I don't really understand how .xml files interact with QGIS

Question

I just saw Why are the Google basemaps no longer appearing in QGIS? and I don't understand the answer from user Thomas Horner.

Could someone explain why a .xml can be loaded as a raster?

That XML file gives the necessary configuration info for GDAL so that it knows what to do. See http://www.gdal.org/frmt_wms.html. — user30184, Nov 30 '15 at 21:03

DPSSpatial_BoycottingGISSE · Answer 1 · 2015-11-30T20:49:10.650

2

Open Notepad

Copy and paste the XML from the thread you're mentioning above

Save the Notepad file as Google.xml

in QGIS > Layer > Add Layer > Add Raster Layer

Browse to the Google.xml

You should see the Google Satellite Image in your map

edited Nov 30 '15 at 20:49

answered Nov 30 '15 at 20:40

You can even drag and drop the .xml onto the canvas or layers panel. – SaultDon Nov 30 '15 at 20:49

1 Answers1