Layers and browser panels

Browser and Layers panels describe where data is stored and how that data is displayed. Now is a great time to download some sample data. Head over to https://qgis.org/downloads/data/ and download training_manual_execise_data.zip. Extract it in a folder of your choice and then navigate to that folder in the Browser window.

I have located the basic_map.tif and forest_stands_2012.shp files and dragged them both into the Layers window. We will look at styling layers in Chapter 3, Visualizing Data, and then cover how to create a map in Chapter 4, Creating Great Maps.Lets take a look at Browser and Layers Panels in the following screenshot: