Becoming a Cartographer: Creating a Layout

Joshua MacFadyen; Benjamin Hoy; Jim Clifford

Chapter 5: Creating an Exportable Map in QGIS

Becoming a Cartographer: Creating a Layout

If we wish to create a more sophisticated output of our map, one that includes items such as a legend and north arrow, we can create a layout.

We create layouts in the Print Layout window. This interface is different than the one that we have used thus far for mapping, which is called the Main Canvas. In the Print Layout window, we have all the options we need to design our map output. As we do so, we are engaging in the practice of cartography, which introduces artistic expression into the scientific practice of mapmaking. In the past, cartographers spent a great deal of time and effort to create their maps by hand. Let’s remember the map of Prince Edward Island that we saw in Chapter 1, a beautiful work of art created by Captain Holland and revised by successive generations of mapmakers. The 1798 version that we used was produced—painstakingly, no doubt—by the mapmaker H. Ashby in London, United Kingdom.

Figure 5.7. This is the map of Prince Edward Island created by Captain Holland. — Figure 5.7.

In this part of the chapter, we will use modern-day methods continue in this age-old tradition of designing an accurate and appealing map.

As cartographers, we are telling a story with our map. We have a choice in how we wish to present spatial data in order to tell this story. Our decisions shape how an audience interprets our map. As when writing a story, it is advisable to consider your purpose and audience when telling a story through spatial means.

Opening the Print Layout Window

To open the Print Layout window:

While in the Main Canvas, click the New Print Layout button located at the top-left of the main QGIS window.

Figure 5.8. This shows the New Print Layout button located at the top-left of the main QGIS window, it looks like paper with a ruler on it and a star in the bottom right corner. — Figure 5.8

Note: if we had already created some Print Layouts, we could click Show Layout Manager, which lists all of the Print Layouts that we have been previously created.

Figure 5.9. This image shows that right of the New Print Layout button is the Show Layout Manager, this icon has a paper with a wrench on it. — Figure 5.9

After clicking New Print Layout, the following window will pop up:

Figure 5.10. This is the Create Print Layout pop-up that allows the print title to be input. — Figure 5.10

Type in “Chapter 5 Layout”
Click OK.

A new window will pop up containing the Print Layout interface.

Figure 5.11. This is the print layout interface, notice the page is blank. — Figure 5.11

You will now have two QGIS windows open: one for the Main Canvas and one for the Print Layout.

The layout will initially be a blank white page. In the following steps, we will add our spatial data and some metadata.

Setting the Page Size

When we create layouts, the goal is often eventually to print them. We may want to specify which size of paper onto which we will eventually print our layout. To set the page size:

Right-click anywhere in the blank white space of the layout page.
Click Page Properties

Figure 5.12. After right clicking on the page the Page properties option will appear and in the picture it is selected. — Figure 5.12

In the Item Properties tab to the right, change the size to one you prefer. We have chosen Letter.
- You can also change the orientation to portrait if you would like, but the rest of this chapter will be done in a landscape orientation.

Figure 5.13. In the upper right corner the properties pop-up will show, as seen in the photo. In the image the Page Size is set to letter. — Figure 5.13

Adding Guidelines

We will create some guidelines to help us place our map, legend, and other items precisely on the map layout page. These guidelines will not appear in the file that we output at the end.

We will first add some guidelines to demarcate the outer limits of our page.

Right-click anywhere in the blank white space of the Print Layout page.
Click Manage Guides for Page

Figure 5.14. After right clicking on the blank page Manage Guides for Page is selected. — Figure 5.14

In the Guides tab to the right, click the green plus button to add a horizontal guide at 0.25 inches.
Add another horizontal guide at 8.25 inches.
Enter two vertical guides: one at 0.25 inches and one at 10.75 inches.

Figure 5.15. In the picture the green plus button was shown to add a horizontal guide at 0.25 inches, add another horizontal guide at 8.25 inches, and enter two vertical guides: one at 0.25 inches and one at 10.75 inches. — Figure 5.15

Note: make sure to click the dropdown menu to change the guide units from millimetres to inches.

Figure 5.16. In the dropdown menu the measurements are changed to inches. — Figure 5.16

Figure 5.17. This shows the page with the new guides, around the edges at the given values are red dotted lines. — Figure 5.17

We will now add guides to divide our page into sections. We will add our spatial data and metadata into these sections.

Let’s create an area into which we can type the title of our map.

Add a horizontal guide at 1 inch from the top of the page.

INSERT PICTURE HERE**********************************

We can also create areas on the right-hand side and bottom of the map where we can place the rest of our metadata.

Add two vertical guides: one set at 8 inches and one set at 8.25 inches.

Figure 5.19. This shows the page with the added two vertical guides: one set at 8 inches and one set at 8.25 inches. — Figure 5.19.

Finally, we will add a few more guidelines that will demarcate the position of the inset map that we will add in subsequent steps.

Add one horizontal guide at 1.25 inches and one at 3.75 inches.
Add one vertical guide at 0.5 inches and one at 7.75 inches.

Your layout page will now look like this:

Figure 5.20. This shows the page with the added one horizontal guide at 1.25 inches and one at 3.75 inches. As well as, an added one vertical guide at 0.5 inches and one at 7.75 inches. — Figure 5.20

Adding Maps to the Layout

We can use the guidelines we just created as we add our map and metadata to our print layout page.

Adding the Main Map Frame

When we add an image of our map to the print layout page, it is called a map frame. To add the main map frame to our layout,

In the toolbar on the left of the screen, click Add Map. (This tool allows us to add map frames.)
- The layers that we will add when we click this button is the ones that we currently see in the Main Canvas of QGIS. Make sure you go to the Main Canvas and turn on the layers that you would like to add to the layout before you click the Add Map button. In this case, we turned on the 1935 inventory region filtered and graduated layer and the OSM Grayscale layer.

INSERT PICTURE HERE**********************************

With your cursor as a crosshairs, left-click and hold on the top-left corner of the central box we created with our guidelines.

Figure 5.22. This shows The cursor at the top-left corner of the central box we created with our guidelines. — Figure 5.22

Drag to the bottom-right corner of the central box and let go of the click there.

Figure 5.23. This shows from the top-left corner of the central box on an angle towards the bottom right hand corner an arrow that appears to show the line being moved. — Figure 5.23

Figure 5.24. From the top-left corner of the central box on an angle towards the bottom right hand corner of the guidelines a dotted line is drawn. — Figure 5.24

The map that you can see in the main mapping view will render.

Figure 5.25. In the place of the space the guidelines, the dotted line intersected, is now the 1935 inventory region filtered and graduated layer and the OSM Grayscale layer. — Figure 5.25

Note: if you forgot to turn on a layer in the Main Canvas before drawing the main map, you can leave the map frame drawn in the Print Layout, return to the Main Canvas, turn on the needed layer, and then come back to the Print Layout window. Click the Refresh View button to see the changes you made in the Main Canvas be reflected in the Print Layout.

Figure 5.26. This is the Refresh View button, it can be identified by the two arrows circling each other. — Figure 5.26.

Pan to Kensington

In the toolbar on the left-hand side of the layout window, click the button called Select/Move an Item

INSERT PICTURE HERE**********************************

Click to select the main map frame.
In the Item Properties menu to the right, under Main Properties, change the scale to 30000.
Change the map rotation to -25.00 degrees.

Figure 5.28. In the Item Properties menu to the right, under Main Properties, the scale is shown to be 30000 and map rotation to -25.00 degrees. — Figure 5.28

Still in Item Properties, under Extents, change the extent values to the following:
- X min: 348336.227
- Y min: 707573.371
- X max: 354241.728
- Y max: 713097.871

Note: the scale of your map might change after you enter the above extents. This is OK.

Figure 5.29. This shows, in Item Properties, under Extents the values: X min: 348336.227, Y min: 707573.371, X max: 354241.728, and Y max: 713097.871. — Figure 5.29

After entering the above extents, this is what we see:

Figure 5.30. This shows the map with the extent values now added. — Figure 5.30

Note: you can also pan around the map by first selecting a map frame with the Select/Move Item tool and then clicking the Move Item Content tool.

Figure 5.31. This shows the Move Item Content tool that is located on the left side of the screen. The icon can be recognized by the four direction arrows on a piece of paper. — Figure 5.31

Locking the Appearance of the Main Map Frame

Below, we will add an inset map and make other changes to our layout. As it stands right now, the main map frame in our layout is dynamically linked to the map in the Main Canvas. So, when we make changes to the latter, the map frame in our layout will refresh to match. (This refreshing will happen automatically or if we click the Refresh View button.) We want to prevent the main map frame from refreshing as we add our inset map. To do so, we will use a setting called Lock Layers.

Click on Map 1 (i.e., the main map frame) to select it in the Items list.
Under Layers, click Lock layers and Lock styles for layers.

Figure 5.32. This shows the Map 1 in the main map frame and under the Layers section Lock Layers and Lock style for Layers are checked. This is shown in the image with a red box around the checked boxes. — Figure 5.32

Adding an Inset Map

We will now add an inset map in order to give the audience some context as to where Kensington is in relation to the surrounding parts of PEI.

In the Main Canvas, turn off the PEI placenames layer so that the only layers visible are the 1935 inventory region filtered and graduated layer and the OSM Grayscale layer.
In the Print Layout window, click Add Map and click and drag to insert it into the 2.5-inch by 7.25-inch area that we created with our guides.

Figure 5.33. This image shows the Main Canvas, PEI placenames layer turned off so that the only layers visible are the 1935 inventory region filtered and graduated layer and the OSM Grayscale layer. It also shows the map inserted into the 2.5-inch by 7.25-inch area that we created with our guides. — Figure 5.33.

Panning the Inset Map

In the Items pane, click to select Map 2 (i.e., the inset map).
In the Item Properties pane, under Main Properties, set the Scale to 1414456 and the Map rotation to -25.00 degrees.

Figure 5.34. In the image it has the Item Properties pane, under Main Properties, the Scale set to 1414456 and the Map rotation to -25.00 degrees. — Figure 5.34

Under Extents, enter the following:
- X min: 253738.252
- Y min: 670496.939
- X max: 509244.468
- Y max: 758602.530

Note: after entering the above extents, the scale of your inset map might change slightly. This is OK.

Figure 5.35. This shows, in Item Properties, under Extents the values: X min: 253738.252, Y min: 670496.939, X max: 509244.468, and Y max: 758602.530. — Figure 5.35

With Map 2 selected in the Items pane, click Lock layers and Lock styles for layers.

Figure 5.36. This shows the Map 2 in the main map frame and under the Layers section Lock Layers and Lock style for Layers are checked. This is shown in the image with a red box around the checked boxes. — Figure 5.36

This is what our layout looks like so far:

Figure 5.37. This shows the two maps with the changed values. — Figure 5.37

Adding an Extent Indicator

The inset map’s purpose is to show the audience the geographic context of Kensington, the place shown in our main map frame. However, it may remain unclear as to where Kensington lies within this inset map. For this, we can add an extent indicator using the Overview function in QGIS.

With Map 2 selected in the Items list, in the Item Properties tab, under Overviews, click the green plus button to add an overview.

Figure 5.38. Under Item Properties in the Overviews section the plus symbol is highlighted with a red box around it. — Figure 5.38

An overview called Overview 1 will appear in beneath the green plus button.

In the dropdown menu next to Map Frame, select Map 1.
- This is the map frame over the top of which QGIS will place our extent indicator.

Figure 5.39. Under Item Properties in the Overviews section, the Draw checkbox is selected and the Map Frame value is set to Map 1 as seen with the red box around it in the picture. — Figure 5.39

A semi-transparent red extent indicator will appear over the top of the inset map. It covers the area that we see in the main map frame. We will change this appearance to a solid red outline so that it is more visible.

Click the dropdown arrow next to Frame style.
Click Configure Symbol.
Click Simple Fill to select it.
Click the dropdown arrow next to Fill colour
Under Standard Colours, click red.

Figure 5.40. This shows under Frame style, Configure Symbol, Simple Fill, dropdown arrow next to Fill colour and Under Standard Colours, red is selected. — Figure 5.40

Click the dropdown arrow next to Fill Style
Choose No Brush
Click the dropdown arrow next to Stroke colour
Under Standard Colours, click red.
Change the Stroke Width to 1.00 millimetre.
Change the Stroke style to Solid Line.

Figure 5.41. This shows in the dropdown arrow next to Fill Style the selection No Brush, in the dropdown arrow next to Stroke colour the selection red.Under Change the Stroke Width it is set to 1.00 millimetre, and the Stroke style set to Solid Line. — Figure 5.41

Here is the result:

Figure 5.42. This shows the two versions of the map and in the map inserted into the 2.5-inch by 7.25-inch area that we created with our guides a red box is around the chosen area. — Figure 5.42

Adding a Border around the Inset Map

A border around our inset map may help an audience to see that it is distinct from our main map.

Use the Select/Move Item tool to select the inset map.
In the Item Properties tab, check the box next to the word Frame.
Under Frame, leave the colour as black, set the thickness to 0.50 mm, and set the Join Style to Round.

Figure 5.43. In the Item Properties tab the box next to the word Frame is checked. Under the Frame dropdown are the selections Color-Black, Thickness-0.50 mm, and Join Style-Round. — Figure 5.43

The result may be hard to see with our guidelines on, but it is there, and it will become more visible once we export the layout as an image or PDF later in the chapter.

Figure 5.44. This makes map 2 have a black frame around it as seen in the photo. — Figure 5.44

Locking the Positioning of the Layers

We have already locked the appearances of the main map frame and the inset map. Now, we will lock the locations of these map frames on the page. This ensures that we cannot accidentally alter the size or location of the map frames.

In the Items pane, under the symbol of the padlock, check the box for Map 1 and Map 2.

Figure 5.45. This shows under the Items pane, under the symbol of the padlock, the boxes for Map 1 and Map 2 selected. — Figure 5.45

Now, if we try to use the Select/Move Item tool to select either the main map frame or the inset map frame, we cannot.

