Learn QGIS: YouTube Video Tutorials

QGIS
GIS
YouTube
Tutorial
Author

Akhilesh Kumar Karna

Published

July 18, 2023

Background

I have been teaching GIS for a long time. Recently I have created some video tutorials which can help you learn QGIS and Grass-GIS. You can solve GIS related problems and if you are a novice, you can begin with the simplest one. Below, I have added the YouTube videos which you can practice one step at a time.

The data required for the practice is stored in my website and the link is provided in the description.

1 Step-1: Making a beautiful map using vector data

1.1 Vector GIS Data Symbology - Part 1

This is part-1 of tutorial series entitled “Vector GIS Data Symbology”. In this tutorial, I have tried to explain easily understandable steps to use various types of symbol in QGIS.

You can download data for this tutorial at the following link: https://mrakhilesh.com/GIS/ls/data/nepal_all.zip

Disclaimer: The data is provided only for this tutorial practice.

1.2 Vector GIS Data Symbology - Part 2

This is second part of tutorial series entitle “Vector GIS Data Symbology”. In this tutorial, I have tried to explain easily understandable steps to use various types of symbol in QGIS. Hope it helps viewers. In this part I have introduced:

  1. Scale based visibility of layers
  2. Scale based visibility of labels

2 Step-2: Feature extraction based on location

In this video tutorial, I will tell you how to extract features based on location in QGIS. Feature extraction means extracting and creating a new GIS vector data layer based on certain conditions. It can be based on the attribute or location. In this tutorial we will learn:

  1. Extracting features based on attribute
  2. Extracting features inside a polygon
  3. Clipping features to polygon vector data.

Note: Use the data downloaded in Step-1

3 Step-3: Learn how to transform CRS of vector data in QGIS

Coordinate Reference System (CRS) is an important concept in GIS. I will explain how to reproject CRS of a vector layer in QGIS.

Note: We will use the data extracted in Step-2.

4 Step-4: Map production in QGIS

This tutorial will teach you how to produce a standard map in QGIS with all the elements like title, scalebar, grids and legends. Complete the above steps to start this tutorial. Alternatively, you can use your own data to proceed.

  1. The data is clipped to small area so that we can use projected coordinates.
  2. The data is reprojected to UTM-45N.

5 Step-5: Raster data symbology

We will learn to symbolize three different types of raster data.

  • Discrete values
  • Elevation data
  • Multiband raster data

Download the following files for practice. The data will be sufficient for the next 3 steps.

  1. DEM sample (https://mrakhilesh.com/GIS/class/link/data/dem_utm.tif)
  2. Sentinel Satellite Data (https://mrakhilesh.com/GIS/class/link/data/sentinel.zip)
  3. Global soil type (https://mrakhilesh.com/GIS/class/link/data/landcover.tif)
  4. Global soil type - Excel file (https://mrakhilesh.com/GIS/class/link/data/Globcover2009_Legend.xls)

5.1 Example-1: Symbolizing discrete values

In this tutorial, we will learn to symbolize raster data with a few discrete values. The data to be downloaded are listed in the description of this video.

5.2 Example-2: Symbolizing Elevation Data (Pseudo Color Symbol)

In this part we will symbolize a raster data of DEM which you must have downloaded before starting this tutorial.

5.3 Example-3: Symbolizing multi-band raster data

In this part we will symbolize a multi-band raster data of captured by Sentinel satellite.

6 Step-6: Georeferencing and Digitizing

Georefencing tool is used to geolocate an image so that when displaying in a GIS software, the image is displayed at its actual location. We use three-points on the image for which we know the actual coordinates on the earth. For details please look for the relevant materials.

Two different images will be used for this exercise, the reason for which will be obvious after following the tutorial. I will also teach how to join two layers having one common field in QGIS in the third part.

In the second part of this tutorial we will learn how to digitize the image to create a vector layer. It is highly useful exercise. The processing is done in QGIS 3.28. You need to download following data and unzip it.

https://mrakhilesh.com/GIS/class/link/data/georef.zip

6.1 Part-1: Georeferencing

Watch this video.

6.2 Part-2: On-screen digitizing practice

In this tutorial you will learn how to digitize and produce vector layers (point, polygon and lines) in QGIS by tracing a georeferenced image.

6.3 Part-3: Join layers by attribute

In this video tutorial we are going to join two layers by attribute. I have used the data created during the digitizing. Layer join is commonly used tool and is quite useful.

7 Step-7: Vector Analysis Techniques using QGIS

Some Vector Analysis techniques are presented as tutorials.

7.1 Practice Items

  1. Feature extraction
  2. Attribute based analysis (statistics)
  3. Pie Chart
  4. Line-polygon Intersection
  5. Rainfall data
    • Point to shape
    • Thiessen Polygons
  6. Nearest neighbor analysis
  7. Geoprocessing tools (Buffer, intersection, union)
  8. Landuse area by districts (This is shown in the video but not covered)

7.2 Data used for the practice

Right-click and save the data

  1. District boundary, Roads etc of Nepal : Data Link
  2. CBS Education Data (5-25 years): Data Link
  3. Landuse data(ICIMOD) - Data Link
  4. Others prepared by me from different sources

7.3 The video

8 Step-8: Analysis of Elevation Data with QGIS and Grass-GIS

In this tutorial, we cover following two topics.

  1. Analysis of Elevation Data
  2. Hydrology Analysis (Creating River network and Watershed)

8.1 Data Preparation

8.2 Analysis of Elevation Data

We will create following terrain variables

  • Slope
  • Aspect
  • Hillshade
  • Plan Curvature
  • Profile Curvature
  • Reclassification

8.3 Hydrology Analysis

  • Creation of river network and watershed
  • Creation of watershed for given output (pour point)

Both the above processes are presented in this tutorial

9 Step-9: Raster analysis techniques (Analysis of Land-use change)

In this tutorial, I will explain how to analyze the change of land-use in a particular area. This tutorial is dived into four parts.

9.1 Part-1: Download MODIS Data

In this video I have explained the followings:

  • How to create kml file for the extent of data
  • How to look for the DEM data at https://search.earthdata.nasa.gov/search

9.2 Part-2: Clip MODIS Data Using QGIS

9.3 Part-3: Calculation of NDVI of multiple years

9.4 Part-4: Analysis of Land Use Change using Grass-GIS and creating graphs of landuse change using QGIS

10 Network Analysis Practice (with QGIS and python)

In this video tutorial, we will learn network analysis related tools. We will also use simple python code to automate the process. For details about the network analysis look for the relevant materials. Following topics are covered.

10.1 Some examples of Network Analysis

  • Point to point shortest distance
  • Service area from points