Wikipedia:Graphics Lab/Resources/QGIS/Get ready: Difference between revisions

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[[File:QGis_Print_composer_output_-_06_localizator_starting_point_(correct).png|thumb|300px|The QGis interface. QGis can import GIS data—high quality topographic backgrounds, shaded reliefs, and administrative regions or borders—and apply styles to them.]]

[[File:Washington_topographic_map-fr.svg|300px|thumb|Map with imported GIS data: ➊. NASA's topographic background, shaded➋. relief,NaturalEarth's administrative borders, and➌. [[OpenStreetMap|OSM]]'s roads and urban areas, ➍. TheNASA labelsbased shaded relief (+GIMP).<br />➎. Legends, icons, andscale, north arrow, localizator, topographic legend are easily addeddrag&drop lateradded using [[Inkscape]].<!--➊➋➌➍➎➏-->]]

[[File:Chinese plain 5c. BC-en.svg|thumb|300px|right|Made using GIS data 'ETOPO1', QGis, this QGis tutorial, Inkscape, and the Wikipedia map conventions. Late Spring and Autumn Period, 5th centry BCE, before the breakup of Jin and the Qin move into Sichuan.]]

<!-- QGis and GIS outline: -->

'''QGis''' (full name: '''[[Quantum GIS]]''') is a [[GPL license]], cross-platform ([[Windows]], [[Linux]], [[Mac OS|Mac]]), and rather friendly cartographic software application. It is a [[Geographic information system|Geographic Information System]] (GIS) program you can use to create, view, and analyze maps. In a nutshell, a GIS associates with each geographic coordinate (dot) on Earth a specific value from some survey. The best example of this is altitude: a [[topographic map]], like the ones you see on the right, can be created from a GIS file in which each pixel represents not only a geographic coordinate, but also information about its altitude. Reversely, objects can be placed on a map and associated with specific coordinates; this is commonly used for features such as roads, bodies of water, state or province borders, urban areas, etc. As a result, these features are [[georeference|georeferenced]] on separate layers and their shape and ___location match their actual appearance on the surface of the Earth.

<!-- GIS's effect on mapmaking: -->

This approach radically changes the process of making maps. Formerly, the mapmaker or graphist had to personally draw each layer of a map, then combine them into an image. The work's reliability and precision were limited by the user's resources and knowledge. Now, the mapmaker can collect precise GIS data from reliable sources and simply load them into QGis. Objects will be automatically placed in their exact coordinates, allowing the user to apply custom styles and output an accurate basemap, which may be the end product, or a background to host additional custom layers (icons, labels, a legend, etc.). For Wikipedia, the advantages of GIS maps are precision, reliability, consistency, and an upgrade in visual elegance of the final images. Using QGis will be mainly helpful in generating '''topographic backgrounds (png, svg), shaded reliefs (png), and administrative regions or borders (png, svg)''', and applying various styles to them.

<!-- GIS softwares comparison: -->

While [[GRASS GIS]] still seems to be the most common GIS software, it has a primarily [[command-line interface]] and can be difficult to learn and operate. Therefore, beginners will prefer [[QGis]], which is quite powerful and user-friendly. It integrates GRASS GIS and [[GDAL]] data, provides an [[graphical user interface|easier to use interface]] for GRASS GIS, and gives the user an opportunity to improve his or her GIS mapmaking skills.

While [[GRASS GIS]] still seems to be the most common GIS software, it has a primarily [[command-line interface]] and can be difficult to learn and operate. Therefore, beginners will prefer [[QGis]], which is quite powerful and user-friendly. It integrates GRASS GIS and [[GDAL]], provides an [[graphical user interface|easier to use interface]] for GRASS GIS, and gives the user an opportunity to improve his or her GIS mapmaking skills.

<!-- Tutorial scope: -->

This tutorial series will teach you '''how to use QGis to generate reliable maps for Wikipedia'''. Accordingly, it is Wikipedia-centered and focuses on outputting general public encyclopedic maps while following the [[Wikipedia:WikiProject_Maps/Conventions|Wikipedia map conventions]].

If you would like a more comprehensive overview of QGis and its functions, you can read the [http://qgis.org/en/documentation/manuals.html official User Guide], available in several languages.

