Every time I export a new print composer (either image, svg, or PDF) in QGIS 2.18.1, I lose my composer

QGIS 2.18.1 Print Composer: Where Did My Layout Go? (And How to Get It Back)

Okay, so you’re wrestling with QGIS 2.18.1 and the print composer keeps pulling a disappearing act after you export? I feel your pain. It’s like you spend ages crafting the perfect map layout, hit “export,” and poof – gone! It’s enough to make you want to throw your computer out the window. But hold on, before you do that, let’s see if we can figure out what’s going on and, more importantly, how to fix it.

Now, QGIS 2.18 is, shall we say, a bit vintage at this point. It’s no longer officially supported, which means it has its quirks. Think of it like that old car you love, but it needs a little TLC now and then. One of those quirks can be the print composer deciding to vanish after you export to an image, SVG, or PDF. Why does this happen? Well, there are a few usual suspects.

First off, let’s be honest, it could just be a bug. Older software always has bugs. The print composer is a pretty complex piece of kit, and QGIS developers have ironed out a bunch of wrinkles in later versions. So, yeah, a bug is a definite possibility.

Then there’s the whole resource hog thing. Exporting maps, especially if they’re packed with layers or you’re aiming for super-high resolution, can really tax your system. If your computer is already running on fumes, QGIS might just give up the ghost and, in the process, forget to save your composer layout. I’ve seen it happen more times than I care to admit.

And don’t even get me started on file permissions. If QGIS doesn’t have the “okay” to write to the folder where you’re trying to save the exported file, things can go south quickly. It’s like trying to enter a building without the right key – not gonna happen.

Here’s another gotcha: mixing QGIS versions. Say you started a project in 2.18, then opened it in a newer version (or the other way around). That can sometimes scramble things up and lead to layout chaos. It’s like trying to speak two different languages at the same time – things get lost in translation.

Missing layers or layers that aren’t rendering correctly can also throw a wrench in the works. Maybe a layer’s transparency is off, or it’s only supposed to be visible at certain scales. Whatever the reason, if a layer isn’t playing nice, it can mess with the print composer.

And if your map relies on data from the web, a flaky internet connection during export can definitely cause problems. I remember one time, I was trying to export a map using a WMS layer, and my internet decided to take a vacation. The result? A blank PDF and a whole lot of frustration.

Here’s a step-by-step guide to try and get things back on track:

Look, I know it’s frustrating when your print composer goes AWOL. But with a little detective work, you can usually track down the culprit and get your layout back on track. And remember, upgrading to a newer version of QGIS is almost always a good idea. It’s like giving your mapping workflow a shot of adrenaline!