2.1. Lesson: Adding your first layer

We will start the application, and create a basic map to use for examples and exercises.

The goal for this lesson: To get started with an example map.

Note

Before starting this exercise, QGIS must be installed on your computer. Also, you should have downloaded the sample data to use.

Launch QGIS from its desktop shortcut, menu item, etc., depending on how you configured its installation.

Note

The screenshots for this course were taken in QGIS 3.4 running on Linux. Depending on your setup, the screens you encounter may well appear somewhat different. However, all the same buttons will still be available, and the instructions will work on any OS. You will need QGIS 3.4 (the latest version at time of writing) to use this course.

Let's get started right away!

2.1.1. basic Follow Along: Prepare a map

  1. Open QGIS. You will have a new, blank map.

    ../../../_images/add_blank_qgis.png

  2. The Data Source Manager dialog allows you to choose the data to load depending on the data type. We'll use it to load our dataset: click the dataSourceManager Open Data Source Manager button.

    If you can't find the icon, check that the Data Source Manager toolbar is enabled in the View ‣ Toolbars menu.

    ../../../_images/add_data_dialog.png

  3. Load the protected_areas.shp vector dataset:

    1. Click on the Vector tab.

    2. Enable the radioButtonOnFile source type.

    3. Press the ... button next to Vector Dataset(s).

    4. Select the exercise_data/shapefile/protected_areas.shp file in your training directory.

    5. Click Open. You will see the original dialog, with the file path filled in.

      ../../../_images/add_vector_dialog.png

    6. Click Add here as well. The data you specified will now load: you can see a protected_areas item in the Layers panel (bottom left) with its features shown in the main map canvas.

      ../../../_images/first_loaded_layer.png

Congratulations! You now have a basic map. Now would be a good time to save your work.

  1. Click on the Save As button: fileSaveAs

  2. Save the map under a solution folder next to exercise_data and call it basic_map.qgz.

2.1.2. basic Try Yourself

Repeat the steps above to add the places.shp and rivers.shp layers from the same folder (exercise_data/shapefile) to the map.

Check your results

2.1.3. In Conclusion

You've learned how to add a layer from a Shapefile dataset and create a basic map!

2.1.4. What's Next?

Now you're familiar with the basic function of the Open Data Source Manager button, but what about all the others? How does this interface work? Before we go on, let's first take a look at the layout of the QGIS interface. This is the topic of the next lesson.