Introduction and Course Overview

Advanced QGIS

Ujaval Gandhi
[email protected]

CC BY-4.0
Spatial Thoughts
● A learning platform for modern
geospatial technologies.
● Free and open learning content for
QGIS, Python, GDAL and Google
Earth Engine.
○ Learning materials used by 1 million+
users every year. ✅ QGIS.org certified training provider
○ All material is licensed under CC-BY ✅ QGIS.org sustaining member
● Online academy for cohort-based
instructor-led classes.
○ Trained participants from over 150
countries.
Introduction
● Background in GIS and Remote Sensing
○ Intern at Indian Institute of Remote Sensing (IIRS), Dehradun, India
○ MS in Geospatial Information Engineering from University of Wisconsin -
Madison, USA
● 15 years of professional experience
○ One of the early employees at Google Inc.
■ Moved to India in 2006 and established the maps team
■ Migrated internal teams to QGIS
■ Led the GIS and Aerial Imagery team in India from 2007-2019
○ Developed expertise in Google Earth Engine and trained 1000+ scientists
and researchers across India
Ujaval Gandhi
● Presently
○ Left Google in 2020 to work on startup Spatial Thoughts.
○ Building open-source content and helping people master advanced
geospatial skills.
Introduction
● Masters in Remote Sensing
● Interest in Automating Workflows
● Training Associate
○ Class logistics
○ Project support

Vigna Purohit
My QGIS Journey
● [2006] First encounter with QGIS (Quantum GIS
v 0.8)
● [2008] Started transitioning Google’s mapping
operations to QGIS
● [2010] Started publishing open materials online
from qgistutorials.com
○ Translated into 10+ languages by the community
● [2013] Wrote the Google Maps Engine
Connector for QGIS plugin
● [2019] Became a QGIS.org certified training
provider
● [2021] Developed QGIS materials for Urban
Planning and Hydrology*
● [2024] Cloud-native workflows for QGIS for
Climate and Earth Observation data*

[*links in slide notes]

Spatial Thoughts
Course Overview
Module 1 Module 2 Module 3 Module 4

Processing Toolbox Graphical Modeler Advanced Visualization Expressions

Processing Toolbox Model Designer 2D Animations Advanced Expressions

Batch Processing Best Practices for 3D Animations Must have Plugins

Scaling Workflows and
Data Management Case Studies
Assignment and Evaluation

Module 1 Module 3
Assignment
Module 2 Module 4

Class Challenges Assignment* Class Challenges

( 60 mins)
Live Quizzes Live Quizzes

* Assignment is due on the last day of the course

Course Overview
Module 1 Module 2

Processing Toolbox Advanced Visualization & Expressions

Processing Toolbox 2D Animations

Batch Processing 3D Animations

Graphical Modeler Advanced QGIS Expressions

Best Practices for Scaling Workflows and Case Studies with Real-World Data

Data Management
Live Session Structure
● The live-sessions are a mix of lectures + hands-on exercises
● We will have 1 break of 10-minute during the 3-hour session
● The sessions are highly interactive. You are encouraged to ask questions at
any point.
○ Don’t hold back. Ask clarifications early!
Live Session Structure
● Each section starts with a brief explanation of the concepts, followed by a
hands-on exercise.
○ Hands-on exercises are optional, but highly recommended.
● Each exercise is broken down into small logical sections.
○ There are checkpoint projects provided in your data package that will allow you to catch up
and continue from any section.
● Participants are presented with a challenge at the end of each section.
● All participants must attempt the challenge and submit the solution.
○ Take a screenshot and submit via Zoom chat.
● All sessions are recorded and will be uploaded to the class page. If you miss
any session, watch the recording and submit the challenges by email.
Certification
● Certificate will be issued by QGIS.org and
given to all participants at the end of the
course.
● To receive the certificate, participants
must
○ Attend the full course live (both sessions)
○ Complete all the class exercises and
assignment
○ Complete the quizzes during the class
Let’s Get Started

https://courses.spatialthoughts.com/advanced-qgis.html
Supplement
What is Open Source Software?
● Source-code of the software is available to anyone to view, modify and
re-use
● Available under a variety of licenses
○ Most allow use of the software for any purpose without any restrictions
○ Some licenses (such GPL) require that derivative works are also licensed the same way
Open Source Models
● Community supported - donations, volunteer developers, paid feature
development (QGIS)
● Professional Services - Consulting/ training /support for open-source
software. Add-on modules and packaging to make software easy to use. (i.e.
NextGIS QGIS)
● Software-as-a-Service - Hosted versions of open-source code. For users
who do not want to manage their servers or do system administration. (i.e.
Mergin Maps, QField Cloud)
● Open-Core - Core of the software is open, but some features and additions
are proprietary (i.e. WhiteBox Tools)
Why Open Source?
● Proven to be more secure
○ More eyes on the code. Easier to discover and fix bugs
○ Easy to audit and ensure compliance to policies
● No lock-in
○ Any skilled developer can add features and fix bugs. No need to depend on a particular
vendor
● Flexibility in use
○ Can install multiple instances without worrying about licenses
○ Can be used offline, and in environments that may not be suited for proprietary software
● Cost
○ Significantly less total cost
○ Benefit from investments and contributions of a large number of people
QGIS
● Most popular open-source desktop GIS software
○ ~500K daily users, ~10M monthly users (QGIS Usage Dashboard)
● Project is over 20 years old and is very actively developed
● Mature organization structure. Registered legal entity, Project Steering
Committee, large community of users and developers
QGIS Applications
● QGIS Desktop: Create, edit, visualise, analyse and publish geospatial
information.
● QGIS Server: Publish your QGIS projects and layers as OGC compatible
WMS and WFS services.
● QGIS Web Client: Publish your QGIS projects on the web with ease.
● QGIS on Mobile: Focus on data collection.
○ MerginMaps- Open source project maintained by Lutra Consulting. Works on Android and
iOS.
○ QField - Open source project maintained by OPENGIS.ch. Works on Android and iOS.
QGIS Development Schedule
A new version of QGIS is released every four months. [View Roadmap]
● This is known as the ‘latest’ release

Every third release is a long-term-release (LTR) that is maintained for 1 year

● This is the ‘stable’ release
● Current LTR is 3.28. It will be the LTR till January 2024
● 3.34 will be the next LTR.
QGIS Certification Program
● Designed to promote quality education for QGIS software
● Certifying organizations are reviewed and vetted by the community and the
Project Steering Committee (PSC)
● Currently 30 certifying organizations globally
● Certifying organizations can issue official certificates on behalf of QGIS.org
● Certification cost is €20/certificate and this revenue funds QGIS
development/bug fixes
How to support QGIS?
● Join the community
○ Mailing List
○ StackExchange
○ QGIS Open Days and Telegram channel
● File bug reports!
● Test Nightly Builds
● Help with documentation
● Sponsor feature development
● Participant in Crowdfunding