Lab 01

Designing a Simple Site Map

Your first mission: Create a professional map of a place you know well using standard cartographic elements.

🎯 Learning Objectives

📂 Scenario & Requirements

You have been hired as a "Campus Mapper." Your client (me, your instructor) needs a simple yet professional Site Map of a location of your choice. This could be your university campus, your neighborhood park, or even your hometown center.

The goal is not complex analysis; the goal is communication. Can you produce a clean, readable map?

Data Needed: None! We will use the built-in "Basemaps" (Satellite or Street layers) provided by the software.

🛠️ Step-by-Step Instructions

Select your preferred GIS platform:

1

Explore and Locate

Open your project from Lab 00. Use the Locate tool (magnifying glass) at the top right to search for your chosen location.

Change your Basemap: Go to the Map Tab → Basemap. Choose "Imagery Hybrid" or "Topographic".

2

Create a Layout

A "Map" is for working data; a "Layout" is for printing.

  1. Go to Insert Tab → New Layout. Select "Letter (8.5 x 11) Landscape".
  2. Go to Insert Tab → Map Frame. Draw a rectangle on the page to place your map.
3

Add Map Elements

Use the Insert Tab to add the following:

  • North Arrow: To show orientation.
  • Scale Bar: To show distance/size.
  • Text (Title): Name your place (e.g., "Southwestern University Campus").
  • Dynamic Text (Service Layer Credits): Acknowledges the data source.
  • Text (Author): "Created by [Your Name]".
4

Export

Go to the Share Tab → Export Layout.

Format: JPG or PDF. DPI: 300. Save it to your computer.

1

Load Basemap

In the Browser Panel (left), double-click XYZ Tiles → OpenStreetMap.

Use the Pan (Hand) and Zoom tool to find your location. (Tip: You can install the "QuickMapServices" plugin for Google Satellite imagery).

2

Create Print Layout

QGIS separates the canvas from the printer page.

  1. Go to Project → New Print Layout. Name it "Lab1_Map".
  2. Click the Add Map icon (looks like a scroll) on the left sidebar. Draw a box on the page.
  3. Use the "Move Item Content" tool to adjust the zoom inside the box.
3

Add Elements

Use the Left Sidebar tools:

  • Add Label (Text): Add Title and your Name. (Edit text in the Right Sidebar "Item Properties").
  • Add Scale Bar: Draw a box. Adjust units in Item Properties.
  • Add North Arrow: Draw a box.
4

Export Image

Go to the top toolbar: Layout → Export as Image.

Save as a JPG/PNG. Recommended 300 dpi.

1

Setup Map

Go to ArcGIS Online → Map Viewer.

Search for your location in the top right search bar.

Change Basemap: Click the "Basemap" icon (left dark toolbar) and choose "Imagery" or "Navigation".

2

Add Sketch Layers

Click "Sketch" (Pencil icon) on the right toolbar.

Use the "Stamp" or "Text" tool to place a label on the map naming the site (Site Title). Add another text box with your Name.

3

Print / Export

On the left toolbar, click "Print" (Printer icon).

  • Title: Enter your Map Title.
  • Layout: Choose "Letter ANSI A Landscape".
  • Format: PDF or JPG.

Click "Export". The file will generate after a few seconds—click the result to download it.

✅ Submission & Assessment

To pass Lab 01, submit your exported map file (JPG/PDF). It will be graded on: