Bluff Series : Mastering QGIS Desktop 3.xx

Expand or start GIS skill with this course, include map navigation, georeferencing, digitizing, thematic map and layout

Created byJuni Muchlis Mustafa

Last updated 3/2025

English

What you'll learn

Download and Installation of QGIS Desktop 3.34.x
Explore QGIS Interface and Basic Navigation (Panels, Toolbars, Pan, Zooming)
Managing Geospatial Data (Add XYZ Basemap, Display data into QGIS Canvas and Create Thematic/Choropleth Map)
Create Common Rasters/Images into Georeferenced Ones
Digitizing Vector Layer Based on Georeferenced Raster (Polygons, Polylines and Points)
Designing Layout to be Printed on Papers or Export to JPGs or PDFs

Course content

6 sections • 31 lectures • 3h 14m total length

Explanation of big picture of sections in this course9:33
This part will explain sections in this course with many short-videos of each lectures
Download and Installation QGIS Desktop 3.34.x LTR7:47
Download QGIS installer from its official source and install it into Ms Windows 10 machine
What is GIS6:26
Explanation what GIS is and definition of GIS, word by word until these words combine together to state robust definition of GIS
GIS data type3:40
Explanation what GIS data consist of so that make GIS so powerful tools to analyze and making decision based on spatial data and tabular data
Map projection3:19
Earth is rounded or elipsoid. An ellipsoid is a surface that can be obtained from a sphere by deforming it by means of directional scalings, or more generally, of an affine transformation. a map projection is a method by which cartographers translate a sphere or globe into a two-dimensional representation. In other words, a map projection systematically renders a 3D ellipsoid (or spheroid) of Earth to a 2D map surface.

Create favorite for shortcuts1:53
To avoid digging folder hierarchy too deep, let's create shortcut for our training data location. In QGIS it's called favorites
Load SHP and save projects4:24
Load a Shapefile/SHP data to QGIS canvas and save workspace into a Project file, so next time we want to continue our work, we don't have to load SHP over and over again.
Panels and Toolbars3:33
Panels and Toolbars are the core of all QGIS data managing and operation. Without them it's impossible to manage and navigate spatial data easily .
Change CRS and change coordinate format on the fly10:04
Maps are representation of earth's surface, earth shape is rounded so it must have Coordinate System System to make it flat so it could be displayed on our flat paper or computer screen. We're also introduced few coordinate formats especially Geographic Coordinate System/WGS84, they are Decimal Degree, Degree Minutes and Degree Minutes Second.
Differences between QGS and QGZ project file format3:50
QGIS has two format of project file, they are QGS and QGZ. Here we explore the differences between both of them.
Map Navigation- Zoom, pan, scroll, attribute table and identify6:02
With spatial data/SHP loaded onto QGIS canvas, we need to navigate it with pan, zoom (in/out), also explore the attribute table embedded with the data and may be also reached with Identify tool.

Display XYZ Tile as basemap - OpenStreetMap. GoogleSatellite and GoogleStreet4:15
There are some Tile Basemap online out there, we may utilize it to enrich our spatial data. This Tile data formatted in XYZ data format and can be viewed into QGIS canvas. Example of XYZ data are OpenStreetMap, GoogleSatellite, GoogleStreet, etc
Convert spatial data into other formats3:57
There are many spatial data formats, one of them is Shapefile/SHP. This lecture is explaining how to export/convert SHP into other spatial data format.
SHP and GeoJSON File Structure6:38
SHP and GeoJSON are very popular spatial data format, so let's take a look at these two data format deeper
Thematic map-Symbology and labeling layer-Polygon feature5:18
Thematic map or Choropleth map is a map that is colored by defined column/field based-on unique value in particular field that is categorized. Thematic Map can be reach by operating Symbology menu in layer properties in Layer Panel of QGIS. And don't forget to show label on the feature in QGIS canvas so it will bring powerful spatial data presentation. Embrace the coming of beautiful maps!!
Thematic map--Symbology and labeling layer-Polyline feature3:45
Thematic map or Choropleth map is a map that is colored by defined column/field based-on unique value in particular field that is categorized. Thematic Map can be reach by operating Symbology menu in layer properties in Layer Panel of QGIS. And don't forget to show label on the feature in QGIS canvas so it will bring powerful spatial data presentation. Embrace the coming beautiful maps!!
Thematic map--Symbology and labeling layer-Point feature6:04
Thematic map or Choropleth map is a map that is colored by defined column/field based-on unique value in particular field that is categorized. Thematic Map can be reach by operating Symbology menu in layer properties in Layer Panel of QGIS. And don't forget to show label on the feature in QGIS canvas so it will bring powerful spatial data presentation. Embrace the coming beautiful maps!!
Data filter and selection7:04
Enhanced your exploring, comprehension and understanding of spatial data by filter the data as you wish. Select the data as you required to bring up the more and more information than can be revealed by our spatial data
Analyzing and Import data raster-GeoTIFF7:57
Shapefile/SHP and GeoJSON are Vector data format. Raster data is another source of GIS data with hold very important par in GIS World. No raster no GIS. Here we're talking a little bit about georeferenced raster and ungeoreferenced raster and we will dig it deeper in next section

