IIT BHU

2020

Exercise-3
Georeferencing Raster data

Dr .Shishir Gaur Dr Anurag Ohri

IIT BHU
Civil Engineering Department
Last Edited : 10May2021
 Georeferencing Raster data

Georeferencing Raster data

To start with Georeferancing we need to understand that as we are working on a digital

platform that is a GIS Software, and using the raster data that is the digital image here (can be a
scanned map, an aerial image) it should have some geographic information added to it so that
our GIS software can place the raster data over its real world location.

In short real world coordinates should be assigned to each pixel of the raster.

To collect the coordinate information we can use GPS devices and field surveys.

If the scanned maps are to be digitized the markings on the map give the coordinate
information itself.

For the present exercise the scanned image named INDIA 3857 is used.

NOTE :The scanned images should be to the scale and should have coordinates mentioned
clearly and its CRS should be known.

1. To start georeferancing we need to enable the Georeferencer GDAL plugin

2. Refer Exercise no:2 Introduction to Plug-ins for details
3. Go to Raster Georeferencer Georeferencer .
4. In the Georeferencer GDAL plug-in window we will notice that it is divided in two parts.
The main window on the top will display the raster and the bottom part will display the
table showing the Ground Control Points also known as GCPs.

5. Now let’s open the map (JPG image) that has to be Georeferenced. In the Georeferencer
window Menu Bar click on File ‣ Open Raster . Browse the saved image and click
Open
 Georeferencing Raster data

6. The next step is to select the (CRS) for the raster. This will project all the control points
that we will enter, on to the real world coordinate.

NOTE: If the CGP’S are collected using GPS devices CRS = WGS84
If it’s a scanned map CRS = Markings on the map.

7. The coordinates of the map here are in Lat/Long.

8. For this exercise we can select CRS as WGS 84 / Pseudo-Mercator EPSG 3857

9. In the Georeferencer GDAL plug-in window Go to Setting > Raster Properties > Source
Tab click on button in coordination Reference System

10. A new window known as coordinator Reference System Selector will open.

11. In filter write WGS84 and from the list choose WGS 84 / Pseudo-Mercator EPSG 3857
12. Click OK.
 Georeferencing Raster data

13. Click on Apply tab and then click ok .

NOTE : If you have coordinates from GPS in WGS84 c+oordinate system you can chose
EPSG:4326 coordinate reference system.

14. The next step in line is to assign coordinates to a number of points on the scanned map.
On observing we will notice a coordinate grid with markings. The grid intersections
indicate the X and Y coordinates.

15. From the Menu bar Go to Edit > Add Point or Add Point button in the toolbar
can also be used directly.
 Georeferencing Raster data

16. Now we will enter coordinates in the pop-up window. We have to keep in mind that
Latitude and longitude correspond to X and Y respectively. To finish Click OK.
17. At the bottom of the window in GCP table now a row appears, and it displays the
controls point entries .
18. Continue adding the CGP’s around 4 to 6 GCPs throughout the image. To register the
Raster accurately to the Target coordinates more and more ground control points
should be added.
19. When the desired number of points has been entered, go to Settings ->
Transformation settings.

20. In the transformation setting tab select Type = Thin Plate Spline .

21. Name the final output as Indian administrative. Choose. WGS 84 / Pseudo-Mercator
EPSG 3857 as target CRS.
22. “ LOAD IN QGIS WHEN DONE “ this option should be selected
23. . To finish the task go to OK.
 Georeferencing Raster data

24. Now last step in the process is to start georeferencing . For this Go to menu bar (of the
Georeferencer window,) go to File Start georeferencing
25. When the georeferencing task is over, we can notice a new layer uploaded in the QGIS
workspace.