THIS IS AN ARCHIVE. SUPERSED.

Step 5: Output your map, aka using the Print composer

This section is to redo (update/upgrade)

You are now working with QGis, your GIS data—namely, ETOPO1—and your customized palette. To output your first topographic background, don't use File > Save as Image, which is a simple screenshot. For better quality, use the Print composer. This step will walk you through outputting a map like the one you see on the right, including a grid and an inset that lets the viewer know where in the world this section is located.

Background

To give a smooth, gradient-like appearance to the colors, go to Layer > Properties > Colormap > Color interpolation (at the top), and set it to Linear.
By default, the canvas of QGIS (geographic area visible in QGis) will become the area of interest for print composer.
Open the Print composer: QGIS (1.7)> File > New Print Composer (Ctrl + P).

Placing the main section for output

In the print composer:

On the right, under General, you can change the Size and Orientation of the image you will be outputting. A larger paper size and dpi means a higher quality, but don't go overboard! You don't want to end up with a huge file size that takes forever to upload and download.
To add your map, you can either go to Layout > Add Map or click the Add new map icon in the toolbar.
Click and drag in a diagonal motion across the white area to place your map. You can move it around and resize it once it's placed.

Adding a grid

Make sure the placed map is selected—you will see four squares in the corners of the image when it is.
On the right, go to the Item tab.
Click on Grid and check the Show grid? option.
Increase the Interval X and Interval Y fields. You can play around with the Offset X and Offset Y options, as well as the Grid type and Line color, until you get a grid you like. You can also turn on and change options for the border annotations.

Adding a localizer inset

In progress

step
step
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Go to File > Export as Image or PDF or SVG (warning, SVG export is somewhat dodgy) and you have yourself a high quality topographic background!

Visual step-by-step

In progress

0. Starting point (QGIS, not Print composer): Data are ready an using the correct colormap.
01. File > New Print composer (Ctrl+P) > (you have a white page) > icon 'Add new map' > draw the diagonal of the area for your map
02. Choice the page size (mm) and quality (dpi) : higher means better quality.
03. Centering the map
04. Grid tab, add grid.
05. Grid tab, add annotations
06. Starting point for the localizator BUT white border in the tab : this is troublesome.
06. Starting point for the localizator without white in the maptab : Great !
07. icon 'Add new map' > draw the diagonal of the area for your map (same than 01)
08. Icon 'Add basic shape' > trace a shape > change to rectangle
09. Final look.
10. Save as png.
11. QGis Print composer's Final high quality output (you can zoom in !)