Preparing UnGeoreferenced raster6:10
Before we georefencing raster, we analyze these rasters first to see the information that we can reveal
Georeferencing Raster Data Decimal Degree (DD)7:38
Georeferencing the ungeoreferencing raster that embedded with Decimal Degree coordinate Grid.
Georeferencing Raster Data Degree Minutes Second (DMS)5:29
Georeferencing the ungeoreferencing raster that embedded with Degree Minutes Second coordinate Grid.
Georeferencing Raster Data (No coordinate information)6:27
Georeferencing the ungeoreferencing raster that embedded with no grid coordinate information.

Export XYZ data as offline raster for digitizing3:54
Now we will open XYZ tile basemap, export it as georeferenced raster. We will use this raster to practice digitizing vector data on it.
Create new polygon feature and digitizing7:35
With exported raster on canvas, now we create new polygon feature vector to digitize polygon feature on raster
Create new polyline feature and digitizing12:59
With exported raster on canvas, now we create new polyline feature vector to digitize polyline feature on raster
Create new point feature and Digitizing4:11
With exported raster on canvas, now we create new point feature vector to digitize point feature on raster
Add/remove fields5:15
All vector feature embedded with attribute table, now we practice how to add/remove fields in the attribute table

Insert layout objects15:55
By using project file we have created in previous chapter, we create new layout window to design appropriate map layout for sharing both hardcopy (paper printed) or softcopy (JPG, PDF)
Insert grid and calculation8:47
Grid is unique part, especially in QGIS. Grid moving in QGIS formatted in Decimal Degree, so we need to calculate first in spreadsheet app, to determine the interval that fit with our current layout
Export to JPG and PDF4:16
After everything fit and fix, now time to print it on paper (you must print by yourself, not included in this video) or export to JPG and PDF

Requirements

No need GIS experience before, just require simple operation in operating Microsoft Windows
Tutorial is produced in Microsoft Windows 10 but for Linux and Mac users are welcome. QGIS is designed for Ms Windows, Linux and Mac

Description

This Video tutorial is created using QGIS 3.34 LTR, however all QGIS 3.xx may use and follow this course.

Mastering QGIS Desktop 3.34.x LTR provides an introduction to using QGIS, a powerful open-source software for spatial data analysis and mapping. This training is designed for beginners who want to develop skills in GIS, with no prior experience required.

Participants learn the fundamental concepts of GIS, such as downloading and installing QGIS software, understanding spatial data types, coordinate systems, and map projections. The training covers the QGIS interface, including how to navigate the map canvas, use toolbars, and manage layers. Students are introduced to working with vector and raster data, including importing, visualizing, and performing basic data manipulation. And also how to georeferencing raster data and digitize feature on it

Hands-on exercises guide participants through creating and editing shapefiles, applying symbology to represent data meaningfully, and using attribute tables for data analysis. Participants will gain practical experience in creating a layout map by adding legends, scale bars, and exporting the final product for printing or sharing it with JPG or PDF format.

By the end of the training, participants will have a solid understanding of QGIS basics, enabling them to perform simple spatial analysis tasks and create professional-looking maps. This foundational knowledge sets the stage for more advanced GIS techniques and applications.

Who this course is for:

The tutorials are for GIS Beginners or no GIS experience before but want to start career in GIS industry or leverage existing GIS skill.
Skilled one? No problem, maybe you want to see other's GIS practitioner's point of view of operating QGIS software.

Bluff Series : Mastering QGIS Desktop 3.xx

What you'll learn

Explore related topics

Course content

Introduction, Download and Install QGIS Desktop 3.34.x LTR5 lectures • 31min

QGIS Interface, Projects and Basic Navigation6 lectures • 30min

Managing Geospatial Data8 lectures • 45min

Georeferencing Raster Data4 lectures • 26min

Digitizing Vector Data5 lectures • 34min

Designing Layout3 lectures • 29min

Requirements

Description

Who this course is for: