Enroll Course: https://www.udemy.com/course/gis-for-beginners-2-learn-digitizing/

As a geography and GIS enthusiast, I’m always on the lookout for practical courses that can enhance my spatial analysis skills. Recently, I stumbled upon “QGIS for Beginners #2: Georeference, Digitize in QGIS3 + eBook” on Udemy, and it has been an absolute game-changer for anyone looking to bring their paper maps into the digital realm.

Led by an experienced GIS researcher, teacher, modeler, and consultant with a wealth of knowledge dating back to 1993, this course offers a straightforward, six-step process to digitize your own paper maps. What sets this course apart is its accessibility; it utilizes equipment commonly found in any office, making it incredibly practical. The instructor guides you through georeferencing and on-screen digitizing in QGIS3, ensuring you can start working with your own maps in no time.

The course materials are comprehensive and cater exceptionally well to beginners. You receive an 87-page eBook filled with screen captures and detailed explanations, which perfectly complements the 1.5-hour video tutorial. The teaching style is a step-by-step, follow-along approach, making complex processes feel manageable. The instructor shares real-world methodologies used in diverse fields like aboriginal heritage, ecological, wastewater, infrastructure, housing, and demographic studies. These techniques have been instrumental in site-level assessments and spatial modeling, providing critical insights.

The benefits of learning these skills are immense. Imagine the freedom of digitizing your own maps without the usual delays, hassle, and expense of outsourcing. The testimonials from over 3400 students highlight the instructor’s clarity and effectiveness: “Picked up new ways of digitising, thank you” (Mark L), “Well explained. Short but complete course” (Jonas V), and “I just finished a college level GIS course that taught me every thing I’ve learned in this excellent series of courses, but it cost 10 times as much” (Christopher C).

Key takeaways from the course include tricks for setting up your digitizing environment and time-saving techniques like copying boundaries from existing GIS maps. You get an insider’s view as the instructor demonstrates their workflow, revealing nuances you might otherwise miss.

What’s included:
* A free 87-page eBook.
* A 1.5-hour video tutorial covering scanning, georeferencing, and digitizing in six easy steps.
* Time-saving digitizing techniques.
* A zip file of teaching datasets for hands-on practice.

The course addresses common concerns, such as its independence from Arc software (the concepts are transferable) and the lack of prior QGIS experience (though basic QGIS operations are recommended, covered in the beginner #1 course). It reassures potential students that the content is practical, not abstract, with exercises mirroring real-world GIS challenges. Importantly, QGIS is free, so there are no software purchase costs. You gain unlimited lifetime access, and there’s a 30-day money-back guarantee, making it a risk-free investment.

Recommendation:
I wholeheartedly recommend “QGIS for Beginners #2: Georeference, Digitize in QGIS3 + eBook.” If you’re looking to gain practical, in-demand GIS skills for digitizing your own maps, this course offers exceptional value, clear instruction, and a supportive learning environment. It’s an ideal starting point for anyone wanting to leverage the power of QGIS for their projects.

Enroll Course: https://www.udemy.com/course/gis-for-beginners-2-learn-digitizing/