Label Settings

Before we move on, let’s adjust the label settings so that labels are not drawn too close to the edge of the map frame. We can also change the settings so that the labels on the 1935 forestry inventory map located underneath the inset map are not drawn.

Click Map 1 in the Items list.
In the Item Properties tab, click the Labelling Settings button.

Figure 5.46. This shows under Map 1 in the Items list, the Item Properties tab, the Labelling Settings button. The labeling settings button looks like a yellow banner. — Figure 5.46

Under Placement, change the Margin from Map Edges value to 2.00 millimetres.
Under Label Blocking Items, select Map 2.

Figure 5.47. This shows under the Item Properties under Placement, the Margin from Map Edges value changed to 2.00 millimetres, and under Label Blocking Items, select Map 2. — Figure 5.47.

We can now see how QGIS does not draw labels on the main map that would be too close to the inset map:

Figure 5.48. This shows the QGIS does not draw labels on the main map with the new changes. — Figure 5.48

Adding Metadata to Our Map

We will now add some metadata around our map frames to help an audience understand our maps.

Adding a Legend

We can add a legend to help users understand the colours of our choropleth map.

Click Add Legend

Figure 5.49. This is the Add Legend button, it can be identified by the three squares that look like a list. — Figure 5.49.

Place the legend in the space created by the guidelines to the right, using the same click and drag method that we used to add the map frames. When you drag to point that is halfway down the page, a temporary, blue guide will appear. Let go of your click at this point.

Figure 5.50. This image shows the red dotted line that was made same click and drag method that we used to add the map frames. — Figure 5.50

We will now start to edit our legend’s information.

Under Main Properties, leave the Title field empty.
Make sure Map 1 is selected in the Map field.
In the field called “Wrap text on,” enter an asterisk (i.e, *).
This prepares us to be able to wrap text in our legend in subsequent steps.
Leave the Arrangement at Symbols on Left
Uncheck Resize to Fit Contents.

Figure 5.51. This shows that in the Item Properties dialog box under Legend, Main properties the title section left blank, Map selection is Map 1, under wrap text on is an asterix, and arrangement set as Symbols on Left. — Figure 5.51

Note: sometimes, a legend will not render into the location into which you dragged and dropped it. In this case, after unchecking Resize to fit contents, you may now be able to resize the legend to the desired size by clicking and dragging from its corners.

Under Legend Items, uncheck Auto Update.
- This will allow us to change the legend items manually.
Select any layers other than the 1935 inventory region filtered and graduated layer and the OSM Grayscale layer.
With these unwanted legend items selected, click the red minus button to delete them.

Note: with Auto Update turned off, deleting a legend item in the Print Layout window does not delete it in the Main Canvas.

Figure 5.52. In this, the unwanted legend items are selected and the red minus button to delete them is highlighted with a red box around it. — Figure 5.52

With all of the unwanted layers deleted from the legend, we can now rename the layers that we want to keep.

Click to select the 1935 inventory_region filtered and graduated layer.
Click the button called Edit selected item properties.

Figure 5.53. In this the 1935 inventory_region filtered and graduated layer is selected and the sixth button at the bottom of the panel, the Edit Selected Item Properties, is highlighted with a red box around it. This button can be identified by the pencil on paper icon. — Figure 5.53.

Type in “Area of Plots, 1935 (ha)*[Feature Count]”

Note that we are including and asterisk so that this text will wrap in our legend.

Figure 5.54. This shows under Item Properties, Label is written “Area of Plots, 1935 (ha)*[Feature Count]”. In the image it is shown with a red box around it. — Figure 5.54

Click the back button to return to the rest of the settings.

Figure 5.55. This shows under Item Properties, Label the back arrow is highlighted with a red box around it. — Figure 5.55.

Next, we are going to group and order our legend items.

Click the Add Group button.

Figure 5.56. In the settings the add group button is highlighted with a red box around it, the icon can be identified with the multiple boxes overlapping. — Figure 5.56

Rename this group to “Base Map.”
Click and hold on the OSM Grayscale layer, drag it over the top of the Base Map group, and release.

Note: before you release, the Base Map group will have a black rectangular outline.

Figure 5.57. This shows the Base Map with a rectangle around it in black. — Figure 5.57

Figure 5.58. This views the OSM Grayscale layer under the Base Map layer. — Figure 5.58

We will now change the appearance of the items in the legend in the Print Layout page.

Right-click the legend item called “Area of Plots (ha), 1935*[Feature Count]”
Click Group

Figure 5.59. In the Legend Items “Area of Plots (ha), 1935*[Feature Count]” is selected and the option Group has a check mark beside it. — Figure 5.59

Right-click the Base Map group and make sure it is a Group.
Right-click the OSM Grayscale layer and make sure it is a Subgroup.
Arrange the layers so that the “Area of Plots (ha), 1935*[Feature Count]” layer is at the top and the Base Map group is at the bottom.