Last edited 08 May 2024

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Geographic Information Systems: QGIS

Item 25079 - Discover QGIS.png

• Screenshot from the QGIS website. Click here to visit.

Contents

[edit] FOREWORD

QGIS is a free and open source GIS software for beginners and experienced users.

  • QGIS is open source and free to use, making it accessible to all users.
  • The software has global contributions and support from various companies and individuals.

Learn More


[edit] INTRODUCTION

On February 2, 2024, Matt Forrest posted a video entitled 'Learn GIS - QGIS Full Course for Beginners (New for 2024)'.

This article assumes:—

  • ... that 'Learn GIS - QGIS Full Course for Beginners (New for 2024)' is a good starting point from which to learn GIS.

It therefore presents a review of the video.


[edit] Review

  1. 01:45 Introduction to QGIS and its Features
  2. 05:15 Downloading and installing QGIS for different operating systems
  3. 06:53 Introduction to QGIS interface and navigation
  4. 10:17 Learn to manage projections and toolbar options in QGIS
  5. 11:58 Customizable top toolbar and different menus
  6. 15:22 Exporting spatial data in QGIS
  7. 17:00 Adding layers to the map for data visualization
  8. 19:57 Exploring different layers within NYC parks in QGIS
  9. 21:35 Adding a base map and changing projection in QGIS
  10. 24:37 Change projections for specific needs
  11. 26:02 Exploring different projections in QGIS
  12. 28:49 Styling maps based on categorical values
  13. 30:24 Styling and customization options in QGIS mapping
  14. 33:28 Adding latitude and longitude data to QGIS for visualization
  15. 35:00 Convert text fields to numeric for proper visualization
  16. 38:14 Understanding and cleaning data for better visualization
  17. 39:40 Adjust symbol size for better visualization
  18. 42:36 Customize labels and styling in QGIS
  19. 44:08 Editing polygon layers in QGIS for accuracy
  20. 47:07 Adding polygon shapes to QGIS for building structures
  21. 48:39 Printing and customizing maps in QGIS
  22. 51:39 Overview of QGIS plugins and tools
  23. 53:18 Reproject and create buffers in QGIS
  24. 56:24 Performing point count in polygons
  25. 57:56 Introduction to raster data in QGIS
  26. 1:00:57 Analyzing and manipulating raster data in QGIS
  27. 1:02:23 Interpolating elevation data to create contoured layers
  28. 1:05:13 QGIS offers a wide range of raster analytics and classification tools
  29. 1:06:46 Creating and adding a new shapefile layer in QGIS
  30. 1:09:52 Exporting map to web map in QGIS
  31. 1:11:25 QGIS allows creation of fully functioning web maps for online sharing

• Table 1: List of key points in the video with times linking to them in the video.


[edit] Keyframes

Item 25048.png

01:45

QGIS offers various resources like training materials, user groups, and project involvement options for users.

The software has evolved over the years with multiple versions, plugins for extension, cross-platform compatibility, and open-source deployment capabilities.

Item 25049.png

05:15

Download the appropriate version for your operating system by clicking download and following the installation steps.

For Mac users, drag the downloaded file into the applications folder, overwrite the previous version if necessary, and proceed with the installation.

Item 25050.png

06:53

Explanation of starting a new project and navigating the interface.

Overview of layers list and file browser in QGIS interface.

Item 25051.png

10:17

Projections can be viewed and changed in the project settings.

The toolbar offers various preset options for working with maps.

Item 25052.png

11:58

You can change settings and access various tools in the customizable top toolbar.

The different menus provide access to a wide range of tools including vector, raster, and database tools.

Item 25053.png

15:22

Options for exporting nonspatial data like CSV with potential polygon features.

Differences between exporting options like KML, KMZ, shapefile, and geojson, with a recommendation for using geojson for simplicity.

Item 25054.png

17:00

Layers can be added to the map by right-clicking on them or dragging and dropping into the layer space.

Once the layer is added, data will populate on the map, allowing for zooming in and exploring at a granular level.

Item 25055.png

19:57

These layers include NYC parks Forever Wild map for ecologically important resources, Park permits for event setups, bike routes across the city, and even a unique squirrel census tracking fur colour.

Adding and visualizing these layers in QGIS to analyze different aspects of park data.

Item 25056.png

21:35

Installing the Quick Map Services plugin to add a base map.

Upgrading the plugin and saving the map.

Item 25057.png

24:37

Understanding layer rendering and order on the map.

