Creating custom SVG map symbols requires a quick manual code adjustment after exporting your vector artwork. While Inkscape is excellent for drawing paths, it embeds presentation styles natively. To make a symbol dynamic so QGIS can directly modify things like fill color, outline color, and opacity, you must swap these static style tags with dynamic QGIS parameter functions.

Here is a step-by-step guide to building custom, data-definable map markers.

Step 1: Design the Symbol in Inkscape

I won’t go into the details on how to draw or design your SVG vector file in Inkscape. There are plenty of tutorials to be found online for that. Instead, I will offer some useful tips:

• Keep your vector paths clean and simple to ensure smooth rendering inside QGIS.
• Set the Document Canvas: Open Inkscape, go to File > Document Properties, and change the display units to pixels (px). Set the canvas width and height. It doesn’t need to be square (e.g., 32x32 px or 64x64 px), but it can make things easier when plotting on the map.
• Center your drawing: Ensure the object sits directly in the center of the canvas so the anchor point aligns properly on your map.
• Remove Extra Layers: Grouping objects is fine, but avoid excessive nested layer structures.
• Name your Vector Objects: Use something unique and identifiable so you can find where to insert parameter code into the SVG file later.
• Export as Plain SVG: Go to File > Save As…, type your file name, and change the file format dropdown from Inkscape SVG to Plain SVG (*.svg). This is not entirely necessary, but it removes a lot of extra Inkscape-specific metadata.

Step 2: Inject QGIS Parameters into the SVG Code

QGIS parses SVG nodes for specific param() attributes. It cannot read these if they are buried inside a standard style="..." string.

1. Open your exported Plain SVG file using a plain text code editor like Notepad++, VS Code, or TextEdit.
2. Locate the vector path element, which typically begins with <path or <polygon. If you named your objects in Inkscape, you can search for the “id= ” tag with the name of your object.
3. Insert distinct XML attributes using the param() placeholder format. I provide a table of different options below.
4. It’s important that the param() placeholder is inserted within the <path or <polygon tag (meaning between the < opener and /> closer symbols. See the example photo). Otherwise the the parameters won’t take effect.
5. Save the changes and close the text editor.

Step 3: Link Your Custom Folder to QGIS

Before loading the symbol, you should tell QGIS where your custom graphics library lives. I’ve outlined this process in a previous post on how to dynamically place multiple custom symbols on a map using attribute data.

Step 4: Apply and Style Your Symbol

Now you can utilize your custom marker just like any default QGIS asset.

1. Click the Symbology tab in the layer Properties window, or use the Layer Styling panel.
2. Highlight the child symbol tier (usually labeled Simple Marker) and change the Symbol layer type drop-down to SVG Marker.
3. Locate and select your custom symbol.
4. Adjust the marker properties. Depending on the param placeholders you inserted into the SVG file, you will notice the Fill color, Stroke color, and Stroke parameters are editable.

The fun part is, you can mix and match the param placeholders in the SVG file to allow adjusting the different symbol parameters. Say you want to adjust the colors of two separate objects in your symbol, well all you have to do is set the fill parameters in the SVG file to the two different QGIS color options. Just remember to name each separate object in Inkscape before saving the SVG, and insert param placeholders into the file similar to this:

• Object #1: fill=”param(fill)”
• Object #2: fill=”param(outline)”

Now you can change two colors on one symbol using the same process!

QGIS also allows dynamic overide of the colors with a very similar process and only a couple extra steps, but I will save that saga for another post!

Until next time, keep exploring the world around you!

The post How to Use Custom SVG Map Symbols in Inkscape and QGIS appeared first on Northman Mapping & GIS, LLC.

For today’s Saga, I’ll be talking about two essential GIS data sources that anyone can access. Access to premium geospatial data used to require hefty budgets or institutional access. Today, some of the most robust, highly accurate datasets are available entirely for free. Whether you are building terrain models or mapping demographic trends, these two foundational repositories offer invaluable spatial data. And did I mention these are free data sources?!

1. USGS LiDAR Explorer

The United States Geological Survey (USGS) is the gold standard for physical geography and elevation data. Through the LiDAR Explorer Map, you can access an extensive library of free LiDAR point cloud and DEM raster data sets.

