Preparing Division Map

Preparing Division Map in QGIS

By Yogendra Borse

1. Open QGIS Software
2. Create a New Project
3. Go to Plugins
4. In the Plugins tab, select "Manage and Install Plugins"
5. In the search bar, type "Quick" and click "Install Plugin" for QuickMapServices
6. Add base map: Web → QuickMapServices → OSM → OSM Standard
7. Zoom to your Division area
8. Create a new temporary scratch layer
9. Rename the layer and select Geometry type as "Curve Polygon"
10. Trace the boundaries of the Division
    Activate editing, select the polygon tool, left-click to add vertices along the boundary, and right-click to finish.
    Note: In layer properties, a hatch fill style was used to make the interior visible while tracing.
11. Create Print Layout
    Go to Project → New Print Layout (or Ctrl+P). Give it a name like "Division Map".
12. Add the main map to the layout
    In the Print Layout toolbar, click "Add Map" (or Layout → Add Map). Drag a rectangle on the page to place the map. It will show your current QGIS view.
    Use "Move Item Content" to pan/zoom the map within the frame if needed.
13. Add a title
    Click "Add Label" (or Layout → Add Label). Draw a rectangle at the top.
    In Item Properties, enter your title (e.g., "North Division Map") and customize font, size, alignment, and background.
14. Add a legend
    Click "Add Legend". Draw a rectangle (usually on the side or bottom).
    In Item Properties, uncheck "Auto update" to customize: remove unnecessary layers, rename items, set title like "Legend".
15. Add a scale bar
    Click "Add Scale Bar". Draw a rectangle (usually at the bottom).
    In Item Properties, link it to your main map frame, choose style, units, and segments.
16. Add a north arrow
    Click "Add Picture" (or dedicated "Add North Arrow" if available). Draw a rectangle.
    In Item Properties, search directories for built-in SVG arrows and select one. Sync rotation with the main map if needed.
17. Finalize and export
    Adjust positions, sizes, and styles of all items.
    Go to Layout → Export as Image (for PNG/JPG) or Export as PDF.
    For high-quality print, use PDF with 300 DPI.
    

Example of a completed QGIS print layout with title, legend, scale bar, and north arrow:

This free method using QGIS and OpenStreetMap base layers allows you to create professional division maps quickly and easily.