Layer Styling

StyleCore uses QML files to style newly added QGIS layers consistently. Shared rules are maintained centrally while Personal Overrides stay local.

1. Create a QML style

1. Style a layer under Layer Properties → Symbology / Labels.
2. Export its style as a .qml file in the configured layer_styles folder.
3. If the QML filename matches the layer name, no additional rule is needed.
4. Add a new matching layer to test it.

2. Automatic style selection

Priority	Source	Example
1	Personal Override	Your own Buildings.qml
2	Shared automatic layer style	Buildings → Office_Buildings.qml
3	File Suffix Rule	survey-points.geojson → Points.qml
4	Matching QML filename	Roads → Roads.qml

3. Shared automatic layer styles

Associate the visible layer name with a specific QML file.

1. Open Settings → Options → StyleCore and enable Developer Mode.
2. Add or select a row in Shared automatic layer styles.
3. Enter the layer name and QML, save with the developer code, then test with a new layer.

4. File Suffix Rules

Use the source filename rather than the visible layer name for matching.

1. Open Developer → File Suffix Rules and click Add suffix.
2. Enter the suffix, file type, and QML file, then save with the developer code.
3. Test with a matching file-based layer.

Suffix	File type	QML	Matches
-points	*	points.qml	test-points.geojson
-observations	.geojson	obs.qml	well-observations.geojson

5. Personal Overrides

Personal Overrides affect only your own setup, not the shared rules used by your colleagues.

Personal Overrides, showing individual QMLs and shared defaults.

1. Open Settings → Options → StyleCore → Personal Overrides.
2. Click Add personal override, choose a layer name and QML file.
3. Save and test with a new layer. Use Reset to shared default or Reset all personal styles to undo.

6. Manual Style Update — existing layers

The Manual Style Update dialog.

1. Open StyleCore → Manual Style Update….
2. Select an existing layer.
3. Review the suggested QML or choose a different one with Browse….
4. Click Use Style, then save the QGIS project. This does not modify shared automatic rules.

7. Save shared QML from QGIS

Use Save layer styles… to update shared QML files from the current project.

1. Style the layers in QGIS and open Save layer styles….
2. Select only the layers to save.
3. Confirm destination, developer code and any overwrites.
4. Test with a newly added layer or a template.