5. Producing Map Output

This exercise will show you how to turn your QGIS map content into publishable output.

5.1. Export from map

This exercise exports the map as is, without any adornments.

Spend a few minutes tidying your current map - turn off layer you aren’t using, so you have a simple map with one or two layers and a base map
Go to Project > Import/Export > Export Map to Image, and save the image to your Home Folder with a suitable name
This will export the map exactly as you see it - you can use this if you need the simple map, for example to use in a report

To create a map product with additional items, such as a legend, title and scalebar, create a Print Layout.

Go to Project > New Print Layout…
In the dialog, give the layout a name and click OK
In the Layout screen, go to View > Zoom Full to see the full page
Use the Add Item menu to add the items you want to the map - try at least:
1. Add Map
2. Add Label
3. Add Legend
For each item you have added, click the item in the layout, they look at the Item Properties tab on the right - it contains the settings for that item
Explore these configuration options, and make changes to see how they affect the map
Arrange the items on the page, and add more items if you have time
When you are done, go to Layout > Export as PDF and save the PDF in your Home Folder
Open the PDF and review it