28.1.21. Vector creation

28.1.21.1. Array of offset (parallel) lines

Creates copies of line features in a layer, by creating multiple offset versions of each feature. Each new version is incrementally offset by a specified distance.

Positive distance will offset lines to the left, and negative distances will offset them to the right.

Fig. 28.45 In blue the source layer, in red the offset one

Allows features in-place modification of line features

See also

Offset lines, Array of translated features

Parameters

Basic parameters

Label	Name	Type	Description
Input layer	INPUT	[vector: line]	Input line vector layer to use for the offsets.
Number of features to create	COUNT	[number ] Default: 10	Number of offset copies to generate for each feature
Offset step distance	OFFSET	[number ] Default: 1.0	Distance between two consecutive offset copies
Offset lines	OUTPUT	[vector: line] Default: [Create temporary layer]	Specify the output line layer with offset features. One of: Create Temporary Layer (TEMPORARY_OUTPUT) Save to File… Save to Geopackage… Save to Database Table… Append to Layer… The file encoding can also be changed here.

Advanced parameters

Label	Name	Type	Description
Segments	SEGMENTS	[number] Default: 8	Number of line segments to use to approximate a quarter circle when creating rounded offsets
Join style	JOIN_STYLE	[enumeration] Default: 0	Specify whether round, miter or beveled joins should be used when offsetting corners in a line. One of: 0 — Round 1 — Miter 2 — Bevel Fig. 28.46 Round, miter, and bevel join styles
Miter limit	MITER_LIMIT	[number] Default: 2.0	Sets the maximum distance from the offset geometry to use when creating a mitered join as a factor of the offset distance (only applicable for miter join styles). Minimum: 1.0 Fig. 28.47 A 10m buffer with a limit of 2 and a 10m buffer with a limit of 1

Outputs

Label	Name	Type	Description
Offset lines	OUTPUT	[vector: line]	Output line layer with offset features. The original features are also copied.

Python code

Algorithm ID: native:arrayoffsetlines

import processing
processing.run("algorithm_id", {parameter_dictionary})

The algorithm id is displayed when you hover over the algorithm in the Processing Toolbox. The parameter dictionary provides the parameter NAMEs and values. See Using processing algorithms from the console for details on how to run processing algorithms from the Python console.

28.1.21.2. Array of translated features

Creates copies of features in a layer by creating multiple translated versions of each. Each copy is incrementally displaced by a preset amount in the X, Y and/or Z axis.

M values present in the geometry can also be translated.

Fig. 28.48 Input layers in blue tones, output layers with translated features in red tones

Allows features in-place modification of point, line, and polygon features

See also

Translate, Array of offset (parallel) lines

Parameters

Label	Name	Type	Description
Input layer	INPUT	[vector: any]	Input vector layer to translate
Number of features to create	COUNT	[number ] Default: 10	Number of copies to generate for each feature
Step distance (x-axis)	DELTA_X	[number ] Default: 0.0	Displacement to apply on the X axis
Step distance (y-axis)	DELTA_Y	[number ] Default: 0.0	Displacement to apply on the Y axis
Step distance (z-axis)	DELTA_Z	[number ] Default: 0.0	Displacement to apply on the Z axis
Step distance (m values)	DELTA_M	[number ] Default: 0.0	Displacement to apply on M
Translated	OUTPUT	[same as input] Default: [Create temporary layer]	Output vector layer with translated (moved) copies of the features. The original features are also copied. One of: Create Temporary Layer (TEMPORARY_OUTPUT) Save to File… Save to Geopackage… Save to Database Table… Append to Layer… The file encoding can also be changed here.

Outputs

Label	Name	Type	Description
Translated	OUTPUT	[same as input]	Output vector layer with translated (moved) copies of the features. The original features are also copied.

Python code

Algorithm ID: native:arraytranslatedfeatures

import processing
processing.run("algorithm_id", {parameter_dictionary})

The algorithm id is displayed when you hover over the algorithm in the Processing Toolbox. The parameter dictionary provides the parameter NAMEs and values. See Using processing algorithms from the console for details on how to run processing algorithms from the Python console.

