Skip to content
  • Home
  • About
    • Privacy Policy
    • Disclaimer
    • Terms and Conditions
  • Contact Us
Geoscience.blogYour Compass for Earth's Wonders & Outdoor Adventures
  • Home
  • About
    • Privacy Policy
    • Disclaimer
    • Terms and Conditions
  • Contact Us
Posted on December 26, 2022 (Updated on July 21, 2025)

Creating Vector layer from selected features with PyQGIS

Hiking & Activities

Slicing and Dicing GIS Data: How to Create Vector Layers from Selected Features with PyQGIS

Ever felt like you’re drowning in GIS data? You’ve got this massive dataset, but you only need a tiny, specific piece of it. Maybe you’re after all the parcels zoned for commercial use, or perhaps just the highways classified as “scenic routes.” Manually carving out these selections? Forget about it! That’s where PyQGIS, the Python superpower for QGIS, comes to the rescue. It lets you automate the whole process of creating new vector layers from just the features you want. Trust me, it’s a game-changer.

Why Bother? The Real-World Need

Think about it: GIS projects often demand laser-like focus. You need to isolate stuff. I remember one project where I had to analyze traffic patterns only around schools. Extracting those specific road segments from the city’s entire road network manually? Ugh, no thanks! PyQGIS lets you script these extractions, saving you tons of time and preventing those oh-so-common human errors.

Okay, How Do We Do It? The PyQGIS Toolkit

There are a few cool ways to tackle this with PyQGIS, each with its own little quirks and best uses. Let’s dive in.

1. The QgsVectorFileWriter.writeAsVectorFormat() Power Move

This is your direct route to creating a brand-new vector file, like a shapefile. It’s like saying, “Hey, take these features and save them right here.” You get to control everything – the file type, how the characters are encoded, the whole shebang.

python

You may also like

Field Gear Repair: Your Ultimate Guide to Fixing Tears On The Go

Outdoor Knife Sharpening: Your Ultimate Guide to a Razor-Sharp Edge

Don’t Get Lost: How to Care for Your Compass & Test its Accuracy

Categories

  • Climate & Climate Zones
  • Data & Analysis
  • Earth Science
  • Energy & Resources
  • Facts
  • General Knowledge & Education
  • Geology & Landform
  • Hiking & Activities
  • Historical Aspects
  • Human Impact
  • Modeling & Prediction
  • Natural Environments
  • Outdoor Gear
  • Polar & Ice Regions
  • Regional Specifics
  • Review
  • Safety & Hazards
  • Software & Programming
  • Space & Navigation
  • Storage
  • Water Bodies
  • Weather & Forecasts
  • Wildlife & Biology

New Posts

  • The Unseen Force: Where Does Frost Action Really Hit?
  • Northside Mens Cedar Rapids Hiking – Honest Review
  • NSUQOA JSEIAJB 70L Backpack: My Honest Take on This Budget-Friendly Hauler
  • The Relentless Force of Nature: Understanding Frost Action (The Human Touch)
  • Coolpack Jimmy LED: Is This the Backpack of the Future for Kids?
  • FROGG TOGGS Shortfin Draining Quick Drying – Tested and Reviewed
  • How to Wash a Waterproof Jacket Without Ruining It: The Complete Guide
  • Field Gear Repair: Your Ultimate Guide to Fixing Tears On The Go
  • Outdoor Knife Sharpening: Your Ultimate Guide to a Razor-Sharp Edge
  • Don’t Get Lost: How to Care for Your Compass & Test its Accuracy
  • Your Complete Guide to Cleaning Hiking Poles After a Rainy Hike
  • Headlamp Battery Life: Pro Guide to Extending Your Rechargeable Lumens
  • Post-Trip Protocol: Your Guide to Drying Camping Gear & Preventing Mold
  • Backcountry Repair Kit: Your Essential Guide to On-Trail Gear Fixes

Categories

  • Home
  • About
  • Privacy Policy
  • Disclaimer
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Contact Us
  • English
  • Deutsch
  • Français

Copyright (с) geoscience.blog 2025

We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
Do not sell my personal information.
Cookie SettingsAccept
Manage consent

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
CookieDurationDescription
cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional11 monthsThe cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-others11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
viewed_cookie_policy11 monthsThe cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
Functional
Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
Performance
Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
Analytics
Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
Advertisement
Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
Others
Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet.
SAVE & ACCEPT