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📍 Enhanced Point Creator

Available from v2.1.0

This tool provides a flexible and powerful way to create new point layers by either manually entering coordinates or importing them from a CSV file. It supports multiple coordinate formats (UTM, DD, DMS) and includes robust validation and preview features.

✅ Prerequisites​

  • A QGIS project must be open.
  • For CSV import, you need a CSV or text file with coordinate data.

🔄 Tool Workflow Overview​

  1. Open the Tool from the plugin panel.
  2. Set the Target CRS for the new point layer.
  3. Choose an input method:
    • Manual Input Tab:
      • Select the coordinate format (UTM, DD, or DMS).
      • Enter a single coordinate or paste multiple coordinates in the batch input.
    • CSV Import Tab:
      • Browse and select a CSV file.
      • Configure CSV options (delimiter, header).
      • Map the columns containing X and Y coordinates.
  4. (Optional) Preview the points to be created.
  5. Click "Create Points" to generate the new layer.

🧭 Step-by-Step Instructions​

🟩 Step 1: Activate the Tool​

From your plugin panel or button (depending on how it's integrated), click to activate the Point Input Tool. The "Enhanced Point Creator" dialog will appear.

🟩 Step 2: Set the Target CRS​

At the top of the dialog, you'll find the Target Coordinate Reference System selector.

  • This CRS will be assigned to the new point layer that the tool creates.
  • By default, it uses your project's CRS. You can change it to any other CRS.
  • The tool will automatically transform all input coordinates to this target CRS.

🟩 Step 3: Choose an Input Method (Tab)​

Select either the "Manual Input" or "CSV Import" tab.

Manual Input Tab​

Use this tab to type or paste coordinates directly.

🔹 Step 3A: Choose Coordinate Format​

Select one of the three radio buttons:

  • UTM Coordinates: For Easting and Northing values.
    • Important: A second CRS selector will appear. Use this to specify the source CRS of your UTM coordinates (e.g., the UTM zone they belong to). The tool will use this to correctly transform them to the target CRS.
  • Decimal Degrees (DD): For standard latitude and longitude (e.g., 78.12345, 12.98765).
  • Degrees Minutes Seconds (DMS): For coordinates in D° M' S" format.

🔹 Step 3B: Enter Coordinates​

You have two options for entering coordinates:

Option 1: Single Point

  • Fill in the input fields for the selected format (X/Y, D/M/S, or Easting/Northing).
  • The tool provides real-time validation feedback (✓ or ⚠).

Option 2: Batch Input

  1. Check the "Enable batch input" box.

  2. Paste a list of coordinates into the text area.

  3. The tool accepts coordinates separated by a comma, space, or tab. Each point should be on a new line.

    # Example Batch Input
    78.123,12.345
    79.456 13.678
    80.789 14.012

  4. The "Points to create" counter will update to show how many valid coordinate pairs were found.

CSV Import Tab​

Use this tab to create points from a spreadsheet or text file.

🔹 Step 3C: Select and Configure CSV​

  1. Click "Browse CSV..." to select your file.
  2. Adjust the CSV options if needed:
    • Delimiter: Choose the character that separates columns (comma, semicolon, tab, etc.).
    • First row contains headers: Keep this checked if your file has a header row. Uncheck it if the first row is data.
    • Encoding: Change this if your file uses a non-standard character encoding.

🔹 Step 3D: Map Coordinate Fields​

  1. Once the CSV is loaded, the column headers will appear in the X/Longitude Field and Y/Latitude Field dropdowns.
  2. Select the column that contains the X (Easting/Longitude) data.
  3. Select the column that contains the Y (Northing/Latitude) data.
  4. Click "Auto-detect coordinate fields" to let the tool try to find them automatically based on common names like lon, lat, x, y, easting, etc.

🔹 Step 3E: Preview CSV Data​

  • A table at the bottom shows a preview of your CSV data.
  • Use the "Preview limit" spin box and "Refresh Preview" button to control how many rows are loaded for preview.

🟩 Step 4: Create the Points​

  1. (Optional) Click "Preview Points" to see a summary of the points that will be created without actually adding them to the map.
  2. Click the "Create Points" button.
  3. A new memory layer named Points_<EPSG_CODE> will be added to your QGIS project, containing the points you specified.

💡 Tips​

  • Clear Inputs: Use the "Clear All" button to reset all fields in the dialog.
  • Validation: Pay attention to the validation icons (✓, ⚠, ✗) next to the manual input fields for instant feedback.
  • CRS Awareness: Always double-check that your Target CRS is correct. For UTM input, ensure the Source CRS correctly matches the zone of your coordinates.
  • Batch Format: When pasting batch coordinates, ensure there are no extra characters or empty lines that could cause parsing errors.

🛑 To Exit the Tool​

Simply close the "Enhanced Point Creator" dialog window. If you created a temporary memory layer, you can save it by right-clicking it in the Layers Panel and selecting Export > Save Features As....