28.1.21.3. Create grid

Creates a vector layer with a grid covering a given extent. Grid cells can have different shapes:

Fig. 28.49 Different grid cell shapes applied to the same extent, without overlaps

The size and/or placement of each element in the grid is defined using a horizontal and vertical spacing. The CRS of the output layer must be defined. The grid extent and the spacing values must be expressed in the coordinates and units of this CRS.

Default menu: Vector ► Research Tools

Parameters

Label	Name	Type	Description
Grid type	TYPE	[enumeration] Default: 0	Shape of the grid. One of: 0 — Point 1 — Line 2 — Rectangle (polygon) 3 — Diamond (polygon) 4 — Hexagon (polygon)
Grid extent	EXTENT	[extent]	Extent of the grid Available methods are: Calculate from layer…: uses extent of a layer loaded in the current project Calculate from layout map…: uses extent of a layout map item in the active project Calculate from bookmark…: uses extent of a saved bookmark Use map canvas extent Draw on canvas: click and drag a rectangle delimiting the area to take into account Enter the coordinates as xmin, xmax, ymin, ymax
Horizontal spacing	HSPACING	[number] Default: 1.0	Size of a grid cell on the X-axis
Vertical spacing	VSPACING	[number] Default: 1.0	Size of a grid cell on the Y-axis
Horizontal overlay	HOVERLAY	[number] Default: 0.0	Overlay distance between two consecutive grid cells on the X-axis
Vertical overlay	VOVERLAY	[number] Default: 0.0	Overlay distance between two consecutive grid cells on the Y-axis
Grid CRS	CRS	[crs] Default: Project CRS	Coordinate reference system to apply to the grid
Grid	OUTPUT	[vector: any] Default: [Create temporary layer]	Resulting vector grid layer. One of: Create Temporary Layer (TEMPORARY_OUTPUT) Save to File… Save to Geopackage… Save to Database Table… The file encoding can also be changed here.

Outputs

Label	Name	Type	Description
Grid	OUTPUT	[vector: any]	Resulting vector grid layer. The output geometry type (point, line or polygon) depends on the Grid type. Features are created from top to bottom, left to right. The attribute table is filled with: an id coordinates on the left, right, top and bottom sides and their placement in the grid: row_index and column_index (available for point, rectangle and hexagon grid types)

Python code

Algorithm ID: native:creategrid

import processing
processing.run("algorithm_id", {parameter_dictionary})

The algorithm id is displayed when you hover over the algorithm in the Processing Toolbox. The parameter dictionary provides the parameter NAMEs and values. See Using processing algorithms from the console for details on how to run processing algorithms from the Python console.

28.1.21.4. Create points layer from table

Creates points layer from a table with columns that contain coordinates fields.

Besides X and Y coordinates you can also specify Z and M fields.

Parameters

Label	Name	Type	Description
Input layer	INPUT	[vector: any]	Input vector layer or a table.
X field	XFIELD	[tablefield: any]	Field containing the X coordinate
Y field	YFIELD	[tablefield: any]	Field containing the Y coordinate
Z field Optional	ZFIELD	[tablefield: any]	Field containing the Z coordinate
M field Optional	MFIELD	[tablefield: any]	Field containing the M value
Target CRS	TARGET_CRS	[crs] Default: EPSG:4326	Coordinate reference system to use for layer. The provided coordinates are assumed to be compliant.
Points from table	OUTPUT	[vector: point] Default: [Create temporary layer]	Specify the resulting point layer. One of: Create Temporary Layer (TEMPORARY_OUTPUT) Save to File… Save to Geopackage… Save to Database Table… The file encoding can also be changed here.

Outputs

Label	Name	Type	Description
Points from table	OUTPUT	[vector: point]	The resulting point layer

Python code

Algorithm ID: native:createpointslayerfromtable

import processing
processing.run("algorithm_id", {parameter_dictionary})

The algorithm id is displayed when you hover over the algorithm in the Processing Toolbox. The parameter dictionary provides the parameter NAMEs and values. See Using processing algorithms from the console for details on how to run processing algorithms from the Python console.