Managing layers, reordering, and toggling them.

Item 25058.png

26:02

QGIS allows users to easily change projections for map visualizations.

Users can explore and experiment with different projections for their maps.

Item 25059.png

28:49

Using categorized option to colour or style data based on categorical values in the dataset.

Ability to customize colours and styles for different values and add Legends for better visualization.

Item 25060.png

30:24

Ability to change symbol size, opacity, remove stroke, and even do rotation.

Option to visualize numeric data through downloading specific datasets like the New York City tree census.

Item 25061.png

33:28

Use ‘Add Vector Layer’ to input latitude and longitude values.

Ensure correct spelling and projections (e.g., 4326) for accurate data display.

Item 25062.png

35:00

Adjust field data types using Processing Toolbox in QGIS.

Convert stump diameter field from text to decimal for accurate representation.

Item 25063.png

38:14

Identifying and removing data with many zero values to improve visualization accuracy.

Adjusting symbol sizes based on data attributes for clearer interpretation.

Item 25064.png

39:40

Symbol sizes can be customized from 2 to 18 for variance.

Further styling options include zoom-based controls and legend formatting adjustments.

Item 25065.png

42:36

Options for rule-based labeling and handling overlaps.

Ability to edit vector data, such as polygons, for customization.

Item 25066.png

44:08

Select the layer you want to edit by toggling editing or using the pencil icon.

Adjust vertices of the polygon layer to ensure accuracy by adding or moving vertices.

Item 25067.png

47:07

Toggle editing and trace the building shape by adding new shapes.

Utilize vertices and functions like panning to create accurate polygon layers.

Item 25068.png

48:39

Creating a new print layout to open the map view.

Options to export the map as SVG or PDF, adding legends, pictures, and scale bars.

Item 25069.png

51:39

Various plugins like mmqgis, qgis to web, Google Earth engine are available for QGIS.

Access and use plugins by installing them through QGIS interface.

Item 25070.png

53:18

Reproject data to change projection for accurate measurements.

Create buffers around features to analyze spatial relationships.

Item 25071.png

56:24

Use algorithms to detect and count points within polygons.

Easily create and save models for repeated analysis, with options to customize styles and export as a script.

Item 25072.png

57:56

Importing a 1 foot digital elevation model with large data size (3.5 GB).

Exploring park boundaries and observing features like reservoir and flat areas.

Item 25073.png

1:00:57

Various tools available for analyzing raster data such as reclassifying, zonal statistics, and raster creation.

Ability to convert raster to vector data, demonstrating elevation changes within a park using Hillshade analysis.

Item 25074.png

1:02:23

Interpolating elevation data is a common analysis, done to create elevation maps.

Using the processing toolkit to generate contoured layers and style them by elevation.

Item 25074.png

1:05:13

Enrich vector data with raster data for value extrapolation.

Utilize network analysis tools like shortest path and service area for bike path mapping.

Item 25076.png

1:06:46

Specify file name, geometry type (point), and IDs for points.

Toggle editing, add multiple points with IDs on map, and save editing.

Item 25077.png

1:09:52

Options for exporting layers and adjusting appearance.

Choosing export location and running the export process.

Item 25080.png

1:11:25

Ability to format and customize pop-up data in the web map.

Integration with new tools and mapping programs for data sharing and hosting.

Item 25110.png

Web map designed for a workshop in May 2024. Source: Norman Fellows.

Learn More

• Table 2: Thumbnails of selected frames from Matt Forrest's video outlining the process of learning QGIS - click to enlarge. Times link to key points in the video.


[edit] Links

NYC OpenData

2015 Street Tree Census - Tree Data

2018 Squirrel Census Fur Color Map

A Gentle Introduction to GIS

New York City Bike Routes

NYC Parks Forever Wild

Parks Permit Areas Map

Parks Properties

Parks Properties Map

Play Areas


[edit] References

Matt Forrest (2024) 'Learn GIS - QGIS Full Course for Beginners (New for 2024)', YouTube.

NYC (2022) 'NYC Open Data', New York City agencies and other partners.

QGIS (2024) 'QGIS - The Leading Open Source Desktop GIS', qgis.org

Wikipedia Contributors (2024) 'QGIS', Wikipedia.


[edit] Further reading

Norman Fellows (2024) 'Transcript: 'Learn GIS - QGIS Full Course for Beginners', extremelyprovocative.wordpress.com


[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings

Geographic Information Systems (GIS)


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--Archiblog 10:54, 01 May 2024 (BST)

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