=Step 0.1: Get the tools=

==Install QGis==

Find your operating system from the list below and follow the link to the appropriate installer. Please don't install the sample data sets (North Carolina, etc.); you will be downloading more complete data later.

* [http://www.qgis.org/wiki/Download#Windows Windows] (Standalone Installer) ([http://www.qgis.org/wiki/DownloadFr fr], [http://www.qgis.org/wiki/DownloadDe de]) – You can also watch a video demonstrating the installation process [http://vimeo.com/9476971], but be advised that it is out of date and describes currently inaccurate file sizes and download times.

* [http://www.qgis.org/wiki/Download#Linux Linux] ([http://www.qgis.org/wiki/DownloadFr#Linux fr], [http://www.qgis.org/wiki/DownloadDe#Linux de]), for Ubuntu:

::sudo add-apt-repository ppa:ubuntugis/ubuntugis-unstable #For versions >1.7.0

::sudo apt-get update

::sudo apt-get install qgis

* [http://www.qgis.org/wiki/Download#MacOS_X MacOS X] (FrameWorks) ([http://www.qgis.org/wiki/DownloadFr#MacOS_X fr], [http://www.qgis.org/wiki/DownloadDe#MacOS_X de])

While QGis will allow you to open many GIS files, we are mainly concerned with '''.[[Tagged Image File Format|tiff]]''' (raster, topographic) and '''.[[Shapefile|shp]]''' (vector) files.
{{important|If you encounter any issues, you can browse and ask questions at the [http://forum.qgis.org QGis Forum] ({{green|veryno more active}}), willor generallyanother answer in ~6 hoursforum.}}).

==Create some helpful folders==

On your desktop, or some other suitable place, create the following folders:

{| class="wikitable"

* /QGis

|-

** /Data_ETOPO1

| style="width: 30%; vertical-align: top; padding: 1em;" |

** /Data_SRTM3v2

&rarr; QGis

*** /Shaded

:&rarr; Data_ETOPO1

** /Data_Naturalearth.com

:&rarr; Data_SRTM

** (/Data_... [other source folders as needed])

::&rarr; Shaded

** /Tutorials

:&rarr; Data_Naturalearth.com

** /Mapcolors

:&rarr; (Data_... [other source folders as needed])

** /Projects

:&rarr; Tutorials

** /Examples

:&rarr; Mapcolors

** /Outputs

:&rarr; Projects

** /[others as needed]

:&rarr; Examples

:&rarr; Outputs

:&rarr; [others as needed]

| style="vertical-align: top; padding: 1em; padding-left: 2em;" |

You need ''/Data_[sourcename]'' folders because data sets from each source may have different copyright status, coverage quality, or subjects (topography, political boundaries, etc.), and are usually made of dozens of files/tiles. Separate folders for each source will help you keep the files together and the sets organized. ''/Tutorial'' will host any interesting tutorials (webpages, PDF, etc.) you may find, which you can then edit or take notes on. Any color styles you will find online or create yourself can be saved into ''/Mapcolors''. Your QGis projects will be saved in the ''/Projects'' folder, while you can use ''/Examples'' to collect any maps on Wikipedia that you like and want to study ([[reverse engineering]]). ''/Outputs'' will host the many intermediate outputs you will generate and look at to improve your mapmaking skills, as well as any finished maps you create.

*You need separate ''Data_[sourcename]'' folders because data sets from each source may have different copyright status, coverage quality, or subjects (topography, political boundaries, etc.), and are usually made of dozens of files/tiles. Separate folders for each source will help you keep the files together and the sets organized.

*''Tutorials'' will host any interesting tutorials (webpages, PDF, etc.) you may find, which you can then edit or take notes on.

==Save your first color style==

Copy-paste the following color code in an empty, [[plain text]] document (using something like [[Notepad]] or [[TextEdit]]), then save it in ./QGis/Mapcolors/ as '''Wikicarto_2.0.qml'''. We will frequently use it later.

{{summarization|title=: Colormap "Wikicarto_2.0.qml"|1=<pre>

<!DOCTYPE qgis PUBLIC 'http://mrcc.com/qgis.dtd' 'SYSTEM'>

<qgis version="1.6.0-Copiapo" minimumScale="1" maximumScale="1e+08" hasScaleBasedVisibilityFlag="0">

<transparencyLevelInt>255</transparencyLevelInt>

<rasterproperties>

<mDrawingStyle>SingleBandPseudoColor</mDrawingStyle>

<mColorShadingAlgorithm>ColorRampShader</mColorShadingAlgorithm>

<mInvertColor boolean="false"/>

<mRedBandName>Not Set</mRedBandName>

<mGreenBandName>Not Set</mGreenBandName>

<mBlueBandName>Not Set</mBlueBandName>

<mGrayBandName>Bande 1</mGrayBandName>

<mStandardDeviations>0</mStandardDeviations>

<mUserDefinedRGBMinimumMaximum boolean="false"/>

<mRGBMinimumMaximumEstimated boolean="true"/>

<mUserDefinedGrayMinimumMaximum boolean="false"/>

<mGrayMinimumMaximumEstimated boolean="true"/>

<mContrastEnhancementAlgorithm>StretchToMinimumMaximum</mContrastEnhancementAlgorithm>

<contrastEnhancementMinMaxValues>

<minMaxEntry>

<min>-10458</min>

<max>6741</max>

</minMaxEntry>

</contrastEnhancementMinMaxValues>

<mNoDataValue mValidNoDataValue="false">-9999.000000</mNoDataValue>

<customColorRamp>

<colorRampType>DISCRETE</colorRampType>

<colorRampEntry red="245" value="8000.000000" green="244" blue="242" label="altitude 19 neiges eternelles"/>

<colorRampEntry red="224" value="7000.000000" green="222" blue="216" label="altitude 18 neiges eternelles"/>

<colorRampEntry red="202" value="6000.000000" green="195" blue="184" label="altitude 17 neiges eternelles"/>

<colorRampEntry red="186" value="5000.000000" green="174" blue="154" label="altitude 16 neiges eternelles"/>

<colorRampEntry red="172" value="4000.000000" green="154" blue="124" label="altitude 15 neiges eternelles"/>

<colorRampEntry red="170" value="3000.000000" green="135" blue="83" label="altitude 14"/>

<colorRampEntry red="185" value="2000.000000" green="152" blue="90" label="altitude 13"/>

<colorRampEntry red="195" value="1500.000000" green="167" blue="107" label="altitude 12"/>

<colorRampEntry red="202" value="1000.000000" green="185" blue="130" label="altitude 11"/>

<colorRampEntry red="211" value="800.000000" green="202" blue="157" label="altitude 10"/>

<colorRampEntry red="222" value="600.000000" green="214" blue="163" label="altitude 9"/>

<colorRampEntry red="232" value="400.000000" green="225" blue="182" label="altitude 8"/>

<colorRampEntry red="239" value="300.000000" green="235" blue="192" label="altitude 7"/>

<colorRampEntry red="225" value="200.000000" green="228" blue="181" label="altitude 6"/>

<colorRampEntry red="209" value="150.000000" green="215" blue="171" label="altitude 5"/>

<colorRampEntry red="189" value="100.000000" green="204" blue="150" label="altitude 4"/>

<colorRampEntry red="168" value="50.000000" green="198" blue="143" label="altitude 3"/>

<colorRampEntry red="148" value="20.000000" green="191" blue="139" label="altitude 2"/>

<colorRampEntry red="172" value="1.000000" green="208" blue="165" label="altitude 1"/>

<!-- <colorRampEntry red="167" value="0.000000" green="223" blue="210" label="depression"/> -->

<colorRampEntry red="216" value="0.000000" green="242" blue="254" label="altitude -1"/>

<colorRampEntry red="198" value="-20.000000" green="236" blue="255" label="altitude -2"/>

<colorRampEntry red="185" value="-50.000000" green="227" blue="255" label="altitude -3"/>

<colorRampEntry red="172" value="-100.000000" green="219" blue="251" label="altitude -4"/>

<colorRampEntry red="161" value="-250.000000" green="210" blue="247" label="altitude -5"/>

<colorRampEntry red="150" value="-500.000000" green="201" blue="240" label="altitude -6"/>

<colorRampEntry red="141" value="-750.000000" green="193" blue="234" label="altitude -7"/>

<colorRampEntry red="132" value="-1000.000000" green="185" blue="227" label="altitude -8"/>

<colorRampEntry red="121" value="-2000.000000" green="178" blue="222" label="altitude -9"/>

<colorRampEntry red="113" value="-4000.000000" green="171" blue="216" label="altitude -10"/>

</customColorRamp>

</rasterproperties>

</qgis>

</pre>

}}

*Any color styles you will find online or create yourself can be saved into ''Mapcolors''.