28.1.21.5. Generate points (pixel centroids) along line

Generates a point vector layer from an input raster and line layer.

The points correspond to the pixel centroids that intersect the line layer.

Fig. 28.50 Points of the pixel centroids

Parameters

Label	Name	Type	Description
Raster layer	INPUT_RASTER	[raster]	Input raster layer
Vector layer	INPUT_VECTOR	[vector: line]	Input line vector layer
Points along line	OUTPUT	[vector: point] Default: [Create temporary layer]	Resulting point layer with pixel centroids. One of: Create Temporary Layer (TEMPORARY_OUTPUT) Save to File… Save to Geopackage… Save to Database Table… The file encoding can also be changed here.

Outputs

Label	Name	Type	Description
Points along line	OUTPUT	[vector: point]	Resulting point layer with pixel centroids

Python code

Algorithm ID: qgis:generatepointspixelcentroidsalongline

import processing
processing.run("algorithm_id", {parameter_dictionary})

The algorithm id is displayed when you hover over the algorithm in the Processing Toolbox. The parameter dictionary provides the parameter NAMEs and values. See Using processing algorithms from the console for details on how to run processing algorithms from the Python console.

28.1.21.6. Generate points (pixel centroids) inside polygon

Generates a point vector layer from an input raster and polygon layer.

The points correspond to the pixel centroids that intersect the polygon layer.

Fig. 28.51 Points of the pixel centroids

Parameters

Label	Name	Type	Description
Raster layer	INPUT_RASTER	[raster]	Input raster layer
Vector layer	INPUT_VECTOR	[vector: polygon]	Input polygon vector layer
Points inside polygons	OUTPUT	[vector: point] Default: [Create temporary layer]	Resulting point layer of pixel centroids. One of: Create Temporary Layer (TEMPORARY_OUTPUT) Save to File… Save to Geopackage… Save to Database Table… The file encoding can also be changed here.

Outputs

Label	Name	Type	Description
Points inside polygons	OUTPUT	[vector: point]	Resulting point layer of pixel centroids

Python code

Algorithm ID: native:generatepointspixelcentroidsinsidepolygons

import processing
processing.run("algorithm_id", {parameter_dictionary})

The algorithm id is displayed when you hover over the algorithm in the Processing Toolbox. The parameter dictionary provides the parameter NAMEs and values. See Using processing algorithms from the console for details on how to run processing algorithms from the Python console.

28.1.21.7. Import geotagged photos

Creates a point layer corresponding to the geotagged locations from JPEG or HEIC/HEIF images from a source folder.

The point layer will contain a single PointZ feature per input file from which the geotags could be read. Any altitude information from the geotags will be used to set the point’s Z value.

Besides longitude and latitude also altitude, direction and timestamp information, if present in the photo, will be added to the point as attributes.

Parameters

Label	Name	Type	Description
Input folder	FOLDER	[folder]	Path to the source folder containing the geotagged photos
Scan recursively	RECURSIVE	[boolean] Default: False	If checked, the folder and its subfolders will be scanned
Photos Optional	OUTPUT	[vector: point] Default: [Create temporary layer]	Specify the point vector layer for the geotagged photos. One of: Skip Output Create Temporary Layer (TEMPORARY_OUTPUT) Save to File… Save to Geopackage… Save to Database Table… The file encoding can also be changed here.
Invalid photos table Optional	INVALID	[table] Default: [Skip output]	Specify the table of unreadable or non-geotagged photos. One of: Skip Output Create Temporary Layer (TEMPORARY_OUTPUT) Save to File… Save to Geopackage… Save to Database Table… The file encoding can also be changed here.

Outputs

Label	Name	Type	Description
Photos	OUTPUT	[vector: point]	Point vector layer with geotagged photos. The form of the layer is automatically filled with paths and photo previews settings.
Invalid photos table Optional	INVALID	[table]	Table of unreadable or non-geotagged photos can also be created.

