How do I do that in

Quantum GIS:
illustrating classic GIS tasks

Edited by: Arthur J. Lembo, Jr.; Salisbury University

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(c) Arthur J. Lembo, Jr.
Introduction from the editor: ....................................................................................................................... 4
Database Management................................................................................................................................. 5
Adding a Column to a Table: ..................................................................................................................... 6
Sorting Tabular or Graphical Data: ........................................................................................................... 8
Calculating Values for new fields using the field calculator: ................................................................. 9
Joining and Relating Data Files and Fields: ............................................................................................. 11
Database Creation....................................................................................................................................... 14
Digitizing:................................................................................................................................................. 15
Assigning Topology: ................................................................................................................................ 16
Creating a Polygon from Line Segments ................................................................................................. 19
Import and Export ................................................................................................................................... 23
Importing Database tables, raster data, vector data .......................................................................... 23
Data Manipulation and Analysis ................................................................................................................. 29
Data Retrieval.......................................................................................................................................... 30
Raster Analysis ............................................................................................................................................ 32
Data Extraction by Mask (Clipping Raster Data) ..................................................................................... 32
Convert Raster to Vector ........................................................................................................................ 34
Convert Vector to Raster ........................................................................................................................ 36
Modify raster Cell size by resampling ..................................................................................................... 38
Changing raster values by selected area ................................................................................................ 38
Changing raster values by geographic feature ....................................................................................... 38
Vector Overlay ........................................................................................................................................ 39
Line in polygon .................................................................................................................................... 39
Raster Processing .................................................................................................................................... 41
Mathematical operations on one raster ............................................................................................. 41
Mathematical operations on two rasters ........................................................................................... 43
Neighborhood Functions .................................................................................................................... 45
Determining Max/Min ........................................................................................................................ 45
Calculating Zonal Statistics.................................................................................................................. 46
Statistical Functions ................................................................................................................................ 48
Calculating Areas Perimeters and Lengths ......................................................................................... 48

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 General.................................................................................................................................................... 51
Polygons within a distance of selected features................................................................................. 51
Find Nearest Features ......................................................................................................................... 51
Network Functions: ............................................................................................................................. 51
Data Display and Presentation:............................................................................................................... 53

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Introduction from the editor:

In 1988, the United States Geological Survey (USGS) created a classic document titled The
Process for Selecting Geographic Information Systems1 (Guptil, et. al., 1988). The document
provided an overview of the process for selecting geographic information systems, in addition
to a checklist of functions that a GIS should include. The functions were broken into five
separate categories: user interface, database management, database creation, data
manipulation and analysis, and data display and presentation. The document became required
reading for those of us involved in the selection of GIS, and was often used as a supplementary
checklist in competitive benchmarks of GIS software. Although the document is over 20 years
old, many of the functions listed are still relevant today, and represent some of the most
commonly used features within GIS. In fact, the document was so forward thinking that most
GIS software products are still unable to perform all the tasks listed.

In 2004, a group of my students at Cornell University created the document: How do I do that in
ArcGIS/Manifold. After over 30,000 downloads of that document, I felt it was time to introduce
the GIS community to another software product: Quantum GIS. This document attempts to
illustrate the GIS processes listed in the USGS document using the free, and open source GIS
product Quantum GIS. Many individuals are beginning to experiment with Quantum GIS, and it
is our hope that this document assists these users in performing some of the more common
tasks.

This document represents a week long project for 5 of our advanced GIS students at Salisbury
University. Previously, the ArcGIS/Manifold document was developed by 16 students. The
resources and time available to illustrate these tasks prohibited the ability to review every
function listed in the USGS document. Therefore, we selected a large subset of the functions
though to represent the common GIS functions employed by users today. These functions are
the same ones found in the ArcGIS/Manifold document. We are especially grateful to those
individuals who volunteered as technical referees for each note.

