Display Shapefiles Using ArcGIS Maps SDK for Qt (C++)

/ ArcGIS Map SDK, Qt
arcgis-map-sdk-Shapefile-Manya Technologies

Introduction

Shapefiles are one of the most common GIS data formats used for representing geographic features such as countries, roads, rivers, and cities. The ArcGIS Maps SDK for Qt provides a powerful and efficient way to display shapefiles directly in a Qt-based C++ desktop application, allowing you to build rich, interactive GIS tools.

In this tutorial, we’ll learn how to load and visualize shapefiles (.shp) using the ArcGIS Maps SDK for Qt inside a QMainWindow application.

Use Case

This example is ideal for:

  • Building custom GIS applications that need offline shapefile visualization.
  • Visualizing geographical datasets like boundaries, roads, and towns.
  • Creating lightweight, high-performance GIS map viewers using Qt C++.

Key Concepts

  • MapGraphicsView — Displays the map inside a QWidget.
  • ShapefileFeatureTable — Loads shapefile data as a feature table.
  • FeatureLayer — Displays the shapefile features on the map.
  • Renderers — Define visual styles (line, fill, or marker).

Working Code

#include "mainwindow.h"
#include "ui_mainwindow.h"

#include <QDir>
#include <QDebug>
#include <QCoreApplication>
#include <Map.h>
#include <MapGraphicsView.h>
#include <ShapefileFeatureTable.h>
#include <FeatureLayer.h>
#include <SimpleRenderer.h>
#include <SimpleLineSymbol.h>
#include <SimpleFillSymbol.h>
#include <SimpleMarkerSymbol.h>
#include <Viewpoint.h>

using namespace Esri::ArcGISRuntime;

void MainWindow::setup2DMap()
{
    // Create a base map (optional - you can choose any basemap style)
    m_map = new Map(BasemapStyle::OsmStandard, this);

    // Create a MapGraphicsView widget
    m_mapView = new MapGraphicsView(this);
    m_mapView->setMap(m_map);

    // Add map view to your main window layout
    ui->mapviewHorizontalLayout->addWidget(m_mapView);

    // Load shapefiles
    QString baseDir = QCoreApplication::applicationDirPath();
    loadShapeFile(QDir(baseDir).filePath("../shapefiles/world.shp"), "world");
    loadShapeFile(QDir(baseDir).filePath("../shapefiles/india.shp"), "india");
    loadShapeFile(QDir(baseDir).filePath("../shapefiles/roads.shp"), "roads");
}

void MainWindow::loadShapeFile(const QString& path, const QString& key)
{
    auto* featureTable = new ShapefileFeatureTable(path, this);
    auto* layer = new FeatureLayer(featureTable, this);
    m_map->operationalLayers()->append(layer);

    // Center map (optional)
    Viewpoint center(22.5926, 78.3716, 17500000);
    m_mapView->setViewpoint(center);

    // Apply renderer based on layer type
    if (key == "roads")
    {
        auto* lineSymbol = new SimpleLineSymbol(SimpleLineSymbolStyle::Solid, QColor("black"), 1.0f, this);
        layer->setRenderer(new SimpleRenderer(lineSymbol, this));
    }
    else if (key == "india")
    {
        QColor semiTransparentBlue(Qt::blue);
        semiTransparentBlue.setAlpha(127);
        auto* fillSymbol = new SimpleFillSymbol(SimpleFillSymbolStyle::Solid, semiTransparentBlue,
                                               new SimpleLineSymbol(SimpleLineSymbolStyle::Solid, Qt::black, 1.0f, this), this);
        layer->setRenderer(new SimpleRenderer(fillSymbol, this));
    }
    else if (key == "world")
    {
        QColor semiTransparentGreen(Qt::green);
        semiTransparentGreen.setAlpha(127);
        auto* fillSymbol = new SimpleFillSymbol(SimpleFillSymbolStyle::Solid, semiTransparentGreen,
                                               new SimpleLineSymbol(SimpleLineSymbolStyle::Solid, Qt::black, 1.0f, this), this);
        layer->setRenderer(new SimpleRenderer(fillSymbol, this));
    }
}

Explanation

  1. Initialize the map with a basemap style using Map(BasemapStyle::OsmStandard).
  2. Create the MapGraphicsView, which serves as the display widget.
  3. Load shapefiles via ShapefileFeatureTable and wrap them in FeatureLayer.
  4. Add the feature layer to the operational layers list of the map.
  5. Apply renderers for visual styling (e.g., line color for roads, fill color for countries).

Example Folder Structure

project/
├── shapefiles/
│   ├── world.shp
│   ├── india.shp
│   ├── roads.shp
│   └── towns.shp
├── mainwindow.cpp
├── mainwindow.h
└── mainwindow.ui

Conclusion

Using the ArcGIS Maps SDK for Qt, you can easily load and display multiple shapefiles with customized renderers in a Qt C++ application. This approach is lightweight, efficient, and suitable for both offline and online GIS visualization projects.

With just a few lines of code, you can create a fully functional GIS map viewer that supports vector overlays, custom styling, and interactive features.

If you’re interested in a full-fledged GIS solution, check out our flagship product PrithviGIS – a powerful QGIS-based platform for real-time geospatial visualization. PrithviGIS is an indigenous GIS development in India.

Check out our Live Aircraft Simulation using CesiumJS.

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