Python code

Algorithm ID: native:importphotos

import processing
processing.run("algorithm_id", {parameter_dictionary})

The algorithm id is displayed when you hover over the algorithm in the Processing Toolbox. The parameter dictionary provides the parameter NAMEs and values. See Using processing algorithms from the console for details on how to run processing algorithms from the Python console.

28.1.21.8. Points to path

Converts a point layer to a line layer, by joining points in an order defined by an expression or a field in the input point layer.

Points can be grouped by a field or an expression to distinguish line features.

In addition to the line vector layer, a text file is output that describes the resulting line as a start point and a sequence of bearings / directions (relative to azimuth) and distances.

Parameters

Label	Name	Type	Description
Input point layer	INPUT	[vector: point]	Input point vector layer
Create closed paths	CLOSE_PATH	[boolean] Default: False	If checked, the first and last points of the line will be connected and close the generated path
Order expression Optional	ORDER_EXPRESSION	[expression]	Field or expression providing the order to connect the points in the path. If not set, the feature ID ($id) is used.
Sort text containing numbers naturally	NATURAL_SORT	[boolean] Default: False	If checked, naturally sorts the features based on the provided expression (i.e., ‘a9’ < ‘a10’).
Path group expression Optional	GROUP_EXPRESSION	[expression]	Point features of the same value in the field or expression will be grouped in the same line. If not set, a single path is drawn with all the input points.
Paths	OUTPUT	[vector: line] Default: [Create temporary layer]	Specify the line vector layer of the path. One of: Create Temporary Layer (TEMPORARY_OUTPUT) Save to File… Save to Geopackage… Save to Database Table… The file encoding can also be changed here.
Directory for text output Optional	OUTPUT_TEXT_DIR	[folder] Default: [Skip output]	Specify the directory that will contain the description files of points and paths. One of: Skip Output Save to a Temporary Directory Save to Directory

Outputs

Label	Name	Type	Description
Paths	OUTPUT	[vector: line]	Line vector layer of the path
Directory for text output	OUTPUT_TEXT_DIR	[folder]	Directory containing description files of points and paths

Python code

Algorithm ID: native:pointstopath

import processing
processing.run("algorithm_id", {parameter_dictionary})

The algorithm id is displayed when you hover over the algorithm in the Processing Toolbox. The parameter dictionary provides the parameter NAMEs and values. See Using processing algorithms from the console for details on how to run processing algorithms from the Python console.

28.1.21.9. Random points along line

Creates a new point layer, with points placed on the lines of another layer.

For each line in the input layer, a given number of points is added to the resulting layer. The procedure for adding a point is to:

1. randomly select a line feature from the input layer

2. if the feature is multi-part, randomly select a part of it

3. randomly select a segment of that line

4. randomly select a position on that segment.

The procedure means that curved parts of the lines (with relatively short segments) will get more points than straight parts (with relatively long segments), as demonstrated in the illustration below, where the output of the Random points along lines algorithm can be compared with the output of the Random points on lines algorithm (that produces points with an, on average, even distribution along the lines).

Fig. 28.52 Example algorithm output. Left: Random points along line, right: Random points on lines

A minimum distance can be specified, to avoid points being too close to each other.

See also

Random points on lines

Parameters

Label	Name	Type	Description
Input point layer	INPUT	[vector: line]	Input line vector layer
Number of points	POINTS_NUMBER	[number] Default: 1	Number of points to create
Minimum distance between points	MIN_DISTANCE	[number] Default: 0.0	The minimum distance between points
Random points	OUTPUT	[vector: point] Default: [Create temporary layer]	The output random points. One of: Create Temporary Layer (TEMPORARY_OUTPUT) Save to File… Save to Geopackage… Save to Database Table… The file encoding can also be changed here.

Outputs

Label	Name	Type	Description
Random points	OUTPUT	[vector: point]	The output random points layer.

Python code

Algorithm ID: qgis:qgisrandompointsalongline

import processing
processing.run("algorithm_id", {parameter_dictionary})

The algorithm id is displayed when you hover over the algorithm in the Processing Toolbox. The parameter dictionary provides the parameter NAMEs and values. See Using processing algorithms from the console for details on how to run processing algorithms from the Python console.

28.1.21.10. Random points in extent

Creates a new point layer with a given number of random points, all of them within a given extent.

A distance factor can be specified, to avoid points being too close to each other. If the minimum distance between points makes it impossible to create new points, either distance can be decreased or the maximum number of attempts may be increased.

Default menu: Vector ► Research Tools

Parameters

Basic parameters

Label	Name	Type	Description
Input extent	EXTENT	[extent]	Map extent for the random points Available methods are: Calculate from layer…: uses extent of a layer loaded in the current project Calculate from layout map…: uses extent of a layout map item in the active project Calculate from bookmark…: uses extent of a saved bookmark Use map canvas extent Draw on canvas: click and drag a rectangle delimiting the area to take into account Enter the coordinates as xmin, xmax, ymin, ymax
Number of points	POINTS_NUMBER	[number] Default: 1	Number of point to create
Minimum distance between points	MIN_DISTANCE	[number] Default: 0.0	The minimum distance between points
Target CRS	TARGET_CRS	[crs] Default: Project CRS	CRS of the random points layer
Random points	OUTPUT	[vector: point] Default: [Create temporary layer]	The output random points. One of: Create Temporary Layer (TEMPORARY_OUTPUT) Save to File… Save to Geopackage… Save to Database Table… The file encoding can also be changed here.

Advanced parameters

Label	Name	Type	Description
Maximum number of search attempts given the minimum distance	MAX_ATTEMPTS	[number] Default: 200	Maximum number of attempts to place the points

Outputs

Label	Name	Type	Description
Random points	OUTPUT	[vector: point]	The output random points layer.

Python code

Algorithm ID: native:randompointsinextent

import processing
processing.run("algorithm_id", {parameter_dictionary})

The algorithm id is displayed when you hover over the algorithm in the Processing Toolbox. The parameter dictionary provides the parameter NAMEs and values. See Using processing algorithms from the console for details on how to run processing algorithms from the Python console.

28.1.21.11. Random points in layer bounds

Creates a new point layer with a given number of random points, all of them within the extent of a given layer.

A minimum distance can be specified, to avoid points being too close to each other.

Default menu: Vector ► Research Tools

Parameters

Label	Name	Type	Description
Input layer	INPUT	[vector: polygon]	Input polygon layer defining the area
Number of points	POINTS_NUMBER	[number] Default: 1	Number of points to create
Minimum distance between points	MIN_DISTANCE	[number] Default: 0.0	The minimum distance between points
Random points	OUTPUT	[vector: point] Default: [Create temporary layer]	The output random points. One of: Create Temporary Layer (TEMPORARY_OUTPUT) Save to File… Save to Geopackage… Save to Database Table… The file encoding can also be changed here.

Outputs

Label	Name	Type	Description
Random points	OUTPUT	[vector: point]	The output random points layer.

Python code

Algorithm ID: qgis:randompointsinlayerbounds

import processing
processing.run("algorithm_id", {parameter_dictionary})

The algorithm id is displayed when you hover over the algorithm in the Processing Toolbox. The parameter dictionary provides the parameter NAMEs and values. See Using processing algorithms from the console for details on how to run processing algorithms from the Python console.

28.1.21.12. Random points in polygons

Creates a point layer with points placed inside the polygons of another layer.

For each feature (polygon / multi-polygon) geometry in the input layer, the given number of points is added to the result layer.

Per feature and global minimum distances can be specified in order to avoid points being too close in the output point layer. If a minimum distance is specified, it may not be possible to generate the specified number of points for each feature. The total number of generated points and missed points are available as output from the algorithm.

The illustration below shows the effect of per feature and global minimum distances and zero/non-zero minimum distances (generated with the same seed, so at least the first point generated will be the same).

Fig. 28.53 Ten points per polygon feature, left: min. distances = 0, middle: min.distances = 1, right: min. distance = 1, global min. distance = 0

The maximum number of tries per point can be specified. This is only relevant for non-zero minimum distance.

