?

If you are a developer or consultant familiar with the basic functions and processes of GIS and want to learn how to use QGIS to analyze geospatial data and create rich mapping applications, this book is for you. You’ll also find this book useful if you’re new to QGIS and wish to grasp its fundamentals

What you will learn

  • Explore various ways to load data into QGIS
  • Understand how to style data and present it in a map
  • Create maps and explore ways to expand them
  • Get acquainted with the new processing toolbox in QGIS 3.4
  • Manipulate your geospatial data and gain quality insights
  • Understand how to customize QGIS 3.4
  • Work with QGIS 3.4 in 3D
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Length: 272 pages
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Table of Contents

7 Chapters
Where Do I Start? Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Data Creation and Editing Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Visualizing Data Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Creating Great Maps Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Spatial Analysis Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Extending QGIS with Python Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Other Books You May Enjoy Chevron down icon Chevron up icon

Customer reviews

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fsdbm Jan 22, 2021
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As far as I could tell, "Learning QGIS" was written quickly, with very poor editing. I found it riddled with inaccurate descriptions and omissions, and most particularly, it's very poorly indexed, so answers aren't easily found. The first round of QGIS sample data can be downloaded easily, but the promised "extra material," was not available at the publisher's web page (which turned out to be nothing more than a promotional list of additional books). This left unanswered the question, why force more than one download in the first place? The author also takes liberties with oddly misplaced or non-standard terminology that is unexplained, and leads to unnecessary frustration. Finally, the book is obsolete. It is written for version 3.4, but QGIS is already up to version 3.16. The poorly printed B&W illustrations are bad enough, but changes in the software through version 3.16 make some of the book's instructions impossible to follow. Unfortunately, the appalling price of most instructional books about QGIS leaves few options available. All I can offer is, choose wisely.
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