Overview of QGIS: The Free and Open-Source GIS Platform

What is QGIS?

QGIS stand for Quantum GIS, it’s a Free and open-source GIS Software to perform GIS (Geographic Information System) application, that supports create, edit, visualize and analysis of Geo-spatial data.

Uses of QGIS:

1. Mapping & Cartography
   • Designing thematic maps with legends, scale bars, and labels.
2. Spatial Analysis
   • Buffering, overlay, proximity, terrain, and hydrology analysis.
3. Remote Sensing
   • Image classification, NDVI calculation, and band combination.
4. Data Management
   • Editing shapefiles, digitizing maps, and managing GeoPackages.
5. Web GIS
   • Publishing maps via QGIS Server or integrating with Leaflet/Mapbox.

Download QGIS Software

The current version is of QGIS 3.44.0 ‘Solothurn’ has been released. Download QGIS Software.

Core Components of QGIS

• QGIS Desktop: Main interface for map creation, analysis, and visualization.
• QGIS Browser: Quick access to data and file management.
• QGIS Server: Publish maps and data as web services (WMS/WFS/WCS).
• QGIS Web Client (QWC2): A web mapping front-end for published data.
• QField for QGIS: Mobile data collection and field mapping app.

QGIS Desktop

The QGIS GUI (Graphical User Interface) is divided into five components:

1. Menu Bar
2. Toolbars
3. Panels
4. Map View
5. Status Bar

QGIS Menu Bar

The Menu Bar is located at the top of the QGIS interface and provides access to all major tools and functionalities organized into menus.

1. Project

• New / Open / Save Project
• Import/Export Project
• Project Properties (CRS, metadata)
• Exit

2. Edit

• Cut / Copy / Paste features
• Undo / Redo
• Edit geometry (Add, Delete vertex)
• Snapping options

3. View

• Pan / Zoom in-out / Full extent
• Map navigation tools
• Show/Hide panels and toolbars
• Decorations (Scale bar, North arrow, Grid)

4. Layer

• Add Vector, Raster, Mesh, Point Cloud layers
• Create/Edit Layers (Shapefile, GeoPackage)
• Layer Properties & Styling
• Group layers or create virtual layers

5. Settings

• Options (General, CRS, Digitizing, Network)
• Style Manager
• Configure shortcuts and toolbars

6. Plugins

• Manage and install plugins
• Python plugin console
• Access external tools like QuickMapServices

7. Vector

• Geoprocessing tools: Buffer, Clip, Dissolve
• Geometry and attribute tools
• Analysis tools (Join, Count, Sum)

8. Raster

• Raster calculator
• Terrain analysis (Slope, Aspect, Hillshade)
• Conversion tools (Raster to Vector)

9. Database

• Connect to PostGIS, SpatiaLite, MSSQL, Oracle
• Run SQL queries
• Import/export tables and layers

10. Web

• Access online services (WMS, WFS, XYZ Tiles)
• Connect to OpenStreetMap or external map services

11. Mesh

• Tools for 3D or scientific grid data

12. Processing

• Open Processing Toolbox (integrates SAGA, GRASS, GDAL)

13. Help

• Documentation, shortcuts, About QGIS

QGIS Panels and Toolbars

Panels

Toolbars

QGIS Map View

QGIS Status Bar

QGIS Default Core Plugins

QGIS Software Tutorial

Georeferencing

The Georeferencer tool generating reference raster to geographic or projected coordinate systems by creating a new GeoTIff or by adding a world file to the existing image.

Perform Image to Image Georeferencing.

Perform Ground to Image Georeferencing.

Vector Data (Shapefile)

The Vector file or Shapefile is digital forms of maps to create symbology, labeling, diagrams. It also data storage format for storing the location, shape, and attributes of geographic features.

Create Vector Data or Shapefile.

Digitization

Digitization is a process of Raster 2 Vector Conversion.

Perform Raster 2 Vector Conversion (screen Digitization).

Uses of Attributes Toolbar

Attributes Toolbar use for editing Maps and manipulating Data.

Use Attributes Toolbar.

Layout (Print composer)

The Print Composer provides growing layout and printing capabilities. It allows you to add elements such as the Q-GIS map canvas.

Perform Layout in QGIS.

FAQ?