A seed for the random number generator can be provided, making it possible to get identical random number sequences for different runs of the algorithm.

The attributes of the polygon feature on which a point was generated can be included (Include polygon attributes).

If you want approximately the same point density for all the features, you can data-define the number of points using the area of the polygon feature geometry.

See also

Random points inside polygons

Parameters

Basic parameters

Label	Name	Type	Description
Input polygon layer	INPUT	[vector: line]	Input polygon vector layer
Number of points for each feature	POINTS_NUMBER	[number ] Default: 1	Number of points to create
Minimum distance between points Optional	MIN_DISTANCE	[number ] Default: 0.0	The minimum distance between points within one polygon feature
Random points in polygons	OUTPUT	[vector: point] Default: [Create temporary layer]	The output random points. One of: Create Temporary Layer (TEMPORARY_OUTPUT) Save to File… Save to Geopackage… Save to Database Table… The file encoding can also be changed here.

Advanced parameters

Label	Name	Type	Description
Global minimum distance between points Optional	MIN_DISTANCE_GLOBAL	[number ] Default: 0.0	The global minimum distance between points. Should be smaller than the Minimum distance between points (per feature) for that parameter to have an effect.
Maximum number of search attempts (for Min. dist. > 0) Optional	MAX_TRIES_PER_POINT	[number ] Default: 10	The maximum number of tries per point. Only relevant if the minimum distance between points is set (and greater than 0).
Random seed Optional	SEED	[number] Default: Not set	The seed to use for the random number generator.
Include polygon attributes	INCLUDE_POLYGON_ATTRIBUTES	[boolean] Default: True	If set, a point will get the attributes from the line on which it is placed.

Outputs

Label	Name	Type	Description
Random points in polygons	OUTPUT	[vector: point]	The output random points layer.
Number of features with empty or no geometry	FEATURES_WITH_EMPTY_OR_NO_GEOMETRY	[number]
Total number of points generated	OUTPUT_POINTS	[number]
Number of missed points	POINTS_MISSED	[number]	The number of points that could not be generated due to the minimum distance constraint.
Number of features with missed points	POLYGONS_WITH_MISSED_POINTS	[number]	Not including features with empty or no geometry

Python code

Algorithm ID: native:randompointsinpolygons

import processing
processing.run("algorithm_id", {parameter_dictionary})

The algorithm id is displayed when you hover over the algorithm in the Processing Toolbox. The parameter dictionary provides the parameter NAMEs and values. See Using processing algorithms from the console for details on how to run processing algorithms from the Python console.

28.1.21.13. Random points inside polygons

Creates a new point layer with a given number of random points inside each polygon of the input polygon layer.

Two sampling strategies are available:

• Points count: number of points for each feature

• Points density: density of points for each feature

A minimum distance can be specified, to avoid points being too close to each other.

Default menu: Vector ► Research Tools

See also

Random points in polygons

Parameters

Label	Name	Type	Description
Input layer	INPUT	[vector: polygon]	Input polygon vector layer
Sampling strategy	STRATEGY	[enumeration] Default: 0	Sampling strategy to use. One of: 0 — Points count: number of points for each feature 1 — Points density: density of points for each feature
Point count or density	VALUE	[number ] Default: 1.0	The number or density of points, depending on the chosen Sampling strategy.
Minimum distance between points	MIN_DISTANCE	[number] Default: 0.0	The minimum distance between points
Random points	OUTPUT	[vector: point] Default: [Create temporary layer]	The output random points. One of: Create Temporary Layer (TEMPORARY_OUTPUT) Save to File… Save to Geopackage… Save to Database Table… The file encoding can also be changed here.

Outputs

Label	Name	Type	Description
Random points	OUTPUT	[vector: point]	The output random points layer.

Python code

Algorithm ID: qgis:randompointsinsidepolygons

import processing
processing.run("algorithm_id", {parameter_dictionary})

The algorithm id is displayed when you hover over the algorithm in the Processing Toolbox. The parameter dictionary provides the parameter NAMEs and values. See Using processing algorithms from the console for details on how to run processing algorithms from the Python console.

28.1.21.14. Random points on lines

Creates a point layer with points placed on the lines of another layer.

For each feature (line / multi-line) geometry in the input layer, the given number of points is added to the result layer.

Per feature and global minimum distances can be specified in order to avoid points being too close in the output point layer. If a minimum distance is specified, it may not be possible to generate the specified number of points for each feature. The total number of generated points and missed points are available as output from the algorithm.

The illustration below shows the effect of per feature and global minimum distances and zero/non-zero minimum distances (generated with the same seed, so at least the first point generated will be the same).

Fig. 28.54 Five points per line feature, left: min. distances = 0, middle: min.distances != 0, right: min. distance != 0, global min. distance = 0

The maximum number of tries per point can be specified. This is only relevant for non-zero minimum distance.

A seed for the random number generator can be provided, making it possible to get identical random number sequences for different runs of the algorithm.

The attributes of the line feature on which a point was generated can be included (Include line attributes).

If you want approximately the same point density for all the line features, you can data-define the number of points using the length of the line feature geometry.

See also

Random points along line

Parameters

Basic parameters

Label	Name	Type	Description
Input line layer	INPUT	[vector: line]	Input line vector layer
Number of points for each feature	POINTS_NUMBER	[number ] Default: 1	Number of points to create
Minimum distance between points (per feature) Optional	MIN_DISTANCE	[number ] Default: 0.0	The minimum distance between points within one line feature
Random points on lines	OUTPUT	[vector: point] Default: [Create temporary layer]	The output random points. One of: Create Temporary Layer (TEMPORARY_OUTPUT) Save to File… Save to Geopackage… Save to Database Table… The file encoding can also be changed here.

Advanced parameters

Label	Name	Type	Description
Global minimum distance between points Optional	MIN_DISTANCE_GLOBAL	[number ] Default: 0.0	The global minimum distance between points. Should be smaller than the Minimum distance between points (per feature) for that parameter to have an effect.
Maximum number of search attempts (for Min. dist. > 0) Optional	MAX_TRIES_PER_POINT	[number ] Default: 10	The maximum number of tries per point. Only relevant if the minimum distance between points is set (and greater than 0).
Random seed Optional	SEED	[number] Default: Not set	The seed to use for the random number generator.
Include line attributes	INCLUDE_LINE_ATTRIBUTES	[boolean] Default: True	If set, a point will get the attributes from the line on which it is placed.

Outputs

Label	Name	Type	Description
Random points on lines	OUTPUT	[vector: point]	The output random points layer.
Number of features with empty or no geometry	FEATURES_WITH_EMPTY_OR_NO_GEOMETRY	[number]
Number of features with missed points	LINES_WITH_MISSED_POINTS	[number]	Not including features with empty or no geometry
Total number of points generated	POINTS_GENERATED	[number]
Number of missed points	POINTS_MISSED	[number]	The number of points that could not be generated due to the minimum distance constraint.

Python code

Algorithm ID: native:randompointsonlines

import processing
processing.run("algorithm_id", {parameter_dictionary})

The algorithm id is displayed when you hover over the algorithm in the Processing Toolbox. The parameter dictionary provides the parameter NAMEs and values. See Using processing algorithms from the console for details on how to run processing algorithms from the Python console.

28.1.21.15. Raster pixels to points

Creates a vector layer of points corresponding to each pixel in a raster layer.

Converts a raster layer to a vector layer, by creating point features for each individual pixel’s center in the raster layer. Any NoData pixels are skipped in the output.

Parameters

Label	Name	Type	Description
Raster layer	INPUT_RASTER	[raster]	Input raster layer
Band number	RASTER_BAND	[raster band]	Raster band to extract data from
Field name	FIELD_NAME	[string] Default: ‘VALUE’	Name of the field to store the raster band value
Vector points	OUTPUT	[vector: point] Default: [Create temporary layer]	Specify the resulting point layer of pixels centroids. One of: Create Temporary Layer (TEMPORARY_OUTPUT) Save to File… Save to Geopackage… Save to Database Table… The file encoding can also be changed here.

