My QGIS Stuff - A random assortment of things I might reuse. These might be images, styles, scripts or just documentation.

These are my resources that I make freely available to the world. You can ask me for help using them, but I may not be able to provide it due to knowledge or time constraints. I'm also not a QGIS developer, so I can't promise that these will work in future versions of QGIS. Use at your own risk.

Have a look at my blog post for some more usefulness

Lately I'm doing work using python scripts to be used the in the QGIS Toolbox. You can use these scripts by downloading them, then importing them into your toolbox as following

1. Open your QGIS Toolbox
2. Select Add script to toolbox from the little python button
3. Double clicking the script name from the toolbox will run it and open the associated dialog screen

This repository contains multiple QGIS-related subprojects:

Location: docs/ExtractStylesfromDirectoriesForStyleManager/ Script: Scripts/extract_styles_from_projects.py

A QGIS Processing toolbox script that recursively searches directories for QGIS project files (.qgs, .qgz) and extracts all styles into a single XML file compatible with QGIS Style Manager. Use it to create a monster default set of reusable styles from all your hard work across your projects. This script uses tags based on the project names that it finds the styles in to help you organize them.

[!IMPORTANT] This makes it really easy to create duplicates and otherwise pollute your global styles. It's easy to clean them up, but be prepared for housekeeping if you use this tool in anger.

Features:

• Extracts symbols, color ramps, text formats, label settings, and more
• Handles duplicate names automatically
• Tags styles with source project name
• Intelligent naming based on layer and symbol type
• Detailed progress feedback

See docs/ExtractStylesfromDirectoriesForStyleManager/REQUIREMENTS.md for detailed documentation.

Location: docs/vectors2gpkg/ Script: Scripts/vectors2gpkg.py

A QGIS Processing Toolbox script that recursively searches directories for vector files and loads them into a single GeoPackage with metadata preservation and optional style application. Consolidates scattered vector data from complex directory structures into a modern, portable GeoPackage format.

Features:

• Supports 10 vector formats: shapefiles, GeoJSON, KML/KMZ, GPX, GML, GeoPackages, File Geodatabases, SpatiaLite, MapInfo, standalone dBase files
• Container format support: copies all layers from GeoPackages, File Geodatabases, and SpatiaLite databases
• Non-spatial table handling: loads attribute-only tables from container formats and standalone dBase files
• User-selectable file types with multi-select controls
• Spatial indexing and metadata preservation
• QML style file application
• Smart layer naming with invalid character replacement and duplicate collision handling
• Directory-aware layer naming with 5 configurable strategies (filename only, parent directory, smart path detection, etc.)
• Dry run mode to preview layer names before processing data
• Automatic duplicate resolution with incrementing numbers (roads, roads_1, roads_2, etc.)

See docs/vectors2gpkg/README.md for detailed documentation.

Location: docs/rasters2gpkg/ Script: Scripts/rasters2gpkg.py

This subproject has been abandoned due to GeoPackage specification limitations for analytical raster data.

The GeoPackage raster storage specification is designed for tile-based base layers (web mapping), not analytical datasets requiring lossless compression, high bit-depths, and continuous data access. For analytical raster workflows, keep native formats (GeoTIFF, NetCDF, HDF) that are optimized for scientific analysis.

See docs/rasters2gpkg/README.md for detailed explanation of abandonment reasons and alternative approaches.

Location: docs/batchvectorrename/ Script: Scripts/batchvectorrename.py

A QGIS Processing Toolbox script that allows safe and efficient batch renaming of layers in vector files and databases that support layer renaming. Perfect for standardizing layer naming conventions, adding organizational prefixes/suffixes, and cleaning up messy layer names.

