Installing QGIS and Plugins

Test Data

Download the test data for this lab: stanford_art_data.zip

This zip file contains the following layers:

stanford_public_art.geojson — Point locations of public art installations on Stanford campus
stanford_campus_irg.tif — Infrared raster image of the Stanford campus
stanford_campus.geojson — Stanford campus boundary polygon

Introduction

QGIS (Quantum Geographic Information System) is a free, open-source desktop GIS application that will serve as our primary tool for spatial data analysis and cartography. This lab will guide you through the installation process and setup of essential plugins that extend QGIS's functionality for terrain analysis, geoprocessing, and basemap integration.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this lab, you will be able to:

Install QGIS on macOS, Windows, or Linux
Create a new user profile for course work
Install and configure essential QGIS plugins
Install Whitebox Tools for advanced terrain analysis
Access basemap services through QuickMapServices

Installing QGIS

macOS Installation

NOTE: Avoid the use of the new "VERY EARLY RELEASE" version 4.0.0. Most of the plugins that we will need to use have not been updated for this version. At some point, soon, I expect that to change, but until then, **please use the Long-term Release (LTR) Version 3.44

Download the latest Regular release from: qgis.org/en/site/forusers/download.html**
Download the DMG file for macOS
Double-click the downloaded DMG file to open it
It will take a few minutes to decompress and validate the DMG file
Once the installation window opens, drag and drop the QGIS app icon into the Applications folder icon
Launch QGIS from your Applications folder

Note: As of 2024, QGIS is now properly registered with Apple, so you should not encounter security warnings during installation or first launch.

Windows Installation

Visit qgis.org/en/site/forusers/download.html
Download the QGIS Standalone Installer (Regular release)
Run the installer with administrator privileges
Accept the default installation options
Launch QGIS from the Start menu

For a detailed walkthrough, see: How to Install QGIS on Windows

Linux Installation

Use your distribution's package manager
Add the official QGIS repository for the latest versions
Install using apt, yum, or equivalent package manager

For distribution-specific instructions, visit: QGIS Installers

Setting Up Your QGIS Profile

Creating a new user profile provides a clean workspace for the course and makes troubleshooting easier if issues arise.

Create a New User Profile

Launch QGIS
Go to Settings > User Profiles > New Profile
Name the profile something like EarthSys144 or EarthSys144-Labs to identify it
Click OK

QGIS will restart with your new profile. This creates a fresh configuration with default settings. Your old profile (if you had one) remains available and you can switch between profiles from Settings > User Profiles.

Installing Essential Plugins

QuickMapServices Plugin

QuickMapServices provides convenient access to basemap layers from various providers (Google, Esri, OpenStreetMap, and more).

Install the Plugin:

Go to Plugins > Manage and Install Plugins
In the search box, type QuickMapServices
Select the plugin from the list and click Install Plugin
Close the Plugin Manager

Test the Installation:

Go to Web > QuickMapServices
You should see many service providers listed (Google, Esri, NASA, etc.)
Select Google > Google Hybrid to load a basemap

SAGA

SAGA is used as a standalone application for this course. We will not install or connect a SAGA plugin inside QGIS in this guide, as QGIS integrations with SAGA have been discontiniued.

When a later lab asks you to use SAGA, launch the SAGA application directly and follow that lab's standalone instructions.

Whitebox Tools

For this course, use the standalone Whitebox Tools setup described in Installing Whitebox Tools.

That guide shows you how to:

choose the correct Mac or Windows binary
check your Mac chip type with About This Mac
install the WhiteboxTools for QGIS plugin
point QGIS at the whitebox_tools executable
verify that the toolset is ready for later raster labs

Troubleshooting Common Issues

QGIS Won't Launch

Windows: Try running as administrator
macOS: Check that the app is in your Applications folder
All platforms: Check system requirements at qgis.org
Clear QGIS settings by renaming the QGIS profile folder and creating a new profile

Plugins Not Working

Verify QGIS version compatibility in the plugin description
Check your internet connection (required for plugin installation)
Try Plugins > Manage and Install Plugins > Reinstall Plugin
Clear the plugin cache and restart QGIS

Whitebox Tools Not Showing Up

Make sure you followed Installing Whitebox Tools and pointed QGIS at the correct executable
If you chose the wrong Mac binary, download the one that matches your chip type
Restart QGIS and check Processing > Toolbox again
If the plugin still does not appear, reinstall WhiteboxTools for QGIS from Plugins > Manage and Install Plugins

QuickMapServices Shows No Basemaps

Make sure you clicked Get Contributed Pack in the settings
Check your internet connection
Try Web > QuickMapServices > Settings > More Services > Reload to refresh the list

Submission

To verify your installation:

Create a new QGIS project
Load the Google Hybrid basemap from Web > QuickMapServices > Google > Google Hybrid
Open the Processing Toolbox and expand it to show the WhiteboxTools provider.
Create a screenshot showing:
- QGIS interface with the Google Hybrid basemap loaded
- Processing Toolbox panel visible with WhiteboxTools expanded
Upload the screenshot to Canvas

Next Steps

With QGIS and essential plugins installed, you're ready to:

Create your first maps with professional basemaps
Perform terrain analysis using Whitebox Tools
Begin exploring spatial data visualization and analysis

These tools will form the foundation of all the desktop GIS work we'll do throughout the course.

07 - Installing QGIS and Plugins