Setting up your first QGIS project

Introduction

This tutorial will guide you through setting up your first QGIS project, including downloading shapefiles, opening QGIS, saving your project, and familiarizing yourself with the QGIS interface. By following these steps, you will gain a foundational understanding of how to use QGIS for geographic data analysis.

Step 1: Download Shapefiles

To start, you need to obtain the necessary shapefiles for your project.

1. Access the Borough Boundaries Shapefile

   • Visit the NYC Open Data Portal.
   • Download the Borough boundaries shapefile from this link: Borough boundaries shapefile.

2. Download the Subway Stations Shapefile

   • Note that the subway dataset may not be available on the NYC Open Data Portal, but you can access an older version here: NYC subway stations shapefile.

Step 2: Open QGIS

Now that you have the shapefiles, it's time to open QGIS.

1. Download and Install QGIS

   • If you haven't installed QGIS yet, download the latest long-term release (LTR) version from the official site: QGIS Download.
   • Follow the installation instructions specific to your operating system.

2. Launch QGIS

   • Open the QGIS application on your computer.

Step 3: Create a New Project

Begin your QGIS project by creating a new file.

1. Start a New Project

   • In QGIS, go to the menu and select Project > New.

2. Save Your Project

   • Immediately save your project by clicking on Project > Save As....
   • Choose a location on your computer and name your project.

Step 4: Load Shapefiles into QGIS

Next, you will add the shapefiles you downloaded into your QGIS project.

1. Add Vector Layer

   • Click on Layer > Add Layer > Add Vector Layer.
   • In the dialog that opens, set the source type to "File."
   • Browse to the location of the Borough boundaries shapefile and select it to load.

2. Repeat for Subway Stations

   • Follow the same process to add the subway stations shapefile.

Step 5: Orient Yourself to the QGIS Interface

Familiarize yourself with the tools and layout of the QGIS interface.

1. Explore the Interface

   • Take note of the main components:
     • Map Canvas: The central area where layers are displayed.
     • Layers Panel: A list of all loaded layers, allowing you to manage their visibility.
     • Toolbox: Contains various tools for analyzing and editing data.

2. Use the Navigation Tools

   • Use the zoom and pan tools to navigate around your map.

Conclusion

You have successfully set up your first QGIS project by downloading shapefiles, opening QGIS, saving your project, and familiarizing yourself with the interface. To further enhance your skills, explore additional features in QGIS, such as data analysis tools and visualization options. This foundational knowledge will enable you to conduct more complex geographic analyses in the future.