Creating an Atlas Print Layout in QGIS: A Comprehensive Guide

Creating an atlas print layout in QGIS is a powerful way to generate individual maps for each feature in your dataset. This guide will walk you through the steps required to set up your atlas, customize your maps, and export them in various formats. Whether you’re preparing maps for a report, presentation, or personal project, this tutorial will ensure you can create professional-looking outputs with ease.

Understanding the Basics of Atlas Generation

Before diving into the specifics, it’s vital to understand what an atlas is in the context of QGIS. An atlas allows you to generate a series of maps, each depicting a different feature from a layer. Each map can be customized to show specific attributes and can be printed or exported in various formats.

Here are some key terms to familiarize yourself with:

• Layer: A collection of data that represents a specific geographic feature.
• Print Layout: A workspace where you can arrange map elements for printing or exporting.
• Atlas View: A special view that allows you to create a series of maps based on features in a layer.

Setting Up Your Project

To begin, you need to have your polygon layer ready in QGIS. This layer should contain all the features you want to print individually. Once your layer is set up, follow these steps to create a new print layout:

Creating a New Print Layout

1. Open your QGIS project and navigate to the main window.

2. Go to the menu and select Project > New Print Layout.

3. A dialog box will appear prompting you to name your layout. Choose a distinctive name that reflects the content of your atlas.

4. Once the layout is created, you’ll see a blank canvas where you can add map elements.

Adding Your Map

Now that you have your layout ready, it’s time to add the map:

1. In the print layout window, click on the Add Map button.

2. Click and drag on the canvas to draw the area where you want the map to appear.

3. Adjust the size and position of the map as needed.

Configuring the Atlas

With your map in place, the next step is to configure the atlas settings. This involves selecting the layer and determining how each page will be generated.

Activating the Atlas Function

1. In the right-hand panel, look for the Atlas tab.

2. Click on Generate Atlas to enable the function.

3. Select the appropriate layer from your project. If you have multiple layers, make sure to choose the one that contains the features you want to print.

Choosing the Page Name

For each page of the atlas, you can choose a name based on a specific attribute from your layer:

1. In the Page Name section, select the column that contains the names of your features.

2. This will dynamically label each page with the corresponding feature name.

Activating the Atlas View

To display each feature on its own page, you need to activate the Atlas view:

1. Click on the button labeled Activate Atlas.

2. This will ensure that when you navigate through your atlas, each feature is centered on a separate page.

Adjusting Zoom and Layout Options

The next step is to customize how your maps are displayed. QGIS offers several zoom options to help you achieve the desired look for your atlas.

Choosing a Zoom Option

1. In the atlas settings, find the zoom options available:

• Border or Margin: Set a percentage value for margins around the map.
• Best Fit Scale: Automatically adjusts the map scale to fit the feature within the map area.
• Fixed Scale: Set a specific scale that will be used for all pages.

2. Choose the option that best suits your project needs.

Exporting Your Atlas

Once you have configured the atlas, the next step is to export it. QGIS allows you to export your atlas in various formats, including PNG, PDF, and SVG.

Exporting as an Image

1. In the Atlas panel, locate the export options.

2. Click on the button to export your atlas as a PNG file. You can also select other formats if needed.

Adjusting Export Settings

Before finalizing the export, you can customize the output settings:

1. Change the output name if necessary.

2. You can deactivate the single output file option if you want to save each page separately.

3. Use the expression button to modify the output name, such as adding the atlas page name while removing unnecessary elements.

Displaying Feature Names

To make your atlas more informative, you may want to display the names of the features on each page. This can be done easily within QGIS.

Setting Up Labels

1. Go back to your main window and double-click on the layer that contains your features.

2. In the layer properties, set the labeling to Single Label and choose the appropriate value from your dataset.

3. Adjust the label size to ensure it fits well within the map view. A size of 20 is often a good starting point.

Refreshing the View

After making adjustments to the labels, you will need to refresh the view to see the changes:

1. Click on the refresh button in the layout to update the display.

2. Ensure that the names appear correctly in the atlas view.

Frequently Asked Questions

What file formats can I export my atlas to?

You can export your atlas in various formats, including PNG, PDF, and SVG, depending on your needs.

Can I customize the layout for each page of the atlas?

Yes, you can customize the layout for each page by adjusting the map elements, labels, and other settings within the print layout.

How do I ensure that my features are displayed correctly on each page?

Make sure to activate the Atlas view and select the appropriate layer and page name. This will ensure that each feature is displayed accurately on its own page.

Is it possible to sort the features in the atlas?

Yes, you can sort the features by a specific attribute column, allowing you to organize your atlas in a way that makes sense for your project.