Resources for Static Mapping and Spatial Analysis
At a glance,
- what it is; useful for xyz
- advantages and disadvantages
- difficulty/learning curve
- access/ open source or proprietary for all, give
- examples (more than in determine output section?)
Resources
- links to download tool
- links to task specific plugins
- links to tutorials and demos
Table of contents
Geographic Information Systems
QGIS
QGIS is a popular desktop GIS software, and considered a free and open source software (FOSS) with a very active development community. According to QGIS’s development roadmap, new versions are planned for release as far as 2 years into the future. For this workshop we are using QGIS 3.28.10 ‘Firenze’, the most recent long term release.
Medium learning curve. … what else? useful to know for so many things.
QGIS Advantages ⇡
- Runs on Windows, Mac, Linux, Android
- Extensive online documentation
- Active development and user communities, meaning what?
- Robust plugin repository for extended functionality, meaning what?
QGIS Disadvantages ⇣
- Most recent features can be buggy, which is why we recommend always downloading the latest Long Term Release, often small button below main download.
- Plugins lack standardized documentation
- Troubleshooting = Googling
QGIS Resources
QGIS has extensive online documentation, including a robust User Guide and Training Manual.QGIS also has a vibrant user community, with answers to nearly any question you might have only a web search away. Many helpful tutorial demonstrations can be found on Youtube. UBC Research Commons’ 2 workshops highly recommend to get you started: Intro to Map Production with QGIS and Tools and Workflows in QGIS
ArcGIS Pro
ArcGIS is a proprietary desktop GIS that requires either a personal or institutional license. If you are faculty or student at UBC - liscence. Also can login? in digital scholarship lab. only runs on windows. taught in GIS classes but most things you can do in QGIS. benifits=tools etc. Learning curve? Medium - takes a while to get familiar with interface. theres lots there that you likely wont need.
ArcGIS Advantages ⇡
ArcGIS Disadvantages ⇣
- licensing
- only operates on windows
Non GIS options for making static maps
MyOSMatic
MapOSMatic“MapOSMatic is a free software webservice to generate maps of cities using OpenStreetMap data”. Create rudimentary city map in just a few clicks! Difficulty low, but little room for customization. no expertise necessary
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other?
For editing
workflows bettwen gis and illustration software
Editing further; drawing map directly
check out software examples see if its for you. |