Digitizing training and test areas

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This section is still under construction! This article was last modified on 01/24/2014. If you have comments please use the Discussion page or contribute to the article!

This article is part of the QGIS tutorial 2013/14.
In this article you will learn how to create test areas for landscape classification.

1. Generating sample points
   1. Load the raster map 188_pca_indices, which should be available in the course data.
   2. Open Vector --> Research tools --> regular points. If not selected by default, set the Input Boundary Layer to 188_pca_indices.
   3. Select the radio button Use this number of points and set the number to 50.
   4. Set Initial set from corner (LH side)
   5. Enter the file name and path by clicking Browse. You may use 188_pca_indices_points as a file name.
   6. Confirm with OK. Let the new layer be added to the TOC.
      • If the points are hard to recognize on the canvas, open the properties by double-clicking the layer in the TOC and adjusting size and color in the Style tab.
2. Buffering sample points
   1. Open Vector --> Geoprocessing tools --> Buffer. Select the generated points shapefile as input layer.
   2. Enter 2000 (meter) as Buffer distance.
   3. Enter a file path and name, e.g. 188_pca_indices_buffer, confirm with OK and confirm the following dialogue to let the result be added to the project.
3. To get an overview of the terrain, you may add a google sattelite layer
   1. Select Plugins --> OpenLayers plugin --> Add Google Sattelite layer. Of course, you can also add a hybrid layer or try the layers from different providers.
      • If the Plugin doesn't exist in you QGIS installation, you'll first have to install it.
4. Create a new shapefile layer
   1. Select Layer --> New --> New Shapefile Layer.
      • As layer type, select Polygon. Click the Specify SRS button and select WGS 84 (EPSG:3857).
      • To add an attibute:
        • For the attribute's name type (Class into the Name field of the New attribute section.
        • Select Whole number as data type.
        • Confirm with Add to attributes list.
      • Confirm with OK.