• Available Data: High-resolution LiDAR point clouds and Digital Elevation Models (DEMs) at various resolutions (from 1-meter to 30-meter), and topobathy datasets.
• Coverage: Most of the continental United States, Hawaii, and limited portions of Alaska for LiDAR and DEMs. Topobathy limited to coastal areas and some major river basins.
• How to Use It: Navigate to the interactive map interface and zoom into your area of interest. Choose the type of data you need with the menu on the left (LiDAR, DEM or Other). Also using the menu on the left, choose to show the results within your Area of Interest (“AOI”). Draw a bounding box around your AOI by pressing CTRL+drag (Command+drag on Mac) to draw the box. Alternatively you can use the AOI widget found on the map panel. A list of available data will populate in a menu on the right. Find the files you want and download for use.
• How Easy is it to Use: Navigating the map and defining the area of interest are super easy, and there is no login or fee for downloading the data. The downfall of this data is that it is not always easy to determine which file you are trying to download. File names usually come with a date so you can determine the most recent version, but the rest of the file naming convention is cryptic. If you don’t have a key to understanding the layer of the files, your best bet is to download more than you think you need and eliminate unnecessary files later. Overall this is a great source of data.
• Access Link: USGS LiDAR Explorer

2. US Census Bureau

For human geography, population statistics, and administrative boundaries, the US Census Bureau is unmatched. It provides the essential socioeconomic frameworks needed to contextualize environmental or commercial GIS projects.

• Available Data: Statistical data for states, counties, and census tracts. Demographic tables (population, income, housing, business, and education data).
• Coverage: All of the United States, Puerto Rico and Island Areas.
• How to Use It: Start by entering a search term, or choosing to find data near a specific address, or dive right into the data filters. US Census bureau data is vast, and has been tabulated in many different ways. Several tabs can show the selected data in tables, charts or maps. There are several tools to manipulate and display data, as well as print and share directly on the site. Once you find the correct data, you can download the table for use in your own map. The site also provides a handy citation tool for giving the proper credit for your data source.
• How Easy is it to Use: The search feature is great at getting close to what you are looking for, if you know what you are looking for. It’s easy to get lost in all the different filters. As I mentioned before, the US Census data is vast, so sometimes it helps to find something close to what you want, download it, and conduct your own analysis specific to your needs rather than getting lost on this site. This data is invaluable for population and demographic research and analysis, a free for anyone to view and use.
• Access Link: US Census Bureau

That’s it for today, I hope you found this review of two great free data sources helpful. Please leave a comment, and share your own favorite data sources I might review in a future post.

Until next time, keep exploring the world around you!

The post Free GIS Data Sources – July 2026 appeared first on Northman Mapping & GIS, LLC.

Welcome to the Northman Sagas presented by Northman Mapping & GIS! This space is dedicated to exploring the vast world of geographic data, mapping, and Geographic Information Systems (GIS). Whether you are a seasoned cartographer or just discovering the power of spatial data, I hope you will find something of value here.

My journey into mapping began with a simple fascination for how spatial data can tell stories, solve complex problems, and visually reveal the hidden patterns of our world. Over the years, that curiosity transformed into a professional passion for GIS software. I created this platform to share that passion with you and to build a resource for others to benefit from.

Moving forward, this blog will serve as a practical, go-to resource for GIS users and map makers of all levels. Here is a look at what you can expect in the coming weeks:

• Tool Reviews: Honest evaluations of various GIS software, web mapping platforms, and plugins.
• QGIS Tutorials: Step-by-step guides tailored for both beginners mastering the basics and intermediate users tackling advanced workflows.
• Data Curation: Curated links and reviews of high-quality, useful public datasets you can use in your own projects.
• Community Highlights: Showcases of inspiring blogs, innovative portfolios, and essential industry resources.

Mapping and GIS is an ever-evolving field. While the focus of most posts around the internet is geared either toward beginner level instruction or advanced, cloud-based database management, my goal is to break down more intermediate level tasks and tools into clear, actionable instructions for the everyday GIS map maker.

Thank you for stopping by for the launch of the Northman Sagas. I am incredibly excited to embark on this spatial journey with you. I hope you find something useful here, and if you have something you want to discuss please reach out!

The post Welcome to the Northman Sagas! appeared first on Northman Mapping & GIS, LLC.