I have a shapefile which renders a map.
I want to calculate and preferably store length of each feature in the shapefile either using QGis or through programmatic means.
What is the best way to get this task done?
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2 Answers
Create a Real Number field in the shapefile. From Attribute table, open 'Field Calculator'. From the functions list, expand 'Geometry' section. selection length.
The expression would look
$length
Check update existing field at the top of field calculator and select the newly created double field name.
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What is the unit of length I get there? I want it to be in km.– SibiCommented Nov 20, 2012 at 6:21
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1it will be in the units of the coordinate system of your layer. It could be meter/feet/degrees depending on it. you could do a conversion depending on your coordinate system.If the coordinate system is Geogrpahic, it would be best to convert to a projected coordinate system for linear measurement.– vinayanCommented Nov 20, 2012 at 8:19
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So to get km from metres, multiply $length x 1000 in the calculator and that will be the output into the shapefile field. A projected coordinate system may be referred to as UTM or GRID.– WillyCommented Nov 20, 2012 at 11:20
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@Willy The map is in the Geographic coordinate system. So i don't exactly know what is the unit in which geographic coordinate system renders it. It's in EPSG:4326.– SibiCommented Nov 20, 2012 at 11:25
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@Sibi spatialreference.org/ref/epsg/4326/html - says that it is in Degrees– vinayanCommented Nov 20, 2012 at 12:01
Using the arc python module (arcpy) is an alternative. To run the code it is necessary with an ArcInfo license.
Fairly straight forward. The script establishes a new field and populates it with a field value in meters:
import arcpy
my_coastline = "coastal_Segments.shp"
#Add field to support lengt calculation
arcpy.AddField_management(my_coastline, "length", "FLOAT", "12", "", "", "i_perim", "NULLABLE", "REQUIRED")
#Calculate the length of all segment in the shapefile
arcpy.CalculateField_management(my_coastline, 'length', '!shape.length@meters!', 'PYTHON')
Not sure but I assume the Shapely open source initiative could be an alternative.