Outputs

Label	Name	Type	Description
Vector points	OUTPUT	[vector: point]	Resulting point layer with pixels centroids

Python code

Algorithm ID: native:pixelstopoints

import processing
processing.run("algorithm_id", {parameter_dictionary})

The algorithm id is displayed when you hover over the algorithm in the Processing Toolbox. The parameter dictionary provides the parameter NAMEs and values. See Using processing algorithms from the console for details on how to run processing algorithms from the Python console.

28.1.21.16. Raster pixels to polygons

Creates a vector layer of polygons corresponding to each pixel in a raster layer.

Converts a raster layer to a vector layer, by creating polygon features for each individual pixel’s extent in the raster layer. Any NoData pixels are skipped in the output.

Parameters

Label	Name	Type	Description
Raster layer	INPUT_RASTER	[raster]	Input raster layer
Band number	RASTER_BAND	[raster band]	Raster band to extract data from
Field name	FIELD_NAME	[string] Default: ‘VALUE’	Name of the field to store the raster band value
Vector polygons	OUTPUT	[vector: polygon] Default: [Create temporary layer]	Specify the resulting polygon layer of pixel extents. One of: Create Temporary Layer (TEMPORARY_OUTPUT) Save to File… Save to Geopackage… Save to Database Table… The file encoding can also be changed here.

Outputs

Label	Name	Type	Description
Vector polygons	OUTPUT	[vector: polygon]	Resulting polygon layer of pixel extents

Python code

Algorithm ID: native:pixelstopolygons

import processing
processing.run("algorithm_id", {parameter_dictionary})

The algorithm id is displayed when you hover over the algorithm in the Processing Toolbox. The parameter dictionary provides the parameter NAMEs and values. See Using processing algorithms from the console for details on how to run processing algorithms from the Python console.

28.1.21.17. Regular points

Creates a new point layer with its points placed in a regular grid within a given extent.

The grid is specified either by the spacing between the points (same spacing for all dimensions) or by the number of points to generate. In the latter case, the spacing will be determined from the extent. In order to generate a full rectangular grid, at least the number of points specified by the user is generated for the latter case.

Random offsets to the point spacing can be applied, resulting in a non-regular point pattern.

Default menu: Vector ► Research Tools

Parameters

Label	Name	Type	Description
Input extent (xmin, xmax, ymin, ymax)	EXTENT	[extent]	Map extent for the random points Available methods are: Calculate from layer…: uses extent of a layer loaded in the current project Calculate from layout map…: uses extent of a layout map item in the active project Calculate from bookmark…: uses extent of a saved bookmark Use map canvas extent Draw on canvas: click and drag a rectangle delimiting the area to take into account Enter the coordinates as xmin, xmax, ymin, ymax
Point spacing/count	SPACING	[number] Default: 100	Spacing between the points, or the number of points, depending on whether Use point spacing is checked or not.
Initial inset from corner (LH side)	INSET	[number] Default: 0.0	Offsets the points relative to the upper left corner. The value is used for both the X and Y axis.
Apply random offset to point spacing	RANDOMIZE	[boolean] Default: False	If checked the points will have a random spacing
Use point spacing	IS_SPACING	[boolean] Default: True	If unchecked the point spacing is not taken into account
Output layer CRS	CRS	[crs] Default: Project CRS	CRS of the random points layer
Regular points	OUTPUT	[vector: point] Default: [Create temporary layer]	Specify the output regular point layer. One of: Create Temporary Layer (TEMPORARY_OUTPUT) Save to File… Save to Geopackage… Save to Database Table… The file encoding can also be changed here.

Outputs

Label	Name	Type	Description
Regular points	OUTPUT	[vector: point]	The output regular point layer.

Python code

Algorithm ID: qgis:regularpoints

import processing
processing.run("algorithm_id", {parameter_dictionary})

The algorithm id is displayed when you hover over the algorithm in the Processing Toolbox. The parameter dictionary provides the parameter NAMEs and values. See Using processing algorithms from the console for details on how to run processing algorithms from the Python console.