=Step 2: Download the GIS data=

{{in progress}}

{{stub}}<!-- Need to collect and organize GIS sources into a separate page.

{GIScitation|name=|license=|year=|topic=(topo, bary, rivers, etc.)|urlintro=|urldownload=|precision_equator=|covered_area=|format=|size_zip=|size_unzipped=|publisher=|tiles_total=number of files|tile_size=|datum=}

-->

==Types of data==

===Topography/bathymetry===

{{see also|:fr:Aide:Cartographie/Ressources cartographiques géoréférencées#Sources des données|:de:Hilfe:GMT#Topographische_Datens.C3.A4tze}}

*Your QGis projects will be saved in the ''Projects'' folder.

[[file:QGis_ETOPO1_vs_SRTM3_-_quality_match.jpeg|thumb|600px|Quality comparison between ETOPO1 (pixelated) and SRTM3 (smoother) data sets. This difference doesn't matter for making large maps with coverage greater than 1000km (~620mi) across.]]

*''Examples'' lets you collect any maps on Wikipedia that you like and want to study ([[reverse engineering]]).

[http://www.ngdc.noaa.gov/mgg/global/global.html ETOPO1] ([[topography]]/[[bathymetry]])

* one file for all the Earth (landmass and water)

* low quality (1px = 1000x1000m); unzipped file is ~400MB–1.1GB, depending on the format

* convenient for large maps depicting areas greater than 1000km (~620mi) across

*''Outputs'' will host the many intermediate outputs you will generate and look at to improve your mapmaking skills, as well as any finished maps you create.

(not working) [http://www.ngdc.noaa.gov/mgg/topo/gltiles.html GLOBE] (topography)

|}

*16 files/tiles to cover the all the Earth (landmass)

*medium quality; unzipped landmass file is ~1.8GB

=Step 0.2: Download the GIS data=

[http://www2.jpl.nasa.gov/srtm/ SRTM/SWBD] (topography)

{{See also|Wikipedia:Graphic_Lab/Resources/Gis_sources_and_palettes{{!}}/GIS sources & palettes (English)||:fr:Aide:Cartographie/Ressources cartographiques géoréférencées#Sources des données{{!}}French|:de:Hilfe:GMT#Topographische_Datens.C3.A4tze{{!}}German}}

*about 20,000 files/tiles to cover all the Earth (landmass)

:{{done}}— section updated (2012/02)

*high quality (1px = 90x90m); unzipped landmass file is 60GB+

There are 2 kinds of data: raster GIS files — surfaces with limited precision represented by dots (pixels) — most of time topographic data; and vector GIS files — dots, lines and polygons. Below are both the biggest families, and some links to download the files needed for this tutorial.

*slow to manage

===Topography/bathymetry===

*for confirmed mapmakers

[[file:QGis_ETOPO1_vs_SRTM3_-_quality_match.jpeg|thumb|600px|Quality comparison between ETOPO1 (pixelated) and SRTM3 (smoother) data sets. This difference doesn't matter for making large maps with coverage greater than 1000km (~620mi) across.]]

* {{GIS data for Graphic Lab |name=ETOPO1 |url_download=http://www.ngdc.noaa.gov/mgg/global/global.html |publisher=[[NGDC]]-[[NOAA]] |year=2009 |license= Public ___domain |tag= standard |url_doc=http://www.ngdc.noaa.gov/mgg/global/etopo1sources.html |layers=topography & bathymetry |precision_max=1850m (1minute arch) |covered_area= all Earth (90N-90S, landmass & sea floor) |datum=WGS&nbsp;84 |projection = (?) |extensions=.zip → .tif and others |size_compressed=326Mo |size_uncompressed=900Mo |tile_size=whole earth |tiles_total= 1 |comment = Perfect for very large maps (ex: > France).|editor_note= For this tutorial, download: [http://www.ngdc.noaa.gov/mgg/global/relief/ETOPO1/data/ice_surface/grid_registered/georeferenced_tiff/ ETOPO1 Ice Surface (grid registered)] or [http://www.ngdc.noaa.gov/mgg/global/relief/ETOPO1/data/bedrock/grid_registered/georeferenced_tiff/ ETOPO1 Bedrock (grid-registered)]. nb: ETOPO1 (1px=1km²) is a better data than ETOPO2 (1px=2kmx2km).}}