Features:

• Recursive directory scanning: automatically processes entire directory trees
• Multi-format vector file support: handles 9 different vector file formats
• Selective file type processing: user can choose which vector formats to process
• 9 rename operations: Replace Text (find/replace with text removal), Trim Beginning, Trim End, Add Prefix, Add Suffix, Clean Names, Convert to Lowercase, Convert to Uppercase, Convert to Title Case
• Dry run mode to preview changes before applying them
• Automatic backup creation with timestamped filenames
• Automatic duplicate resolution: prevents conflicts with incremental numbering (_1, _2, _3)
• Name validation for database compatibility
• Atomic transactions with rollback capability for databases
• Comprehensive logging system using QgsMessageLog with Info, Warning, and Critical levels
• Progress reporting during file discovery and processing phases
• Enhanced error handling and recovery guidance

See docs/batchvectorrename/README.md for detailed documentation.

Location: docs/inventory_miner/ Script: Scripts/inventory_miner.py

A QGIS Processing Toolbox script that recursively scans directories for all GDAL/OGR-supported geospatial files and creates a comprehensive spatial inventory stored in a GeoPackage database. Automatically discovers georeferenced data and creates extent polygons in EPSG:4326 for visualization. Perfect for cataloging large geospatial data collections and understanding your data holdings.

Features:

• Automatic discovery: Uses GDAL/OGR to find all georeferenced files (vectors, rasters, containers)
• Georeference detection: Recognizes coordinates in file headers, data bodies, and sidecar files (.prj, world files, .aux.xml)
• GeoPackage output: Creates spatial inventory layer with extent bounding box polygons in EPSG:4326
• 61+ metadata fields: File system info, spatial metadata, vector/raster specifics, GIS metadata, quality indicators
• Comprehensive metadata extraction:
  • Vector: Geometry type, CRS, extent, feature count, field information, Z/M dimensions
  • Raster: Dimensions, band count, pixel size, data types, NoData values, compression
  • GIS metadata: Title, abstract, keywords, URL, ISO categories, contact info, links (from ISO 19115, FGDC, ESRI metadata)
• Container format support: Enumerates layers within GeoPackage, File Geodatabase, SpatiaLite databases
• Non-spatial table detection: Identifies attribute-only tables associated with spatial layers
• Sidecar file tracking: Reports presence of .prj, world files, .aux.xml, metadata .xml
• Optional validation: Thorough data integrity checking (reads actual features/pixels to verify data)
• Extent transformation: All extents transformed to EPSG:4326 for consistent visualization
• Quality indicators: Flags missing CRS, empty datasets, corrupted files, invalid geometries

See docs/inventory_miner/README.md for detailed documentation and usage examples.

Location: docs/metadata_manager/ Plugin: Plugins/metadata_manager/

A QGIS Plugin that helps users create, manage, and apply metadata to layers following QGIS metadata standards. Uses a unified GeoPackage database shared with Inventory Miner for seamless integration - single database contains both file catalog AND metadata management. Features reusable metadata component libraries, guided workflow wizards, template system for bulk application, and real-time metadata status tracking. Perfect for data managers who need to create comprehensive metadata for large geospatial data collections.

Features:

• Unified database architecture: Shares GeoPackage with Inventory Miner (e.g., geospatial_catalog.gpkg) - single source of truth
• Direct inventory integration: Reads file catalog from geospatial_inventory table, writes metadata status updates directly
• Real-time status tracking: Metadata completeness tracked in inventory table (none/partial/complete)
• Run Inventory Miner from plugin: Create/update file catalog without leaving Metadata Manager

Time-Saving Features:

• Metadata Quality Dashboard ✅ (Phase 2 - COMPLETE): Statistics by directory, data type, format, CRS with priority recommendations and visual progress. Dashboard shows completion percentage, color-coded status, four drill-down views, and top 5 priority recommendations. Auto-refreshes on startup.
• Progressive Disclosure Wizard ✅ (Phase 3 - COMPLETE): 4-step wizard (Essential → Common → Optional → Review) with skip navigation, validation, contact/link management, and HTML summary. Auto-saves to database cache. Completeness tracking (Complete/Partial status).
• Smart Defaults from Inventory ✅ (Phase 4 - COMPLETE): Auto-populate title (Title Case), CRS, extent, geometry type, feature count, field list, raster dimensions. Uses existing GIS metadata if available. User refines instead of entering from scratch - massive time savings!
• Layer Browser Widget ✅ (Phase 4 - COMPLETE): Embedded layer list with filtering (All/Needs/Partial/Complete), search, sortable columns, Next/Previous navigation with auto-save, position indicator. Seamless workflow for processing 50+ layers.
• Batch template application (Phase 5 - Planned): Apply templates to multiple layers at once, watch dashboard update in real-time

Core Features:

• Guided metadata creation: Step-by-step wizard for creating QGIS-compliant metadata with Next/Previous navigation
• Reusable libraries: Store and reuse organizations, contacts, keywords, and templates
• Template system: Create templates for bulk metadata application across multiple layers
• Smart metadata destination: Automatically writes to .qmd sidecar files or embedded GeoPackage metadata
• Validation: Check metadata completeness and validate required fields
• Metadata caching: All metadata backed up in metadata_cache table for recovery
• Dual version tracking: Independent schema versions for Inventory Miner and Metadata Manager
• Versioning support: Tracks retired inventory records when files deleted/moved

Installation (QGIS Plugin - different from Processing scripts):

1. Prerequisites: Install Inventory Miner script first (from Scripts/ directory)
2. Copy Plugins/metadata_manager to your QGIS plugins folder:
   • Windows: C:\Users\<username>\AppData\Roaming\QGIS\QGIS3\profiles\<profile>\python\plugins\
   • Linux: ~/.local/share/QGIS/QGIS3/profiles/<profile>/python/plugins/
   • macOS: ~/Library/Application Support/QGIS/QGIS3/profiles/<profile>/python/plugins/
3. Compile resources: cd metadata_manager && make (or pyrcc5 -o resources.py resources.qrc)
4. Enable in QGIS: Plugins → Manage and Install Plugins → Enable "Metadata Manager"
5. First use: Run Inventory Miner to create database, then select that database in Metadata Manager

Workflow: Inventory Miner creates geospatial_catalog.gpkg → Metadata Manager adds its tables to same database → both tools share single unified database

Current Status (v0.5.0 - October 7, 2025):

• ✅ Phase 1 (COMPLETE): Core database architecture with validation, initialization, and schema upgrades
• ✅ Phase 2 (COMPLETE): Metadata Quality Dashboard with statistics and drill-down views
• ✅ Phase 3 (COMPLETE): 4-step metadata wizard with database persistence, contact/link management, and completeness tracking
• ✅ Phase 4 (COMPLETE): Smart Defaults from inventory + Layer Browser with Next/Previous navigation
• 🚧 Phase 5-6 (Planned): Templates, Export to File

See docs/metadata_manager/README.md for installation details and docs/metadata_manager/REQUIREMENTS.md for specifications.

Screenshots: Metadata Quality Dashboard

Metadata Wizard Step 1

Metadata Wizard Step 2

Metadata Wizard Step 3 with Inventory Integration

Saving out metadata to .qmd sidecar file

Tables and spatial layers created in GeoPackage

Metadata wizard forms with validation and smart defaults from the data scan

Geometry layer created from extent of spatial data, along with lots of metadata fields about each layer

Files that I might want to reuse and you might find useful

1. Resources\qgis_styles_for_style_manager.xml - Some styles I might to reuse across my QGIS installs, compiled using extract_styles_from_projects.py. I'll be adding to these.

Python scripts for the QGIS Processing Toolbox. These correspond to most subprojects listed above. Development files for these scripts are in the docs/ directory. Just grab scripts from this directory and add to QGIS Processing Toolbox.

1. Scripts\extract_styles_from_projects.py - see ExtractStylesfromDirectoriesForStyleManager above
2. Scripts\vectors2gpkg.py - see vectors2gpkg above
3. Scripts\rasters2gpkg.py - ⚠️ ABANDONED - see rasters2gpkg above for explanation
4. Scripts\batchvectorrename.py - see batchvectorrename above
5. Scripts\inventory_miner.py - see inventory_miner above

QGIS Plugins (installed differently from Processing scripts). Copy entire plugin directory to your QGIS plugins folder, compile resources, then enable in QGIS Plugin Manager.

1. Plugins\metadata_manager - ⚙️ IN DEVELOPMENT - see metadata_manager above for installation instructions