Adjust vector symbology

So what do we mean by symbology?

Symbology

The way a dataset is visualised or displayed, for example colours, line thicknesses or patterns

Let’s have a go at changing how vector data are symbolised in QGIS. Try adjusting the symbology of your own field data, or work with one of the gibbon datasets

First of all, you need to open the layer’s Symbology tab in Layer Properties:

1. Double-click on the layer you want to edit in the Layers panel, to open the Layer Properties pop-up window
2. Select Symbology from the left-hand menu
3. Continue with the instructions below depending on what type of vector data you’re visualising

Point symbology

1. At the top, under where it says ‘Marker’, click on Simple Marker
2. Adjust the Size and Fill color
3. Click Apply to see the effect of these settings
4. Optionally play with some of the other settings to understand what they do

Line symbology

1. At the top, under where it says ‘Fill’, click on Simple Line
2. Adjust the Color
3. Click Apply to see the effect of these settings
4. Adjust Stroke width and Stroke style to see some of the other effects you can create

Polygon symbology

1. At the top, under where it says ‘Fill’, click on Simple Fill
2. Click on the Symbol layer type dropdown just below and select Outline: Simple Line
3. Click Apply to see the effect - your polygons should now be drawn as an outline only, with no fill colour
4. Switch the Symbol layer type back to Simple Fill
5. Try adjusting the Color, Stroke width and Stroke style to see the effect of these settings

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