[http://srtm.csi.cgiar.org/SELECTION/inputCoord.asp SRTM3 v4] (topography)

* {{GIS data for Graphic Lab |name= SRTM3 (90m) |url_download= http://demex.cr.usgs.gov/DEMEX/ |publisher= NASA / USGS |year= 2000 |license= Public Domain |tag= standard |url_doc= http://dds.cr.usgs.gov/srtm/version2_1/Documentation/SRTM_Topo.pdf |layers= topography |precision_max= 93m (3"arch) |covered_area= 60⁰N-56⁰S (landmass only) |datum= WGS&nbsp;84 |extensions= .tif |size_compressed= |size_uncompressed= |tile_size= on command |tiles_total= 1 |comment = Perfect for small areas anywhere in the world. Need to create a free account. Worth it. You will use this source frequently. |editor_note= For this tutorial, and since GIS data are quite heavy (SRTM3 90m, Aster 30m), select and download the smallest area possible (Taiwan, Hongkong are good choices with both sea and mountains).}}

*about 1,000 files/tiles to cover all the Earth (landmass)

{{Collapse|title=Depreciated 'tiles download' approach|1=

*high quality (1px = 90x90m); unzipped landmass file is 30GB+

Formerly, high precision topographic GIS datas being too big —about 60GB for the whole Earth—, these datas were split into dozens, hundreds, or thousands small tiles about some MB each. The mapmaker had to find, download, unzip, load the several needed tiles (say 10 tiles for Danemark), and manage these 10 tiles in parallel for color styles, effects, etc. However, the process is a more complex than downloading a single file. You will need to:

*slow to manage

# '''Know''' the coordinates of the area you want to map—although you do have the option of visually selecting the area on the download page.

*for confirmed map makers

# '''Find''' the associated GIS files (also called '''tiles'''). SRTM files have names such as "N22E112.hgt.zip", standing for 22⁰ North, 112⁰ East.

# '''Download''' them. A small island will be made of a few files, the Korean peninsula of about a hundred, and Eurasia of more than 5,000.

# '''Unzip''' them.

# '''Load''' them into QGis.

}}

===Other GIS data===

;Provinces:

[http://www.naturalearthdata.com/features/ Naturalearthdata.com] (public ___domain) is a collection of GIS data within the following categories:

* {{GIS data for Graphic Lab |name= Admin level 1 : State/Provinces polygons (10m-admin-1-states-provinces) |url_download=http://www.naturalearthdata.com/http//www.naturalearthdata.com/download/10m/cultural/10m-admin-1-states-provinces-shp.zip |publisher=[http://www.naturalearthdata.com/ Naturalearthdata.com] |year= 2009 |license=Public ___domain |tag= standard

*cultural—human and political, including borders for countries and smaller administrative divisions, as well as cities and urban areas

|url_doc=http://www.naturalearthdata.com/downloads/10m-cultural-vectors/10m-admin-1-states-provinces/ |layers=major rivers lines |precision_max= |covered_area=whole earth |datum=WSG84 |projection =Geographic projection(?<!-- what that ? source : http://www.naturalearthdata.com/features/ -->) |extensions=.zip →.shp |size_compressed=14Mb |size_uncompressed=19Mb |tile_size=whole Earth |tiles_total=1 |comment = <u>For ___location maps</u>, large and local, and complex maps (political, military, history).|editor_note= }}

;Others existing

There are vatious other GIS layers available online. By example, [http://www.naturalearthdata.com/features/ Naturalearthdata.com] (public ___domain) is a collection of easily usable GIS data with the following categories:

*cultural—human and administrative (areas or borders) for countries (L-0) and smaller administrative divisions (L-1, L-2, L-3), as well as cities and urban areas

*physical—coastlines, rivers, lakes, bathymetry, and geographic lines

*raster backgrounds—Natural Earth 2 (topographic), ocean bottom, shaded relief grey

To see our selection, go to the /Gis_sources_and_palettes subpage.

