What is a .QLV file?
A .QLV file is a special type of file used by people who work with maps and geographical information in a program called QGIS. QGIS is a free program that lets you look at, change, and share information about places on Earth. The .QLV file is created when someone uses a special add-on for QGIS called the "layerVersion" plugin. This plugin is like a tool that helps you keep track of changes you make to different parts of your map, called layers. Think of it as taking a picture of your work so you can remember what you did.
When you make changes to your map layers in QGIS with this plugin, those changes are saved in a .QLV file. This file is like a diary of your edits. It uses a format called XML, which is a way of writing down data so that both humans and computers can understand it. The file also includes something called CRC checksums, which are like secret codes that help make sure the information in the file hasn't been messed up or changed by accident.
To open a .QLV file, you need to have QGIS installed on your computer, and you also need to make sure the layerVersion plugin is added to QGIS. Once you have those, you can open the .QLV file directly in QGIS to see or use the changes stored in it. If you're curious or need to look into the details, you can also open the .QLV file with any basic text editor, like Notepad, or with special programs designed for working with XML files, such as Microsoft XML Notepad or JAPISoft EditiX. These programs let you see the raw data and edits in the file.
The layerVersion plugin is pretty straightforward to use. After installing it, you'll find new options in QGIS that let you save or load your layer versions. Saving your edits creates a .QLV file, and if you save edits again, it updates this file. This is handy because you can share this file with other people who are working on the same map project. They can then apply your changes to their version of the map, as long as they also have the layerVersion plugin.
In summary, .QLV files are a way for people using QGIS and the layerVersion plugin to save, share, and manage changes to map layers. This helps in collaborating on geospatial projects and ensuring everyone's work is accurately recorded and applied.
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