<div dir="ltr"><div><div><div><div>I'd start with the center of yout imaginary planet. Assuming it's an alternative Earth I would define where is the center of your alternative Earth, maybe an isle of a certain area, maybe this point of reference would be meta-imaginary. From this point I would have a coordinate reference system wich is modelled from an imaginary place... everythung else would be relative to this place.<br>
<br></div>What I mean is:<br><br></div>1. Create an imaginary point of reference and a polygon associated with well known dimensions and coordinates (I would choose 0 and 0 latitude longitude).<br></div>2. Rasterize your maps and draw them around this central imaginary point/area using the georreferencer (i.e. decide in your map where is the imaginary point of reference and mark it, then derive points of reference from the polygon associated, finally reference your rasterized map and draw your stuff).<br>
<br></div><div>It may be a lot of work, but surely is not starting from scratch... just have to draw again using a geographic coordinate system.<br></div><div><br></div><div>BTW, it's a very interesting use of QGIS.<br>
</div></div><div class="gmail_extra"><br><br><div class="gmail_quote">2013/10/4 . <span dir="ltr"><<a href="mailto:digitalmaps@cox.net" target="_blank">digitalmaps@cox.net</a>></span><br><blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="margin:0 0 0 .8ex;border-left:1px #ccc solid;padding-left:1ex">
<div text="#FFFFFF" bgcolor="#000000">
<div>Inkscape does have a "Save to DXF"
option. From there the dxf2shape converter plugin(dxf file to
shape file), then shape file into QGIS gets your data into QGIS.
You would need to use one of the translation tools to then scale
the data. It seems technically possible. I think in the transfer
you will loose much of the pretty formatting that was developed in
Inkscape. <br>
<br>
An issue would be scaling the vector data to the GIS coordinate
reference system (CRS). One method that does not involve DXF or
translation tools would be to export a map from Inkscape to a
bitmap (ie. raster) file and use the tools in QGIS to trace over
the bitmap with vectors. Use Google Earth as the first step in
scaling or what is known as "georefrencing" the raster image. <br>
Place reference marks on the top and bottom edges of the
raster, three along the top - one in each corner and one in
the middle. Put two along the bottom at the 1/3 and 2/3 positions.
Import into Google Earth, then scale the map so that the units
work out in both x and y dimensions (QGIS won't do this step
automatically yet). Then draw a vector "W" connecting the dots
at the top and bottom of the raster. Export the W
vector to .kml. Import the kml into QGIS. Wherever the W was
drawn in Google Earth, thats where it will appear in QGIS
with some Coordinate Reference System (WGS 84:EPSG 4326).<br>
<br>
Using QGIS's georeferencing tool and the W vector import the
raster image, scaled to real world units. Then digitize your map.<br>
<br>
I've never used the DXF/translate method. I can't say how easy or
hard it is. I have used the georeferencing feature.<br>
<br>
Keep in mind QGIS hasn't a completely WYSIWYG interface, allowing
you to merely point and click your way through entering the data.
At times some forethought and calculation is necessary.<br>
<br>
I would develop my base map in QGIS. When I was ready to publish a
finished map I would either use QGIS's built-in map composer or
then re-export to SVG and do final composition in Inkscape. This
also opens the possibility of using one of the many GIS web server
applications that would allow you to make your world available
online. There is even an animation plugin. Using QGIS opens up
many new possibilities.<br>
<br>
To do a proper GIS then I would use a database like PostGIS to
hold the data in the form of tables. Separate tables for vectors
and point data. QGIS allows use of many types of data sources,
PostGIS being one of them.<br>
<br>
This would necessitate the understanding of SQL databases (ie.
PostGIS) and GIS systems (QGIS). These are free versions of
expensive commercial software that are used world-wide. <br>
<br>
You'll need QGIS, PostGIS, GoogleEarth and some patience. Your
hobby could lead you to a career.<br>
<br>
Just take your time. Read the manuals. It should work.<div><div class="h5"><br>
<br>
On 10/4/2013 10:22 AM, Robbie Smith wrote:<br>
</div></div></div><div><div class="h5">
<blockquote type="cite">Hello
everyone <br>
<br>
I’m very new to GIS, and I’ve been reading a lot of manuals and
information, but I thought I’d ask a couple of questions here. <br>
<br>
One of my major hobbies is drawing maps of a completely imaginary
country; it’s part of a massive project of mine. I’m getting to
the point where I’m reaching practical limitations in the way I’m
drawing the maps. The first is that to extend in any direction I
need to either make the canvas size bigger or create a new image
and line up elements exactly, which is quite error-prone and time
consuming. The other major problem is different zoom levels: if I
want to draw, say, a more detailed map of a town, again I’d have
to draw a completely new image and try to copy and/or scale
elements of an existing drawing, which is also time-consuming and
error prone. <br>
<br>
As I’m trying to make my maps (and everything else) as realistic
as possible, I’ve been starting to think that maybe moving to
using some sort of GIS application might be the way to go. With
GIS, I could store all the geographical information in a database,
and then just generate maps that cover the area and scale that I
want. And if I wanted to create different types of maps, such as
topographical or a road map, I could easily select which layers I
want to export. The possibilities are pretty-much endless. <br>
<br>
However, I’ve already done quite a lot of work on these SVG maps
in Inkscape, and I really would prefer not to start completely
from scratch. Can I import an existing SVG map into QGIS and use
it as a starting point, preserving the existing paths and shapes?
Can I define an arbritary grid to align things to? Learning and
adapting to GIS is going to be challenging enough without having
to redo years of work. <br>
<br>
Any links, books, manuals or whatever that you could recommend for
this kind of project would be great, as I honestly have no idea
where to start. <br>
<br>
TLDR: Is it possible to import completely fictional maps into
(Q)GIS and design them from scratch, and if so, where to begin? <br>
<br>
regards <br>
Robbie <br>
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</blockquote>
<br>
<br>
</div></div><span class="HOEnZb"><font color="#888888"><pre cols="72">--
Stay Frosty!</pre>
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