QGIS 3.26 New Features: Elevation Profiles

Introduction

QGIS 3.26, released on June 24, 2022, adds useful new features for point cloud data and map styles.

This article introduces some of them.

This article is a revised version of the “QGIS Blog” content that was published on the MIERUNE Inc. website.

Elevation profile plotting tool

The elevation profile tool, which was originally available as a plugin, is now built into QGIS as a core feature. It supports vector, raster, mesh, and point cloud data.

Cloud Optimized Point Clouds (COPC) support

The Cloud Optimized Point Cloud specification (COPC) stores point cloud data in an octree structure, so a client can extract just the part of the data it needs. QGIS can now display COPC data. You can load published COPC data from Data Source Manager → Point Cloud. The images below show sample data from the official website.

3D map views are easier to use

A 3D axis annotation is new in the 3D map view. In addition, when you set a 3D symbol to Follow 2D Symbology, changes to the 2D symbol are reflected dynamically in the 3D map view.

Triangulation rendering lets you interpolate a point cloud into a surface.

• Without interpolation

• After triangulation interpolation

Fixed interval classification for continuous values

Equal-interval classification was already possible before version 3.26, but QGIS 3.26 adds a Fixed Interval classification method. With it, you can classify using an interval size you specify.

Animated markers

You can now set animated markers. GIF, WebP, and MNG files are supported.

Moving labels along lines

This version adds the ability to move a label along a line. It helps when you place labels for features such as rivers and roads.

How to upgrade

The article below explains in detail how to upgrade QGIS. Have a look at it as well.

Conclusion

This article focused on updates to the elevation profile, 3D views, labeling, and symbology. QGIS 3.26 adds many more features than the ones covered here, so check the changelog as well.