Data import to ur-scape is supported by a third-party software called QGIS. It is a free and open-source cross-platform desktop geographic information system application that supports viewing, editing, and analysis of geospatial data. Thanks to this software you have full control over imported data with possibility edit them or generate new sub-datasets.
To import data into ur-scape you can use the plug-in with the user-friendly interface or use python console script (only recommended for advanced users).
¶ Versions & Software Requirements
The ur-scape plug-in is being developed and tested for QGIS 3.10 Long Term Release.
The ur-scape python script can be used in all versions from QGIS 3.0.1 to QGIS 3.14.15.
¶ Plug-in Interface Overview
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- Parameters & Log Tabs allows user to switch between data input dialog and process messages
- QGIS Input allows user to set input data
- Mandatory Parameters are parameters which are necessary for import to ur-scape
- Optional Parameters are not parameters which are necessary for import to ur-scape
- Metadata are parameters describing dataset itself
For more information please refer to User Guide
¶ Python Console (Advanced)
The Python Console allows QGIS users to execute python scripts and edit such a code in the Console Editor. The ur-scape python script can be run from the Python Console to import GIS data into ur-scape.
- Basic Parameters allows users to set the path to their ur-scape installation and specify a layer name and resolution. For vector data, users need to specify the field to be exported.
- Metadata describes extra data that is required for the import process such as location, units, source, date, etc.
- Advanced Parameters unlock advanced settings to control how to handle no-data or allowing some scenario-specific imports.
For more information please refer to User Guide
¶ GIS Data Types Overview
There is a long list of formats, which are used in the Geographic Information System (GIS) framework. For this section, we will have a closer look at the two most common formats which are fundamentally different. GeoTiff and Shapefile.
Geotiff is a raster format, which is defined by a grid of cells over a certain area. The cell can contain one value or many which are then described as Raster Band. Geotiff is beneficial when there are no exact boundaries between areas that carrying the value, however, a large area can lead to big files.
Shapefile is a Vector format, which means that areas are defined by coordinates and relation between these coordinates. Shapefile can be defined as features as points, lines, or polygons. Each feature can carry additional describing values defined in the Attribute table. These values for example name of the geographical feature, number of people living inside of feature boundaries, etc. Shapefile is beneficial where exact boundaries are defined, however processing of huge amount of features can be time demanding