None of the referees were affiliated with Salisbury University, and were anonymous to the
authors. One difficulty in creating this document was interpreting the actual meaning of some of
the USGS defined tasks. Another difficulty was attempting to find the most suitable approach
for solving the problem. As most users know, there are many ways to solve a particular
problem using GIS software. In this document we have attempted to illustrate the most
straightforward method for performing the tasks, and have relied on the referees to make sure
that a suitable approach was chosen. However, any errors remaining within the document are
our own, and not the fault of the referees. Also, while Quantum GIS allows for the creation of
sophisticated scripts, or integrate third-party software, we have attempted to only utilize those
features accessible out-of-the-box (and within the included add-ins) in hopes that it will provide
basic guidance for users of the software. It is our hope that this document provides a quick

1
Guptill, S., D. Cotter, R. Gibson, R. Liston, H. Tom, T. Trainer, H. VanWyhe. 1988. A Process for
Selecting Geographic Information Systems. Technology Working Group Technical Report 1. USGS
Open File Report 88-105.
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reference for users to find the necessary steps to complete the classic GIS tasks in Quantum
GIS.

This report is not yet completed in terms of editing, however, we felt that it was best to offer it to
the GIS community, warts and all, so that those interested in exploring Quantum GIS would get
a small jump start on their activities.

Arthur J. Lembo, Jr.; Ph.D.

October, 2012
Salisbury University

Database Management

Database management functions provide for tracking, retrieval, storage, update,

protection, and archiving of stored data.

Page 29, The Process for Selecting Geographic Information Systems.

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Adding a Column to a Table:
John OBrien, Salisbury University

This technical note demonstrates the process of adding columns to a table using
Quantum GIS. Simple tables are used to help illustrate the process.

1. Open a table

2. the Toggle Editing Mode at the bottom of the table

3. New Column

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 4. Type in the Name, Comment (optional), Type and Width of the new column in the
box that appears.

5. OK and the new column will insert on the right side of the table.

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Sorting Tabular or Graphical Data:
John OBrien, Salisbury University

This technical note demonstrates the process of sorting tabular or graphical data using
Quantum GIS. Simple tables are used to help illustrate the process.

Data can be sorted in either ascending or descending values in any column while
maintaining the integrity of the related data for that record in all of the other columns.

1. Open the table

2. on the header of any column

The data within that column will automatically sort in either ascending or
descending order . The data in all other columns will adjust to maintain record
integrity.

Data can only be sorted by one field at a time.

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Calculating Values for new fields using the field calculator:
John OBrien, Salisbury University

This technical note demonstrates the process for calculating values for new fields in
database tables using Quantum GIS. Simple tables are used to help illustrate the
process.

1. Open the table

2. the Toggle Editing Mode at the bottom of the table

3. Select Field Calculator

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 4. This will open the field calculator: (In this example I will convert acres to
hectares)
o Create new Field
o Name Output field
o Select Output field type
o Fields and Values
o ACRES
ACRES will appear in the Expression box
o Add mathematical operation to expression box:
Use Operators
Type in operation

5. Field Calculator will add the new field and populate it with the values

Other Considerations:

The Field Calculator can also be used to update existing fields

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Joining and Relating Data Files and Fields:
John OBrien, Salisbury University

This technical note demonstrates the process of joining and relating data files and fields
using Quantum GIS. Simple tables are used to help illustrate the process.

Relating:

Quantum is unable to perform one to many or many to many relation functions at this
time

Joining (Adding and Deleting):

1. After importing files into Quantum open the files attribute tables to ensure that
there is a common field for joining
o R file in layers area and select Open Attribute Table for both files

2. Check for common field

3. R on the file you want to join to

o Properties

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 4. the Joins tab in the Layers Properties box

5. the (Add Join) button in the Layers Properties box

6. In the Add vector join box:

o join layer
o join field
o target field
o OK

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 7. Joined fields will appear on left side of target tables attribute table

8. To delete the join:

o Open properties in file
o Joins Tab in the Layers Properties box
o / Highlight layer to be deleted in the Layers Properties box
o (Delete Join) button in the Layers Properties box
o OK

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 Database Creation
Database creation functions are those functions required to convert spatial
data into a digital form that can be used by a GIS. This includes digitizing
features found on printed maps or aerial photographs and transformation of
existing digital data into the internal format of a given GIS.

Page 29, The Process for Selecting Geographic Information Systems

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Digitizing:
John OBrien, Salisbury University

This technical note demonstrates the process for digitizing points, lines, and polygons
using Quantum GIS. Simple tables are used to help illustrate the process.

1. Import Vector / Raster file into project

2. Pan / Zoom to area / feature that you want to digitize

o Toggle Edit Mode

3. Button for function that you want to accomplish in the Edit Toolbar

4. Save Edits

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Assigning Topology:
Identifying Intersection Points

John OBrien, Salisbury University

This technical note demonstrates the process identifying the intersection points of
overlapping lines using Quantum GIS. Simple tables are used to help illustrate the
process.

