ANINTRODUCTIONTOGIS


Map layout


In this tutorial we will see how to style a map with QGIS.

The main elements to add to a map are the following:

Figure 1 Main elements of a map


You can start from any previously created project.

Once the layers of interest have been created and formatted, the print composer can be opened in the following way:

The first thing to do is to add the base map previously created in QGIS:

If you are not satisfied with the rendering of the map, it is possible to return to the QGIS window, modify the layers, then update the map (View > Refresh).

We can then add a legend:

In the “Item properties” window, you may customize legend labels.


Figure 2 Add legend

In a similar way, you can add the specific elements of a map (scale bar and North arrow).

Finally, the remaining elements (title, comment and source) can be added with:


Figure 3 Add title, comment and labels


Practise: Add a comment directly on the map


Once the map is finished, it can be exported as a PDF or image: