Chapter 5: Creating an Exportable Map in QGIS

The Import/Export Menu

If we wish to export a static image of our map without adding any metadata alongside it, we can use the Import/Export menu in QGIS. This option is well-suited to occasions when all you need is a quick screenshot of your map. There is an option to copy your map to your clipboard. There are also options to save your map as an image file or as a PDF.

Copying a Screenshot of a Map

To copy a screenshot of your map,

  • While viewing a map that you would like to export, click the Project menu.
  • Click Import/Export
  • Click Export Map to Image
Figure 5.1. This shows the Project menu with Import/Export selected, the selected is Export Map to Image.
Figure 5.1
  • In the window that pops up, the settings will be set according to the current place to which you have panned and zoomed.
  • Click Copy to Clipboard
Figure 5.2. This is the Save Map as Image page, the choice Copy to Clipboard is highlighted with a red circle around it.
Figure 5.2

You can now paste your image wherever you would like, such as in a word-processing document or in an email.

Saving a Map as an Image File

If you wish to do essentially what we just did but, instead, save your image as a file,

  • While viewing a map that you would like to export, click the Project menu.
  • Click Import/Export
  • Click Export Map to Image
  • In the window that pops up, the settings will be set according to the current place to which you have panned and zoomed. You can leave the settings as they are.
  • Click Save
Figure 5.3. This is the Save Map as Image page, the choice Save is highlighted with a red circle around it
Figure 5.3

A window will pop up asking us where we want to save our image file.

  • Navigate to where you would like to save the file and provide a file name.
Figure 5.4. This is the “Choose a file name to save the map image as” page. The location the image is saved is determined here, as well as the name of the file.
Figure 5.4

Saving a Map as a PDF

To save an image of your map as a PDF,

  • While viewing a map that you would like to export, click the Project menu.
  • Click Import/Export
  • Click Export Map to PDF
Figure 5.5. In the Project menu, selected is Import/Export, then Export Map to PDF.
Figure 5.5
  • In the window that pops up, the settings will be set according to the current place to which you have panned and zoomed. You can leave the settings as they are.
Figure 5.6. This is the Save Map as PDF page, Circled in the image is the save button.
Figure 5.6
  • Click Save

A window will pop up asking us where we want to save our image file.

  • Navigate to where you would like to save the file and provide a file name.

License

The Geospatial Humanities Copyright © by Joshua MacFadyen; Benjamin Hoy; and Jim Clifford. All Rights Reserved.

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