1. Import Vector files into Layers

2. Vector
o Analysis Tools
Line Intersections

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 3. Input line layer
o Input unique ID field
o Intersect line layer
o Intersect unique ID field
o Browse

4. Create / Select intercept shapefile

o Save

5. OK on Line intersection GUI

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 6. Yes on pop-up GUI to add shapefile to layers

7. Close on Line intersections GUI

8. Intersection points will show on layer

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Creating a Polygon from Line Segments
John OBrien, Salisbury University

This technical note demonstrates the process of creating a polygon from line segments
using Quantum GIS. Quantum has several tools to convert lines to polygons depending
on whether the lines have closed or open vertexes. Simple tables are used to help
illustrate the process.

If Lines are closed no open vertexes:

1. Vector
o Geometry Tools
Lines to polygons

2. Input line vector layer

o Browse

3. Input or Select File name

o Save

4. OK in Lines to polygons GUI

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 5. Yes to add shapefile to layer

6. Close on Lines to polygons GUI

7. Polygon will display on layer

If Lines are not closed open vertexes:

1. Feature that you want to change

2. R Layer group
o Save selection as

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 3. Name for Save vector layer as GUI or choose Browse
o Add saved file to map
OK

4. New layer and zoom to layer extent

5. Vector in toolbar
o Research tools
Polygon from layer extent

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 6. Yes to add layer to map

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Import and Export
Importing Database tables, raster data, vector data

Eric Flint, Salisbury University

Database

Database tables, raster data and vector data are all imported under Layer Add (Data Type) Layer

a) To import database layers, select Add PostGIS, [MSSQL], [SpatiaLight] Layers.

b) Select New connection

c) Fill in IP address, port, database name, and credentials

d) Select Connect in Add PostGIS layers window

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 e) Select layers to be added

f)

Raster Data

a) To import raster data select Add Raster Layer

b) Navigate to desired raster data file

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 c) Select Open

d) Right Click on layer

e) Select Properties

a. Under Style tab

b. Select Layer properties

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Vector Data

a) To import Vector data select Add Vector Layer

b) Navigate to desired vector data file

c) Select Open

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 Data Manipulation and Analysis
Data manipulation and analysis functions provide the capability to selectively retrieve, transform,
restructure, and analyze data. Retrieval options provide the ability to retrieve either graphic
features or feature attributes in a variety of ways. Transformation includes both
coordinate/projection transformations and coordinate adjustments. Data restructuring includes
the ability to convert vector data to raster data, merge data, compress data, reclassify or rescale
data, and contour, triangulate, or grid random or uniformly spaced z-value data sets

Analysis functions differ somewhat depending on whether the internal data structure is raster or
vector based. Analysis functions provide the capability to create new maps and related
descriptive statistics by reclassifying and combining existing data categories in a variety of ways.
Analysis functions also support: replacement of cell values with neighboring cell characteristics
(neighborhood analysis); defining distance buffers around points, lines and areas (proximity
analysis); optimum path or route selection (network analysis); and generating slope, aspect and
profile maps (terrain analysis)

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Data Retrieval
Select Data

1. Select View Select on the dropdown toolbar

2. Select Features by Rectangle

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Can Select Features by; Single Feature, Rectangle, Polygon, Freehand shape, Radius

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Raster Analysis

Data Extraction by Mask (Clipping Raster Data)

1) Select Raster in the Dropdown toolbar then select Extraction Clipper

2) Fill in required boxes in form

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Convert Raster to Vector
1) Select Raster from dropdown toolbar

2) Select Conversion Polygonize

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Convert Vector to Raster
1) Select Raster from dropdown toolbar

2) Select Conversion Rasterize

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Modify raster Cell size by resampling
Not currently readily available in QGIS

Changing raster values by selected area

Not currently readily available in QGIS

Changing raster values by geographic feature

Not currently readily available in QGIS

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Vector Overlay
Line in polygon

1) Select Vector in dropdown toolbar

2) Select Geoprocessing Tools Clip

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Raster Processing
Mathematical operations on one raster

1) Select Raster from dropdown toolbar

2) Select Raster Calculator

3) Click on trigonometric function then double click on Raster band.

