Action to directly export selected features as GPX

Question

I would like to directly export selected tracks of a line layer as gpx. The common way is:

1. Select the line-layer
2. select the tracks for export
3. right-click on the layer -> save selected features as...
4. choose gpx-format, a filename and EPSG:4326 as CRS
5. hit OK-Button

But this takes too much time. So I'm looking for a fast solution. I know, the Layer-Actions could be perfect for this task!

How do I export selected features as gpx to a fixed file path with QGIS actions?

Answer 1

If it were a single feature to export you could use an action with canvas scope (i.e., interacting with the canvas), but since you may export several features, an action with layer scope fits better.

Action's code:

from qgis.utils import iface
from qgis.core import QgsProject, QgsVectorFileWriter, QgsCoordinateReferenceSystem

path = "/tmp/gpx/sample.gpx"
layer = QgsProject.instance().mapLayer("[% @layer_id %]")

if layer.selectedFeatureCount():
    result, error_string = QgsVectorFileWriter.writeAsVectorFormat(
                layer,
                path,
                "utf-8",
                QgsCoordinateReferenceSystem(4326),
                "GPX", 
                onlySelected=True,
                datasourceOptions=["GPX_USE_EXTENSIONS=ON"],
                layerOptions=["FORCE_GPX_ROUTE=YES"])

    if result == QgsVectorFileWriter.NoError:
        iface.messageBar().pushSuccess(
            "Export2GPX", 
            "Exported {count} lines to <a href='file://{path}'>{path}</a>".format(
                count=layer.selectedFeatureCount(), 
                path=path))
    else: 
        iface.messageBar().pushWarning("Export2GPX", "Ouch! Errors exporting: {}".format(error_string))
else:
    iface.messageBar().pushInfo("Export2GPX", "First select some features...")

---

Note 1: There is a new method (writeAsVectorFormatV2) for exporting vector layers in the API. You can find the same action's code using such method in this link.

Note 2: Of course you should tweak the code snippet so that it reflects you intention. For instance, I'm forcing the output to be Routes with parameter FORCE_GPX_ROUTE. You could also use random file names so that you don't overwrite previous exports.