4.1. Lesson: Using Print Layout

Now that you’ve got a map, you need to be able to print it or to export it to a document. The reason is, a GIS map file is not an image. Rather, it saves the state of the GIS program, with references to all the layers, their labels,colors, etc. So for someone who doesn’t have the data or the same GIS program (such as QGIS), the map file will be useless. Luckily, QGIS can export its map file to a format that anyone’s computer can read, as well as printing out the map if you have a printer connected. Both exporting and printing is handled via the Print Layout.

The goal for this lesson: To use the QGIS Print Layout to create a basic map with all the required settings.

4.1.1. Follow Along: O Gerenciador de Layout

QGIS allows you to create multiple maps using the same map file. For this reason, it has a tool called the Layout Manager.

1. Click on the Project ► Layout Manager… menu entry to open this tool. You’ll see a blank Layout manager dialog appear.

   

2. Under New from Template, select Empty layout and press the Create… button.

3. Give the new layout the name of Swellendam and click OK.

4. You will now see the Print Layout window:

   

You could also create this new layout via the Project ► New Print Layout… menu.

Whichever route you take, the new print layout is now accessible from the Project ► Layouts ► menu, as in the image below.

4.1.2. Follow Along: Composición Básica del Mapa

En este ejemplo, la composición ya estaba de la forma en que la queremos. Asegúrate de que la tuya también está así.

1. Right-click on the sheet in the central part of the layout window and choose Page properties… in the context menu.

2. Check that the values in the Item Properties tab are set to the following:

   • Size: A4

   • Orientation: Landscape

   Ahora tienes la disposición de la página como la querías, pero esta página todavía está en blanco. Le falta el mapa claramente. ¡Vamos a solucionarlo!

3. Click on the ^{Add Map} button.

   With this tool activated, you will be able to place a map on the page.

4. Haz clic y arrastra una caja en la página en blanco:

   

   El mapa aparecerá en la página.

5. Mueve el mapa clicando y arrastrándolo:

   

6. Resize it by clicking and dragging the boxes on the edges:

   

   Nota

   Puede que tu mapa se vea muy diferente, ¡Por supuesto! Esto depende en cómo esta ajustado tu propio proyecto. ¡Pero no te preocupes! Estas instrucciones son generales, así que funcionarán adecuándose a la forma en que se vea el mapa.

7. Asegúrate de ajustar los márgenes a lo largo de las esquinas, y dejar un espacio en la parte superior para el título.

8. Amplía y disminuye el zoom de la página (¡pero no del mapa!) utilizando esos botones:

   

9. Zoom and pan the map in the main QGIS window. You can also pan the map using the ^{Move item content} tool.

   The map view updates as you zoom in or zoom out.

10. If, for any reason, the map view does not refresh correctly, you can force the map to refresh by clicking the ^{Refresh view} button.

    Remember that the size and position you’ve given the map doesn’t need to be final. You can always come back and change it later if you’re not satisfied. For now, you need to ensure that you’ve saved your work on this map. Because a Print Layout in QGIS is part of the main map file, you must save your project.

11. Go to the Layout ► Save Project. This is a convenient shortcut to the one in the main dialog.

4.1.3. Follow Along: Añadiendo un Título

Now your map is looking good on the page, but your readers/users are not being told what’s going on yet. They need some context, which is what you’ll provide for them by adding map elements. First, let us add a title.

1. Click on the ^{Add Label} button

2. Click on the page, above the map, accept the suggested values in the New Item Properties dialog, and a label will appear at the top of the map.

3. Cambia el tamaño y sitúala en el centro superior de la página. Puede cambiarse de tamaño y ser movido de la misma forma que el mapa.

   Cuando muevas el título, notarás que aparecen líneas guía para ayudarte a posicionarlo en el centro de la página.

   However, there is also a tool in the Actions Toolbar to help position the title relative to the map (not the page):

   

4. Click the map to select it

5. Mantenha pressionado Shift no teclado e clique no rótulo para selecionar o mapa e o rótulo.

6. Look for the ^{Align selected items left} button and click on the dropdown arrow next to it to reveal the positioning options and click Align center:

   

   Now the label frame is centered on the map, but not the contents. To center the contents of the label:

   1. Selecciona la etiqueta clicando en ella.

   2. Click on the Item Properties tab in the side panel of the layout window.

   3. Cambia el texto de la etiqueta a “Swellendam”:

      

   4. Use this interface to set the font and alignment options under the Appearance section:

      1. Choose a large but sensible font (the example will use the default font with a size of 36)

      2. Set the Horizontal Alignment to Center.

      También puedes cambiar el color de la fuente, pero probablemente sea mejor mantenerla en negro como por defecto.

