Imported blocks from bridgeport in Sketchup for urban design course

Urban Design for Planners 2: Getting Started with QGIS and SketchUp

Course instructor Emily Talen guides viewers through the process of transferring a shapefile of building outlines into SketchUp and processes of basic manipulation necessary to create a 3D model. Learn how to load data into QGIS, set the coordinate reference system, and change the graphic display of data layers.

  • Preview Course PREVIEW

Course Info

  • Duration 7 video lessons (46 Mins)
  • Published Published
    2018
  • 4.25
Play Video

Preview Course Preview Course

Browse Course Chapters

  • Chapter Locked
    1.
    Introduction
    Chapter Duration 2 mins
  • Chapter Locked
    2.
    QGIS: Loading Data and Setting the CRS
    Chapter Duration 2 mins
  • Chapter Locked
    3.
    QGIS: Selecting and Creating New Layers
    Chapter Duration 6 mins
  • Chapter Locked
    4.
    QGIS: Creating a Figure-Ground Graphic
    Chapter Duration 10 mins
  • Chapter Locked
    5.
    From QGIS Shapefile to SketchUp Model
    Chapter Duration 7 mins
  • Chapter Locked
    6.
    SketchUp: Importing Models
    Chapter Duration 5 mins
  • Chapter Locked
    7.
    SketchUp: Adding Geolocation
    Chapter Duration 11 mins

What You Will Learn

  • How to view and manipulate layers of mapped data in QGIS
  • A method for grouping locations according to various sets of criteria in QGIS
  • How to calculate distances, analyze proximities, and create figure ground maps using QGIS software
  • Best practices for the process of loading data in QGIS, including setting the coordinate reference system (CRS) and changing the graphic display of data layers.
  • How to transfer a shapefile of building outlines into SketchUp.
  • How to reference geolocational data to SketchUp to view SketchUp models in Google Earth.
     

Course Description

Building from foundational concepts explored in "Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools," this course digs into the functionality of QGIS and SketchUp.

QGIS, an open source Geographic Information System, is an indispensable tool for urban planners and designers. Urban designers use QGIS to view and compare multiple layers of mapped data, group locations according to sets of criteria, calculate distances, analyze proximities, and create figure ground maps.

Course instructor Emily Talen, PhD, FAICP, leads viewers through the process of loading data into QGIS, setting the coordinate reference system (CRS), and changing the graphic display of data layers, introducing a few aesthetic considerations in working with locational data in QGIS.

After a thorough review of essential skills in QGIS, Emily Talen guides viewers through the process of transferring a shapefile of building outlines into SketchUp, a free software tool used to render 3D visualizations of buildings, neighborhoods, and even cities. Students in this course will learn how to reference geolocational data to SketchUp to view SketchUp models in Google Earth.

Learn these skills

  • 3D Modeling
  • Data Visualization
  • GIS
  • Mapping
  • Modeling & Simulation
  • Technology
  • Urban Design
  • Trimble SketchUp
  • QGIS

AICP CM

This course is approved for .75 AICP CM credit.

AIA CES

This is 1 LU.

CNU-A

This course is approved for 1 CNU-A credit. 

SACPLAN CPD

This course is approved for 1 SACPLAN CPD point.

Meet Your Instructor

Emily Talen

Emily Talen

Emily Talen is Professor of Urbanism at the University of Chicago. Her research is devoted to urban design and urbanism, especially the relationship between the built environment and social equity.

Meet Instructor

Master Urban Planning Skills With A Planetizen Courses Subscription.

Try Free Courses
Computer

High quality video lessons developed by experts.

Analytics

Complete course work to receive a certificate from Planetizen.

Certificate

Test your comprehension with course quizzes.

Cloud

Access reading lists, articles, and other materials prepared by instructors.