Ujaval Gandhi

ujaval@spatialthoughts.com

Advanced QGIS

Introduction and Course Overview

CC BY-4.0

Spatial Thoughts

• A learning platform for modern geospatial technologies.
• Free and open learning content for QGIS, Python, GDAL and Google Earth Engine.
• Learning materials used by 1 million+ users every year.
• All material is licensed under CC-BY
• Online academy for cohort-based instructor-led classes.
• Trained participants from over 100 countries.

Introduction

• Background in GIS and Remote Sensing
• Intern at Indian Institute of Remote Sensing (IIRS), Dehradun, India
• MS in Geospatial Information Engineering from University of Wisconsin - Madison, USA
• 15 years of professional experience
• One of the early employees at Google Inc.
• Moved to India in 2006 and established the maps team
• Migrated internal teams to QGIS
• Led the GIS and Aerial Imagery team in India from 2007-2019
• Developed expertise in Google Earth Engine and trained 1000+ scientists and researchers across India
• Presently
• Left Google in 2020 to work on startup Spatial Thoughts.
• Building open-source content and helping people master advanced geospatial skills.

Ujaval Gandhi

Introduction

• Masters in Remote Sensing
• Interest in Automating Workflows
• Training Associate
• Class logistics
• Project support

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Vigna Purohit

My QGIS Journey

• [2006] First encounter with QGIS (Quantum GIS v 0.8)
• [2008] Started transitioning Google’s mapping operations to QGIS
• [2010] Started publishing open materials online from qgistutorials.com
• Translated into 10+ languages by the community
• [2013] Wrote the Google Maps Engine Connector for QGIS plugin
• [2019] Became a QGIS.org certified training provider
• [2021] Developed QGIS materials for Urban Planning and Hydrology
• [2024] Cloud-native workflows for QGIS
• [2025] QGIS Expressions Masterclass

[*links in slide notes]

Spatial Thoughts

Course Overview

Processing Toolbox

Batch Processing

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Module 1

Processing Toolbox

Model Designer

Best Practices for Scaling Workflows and Data Management

Module 2

Graphical Modeler

2D Animations

3D Animations

Module 3

Advanced Visualization

Advanced Expressions

Must have Plugins

Case Studies

Module 4

Expressions

Assignment and Evaluation

Assignment*

( 60 mins)

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Assignment

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Module 1

Module 2

Module 3

Module 4

Class Challenges

Live Quizzes

Class Challenges

Live Quizzes

* Assignment is due on the last day of the course

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Course Overview

Processing Toolbox

Batch Processing

Graphical Modeler

Best Practices for Scaling Workflows and Data Management

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Module 1

Processing Toolbox

2D Animations

3D Animations

Advanced QGIS Expressions

Case Studies with Real-World Data

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Module 2

Advanced Visualization & Expressions

Live Session Structure

• The live-sessions are a mix of lectures + hands-on exercises
• We will have 1 break of 10-minute during the 3-hour session
• The sessions are highly interactive. You are encouraged to ask questions at any point.
• Don’t hold back. Ask clarifications early!

Live Session Structure

• Each section starts with a brief explanation of the concepts, followed by a hands-on exercise.
• Hands-on exercises are optional, but highly recommended.
• Each exercise is broken down into small logical sections.
• There are checkpoint projects provided in your data package that will allow you to catch up and continue from any section.
• Participants are presented with a challenge at the end of each section.
• All participants must attempt the challenge and submit the solution.
• Take a screenshot and submit via Zoom chat.
• All sessions are recorded and will be uploaded to the class page. If you miss any session, watch the recording and submit the challenges by email.

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Certification

• Certificate will be issued by QGIS.org and given to all participants at the end of the course.
• To receive the certificate, participants must
• Attend the full course live (both sessions)
• Complete all the class exercises and assignment
• Complete the quizzes during the class

Let’s Get Started

https://courses.spatialthoughts.com/advanced-qgis.html

Supplement

What is Open Source Software?

• Source-code of the software is available to anyone to view, modify and re-use
• Available under a variety of licenses
• Most allow use of the software for any purpose without any restrictions
• Some licenses (such GPL) require that derivative works are also licensed the same way

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Open Source Models

• Community supported - donations, volunteer developers, paid feature development (QGIS)
• Professional Services - Consulting/ training /support for open-source software. Add-on modules and packaging to make software easy to use. (i.e. NextGIS QGIS)
• Software-as-a-Service - Hosted versions of open-source code. For users who do not want to manage their servers or do system administration. (i.e. Mergin Maps, QField Cloud)
• Open-Core - Core of the software is open, but some features and additions are proprietary (i.e. WhiteBox Tools)

Why Open Source?

• Proven to be more secure
• More eyes on the code. Easier to discover and fix bugs
• Easy to audit and ensure compliance to policies
• No lock-in
• Any skilled developer can add features and fix bugs. No need to depend on a particular vendor
• Flexibility in use
• Can install multiple instances without worrying about licenses
• Can be used offline, and in environments that may not be suited for proprietary software
• Cost
• Significantly less total cost
• Benefit from investments and contributions of a large number of people

QGIS

• Most popular open-source desktop GIS software
• ~500K daily users, ~10M monthly users (QGIS Usage Dashboard)
• Project is over 20 years old and is very actively developed
• Mature organization structure. Registered legal entity, Project Steering Committee, large community of users and developers

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QGIS Applications

• QGIS Desktop: Create, edit, visualise, analyse and publish geospatial information.
• QGIS Server: Publish your QGIS projects and layers as OGC compatible WMS and WFS services.
• QGIS Web Client: Publish your QGIS projects on the web with ease.
• QGIS on Mobile: Focus on data collection.
• MerginMaps- Open source project maintained by Lutra Consulting. Works on Android and iOS.
• QField - Open source project maintained by OPENGIS.ch. Works on Android and iOS.

QGIS Development Schedule

A new version of QGIS is released every four months. [View Roadmap]

• This is known as the ‘latest’ release

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Every third release is a long-term-release (LTR) that is maintained for 1 year

• This is the ‘stable’ release
• Current LTR is 3.28. It will be the LTR till January 2024
• 3.34 will be the next LTR.

QGIS Certification Program

• Designed to promote quality education for QGIS software
• Certifying organizations are reviewed and vetted by the community and the Project Steering Committee (PSC)
• Currently 30 certifying organizations globally
• Certifying organizations can issue official certificates on behalf of QGIS.org
• Certification cost is €20/certificate and this revenue funds QGIS development/bug fixes

How to support QGIS?

• Join the community
• Mailing List
• StackExchange
• QGIS Open Days and Telegram channel
• File bug reports!
• Test Nightly Builds
• Help with documentation
• Sponsor feature development
• Participant in Crowdfunding