Essential QGIS Plugins for Map Creation

Plugins are the backbone of QGIS, providing additional capabilities that enhance your mapping experience. Today, I’ll share my favourite QGIS plugins tailored for map creation rather than data analysis. 

Table of Contents

• QuickMapServices
• Quick OSM
• HMCGIS
• MapTiler
• Generalizer
• Join Multiple Lines
• QGIS 2.3 JS
• QGIS2Web
• OpenTopography DEM Downloader

QuickMapServices

This plugin allows you to quickly add an OpenStreetMap (OSM) basemap to your QGIS project. It can be found in the web menu. While you can add other base maps, the process can be complicated, making QuickMapServices invaluable for downloading OSM data efficiently.

Quick OSM

Quick OSM enables you to download OSM data directly from the map canvas. It appears in the vector menu and is a far better option than going through the OSM website. Simply enter the key and value for the data you need, click run query, and you’re good to go. For example, entering ‘highway’ for the key and ‘motorway’ for the value will yield quick results.

HMCGIS

This plugin provides access to a vast selection of base maps and has its own dedicated menu. It includes a variety of base maps and useful options, such as links to open datasets for U.S. states and otcountries.

MapTiler

MapTiler is part of a family of mapping products and appears in the file browser. It offers a range of base maps, most of which export as vector images, allowing you to create visually appealing maps that can be modified in Illustrator.

Generalizer

This plugin is excellent for simplifying and smoothing paths. It can reduce the number of points in your file or smooth out angled lines into curves. Adjust the settings to see results, as the default settings may not produce noticeable changes.

Join Multiple Lines

This straightforward plugin lets you connect segments of a path, such as roads, into a single segment. It can be found in the vector menu, making it easy to streamline your data.

QGIS 2.3 JS

This plugin allows you to visualize data in 3D. If you have buildings with height data, it will extrude them, adding depth to your maps.

QGIS2Web

QGIS2Web enables you to export interactive web maps quickly. This plugin is also located in the web menu and is user-friendly, making it a great tool for creating web maps.

OpenTopography DEM Downloader

This handy plugin allows you to download raster data from OpenTopography directly from the map canvas. By selecting the necessary formats, you can download only the data required for your specific map area.

With these plugins, you’ll enhance your map creation process in QGIS significantly.