In the style dock, go to the labels settings and scroll down to data-defined properties. To do this, put a layer into edit mode and add an X and Y column (set the columns to decimal numbers). You can switch between layers and the changes will update in real time.Īlso, data labels really can be manually moved. Click the paintbrush button above the layers panel and the dock will appear on the right. Using the style dock will save a lot of clicking and waiting. Once the print composer is set up, you can style your layers in the map canvas.Ī few basic tips (thanks again to Nyall for showing me these): Change the dropdown from "Rectangle" to "Cache", and everything will come back. Fear not, the map has not disappeared! Select the map and go over to "Item properties". We noticed that if you close out of QGIS entirely, then come back to the print composer, all you see is a blank page. Save your print composer and come back to itĪt this point, save your print composer because of Murphy's Law. If you need to zoom in and out to check details, use the magnifier tool. This allows you to style the map layers, knowing that they'll look the same in the print version as they do in your canvas. Next, take the scale on your print composer and apply it to the map canvas, then lock it down. Tip: Click "View extent in map canvas" to make your data view mirror your print composer. You can also zoom in this way by using the scroll wheel, but it's easier to go over to the "Item properties" menu and just alter the scale number - you get more flexibility this way. The best way to move the content of the map is by clicking the "pan" tool and then clicking and dragging the map. ![]() There are a few ways you can scale and pan the map in the print composer. Once you know that, it's just a matter of re-sizing or scaling. The print composer will always peg what appears in your map to the bottom right-hand corner of what is in your data view. Sometimes what appears in your print composer doesn't exactly match what you see on your data view.Set up your document properties (page size, margins, etc)Ĭlick the "Add map" button and draw in the map where you want it to appear. Set up a new print composer and give it a name (Green) There's also an atlas creation tool - more on that on this workflow page. Use this menu for selecting the item you want to work with and for changing the order of items. (Pink) The print composer, like the map itself, works with layers. Using the scroll wheel on your mouse will be frustrating - try to use this scroll bar instead. You're going to do a lot of work in the Item Properties menu, and it'll often involve scrolling down. There are usually a ton of options and features buried in here. There's another menu ("Item properties") for working with an element that you've selected. There's one for the composition itself, which you'll use to set up your canvas size, margins, number of pages, etc when you first open a new print composer window. (Orange) These menus on the right are critical for modifying any of the elements on your page. (Blue) There are buttons on the left for adding elements like the map, scale bar, etc. If weird things happen when you click your mouse, then you've probably got the wrong tool selected. If you want to zoom around on the page without actually resizing anything, then you want zoom. If you want to be able to pan and zoom around within an element (like the map), then select the pan tool. In general you'll want the select tool highlighted in order to work with the elements on the page (shapes, text, map, etc). ![]() Whichever one is selected will dictate how your pointing, clicking, and scroll wheel are impacting the map features. (Red) The buttons on the top left are the different types of select tools that you're working with: point, zoom, select, and pan. This is less intuitive than it seems, so a few intro notes: ![]() Once you've got your basic layers added, create a new print composer and give it a name. Thanks to Nyall Dawson for reaching out with some tips and showing us a better way! Our new workflow is to drop in the basic layers and set up the print composer, then go back and do the styling later. After bashing our heads against the keyboard, we've come up with these tips and tricks to guide our new staff through the process.įirst, set up your map in QGIS and make it look nice. We love QGIS, but the print composer can be pretty frustrating at first. We at the American Red Cross are committed to using (and improving) open source software whenever possible. QGIS: Tips and tricks for the print composer
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |