Vector Simple Guide

This is a simple user guide for those with no previous knowledge of geographic information systems (GIS).

This guide will introduce users to downloading OS OpenData™, creating simple maps with Quantum GIS (QGIS), and exporting the map as a PDF or JPEG file.

The aim of this exercise is to produce a map of Southampton at a scale of 1:20 000.

OS VectorMap® District (Vector) format is updated twice a year and is appropriate for maps of scale 1:15 000-1:30 000. If a greater level of detail is required we recommend OS VectorMap Local.

For more information on OS VectorMap District go to the product's overview and technical specification pages.

The topics covered in this guide include:

• Downloading OS OpenData

• Opening OS OpenData in QGIS

• Styling vector data

• Opening and saving maps in Composer