Want to bring your geodata to life on the web? This one-day course teaches you how to create fully interactive, browser-based maps using OpenLayers—the powerful, open-source JavaScript library behind many modern webGIS applications. You’ll learn how to load, style, and visualize data from sources like OpenStreetMap and ArcGIS REST, and build responsive, user-friendly maps tailored to your needs.
QGIS and Openlayers
All of QGISAll of QGIS
QGIS and Openlayers
In today’s digital world, web-based mapping is essential for presenting and exploring geographic information. OpenLayers stands out as one of the most widely used tools for creating interactive, scalable, and flexible web maps. As a free, open-source JavaScript library, it empowers developers and GIS professionals to build maps that run smoothly in any modern browser—no plugins required.
One reason OpenLayers is so popular is its balance of power and simplicity. It supports a wide variety of spatial data formats, such as GeoJSON, KML, and raster tiles from WMS or ArcGIS REST. This makes it easy to combine public, open, or private datasets into a unified map. Whether you’re visualizing city infrastructure or environmental changes, OpenLayers gives you full control over how your data looks and works.
Just as importantly, OpenLayers has a strong global community. It offers regular updates, detailed documentation, and many real-world examples to guide your learning. At Geo-ICT, we believe learning OpenLayers opens new possibilities for sharing and interacting with spatial data directly in the browser.
What will you learn
This course teaches you how to build interactive maps from the ground up using OpenLayers. You’ll begin with the basics—loading and displaying raster and vector layers from sources like TileWMS and GeoJSON.
Next, you’ll customize your map’s appearance and behavior. For example, you’ll style features based on their properties, configure interactivity, and work with different map projections. You’ll also integrate OpenStreetMap and overlay it with your own data to create rich, informative visuals.
To go further, you’ll write style functions that change how features appear based on attributes. For instance, you can show traffic volume using thicker lines or adjust colors to reflect population density.
User interaction is a key focus as well. You’ll create maps that respond to user actions—like mouse clicks, zooming, or data inputs. Pop-ups, tooltips, and custom controls will help you enhance the map experience. Plus, we’ll share performance tips to keep maps smooth, even with large datasets.
By the end of the course, you’ll understand how OpenLayers works and how to use it confidently. You’ll be ready to build your own webGIS tools for internal use, public websites, or client applications.
Why choose this course
The OpenLayers course from Geo-ICT is designed for professionals who want to work with modern, open-source mapping technologies. Whether you’re a developer, GIS specialist, or data analyst, this course will give you the practical skills to build web maps that are functional, responsive, and visually compelling.
- Learn from instructors with real-world experience using OpenLayers in live projects
- Work with hands-on exercises and real data to build maps from start to finish
- Get post-course support for your projects, including optional custom training
- With a focus on practical application and supported by expert guidance, this course is ideal for anyone ready to take their web mapping skills to the next level.
Course structure
The course begins with a guided introduction to the OpenLayers framework. You’ll learn how the library works, how to set up your first map, and how to structure a basic webGIS application. Then, we’ll explore how to add both raster and vector layers to your map—pulling from sources like OpenStreetMap, TileWMS, and ArcGIS REST—and how to style them using color, opacity, and custom symbols.
We’ll dive into working with vector features like points, lines, and polygons, including how to style these features based on their properties using dynamic style functions. You’ll also practice using images as symbols and creating heatmaps to highlight spatial patterns.
Next, we cover key topics like coordinate systems and projections, including how to transform coordinates between systems. We’ll also set up interactive tools, including pop-ups, zoom controls, and geolocation using the browser’s native API.
Throughout the day, you’ll build and refine your own web map, gaining the practical experience needed to take what you’ve learned and apply it to your own projects.
Learning Outcomes
- Connect OpenStreetMap data with your own datasets in a browser-based map
- Add and style vector layers using GeoJSON and dynamic style functions
- Display raster data from sources like TileWMS and ArcGIS REST
- Work with different coordinate systems and transform coordinates as needed
- Use JavaScript and OpenLayers to build responsive, interactive web maps
More Information?
Do you have questions about the course content? Not sure if the course aligns with your learning objectives? Or would you prefer a private session or in-company training? We’re happy to assist—feel free to get in touch.
Frequently Asked Questions about OpenLayers
OpenLayers is an open-source JavaScript library for building interactive web maps. It supports displaying and interacting with spatial data from various sources like WMS, GeoJSON, and tile services (e.g., OpenStreetMap). Key features include panning, zooming, custom styling, and integration with map services like Google Maps. OpenLayers is ideal for creating customizable, browser-friendly maps for applications like urban planning, environmental monitoring, or real-time data visualization.