Welcome back to the U.S. Census Open Mapping Series. This is GIS module 3 Basics of QGIS
2. In this Module, you will learn how to design a basic map using US census Tiger data. You
will style the data and the map for the most effective presentation. You will learn how
to use the print composer to design a printed map. You will learn how to export your completed
map as an image file or it to be able to print it out. With breaks for self-paced learning,
it should take you about 20 to 25 minutes to complete this module. Let's get started,
Part 1 Symbolizing Vector Data. In module 2, you added US Census Tiger Shapefiles to
a map. If it is not already open, double-click on the QGIS desktop icon to open. Your saved
project Florida places should be listed under recent projects, double-click on the project
to open. Three layers should be visible in the layers panel right-click on the Tal 2017
US State layer and scroll down to properties or double-click on the layer to open properties.
A new window will open, this is the layer properties dialog box. Under style, you can
see that fill is set to simple, click on simple fill to change the options. Click the color
square next to fill; a new window will open. Explore the different color options. You might
want to choose a light color to help the other layers stand out on the map. Once you've selected
a color click OK, you can also choose to change the outline style. When you're finished, click
apply, and ok. The map will render with your color choice. Pause the video now and take
a minute to explore the different options. Before styling the roads, let's take a look
at the data. Open the attribute table by selecting TL 2017 roads and clicking the attribute table
button. Or by right-clicking and going down to open attribute table. Notice the letters
in the column RTTYP, which stands for Route type. The Census uses route type codes to
describe the type of Road. This category will be used to style the roads according to type
and improve our map. To view the source of the data table, visit the link on the page.
Return to the QGIS window. Double-click on the roads layer. Layer properties will open,
this time to style a vector line file. Fill is set to single symbol, click the drop-down
to change the options. Select categorized, next to column, use the drop-down menu to
choose RTTTP under the white box click classify. The letter codes will appear, for this map,
we will keep in style the IS and new road types. To remove the others, highlight and
click the red minus button. Do the same with all except the IS and new rows. If you make
a mistake, no problem. Click classify again and start over. Double click in the window
to edit the text. Add interstate road for I, state road for S, and US Road for U. Change
the symbol for each road type by double-clicking on the line under symbol. Give each road type
its own style. Feel free to experiment with your own colors when you're happy with the
three line Styles, click apply and ok, to see the changes on the map and in the layers
panel. Pause the video now and take a few minutes to style your roads. Now double-click
on the place layer to open the layer properties. Fill is set to simple, click on simple fill
to change the options. Click the color square next to fill, to open a new window. Choose
a darker color to help the places stand out on the map. Once you've selected a color click
OK. You can remove the outline by changing outline style to no pen; this will remove
any confusion with their roads. Click apply and ok to update the layer, as you can see
places are blocking roads. Drag the layers within the layers panel to reorder them on
the map, save your map changes. Part 2, the Print Composer. You've just styled your first
map layers, but now you would like to turn this into a printed map. The QGIS window is
where you work behind the scenes; the print composer enables you to design maps and atlases
that can be printed or saved as image files. To start a new print composer, click project,
new print composer or hold ctrl P. A window will open to prompt you to title the new composer.
Call this one Florida places, click OK. A new window, the print composer will open.
This is your blank canvas for turning your visualized styled vector data into a printed
map. Note saving in the QGIS window does not save your print composer. Save early and save
often. On the left side of the window select the add new map button. You can hover over
the buttons with your mouse to see their purpose. Click your mouse and drag to draw a rectangle
on the canvas the map that appears will look like the map of Florida you were working on
in the QGIS frame. Find the select tool by hovering over the buttons, select the map
canvas rectangle. Now select the move item content tool, which enables you to move the
map within the map frame. Click and hold the left mouse button down to reposition Florida
within the map. You can also use the scroll wheel to zoom in and out. You can also resize
the scale of the map. With the map canvas selected click on item properties on the right
side panel. The scale box shows the current map scale. Type 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 and press enter.
You will see the size of the map and the scale change. Reposition the map using the move
item tool so that fits within the map frame. You can also change the map from the main
QGIS window return to the main QGIS window keeping print composer open, double-click
on the places to open layer properties. Go to the style tab and change the color slightly
to make it stand out. Click apply and click OK to close the box. Return to your print
composer window. Did your map change? If not, click the refresh view button, the places
should update. Again, remember to click Save often to save your composer changes. A title
helps viewers better understand the subject of your map. Select the add new label button.
Hold the left mouse button down to draw a rectangle in a blank part of the map canvas.
You can change the text in the item properties panel on the right side. Click where it says
QGIS, and replace it with places in Florida, increase the size and change the font, with
a font button under Appearance. Click font,to open a new window change the size from 10
to at least 35, and a font style to bold. When you're happy with your font click OK.
Use the Select tool to resize the rectangle to fit the text by moving the small corner
white squares. You can change the alignment of the words in the item properties panel.
You can change horizontal alignment to Center and vertical alignment to middle, resize the
square if the text no longer fits. Click outside of the map canvas to unselect the text box,
click the Save button to save your changes. A legend can provide
information that is essential to understand the map content. To add a legend select the
add new legend tool on the left side toolbar. Click in a blank area in your map composer
window a legend will appear on the right side use the item properties tab under legend and
main to format and edit your legend. Explore the different options for example can remove
layers from the legend or double click on each legend item to edit the name. Let's change
TL201712 roads, just to roads, click ok. Take a second and simplify the names of the other
layers. I would suggest you uncheck the box Auto update, this means you can now update
the legend manually anytime but if you change the main QGIS map it will not change the legend
automatically. Reposition your legend using the Select tool set of is legible and balances
the map. A scale bar helps viewers understand distances on a map. To add one, select the
add new scale bar toolbar button and click inside the map canvas. The scale bar will
be added, edit the scale bar properties in the item properties panel. Be sure that the
scale bar is selected, explore the options. Change the scale bar units to feet set segments
to left equals 0 and right equals 2 by using the up and down arrows. Reposition your scale
bar to balance the map title legend and map canvas, save your print composer. A North
arrow helps to orient viewers of your map. To add a North arrow select the add new image
button. Hold the left mouse button and draw a rectangle in a blank part of the canvas
on the right side. Expand the search directory section to access the North arrow options.
Pause the video and take a few minutes to design your printed map, don't forget to save.
When you are happy with your map it will be time to print or export. To print your map,
click the print icon or navigate to composer print. To export your map as a PDF, click
the PDF toolbar button or navigate to composer export as PDF and menu. A save dialog box
will open navigate to your census data folder and save it as your last name module 3. To
export your map is an image click export as image button or navigate to composer export
as image. Choose from 10 different image file formats, there are also options to change
the resolution or dpi and resize the output. Save your composure and click the X in the
corner to close. Check your outputs by navigating to your census folder and opening the PDF
and or image files. How does your map look? Congratulations, you have completed the GIS
path of the U.S. Census Open Mapping Series. We thank you for your participation. Have
you tried the Open Street Map path? If not, navigate back to the main page and get started
today. If so stay tuned for additional GIS modules coming soon.