Problem loading vector layer (pyQGIS)

Question

I've installed the qgis on ubuntu 12.04 following the instructions on http://hub.qgis.org/projects/quantum-gis/wiki/Download. I am trying to test the Python API and try to do the follwoing

from qgis.core import *
layer = QgsVectorLayer("coast.shp", "coast_shp", "ogr")

But layer.isValid() returns false. Any ideas why it might happen?

The message log (click /!\ at the end of the status bar) might have more information. — jef, Jun 23, 2012 at 18:29
I have the same problem. If I load my .shp file in QGIS, it loads up nicely with all attributes; yes, the shx file is there. I have tried specifying the full path for the .shp file, even though it's local. No effect. Where is the message log? There is no error output, it seems, from this command. ((Oops, this isn't an answer. Should I have made this a comment/reply?)) — CPBL, Jul 10, 2012 at 20:33
Vadim, there are three versions of installs for Ubuntu listed on the page you noted: release, master, ubuntugis. Which did you use? — dakcarto, Jul 10, 2012 at 23:03

Whospal · Accepted Answer · 2012-11-29 10:49:05Z

I had similar issue.

Found that the problem could be due to the following possibilities:

The path of the .shp files.

Assuming they are under a sub-directory from current path, "Maps/", you can load the file with:

mapFile = "Maps/world_borders.shp"
layer = QgsVectorLayer(os.path.abspath(mapFileName), mapFileName[mapFileName.rfind("/")+1:-4], "ogr")

Lastly, not all .shp files are created 'equal'. ;P

Some .shp file can be loaded without problem into QGIS & displayed.

Some, probably created in ESRI ArcMap, require the rest of the files (.shp, .shx, .dbf, .prj, .sbn, .sbx)

Hope this info help.

yetiraj · Accepted Answer · 2012-07-16 12:26:29Z

1

i think you need to give fullpath of your shapefile in windows

layer = QgsVectorLayer("c:/coast.shp", "coast_shp", "ogr")

answered Jul 16, 2012 at 12:26

yetiraj

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