=Step 0.3: Load a GIS file as a layer=

==Which data should I get?==

[[Image:QGis tutorial - layers toolbar.png|thumb|right|super|450px|1. Add Vector Layer, 2. Add Raster Layer, 3. Remove Layer(s)]]

'''New users''' will prefer to simply download ETOPO1 for topography (precision: 1px = 1km x 1km). Don't use ETOPO2 which is actually an oldest version (1px = 2km x 2km).

Loading a GIS file adds the data into your project as a [[Layers (digital image editing)| layer]]. For our purposes, we care about '''vector layers and raster layers'''. There are three ways you can add layers into your project: using the menu, using the keyboard shortcuts, or using the toolbar icons.

*'''Using the menu:''' go to ''Layer > Add Vector Layer...'' or ''Layer > Add Raster Layer...'', depending on which you would like to add, and ''Layer > Remove Layer(s)'' to delete.

'''Confirmed mapmakers''' will use the SRTM/SWBD for its better quality. The process is more complex :

*'''Using the shortcuts:''' ''Ctrl + Shift + V (Cmd + Shift + V on Mac)'' to add a vector layer or ''Ctrl + Shift + R (Cmd + Shift + R)'' to add a raster layer, and ''Ctrl + D (Cmd + D)'' to remove layer(s).

# '''Know''' the coordinates of the area they want to map

*'''Using the toolbar:''' Simply click the icon corresponding to the layer type you want to add.

# '''Find''' online these associated GIS files (also called '''tiles'''). Files have names such as "N22E112.hgt.zip", standing for 22⁰ North, 112⁰ East.

# '''Download''' them handly. Some for a small ilsland ; about one hundred for Korea ; + 5 thousands for Eurasia.

# '''Unzip''' them.

# '''Load''' them into QGis.

=Step 3: Load a GIS file (layer) into QGis=

{| class="wikitable" align="right"

| [http://vimeo.com/9739284 QGis tutorial video,<br />watch the first minute.]

|}

Start QGis > in QGis' topbar, click icon "Add a Raster Layer" > Select the unzipped "ETOPO1_Ice_g_geotiff.tif", .shp, .shx, etc. > open.

The data will appear in grey by default.<br />

If you have a vector layer to load : click icon "Add a Vector Layer". Etc.

<gallery widths="600px" heights="300px">

file:QGis_Data_load_-_01_raster_topography.png |Add raster layer

file:QGis_Data_load_-_02_raster_topography.png |Topo data appear in grey.

</gallery>

=Step 4: Load some custom colors=

:''Main page : [[Wikipedia:Graphic Lab/Resources/QGis mapcolor files]] - for more colormap files''

To set custom colors, it is need to edit the layer's properties. Topographic GIS data are by default displayed using greys : a palette or mapcolor going from white to black. But you can use other palettes/mapcolors. Palettes/mapcolors are a set of colors that you appreciate and generally use.

<gallery widths="600px" heights="300px">

<!-- file:QGis_Load_mapcolor_style_-_01_properties_window.png |Properties window (by default). -->

file:QGis_Load_mapcolor_style_-_03_symbology_box.png |If you already created your own palette (.qml), the fastest way : <br />1. Properties > Symbology box > Laod style [browse + select]> '''Apply'''. Othersiwe....

file:QGis_Load_mapcolor_style_-_03_symbology_box.png |2a. Properties > Symbology box > change "Color map: Grayscale" into "Color map: Colormap" > '''Apply''' so the Colormap box is now working.

file:QGis_Load_mapcolor_style_-_02_mapcolor_box.png |2b. Properties > Colormap box > Edit entry (repeat as needed) > '''Apply'''<br />If need : <br />* You can "Save As Default" to attach this style to this GIS file ; <br />* You can "Save this style" if this style may be useful to use/load for other files.

file:QGis Print composer output - 06 localizator starting point (correct).png | Final result, either by loading or slow edition.