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 4) Select output layer path and format

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Mathematical operations on two rasters
Adding / Subtracting Rasters

1) Select Raster from dropdown toolbox

2) Select Raster Calculator

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Subtracting

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Neighborhood Functions

Determining Max/Min

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Calculating Zonal Statistics
(Raster filtering is available through GRASS plug-in in Quantum, but is not currently readily
available in QGIS)

1) Select Raster From dropdown toolbar

2) Select Zonal Statistics Zonal Statistics

3) Right Click on poly layer (layer containing zones) Select Attribute Table

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Statistical Functions
Calculating Areas Perimeters and Lengths
1) Right Click layer select Attribute Table

2) Toggle Editing button to on

3) Toggle New Column to On or (Ctrl+W)

4) Select Field Calculator Button

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 5) Perimeter

a. Select New Column

6) Lengths

a. Toggle on Editing button

b. Select Field Calculator

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General
Polygons within a distance of selected features.
There is no option for within a distance of in the spatial query tool. The only options are: contains,
intersects, and is disjoint. Greater query power is available in GRASS.

Find Nearest Features

no tool in QGIS but note that further capabilities are present in GRASS.

Network Functions:
In QGIS it is possible to perform some simple network functions. It is necessary to start with a vector line
layer, generally one would use centerlines or whatever road data they have access to.

In order to build a road network, QGIS provides a ROAD GRAPH tool. To get to road graph, select the
vector tab, and scroll down to road graph and select settings.

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In the Above window that pops up you have the ability to use attributes from the selected layer to set a
direction field, and even a speed field if available. This is convenient as it allows for simple network
creation all within the GUI.

So now that the network has been established it is possible through the shortest path plug in to
calculate the shortest path. Another innovation not found in some of the proprietary alternatives is the
ability to interactively select the start and stop points.

Defining drive-time zone: QGIS does not appear to have an available plug-in for defining drive-time
zone.

115. Geocoding addresses: Quantum makes this possible with a geocoding plugin. There is a plugin that
allows for one address at a time.

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So long as the current map is projected and the address is accurate the tool makes a point for each
address entered. In order to geocode multiple addresses it is not as simple. It is possible through limited
research on the internet but is not a standard procedure.

Data Display and Presentation:

Thematically Shade Polygons: It is possible to color or shade layers based on a specific attribute of that
layer. To access the properties window for a layer you must double click the desired layer in the layers
window. The resulting window is below:

1. Double click on the layer of interest in the layer pane. The layer prosperities window will open,
make sure you are on the Style Tab.

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 2. Fortunately we are already on the style tab and its on the top left of this tab that it is possible to
make thematic changes to the map. Options include single symbol, categorized, graduated, rule-
based, point displacement. So once a symbol style is selected the following window opens.

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 3. Select the attribute field you want to analyze/ visualize. Its also in this window that you can
select a color scheme and label based on the color scheme break up.

LABLES:

1. Double click the layer you wish to set labels, in the properties window select Labels. Select the
Display labels box.

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2. In the window above it is possible to select the label displayed based on features attribute field. Also
to alter the font, font size, label placement. You have options to set scale dependent labels, and even
buffer the labels.

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Adding North Arrow or Scale Bar:

1. To add other thematic items in quantum go under the view tab and select decorations the options
include: north arrow, scale bar, and copyrite label.

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2. Important to remember when implementing a scale bar that the map units should be set to the
desired units. This can be accomplished under Settings>Project Properties and in that window.

Printable Map Layout: Quantum does have a layout option that is under File> Composer Manager under
which the user can add the desired map and make thematic changes to a printable map.

Adding Items to Layout:

The user can add maps, labels, scale bars, legends, N. arrow, and even attribute tables.

1. In order to add each item the user selects the item they wish to add in the top toolbar and then
uses the mouse to click and drag that item to desired location and size. Items are able to be
manipulated once they are added.
2. QGIS has a commands history window that keeps a log of the users commands within the
layout, a nice feature when needing to go back to make changes.
3.

4. There is also a side window with item properties and composition tabs. This is where changes
can be made to properties. For example select the scale bar and in its properties tab you are
able to alter the segment size, map units per bar and assorted other aspects.
5.

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 6. QGIS even has some basic graphic editing tools.(i.e. group selected, align selected left)
7. Example of the Composer Manager (Layout View)
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