Wikipedia:Graphics Lab/Resources/QGIS/Compilation and semantic outline

In this lesson, I move to a vector software, either Inkscape (free) or an other. My objective is to add in a clean way —visually and within the SVG code— all the semantic layers. The semantic layers including: the legends' icons and labels, the map scale, north arrow, localizator, the topographic legend. Most of the time, they are simply drag&drop added using Inkscape, then resized and moved to the exact size and place you want. Stylistic edition can also be implemented.

Inkscape and cartography : an introduction

I will use Inkscape, which is a light software, free, cross platform, that many amateur graphists use, including most graphists on the Graphic Labs. For a general introduction to "Inkscape, Cartography within Wikipedia context", I very strongly encourage you the reading of File:Tutorial-cartography_(basic).svg. It's both a discussion about Cartography and a tutorial for SVG mapmaking which can be opened in Inkscape in order to do the various exercices includes all along. Also, it can be either simply read in 30mins ; or downloaded, opened in inkscape, and followed as a 2h course. When needing tips, there are tutorials online (Google is your friends!), and the Graphic Lab talkpage is always open to you : other graphists will share their tips, shortcuts, etc.

Compiling QGIS layers

Well! the first things to do now is to import your useful QGIS generated layers into Inkscape to edit them!

Open your topographic layer in Inkscape

Right click on the file > Open with > Inkscape (best way) or Open Inkscape > Drag&Drop file into Inkscape

Import other layers

Either :

1. drag and drop the file into Inkscape, or...
2. Open Inkscape > ...... ...

Resize the document

[...]

Layers: resize, position, align, group

[...]

Legend

Import the wiki-legend. Delete uneed things, blablabla

Semantic preparation

I'm preparing my tools for the final result. Also, I both

• prepare tools for encyclopedic subject I wish to cover : the legend with icons and labels
• prepare the readability of the map itself : adding the correct scale, north arrow, localizator, topographic legend

See also

The table above has links to various tutorials and resources which can help in the creation of Wikipedia maps from digital georeferenced data (GIS).

For most of this things.drag&drop added using Inkscape, then edited.