</gallery>

Since the Graphic labs developed such guidelines for colors, the following mapcolors have been created, and shared, to ease the creation of wiki maps. Enjoy !

You can also remove a layer by selecting it in the ''Layers'' window, right clicking on it, and clicking on ''Remove''.

==Existing color palettes==

The [[Wikipedia:Graphic Lab/Resources/QGis mapcolor files|QGis mapcolor files]] page already has some palettes you can use. Simply copy-paste the code into a text document, then save as PALETTENAME'''.qml'''. Then, in QGis : LAYER > Properties > Load a style > [browse and select the .qml file]

Since the ETOPO1 data is a raster file, go ahead and add it to your project using whichever ''Add Raster Layer'' method you prefer.

=Step 5: Output your map, ''aka'' using the Print composer=

[[file:QGis Print composer output - 11 bitmap (png).png|right|300px|thumb|What we want is this : an high quality topographic output (you can zoom in a lot !). With QGis and experience, we can get this in about 5 to 10 mins]]

You are now working with QGis, your GIS data (namely: ETOPO1), your customized palette. To output your first topographic background, don't use File > Save as Image, which is a simple screenshot. For a better quality :

# '''Use the Print composer:''' QGis (1.6) > File > New print composer (Ctrl+P). First, in this composer window, overfly its topbar icons : one pop up "Add new map". Click this icon, then '''click&drag''' on the white area to put the map, then adjust. Second, on the right box : General > Composition > Paper quality > Size > Custom : set the size you want, larger it is, higher will be your output quality !

# '''Smoothing colors:''' be sure the color style is set to "linear":

:QGis (1.6) > Layer > Properties > Colormap > Color interpolation : set on "linear". The output will now be smoother, colors going smoothly from one to another.

Then : Composer > File > Export as image/PDF/SVG, and that's it, an high quality topo background.

<div class="center">

;Other functionalities

<gallery widths="500px" heights="300px">

'''Grids:''' Within the Print Composer > selecting an item > Item (right side) > Grid > customize as you wish/can.

file:QGis_Data_load_-_01_raster_topography.png |1. Adding a raster layer.

'''Add icons:''' user/share/qgis/svg/

file:QGis_Data_load_-_02_raster_topography.png |2. Topographical data will appear in grey.

<gallery widths="600px" heights="300px" align="center">

file:QGis Print composer output - 00 starting point.png|0. Starting point (QGIS, not Pront composer): Data are ready an using the correct colormap.

file:QGis Print composer output - 01 map size.png|01. File > New Print composer (Ctrl+P) > (you have a white page) > icon 'Add new map' > draw the diagonal of the area for your map

file:QGis Print composer output - 02 page size.png|02. Choice the page size (mm) and quality (dpi) : higher means better quality.

file:QGis Print composer output - 03 map centering.png|03. Centering the map

file:QGis Print composer output - 04 map Grid tab, show grid.png|04. Grid tab, add grid.

file:QGis Print composer output - 05 map Grid tab, show annotations.png|05. Grid tab, add annotations

file:QGis Print composer output - 06 localizator starting point (WRONG).png|06. Starting point for the localizator BUT white border in the tab : this is troublesome.

file:QGis Print composer output - 06 localizator starting point (correct).png|06. Starting point for the localizator without white in the maptab : Great !

file:QGis Print composer output - 07 localizator added.png|07. icon 'Add new map' > draw the diagonal of the area for your map (same than 01)

file:QGis Print composer output - 08 localizator red frame.png|08. Icon 'Add basic shape' > trace a shape > change to rectangle

file:QGis Print composer output - 09 Final look.png|09. Final look.

file:QGis Print composer output - 10 Final save.png|10. Save as png.

file:QGis Print composer output - 11 bitmap (png).png|11. QGis Print composer's Final high quality output (you can zoom in !)

</gallery>

</div>

=Links=

{{Digital cartography tutorials}}

[[ru:Википедия:Проект:Картография/Помощь/Векторная физическая карта]]

[[fr:Wikipédia:Atelier_graphique/Didacticiels_cartographiques/Didacticiel_de_création_de_carte_avec_QGIS]]