   5. Los ajustes por defecto no añaden un marco a la caja de texto del título, si quieres añadir un marco, puedes hacerlo así:

      1. En la pestaña Propiedades del elemento, desplázate hacia abajo hasta que veas la opción Marco.

      2. Haz clic en la casilla de verificación para habilitar el marco. También puedes cambiar el color del marco y su grosor.

   En este ejemplo, no habilitaremos los marcos, así que aquí está nuestra página hasta el momento:

   

   To make sure that you don’t accidentally move these elements around now that you’ve aligned them, you can lock items into place:

   1. Select both the label and the map items

   2. Click the ^{Lock Selected Items} button in the Actions Toolbar.

      Nota

      Click the ^{Unlock All Items} button in the Actions Toolbar to be able to edit the items again.

4.1.4. Follow Along: Añadiendo una Leyenda

The map reader also needs to be able to see what various things on the map actually mean. In some cases, like the place names, this is quite obvious. In other cases, it’s more difficult to guess, like the colors of the forests. Let’s add a new legend.

1. Click on the ^{Add Legend} button

2. Click on the page to place the legend, accept the suggested values in the New Item Properties dialog,

3. A legend is added to the layout page, showing layers symbology as set in the main dialog.

4. As usual, you can click and move the item to where you want it:

   

4.1.5. Follow Along: Personalizando Elementos de la Leyenda

No necesitamos todo lo que está en la leyenda, así que elimina los elementos no deseados.

1. In the Item Properties tab, you’ll find the Legend items group.

2. Uncheck the Auto update box, allowing you to directly modify the legend items

3. Select the entry with buildings

4. Delete it from the legend by clicking the button

También puedes renombrar los elementos.

1. Selecciona una capa de la misma lista.

2. Click the ^{Edit selected item properties} button.

3. Rename the layers to Places, Roads and Streets, Surface Water, and Rivers.

You can also reorder the items:

Como la leyenda cambiará de anchura con los nuevos nombres de capas, puede que desees mover y cambiar el tamaño de la leyenda y/o el mapa. Este es el resultado:

4.1.6. Follow Along: Exportando Tu Mapa

Nota

¿Te acordaste de guardar tu trabajo regularmente?

Finally the map is ready for export! You’ll see the export buttons near the top left corner of the layout window:

• ^{Print Layout}: interfaces with a printer. Since the printer options will differ depending on the model of printer that you’re working with, it’s probably better to consult the printer manual or a general guide to printing for more information on this topic.

  The other buttons allow you to export the map page to a file.

• ^{Export as Image}: gives you a selection of various common image formats to choose from. This is probably the simplest option, but the image it creates is “dead” and difficult to edit.

• ^{Export as SVG}: If you’re sending the map to a cartographer (who may want to edit the map for publication), it’s best to export as an SVG. SVG stands for “Scalable Vector Graphic”, and can be imported to programs like Inkscape or other vector image editing software.

• ^{Export as PDF}: If you need to send the map to a client, it’s most common to use a PDF, because it’s easier to set up printing options for a PDF. Some cartographers may prefer PDF as well, if they have a program that allows them to import and edit this format.

Para nuestros propósitos, utilizaremos PDF.

1. Click the ^{Export as PDF} button

2. Choose a save location and a file name as usual. The following dialog will show up.

   

3. You can safely use the default values now and click Save.

   QGIS will proceed to the map export and push a message on top of the print layout dialog as soon as it finishes.

4. Click the hyperlink in the message to open the folder in which the PDF has been saved in your system’s file manager

5. Open it and see how your layout looks.

   Everything is OK? Congratulations on your first completed QGIS map project!

6. Anything unsatisfying? Go back to the QGIS window, do the appropriate modifications and export again.

7. Remember to save your project file.

4.1.7. In Conclusion

Now you know how to create a basic static map layout. We can go a step further and create a map layout that adapts dynamically, with more layout items.