Straighten lines in a layer using QGIS virtual layers

readme.md

Straighten lines in a layer using QGIS virtual layers

Suppose we have a layer of wiggly lines (black), and we want to straighten the lines (blue):

We can use QGIS virtual layers to create a new layer of straightened lines:

select
  make_line(start_point(geometry), end_point(geometry)) as geometry,
  *
from origlines

Note that we first calculate the new geometry, then select all the remaining columns with *.

To use this query:

• Layer menu > Add layer > Add/edit virtual layer
• Specify the "Layer name" for the new layer
• Paste the code above into the "Query" box
• Click "Add"

Note that the new layer is virtual, and is dynamically generated from the "origlines" layer. To save it permanently, right-click and "Save as..."