QGIS Convert Lines to Points

Introduction

There are a number of layers in TUFLOW, for example breaklines, which use both line and point inputs. This page describes the method for converting the vertices along a line to a separate point file. To perform this operation, you can either use MMQGIS plugin (for more information on this plugin please see http://michaelminn.com/linux/mmqgis/), or the "Extract Nodes" functionality in the QGIS Geometry Tool.

Method 1 - MMQGIS plugin

1. Ensure that the plugin has been loaded and that the line file is open.
2. From the menu select MMQGIS >> Modify >> Convert Geometry Type.

3. Set the following:
   
   • The source layer to be the line file you wish to convert
   • The new geometry type to Nodes
   • The output file
   The plugin will create a new point file which contains all vertices along the line. If you wish to create intermediate points along the line you will need to use an alternate plugin. A plugin called Profile from Line appears to do this.

Method 2 - QGIS Geometry Tool

1. From the menu select Vector>> Geometry Tools>> Extract nodes.

2. Set the following:
   
   • The source layer to be the line file you wish to convert
   • The output file name and location
   Click "Run" and the tool will create a new point file which contains all vertices along the line.