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I want to know if there is a plugin in QGIS, which will allow me to draw the outline a point cloud.

I know there is Points2One plugin, but it makes an outline with all points, even with the data found in the middle of the point cloud.

I give you an example:

x       y       ID      order
3.3     43.2625 353293  1
3.13334 43.3458 353293  2
3.21667 43.3458 353293  3
2.88334 43.4292 353293  4
2.96667 43.4292 353293  5
3.05    43.4292 353293  6
3.13334 43.4292 353293  7
2.71667 43.5125 353293  8
2.8     43.5125 353293  9
2.88334 43.5125 353293  10
2.96667 43.5125 353293  11
3.05    43.5125 353293  12
3.13334 43.5125 353293  13
2.88334 43.5958 353293  14
2.96667 43.5958 353293  15
3.05    43.5958 353293  16
3.13334 43.5958 353293  17
2.96667 43.6792 353293  18
3.05    43.6792 353293  19
3.13334 43.6792 353293  20
3.21667 43.6792 353293  21
3.05    43.7625 353293  22
3.13334 43.7625 353293  23
3.21667 43.7625 353293  24
3.13334 43.8458 353293  25
3.21667 43.8458 353293  26

With the tool suggested by @ArMoraer I can only draw a polygon with the outer points that are more extreme. The polygon has touched just 5 points (see map of Convex hull below) but normally it should pass on 20 points (all points of the contour).

Convex Hull

Each point has a pixel, actually the outline should not touch the points but it must pass through the outer limit of these pixels. In the end I want to have an outline like this map (see map below : desired contour)

Desired result

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5
  • 2
    Do you mean a convex hull? If so, it can be found under Vector > Geoprocessing Tools.
    – ArMoraer
    Apr 14, 2016 at 13:01
  • Thank you ArMoraer for your answer, But with this tool I can only draw a polygon with the outer points that are more extreme. The polygon has touched just 5 points (see map : Convex hullenter image description here) but normally it will pass on 20 points (all points of the contour). Each point has a pixel, actually the outline should not touch the points but it must pass through the outer limit of these pixels. In the end I want to have an outline like this map (see map : desired contour) ![enter image description here](i.stack.imgur.com/zzzeS.png)
    – user71269
    Apr 14, 2016 at 14:04
  • 1
    Are all of your points arranged in a grid? If so, you could create a vector grid, then select and merge all grid squares that intersect the desired points.
    – csk
    Mar 14, 2018 at 16:58
  • 1
    Please, do not forget about "What should I do when someone answers my question?"
    – Taras
    Dec 10, 2021 at 9:20
  • Some details can also be found in "Creating polygon around set of points using PyQGIS".
    – Taras
    Dec 10, 2021 at 9:27

3 Answers 3

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You want the concave hull or Alpha shape ?

enter image description here

You have many solutions (Python only, R, GRASS GIS, OpenJump,...) and in QGIS

And with a buffer, as AndreJ says

enter image description here

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  • You may need to buffer the hull to avoid touching the points, as required.
    – AndreJ
    Apr 14, 2016 at 15:37
7

What you are looking for is not a convex but a concave hull. Also known as an Alpha Shape.

Have a look at this plugin.

https://github.com/detlevn/QGIS-ConcaveHull-Plugin

I just installed the plugin into QGIS 2.12 and punched your points into a CSV.

Have a play with the settings and see what you come up with.

enter image description here

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3

I have had a similar problem and resolve it with the combination of Buffer (find cap style "Square" & Dissolver.

enter image description here

Use the buffer tool with Square find cap style and use the dissolver tool to dissolve individual buffered polygon.

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