Quantum GIS
Quantum GIS (QGIS) is
a user friendly Open Source Geographic Information System (GIS). QGIS
supports vector, raster, and database formats.
A Geographical Information System (GIS) is a collection of
software that allows you to create, visualise, query and analyse
geospatial data. Geospatial data refers to information about the
geographic location of an entity. This often involves the use of a
geographic coordinate, like a latitude or longitude value. Spatial data
is another commonly used term, as are: geographic data, GIS data, map
data, location data, coordinate data and spatial geometry data.
QGIS aims to be an easy to use GIS, providing common functions
and
features. The initial goal was to provide a GIS data viewer.
QGIS has
reached that point in its evolution and is being used by many for their
daily GIS data viewing needs.
Features include:
- View and overlay vector and raster data in
different formats and projections without conversion to an internal or
common format. Supported formats include:
- spatially-enabled PostgreSQL tables using PostGIS,
- most vector formats supported by the OGR library,
including ESRI shapefiles, MapInfo, SDTS and GML
- all raster formats supported by the GDAL library, such as
digital elevation models, aerial photography or landsat imagery,
- GRASS mapsets,
- online spatial data served as OGC-compliant WMS or WFS;
- Create maps and interactively explore spatial
data with a friendly graphical user interface. The many helpful tools
available in the GUI include:
- on the fly projection
- map composer
- overview panel
- spatial bookmarks
- identify/select features
- edit/view/search attributes
- feature labeling
- change vector and raster symbology
- add a graticule layer
- decorate your map with a north arrow, scale bar and
copyright label
- save and restore projects
- Create, edit and export spatial data using:
- digitizing tools for GRASS and shapefile formats
- the georeferencer plugin,
- GPS tools to import and export GPX format, convert other
GPS formats
to GPX, or down/upload directly to a GPS unit
- Perform spatial analysis using the buffer tool
(PostGIS only) or the integrated GRASS tools, including:
- map algebra
- terrain analysis
- hydrologic modeling
- network analysis,
- and many others
- Publish your map on the internet using the
export to Mapfile capability (requires a webserver with UMN MapServer
installed)
- Adapt Quantum GIS to your special needs through
the extensible plugin architecture
- Plugins
- Add WFS Layer
- Add Delimited Text Layer
- Decorations (Copyright Label, North Arrow and Scale bar)
- Georeferencer
- GPS Tools
- GRASS
- Graticule Creator
- PostgreSQL Geoprocessing functions
- SPIT Shapefile to PostgreSQL/PostGIS Import Tool
- Python Console
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QGIS also features in our 'Linux
Equivalents to Windows Software' section. The category
selector below allows you to filter the different types of software
included in that separate article.
Last Updated Saturday, April 13 2013 @ 05:45 PM EDT
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