page 1 of 18
GeoMAPP Geospatial Data File Formats Reference Guide - Introduction (7/1/2011)
Electronic file format support is a fundamental challenge in the long-term preservation of digital materials.
This issue is especially relevant for geospatial datasets that are created, shared, and
stored in many different formats, many of which are proprietary to a specific vendor and/or
software application. Geospatial data is primarily comprised of raster data, made up of a
two dimensional array of equally sized cells where each cell holds a single attribute value and
location coordinates, or vector data, represented as points, lines, and polygons. In addition to
the fundamental geographic information, many datasets also include underlying tables of
data that further elaborate the geographic elements, such as population counts, income values,
average property values, demographic information, or identifying information for individual
features such as name, address, etc. Then all of this data may further be wrapped within an
encompassing database that enables relationships and analysis across the datasets. Many of the
geospatial formats are manifested as numerous files in a variety of file types. All of these aspects
pose challenges to GIS professionals and to archivists both today and in the future.
This spreadsheet provides a quick reference of some of the common geospatial raster and vector
dataset types, and can serve as a tool to identify geospatial format types based on file extensions.
The spreadsheet is organized into tabs with a Raster formats tab, a Vector formats tab, a Standards
tab, and an additional Resources tab. For the raster and vector format tabs, the spreadsheet provides:
- the file extension, and for multi-file formats a description of the format’s file composition,
- a brief description,
- a link to the format specification or standard - if available/applicable,
- an assessment of the format’s currency - meaning is this a format this is generally in use today,
- an assessment of the format’s prevalence - meaning how common is it to see this format,
- a sampling of tools available to access the file format
- whether the format is supported by GDAL (for raster files) /OGR (for vector files) or Safe Software's
Feature Manipulation Engine (FME). These are tools that can read a large number of file formats,
and may become more valuable to archivists especially as data formats obsolesce due to vendor
viability and/or market demand.
- sustainability issues Image Source: NOAA National Coastal Development Center. "Geographic
Information Systems (GIS)."
- additional comments
Retrieved 3/29/2011 from:
http://www.ncddc.noaa.gov/technology/gis/view
Important Scope Note:
The GeoMAPP Geospatial Data File formats Guide documents geospatial data storage formats that are most typically
encountered in state government GIS and Archives operations. Data presentation and locator files like ESRI map
documents (.mxd files) and layer files (.lyr) were not included since they do not directly store source GIS data. Similarly
the guide also does not include emerging data/ map packaging files such as MPK or additional context files such as Arc
Explorer (.nmf). Note: It is important for GIS and archives staffs to be aware of these file formats and understand their
relationship to datasets that are being managed or preserved.
Other geospatial data file formats with specific usage among the academic, federal government or commercial realms
may also have been omitted due to lack of propagation within the extended 17 state GeoMAPP project partners.
Raster Geospatial File Formats page 2 of 18
Supported by
Safe Software
Link to Format Standard/ Format Supported GDAL Feature
Raster Formats File Composition Description Format Prevalence Tools for Viewing Format http://www.gdal.org/formats_li Manipulation Sustainability Issues Comments
Specification Currency st.html Engine (FME)
http://www.safe.com/
fme/format-search/
Raster files generally are used to store image information, such as scanned paper maps or scanned
aerial photographs. They are also used for data captured by satellite and other airborne imaging
systems. Images from these systems are often referred to as remote-sensing data. Unlike other raster
files, which express resolution in terms of cell size and dots per inch (dpi), resolution in remotely
sensed images is expressed in meters, which indicates the size of the ground area covered by each
cell.
(http://data.geocomm.com/helpdesk/formats.html)
Common LIDAR data exchange format.
LAS Specification Version 1.2
The LAS file format is a public file format for
File Extension: *.las (Aproved by ASPRS Board
the interchange of LIDAR (Light Detection Widely Used
ASPRS Lidar Data 09/02/2008)
and Ranging) optical remote sensing data Current in optical remote Not listed Yes
Exchange Format http://www.asprs.org/a/society/
between vendors and customers. sensing
committees/standards/asprs_la
Reference:
s_format_v12.pdf
http://www.asprs.org/a/society/committees/lid
ar/lidar_format.html
ADRG are designed to provide a general
purpose data set of support data and
computer readable digital images of
hardcopy graphic products.
Each ADRG volume contains a header file, CADRG (Compressed
TRANSH01.THF, and a color test patch ADRG file) achieves a
File Extension: image file, TESTPA01.CPH. There will also nominal compression ratio of
be one or more Distribution Rectangle (DR) 55:1. Enhanced
subdirectories. Compressed Raster Graphic
*.gen - general info file
U.S. Military Specification (ECRG) uses JPEG 2000
*.qal - quality file FMEpedia guidance:
Each DR subdirectory contains a general MIL-A-89007 compression using a
*.ovr - reduced resolution Largely in the ESRI Products such as Creation-Yes http://www.fmepedia.com/index.php/ARC
information file, (*.GEN), a qualify file compression ratio of 20:1
Arc Digitized Raster overview image file. Federal government the ArcGIS Military Analyst Georeferencing-Yes _Digitized_Raster_Graphics_%28ADRG
(*.QAL), and a reduced resolution overview http://earth- Legacy Yes Commonly distributed on
Graphic (ADRG) *.img - ADRG image files in the military Suite of Tools (Raster Map Compiled by default-Yes %29. EROS guidance at
image file (*.OVR). There will be one or more info.nga.mil/publications/specs/ CD's, which would require a
*.sou - source graphic info file domain. Tool, etc.) http://eros.usgs.gov/#/Find_Data/Product
ADRG image files (*.IMG) and one or more printed/89007/89007_ADRG.p migration to new media for
*.lgg- legend image file s_and_Data_Available/DRGs
source graphic subdirectories. df preservation.
Library of Congress
Each source graphic subdirectory contains a Sustainability Page:
source graphic information file (*.SOU) and http://www.digitalpreservation
zero or more legend image files (*.Lgg - .gov/formats/fdd/fdd000282.s
where gg is based on the naming html
conventions described in section 3.11.2.
MIL-A-89007 states ADRG is inactive for
new design, and is no longer used, except to
support existing systems.
"BIL, BIP, BSQ are three common methods for organizing image data for multiband images. They are
not in themselves image formats but are schemes for storing the actual pixel values in a file."
They are generally produced by remote sensing systems (e.g. satellite, aerial imaging systems)
Various types of imagery are often distributed in simple binary formats such as the BIL (binary
interleaved), BSQ (binary sequential), BIP (binary interleaved pixel), and RAW (PCI Geomatics raw
binary) formats. These files are usually accompanied by a header file of some kind (usually .hdr, .ers,
Description at:
or .aux) which describes the layout and formatting of the file. Global Mapper requires this header file in
http://mcmcweb.er.usgs.gov/drc/dlgv32pr
addition to the .bil, .bsq, .bip, or .raw data file in order to load the file.
o/formats.html#40
The raster’s interleave specifies how the pixels and bands in a raster are arranged. Different interleaves
allow you to arrange the data non-contiguously to optimize certain methods of access. Interleave is only
relevant in multi-banded rasters; the cell values for rasters with one band are written sequentially. BIL
data stores pixel information for separate bands within the same file, so that the user can choose to
display just one specific band in a multi-band image. The BIL data organization can handle any number
of bands, and thus accommodates black and white, grayscale, pseudocolor, true color, and multi-
spectral image data. BILs and BSQs are raw data, so a separate text header file (.hdr) is required to
indicate the rows, columns, bit depth, and other attributes.
ArcGIS Engine Runtime
Spatial Extension
This is more of data format than a file
format. Additional information at the
MapInfo
USGS National Mapping Program
Because of the need for the
Technical Instructions - Part 2
Bentley ProjectWise ASCII header file, there can
Widely Used Specifications: Standards for Digital
be a problem with
File Extension: *.bil, *.hdr One of three Orthophotos (12/1996):
ESRI ArcMap Integration sustainability.
Band Interleaved by methods for Not on list http://rockyweb.cr.usgs.gov/nmpstds/acro
A Band Interleaved by Line (BIL) image file is Not Applicable Current support for MXD, MXT, Preservation Strategy:
Line (BIL) data file(.bil) encoding image docs/doq/2DOQ1296.PDF
a simple uncompressed file containing the SHP, Personal Current practice is to store
header file (.hdr) data for multiband
actual pixel values of a raster image. GeoDatabase, BIL, and BIP raster data in mosaics and in
raster images. More info at ArcGIS:
a Geodatabase raster
Description in ArcGIS 9.3 Desktop Help:
USGS Digital Data Viewer: catalog.
http://webhelp.esri.com/arcgisdesktop/9.3
dlgv32 Pro
/index.cfm?TopicName=BIL,_BIP,_and_B
http://mcmcweb.er.usgs.go
SQ_raster_files
v/drc/dlgv32pro/index.html
(ver 12.01 rls Jan 13, 2011)
Raster Geospatial File Formats page 3 of 18
Supported by
Safe Software
Link to Format Standard/ Format Supported GDAL Feature
Raster Formats File Composition Description Format Prevalence Tools for Viewing Format http://www.gdal.org/formats_li Manipulation Sustainability Issues Comments
Specification Currency st.html Engine (FME)
http://www.safe.com/
fme/format-search/
A Band Interleaved by Pixel (BIP) image file
is a simple uncompressed file containing the
actual pixel values of a raster image. BIP is This is more of data format than a file
not in itself an image format, but is a scheme format. Further information in the USGS
for storing the actual pixel values of an image National Mapping Program Technical
in a file, and is one of the earliest methods of Instructions - Part 2 Specifications:
File Extension: *.bip, *.hdr raster data organization based upon a pixel- Widely Used Standards for Digital Orthophotos
USGS Digital Data Viewer:
consecutive scheme. One of three (12/1996):
dlgv32 Pro
Band Interleaved by data file (.bip) methods for http://rockyweb.cr.usgs.gov/nmpstds/acro
Not Applicable Waning http://mcmcweb.er.usgs.go Not on list
Pixel (BIP) header file (.hdr)- name of The raster’s interleave specifies how the encoding image docs/doq/2DOQ1296.PDF
v/drc/dlgv32pro/index.html
instrument and sensor which pixels and bands in a raster are arranged. data for multiband
(ver 12.01 rls Jan 13, 2011)
acquired the data Different interleaves allow you to arrange the raster images. More info at ArcGIS:
data non-contiguously to optimize certain Description in ArcGIS 9.3 Desktop Help:
methods of access. Interleave is only http://webhelp.esri.com/arcgisdesktop/9.3
relevant in multi-banded rasters; the cell /index.cfm?TopicName=BIL,_BIP,_and_B
values for rasters with one band are written SQ_raster_files
sequentially. BIP format provides optimal
spectral processing performance.
A BSQ image file is a simple uncompressed
file containing the actual pixel values of a
raster image. The raster’s interleave
specifies how the pixels and bands in a
raster are arranged. Different interleaves This is more of data format than a file
allow you to arrange the data non- Widely Used format. Further information in the USGS
contiguously to optimize certain methods of One of three National Mapping Program Technical
access. In this case, the banded data is methods for Instructions - Part 2 Specifications:
These are compressed
File Extension: *.bsq, *.hdr stored in band-major order. That is, each encoding image Standards for Digital Orthophotos
USGS Digital Data Viewer: imagery files
image band appears consecutively in the data for multiband (12/1996):
dlgv32 Pro Because of the need for the
Band SeQuential data file (.bsq) data file. raster images. http://rockyweb.cr.usgs.gov/nmpstds/acro
Not Applicable Current http://mcmcweb.er.usgs.go Not on list ASCII header file, there can
Encoding (BSQ) header file (.hdr) - name of Frequently docs/doq/2DOQ1296.PDF
v/drc/dlgv32pro/index.html be a problem with
instrument and sensor which There are three ASCII text description files encountered,
(ver 12.01 rls Jan 13, 2011) sustainability.
acquired the data that can be provided with BSQ files: a header especially in More info at ArcGIS:
file (*.hdr) that describes the layout of the domains dealing Description in ArcGIS 9.3 Desktop Help:
image pixel data and must be provided; a with satellite http://webhelp.esri.com/arcgisdesktop/9.3
color file (*.clr) that describes the image color imagery. /index.cfm?TopicName=BIL,_BIP,_and_B
map; and a statistics file (*.stx) that SQ_raster_files
describes image statistics for each band of
the image. A BSQ file is a binary file and
must have the file header to be interpreted
properly by ArcGIS.
A Digital Orthophoto Quadrangle (DOQ) is a
computer-generated image of an aerial
photograph in which the image displacement
caused by terrain relief and camera tilt has USGS Digital Orthophoto Quadrangles
been removed. The DOQ combines the Fact Sheet (2001) available at
image characteristics of the original http://egsc.usgs.gov/isb/pubs/factsheets/f
Current Distribution Formats:
photograph with the georeferenced qualities s05701.html
- Native USGS Format - BIL
of a map. DOQs are available in both Native
image with a keyword text Library of Congress
and GeoTIFF formats. Native format USGS Earth Resources Observation and
header at the beginning of the Sustainability information at
consists of an ASCII keyword header Science (EROS) Center guidance at
file http://www.digitalpreservation
followed by a series of 8-bit binary image http://eros.usgs.gov/#/Find_Data/Product
USGS Earth Explorer: First Generation USGS: .gov:8081/formats/fdd/fdd00
lines for B/W and 24-bit band-interleaved-by- s_and_Data_Available/DOQs
- GeoTIFF Format - http://edcsns17.cr.usgs.gov Creation-No 0290.shtml.
pixel (BIP) for color. DOQs in native format
georeferenced TIFF file /EarthExplorer/. Georeferencing-Yes
are cast to the Universal Transverse Other resources:
USGS Orthophoto Standards: Compiled by default-Yes DOQs in native format need
Mercator (UTM) projection and referenced to Using Digital Orthophoto Quadrangle
Digital Orthophoto References Include: Widely Used and Any mapping/design close management.
either the North American Datum (NAD) of Current Yes (DOQ) Images
Quadrangle (DOQ) JPG with Native Header Format http://rockyweb.cr.usgs.gov/nm Widely Distributed. software capable of New Labelled USGS:
1927 (NAD27) or the NAD of 1983 (NAD83). http://www.yale.edu/ceo/Documentation/d
- a JPEG encoded image with pstds/doqstds.html supporting world files e.g. Creation-No GeoTIFFs have established
A DOQ can be used on-screen to collect, oq.htm
an accompanying header file to ESRI ArcGIS, FME, Georeferencing-Yes management paths.
review, and revise other digital data,
provide metadata Microstation, AutoDesk, Compiled by default-Yes
especially digital line graphs (DLG) and DOQ File Naming Conventions for CD-
etc.. About DOQ files - Native
topographic maps. When the DOQ is ROM Media
See Comments column for Format - Pree 1997 file
combined with other digital products, such as http://www.georgiaspatial.org/wp-
reference on file naming http://rockyweb.cr.usgs.gov/s
digital raster graphics (DRG) or digital content/frameworkdata/doqq-naming.htm
conventions oftware/doqqppt/tsld009.html
elevation models (DEM), the resulting image
provides additional visual information for the JPG description from:
extraction and revision of base cartographic http://www.globalmapper.com/product/for
information. mats_raster.htm
A standard (USGS) DOQ is distributed in a
quarter section of a standard 7.5-minute
quadrangles.
Raster Geospatial File Formats page 4 of 18
Supported by
Safe Software
Link to Format Standard/ Format Supported GDAL Feature
Raster Formats File Composition Description Format Prevalence Tools for Viewing Format http://www.gdal.org/formats_li Manipulation Sustainability Issues Comments
Specification Currency st.html Engine (FME)
http://www.safe.com/
fme/format-search/
For those with ECW 3.3 SDK from
ECW (Enhanced Compression Wavelet) is a ERDAS - images less than 500MB may
proprietary wavelet compression image be compressed for free, while larger
Lossy compression and
format optimized for geospatial imagery, images require licensing from ERDAS.
proprietary nature of the
which can quickly compress and ECW 4.4 SDK from ERDAS only
format make for significant
decompress huge images, especially aerial provides image decompression for free.
Recently-low use Creation-Yes sustainability issues.
and satellite imagery. It was developed by Long list of tools available http://www.gdal.org/frmt_ecw.html
Enhanced File Extension: *.ecw Waning - Older data (greater Georeferencing-Yes
Earth Resource Mapping, and is now owned Not Available at
Compression supplanted by than a few years Compiled by default-No, Yes Web Browser Access
by ERDAS, which is owned by Leica Proprietary to ERDAS / Leica http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ Have seen from time to time at local
Wavelet (ECW) Single File MrSID ago) was more needs ECW SDK dependent upon either:
Geosystems. The requirement of using the ECW_%28file_format%29 government level - when an agency
commonly seen - ECW JPEG 2000 plug-in or
ECWP format for any application is that it would have TIFF imagery and covert to
- Java Applet that requires
requires the user to download and install ECW as opposed to MrSID.
the Sun Java Runtime
enabling software in the form of a plug-in or
Environment (JRE)
in the case of the Java applet, a Java runtime In late 1990s-early 2000s offered better
environment (JRE). resolution and higher compression - used
to deliver images for handheld devices.
Within past couple of years have seen as
a dommon format to deliver LIDAR.
IMAGINE files are native propriety raster
Proprietary raster format that Single file format is easier for transfer
format image files created and used by the
Widely used appears to have limited than Esri GRID's directory structure. One
ERDAS IMAGINE software. IMAGINE files ERDAS IMAGINE
amoung remote support from other vendors' institution had 2008-2009 DEM bare
may contain additional information, such as Geospatial Data
sensing (LIDAR, tools could pose challenges earth models delivered delivered (prior
statistics, ground control points, map Abstraction Library (GDAL)
elevations). into the extended future. bare earth models delivered in Esri GRID)
information, and image metadata. They also http://www.gdal.org/
File Extension: *.img DEM bare earth
support subsampled raster layers, called
*.ige for images greater than models. Creation-Yes Data will be compressed Leica Geosystems ERDAS IMAGINE
pyramid layers, for faster screen display Global Mapper
2GB Not Applicable Georeferencing-Yes only when it is stored. Reader/Writer:
ERDAS Imagine within GIS applications. IMAGINE images Current http://rmgsc.cr.usgs.gov/ou Yes
Proprietary Seen in a lot in Compiled by default-Yes ERDAS IMAGINE uses run- provides the FME engine with access to
use the ERDAS Hierarchal File Format tgoing/ecosystems/USdata/
*.img - Single File academic and length compression. data in ERDAS IMAGINE format
(HFA) to store raster data. Note: ERDAS
*.igw - World File remote sensing IMAGINE automatically http://www.safe.com/reader_writerPDF/er
was acquired by Leica Geosystems. Imagine to GeoTIFF
shops, though uncompresses data before das.pdf
converter:
datasets are dated the layer is run through a
Description available at: http://home.gdal.org/project
from several years process. .img - Single File
http://home.gdal.org/projects/imagine/iau_doc s/imagine/hfa_index.html
ago. uses Hierarchical File Format (HFA)
u0.pdf
see:
http://home.gdal.org/projects/imagine/iau_
docu0.pdf for info.
The ESRI ASCII Grid raster format can be
used to transfer information to or from other
cell-based or raster systems. The ArcInfo
ASCII Grid format is an ArcInfo GRID
exchange file. ASCII Grid file format is
documented at:
A grid defines geographic space as an array
of equally sized square grid points arranged http://help.arcgis.com/en/arcgis Header:
in rows and columns. Each grid point stores desktop/10.0/help/index.html#/
a numeric value that represents a geographic ESRI_ASCII_raster_format/00
attribute (such as elevation or surface slope) 9t0000000z000000/
for that unit of space. Each grid cell is Widely Used -
referenced by its x,y coordinate location. http://webhelp.esri.com/arcgisd especially as Creation-Yes
File Extension: *.asc ASCII format enables
ESRI ArcInfo ASCII esktop/9.1/index.cfm?id=886& readable format and Georeferencing-Yes {NODATA_VALUE xxx}
Current Esri ArcGIS Yes readability and accessibility
Grid The ESRI ASCII Grid has a very simple pid=885&topicname=ASCII%2 transfer file Compiled by default-Yes row 1
Single File to the data
format. It has a short header that precedes 0to%20Raster%20(Conversion mechanism for row 2
the raster data which provides the location ) ESRI ArcInfo Grid where xxx is a number and the keyword
and size of the raster to follow. The raster is NODATA_VALUE is optional and
written as a series of rows, which contain http://resources.esri.com/help/ defaults to -9999. Row 1 of the data is at
one ASCII integer or floating point value per 9.3/arcgisengine/java/GP_Tool the top of the raster, row 2 is just under
column in the raster. Ref/spatial_analyst_tools/esri_ row 1, and so on.
ascii_raster_format.htm
There are two types of grids: integer and
floating point. Integer grids are used to
represent discrete data while floating-point
grids represent continuous data.
Raster Geospatial File Formats page 5 of 18
Supported by
Safe Software
Link to Format Standard/ Format Supported GDAL Feature
Raster Formats File Composition Description Format Prevalence Tools for Viewing Format http://www.gdal.org/formats_li Manipulation Sustainability Issues Comments
Specification Currency st.html Engine (FME)
http://www.safe.com/
fme/format-search/
File Extension:
Stored in an ArcInfo workspace.
Stored on file system as a
separate directory with Does not support
associated tables and files. compression As with most formats, a grid should not
(per ArcGIS Desktop 9.3 be named with spaces or any other
In an integer grid directory, the Help: Technical special characters in its name. A multiple-
following tables and files are Specifications for raster band grid cannot have more than 9
found: dataset formats. characters in its filename, and a single-
-BND table, which stores the band raster dataset cannot have more
An ESRI ArcInfo Grid is a binary raster data Not widely supported
boundary of the grid; Grids use a reun-length than 13 characters.
storage format native to ESRI, widely used outside of the Esri ArcGIS
-HDR file, which stores specific raster compression scheme
within ESRI programs, such as ArcGIS. tools.
information describing the grid, Creation-Yes that is adaptive at the block Narrative description of the ESRI Grid
ESRI ArcInfo Grid
for example, cell resolution and Not Available Georeferencing-Yes level. format is available at:
A grid is stored in an ArcInfo workspace. The Current Widely Used Grid is an option for NED Yes
blocking factor; Proprietary Compiled by default-Yes http://webhelp.esri.com/arcgisdesktop/9.3
grid, like an ESRI coverage, is stored as a output from the USGS
-STA table, which contains Not widely supported outside /index.cfm?id=3104&pid=3101&topicnam
separate directory with associated tables and National Map Viewer.
statistics for the grid; ESRI tools. Multiple file e=About_the_ESRI_Grid_format
files that contain specific information about
VAT table, which stores the components necessary to
the grid.
attribute data associated with retain the understandability To facilitate the transfer of the collection
the zones of the grid; of the file. of files that make up an ArcInfo Grid
-LOG, which monitors the Library of Congress dataset, export to ESRI ASCII Grid .
activity that has occurred on the Sustainability information: Alternatively, you could zip the entire
grid; and http://www.digitalpreservation workspace, though this is not generally
-TILE FILE w001001.adf .gov:8081/formats/fdd/fdd00 regarded as the best practice.
(q0x1y1), which stores the cell 0281.shtml
data and
-INDEX file w001001x.adf
(q0x1y1x) that indexes the
blocks in the tile and the LOG.
(Some of these may not exist if
created using ArcGIS operators,
File Geodatabases are stored
A collection of various types of GIS datasets
as folders in a file system
held in a file system folder. This is the Preferred format over personal including
recommended native data format for ArcGIS increased filesize capacity, the ability to
Folder Name *.gdb Individual Proprietary, A proprietary data framework
stored and managed in a file system folder. apply spatial indexes, supports
Esri File Geodatabase files include: .gdbindexes, File Geodatabase API Current Widely Used Primary ArcGIS Not listed Yes used for ESRI GIS software
File Geodatabases are stored as folders in a compression, etc.
.gdbtable, .gdbtablx, .freelist, expected in 2011 applications.
file system. Each dataset is held as a file that
.spx
can scale up to 1 TB in size. This option is Does not support versioned workflows.
recommended over personal Geodatabases.
Raster Geospatial File Formats page 6 of 18
Supported by
Safe Software
Link to Format Standard/ Format Supported GDAL Feature
Raster Formats File Composition Description Format Prevalence Tools for Viewing Format http://www.gdal.org/formats_li Manipulation Sustainability Issues Comments
Specification Currency st.html Engine (FME)
http://www.safe.com/
fme/format-search/
GeoTIFF refers to TIFF files which have
geographic (or cartographic) data embedded
as tags within the TIFF file. The geographic
data can then be used to position the image
in the correct location and geometry on the
screen of a geographic information display.
GeoTIFF is a metadata format that provides
geographic information to associate with the
image data. But the TIFF file structure allows
both the metadata and the image data to be GeoGIFF Format Specification Any GIS, CAD, Image The GeoTIFF format is
encoded into the same file. GeoTIFF is an Rev 1.0 Processing, Desktop Creation-Yes completely open, public
File Extension: *.tif, *.tiff, *.tff openly documented extension to TIFF 6.0. open, public domain, non- Mapping and any other Georeferencing-Yes domain and non-proprietary. Detailed information at
proprietary types of systems using Compiled by default-Yes Library of Congress http://trac.osgeo.org/geotiff/.
GeoTiff Current Widely used Yes
Single File that contains both GeoTIFF uses a small set of reserved TIFF geographic images can (internal libtiff and libgeotiff sustainability information at Microstation and/or DeCartes has history
image and geospatial metadata tags to store a broad range of georeferencing http://landsathandbook.gsfc.na read any GeoTIFF files provided) http://www.digitalpreservation of issues with compressed TIFFs.
information, catering to geographic as well as sa.gov/handbook/pdfs/geotiff_s created on any system to .gov/formats/fdd/fdd000279.s
projected coordinate systems needs (e.g. pec.pdf the GeoTIFF specification. html
latitude and longitude). Projections include
UTM, US State Plane and National Grids, as
well as the underlying projection types such
as Transverse Mercator, Lambert Conformal
Conic, etc. No information is stored in private
structures, IFD's or other mechanisms which
would hide information from naive TIFF
reading software. GeoTIFF uses numerical
codes to describe projection types,
JPEG 2000 is an ISO-standard based image
compression standard and coding system. It Until 2006 there was no
was created by the Joint Photographic standard way to geo-
Experts Group committee in 2000 as a newly International Standards reference JPEG 2000
File Extension: *.jp2, *.j2c,
designed, wavelet-based method of Organization Standard Creation-Yes images. As the new
*.j2k, *.jpx List of applications
compression. The standardized filename Georeferencing-Yes GMLJP2
available at
JPEG 2000 extension is .jp2 for ISO/IEC 15444-1 http://www.iso.org/iso/iso_catal Current Widely Used Compiled by default-No, Yes (http://www.ogcnetwork.net/g
Single File http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/
conforming files and .jpx for the extended ogue/catalogue_ics/catalogue_ needs libjasper ml-jp2) standard for
JPEG_2000
part-2 specifications, published as ISO/IEC detail_ics.htm?csnumber=2768 georeferencing gains market
15444-2. It offers lossy and lossless 7 share and support, JPEG
compression, and world files (.j2w) can be 2000 will be reconsidered as
used to georeference an image in GIS a target format.
software. Compression ratios are similar to
MrSID and ECW formats.
MrSID is an acronym that stands for
Multiresolution Seamless Image Database. It
is a wavelet-based file format developed and
patented by LizardTech designed to enable
portability of massive bit-mapped (raster)
images, such as orthophotos. MrSID was Most commercial GIS
originally developed for Geographic software packages can
Information Systems (GIS). With this format, read MrSID files including Uses lossy compression.
large raster image files such as aerial those from GE Smallworld, Creation-No
File Extension: *.sid, *.sdw
photographs or satellite imagery are ESRI, Intergraph, Bentley Georeferencing-Yes Library of Congress
Proprietary
MrSID compressed and can be quickly viewed Current Widely Used Systems, MapInfo, Safe Compiled by default-No, Yes Sustainability information at
.sid - Single File Not Available
without having to decompress the entire file. Software, Autodesk, needs MrSID SDK http://www.digitalpreservation
.sdw - World File
There is no open source implementation of LizardTech with ERDAS .gov/formats/fdd/fdd000184.s
the MrSID format. Some open source GIS IMAGINE being able to html
systems can read MrSID files, including both read and write MrSID
MapWindow GIS and those based on GDAL. files.
The Decode Software Development Kit
(SDK) is made available as a free download
from developer.lizardtech.com. This enables
the capability to implement MrSID reading
capability in any application.
The Raster Product Format (RPF) is a
standard data structure developed in 1994 as
a U.S. Military Standard for geospatial
databases composed of rectangular arrays of
pixel values (e.g. in digitized maps or
images) in compressed or uncompressed
form. RPF is intended to enable application
software to use the data in RPF format on Difficult to convert. ESRI
computer readable interchange media software can read the
directly without further manipulations or Department of Defense format, but can't write it to
File Extension: *.rpf Largely in the Creation-No
transformation. RPF is intended to define a Military Standard another format. Library of
Raster Product Federal government ESRI - import only Georeferencing-Yes
common format for interchange of raster data Waning Congress Sustainability
Format (RPF) Single File in the military ERDAS-import & export Compiled by default-Yes
between producers of such data in DoD http://jitc.fhu.disa.mil/nitf/tag_re page:
domain.
such as The Military Departments, Office of g/docs/ms2411.pdf http://www.digitalpreservation
the Secretary of Defense, Organizations of .gov/formats/fdd/fdd000298.s
the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and the Defense html
Agencies of the Department of Defense
(collectively known as DoD components) and
users of the data, to help facilitate
interoperability among mission-critical
systems. RPF is a general, adaptable format
to encompass raster products in
compressed or uncompressed form such as:
Raster Geospatial File Formats page 7 of 18
Supported by
Safe Software
Link to Format Standard/ Format Supported GDAL Feature
Raster Formats File Composition Description Format Prevalence Tools for Viewing Format http://www.gdal.org/formats_li Manipulation Sustainability Issues Comments
Specification Currency st.html Engine (FME)
http://www.safe.com/
fme/format-search/
The USGS Digital Elevation Model (DEM)
data files are self-contained (single file) sets
of ASCII-encoded (text) digital
representations of cartographic information in
a raster form. DEMs consist of a sampled
array of elevations for a number of ground
positions at regularly spaced intervals. These
digital cartographic/geographic data files are
produced by the U.S. Geological Survey
USGS Digital Data Viewer:
(USGS) as part of the National Mapping
dlgv32 Pro
Program. The USGS produces five different
http://mcmcweb.er.usgs.go
digital elevation products. Although all are
File Extension: *.dem USGS Digital Elevation Model v/drc/dlgv32pro/index.html
identical in the manner the data are Creation-Yes Openly documented but
USGS Digital Standards Common as a (ver 12.01 rls Jan 13, 2011)
structured, each varies in sampling interval, Georeferencing-Yes falling into disuse. Uptake of EROS DEM Guidelines
Elevation Model Single File Legacy legacy format in the Yes
geographic reference system, areas of Compiled by default-Yes the SDTS has been slow to (http://eros.usgs.gov/#/Guides/dem)
(DEM) http://rockyweb.cr.usgs.gov/nm Federal government An unauthorized collection
coverage, and accuracy; with the primary non-existant.
pstds/demstds.html of tools to view DEM:
differing characteristic being the spacing, or
http://www2.cs.uh.edu/~so
sampling interval, of the data. DEM's are
malley/DemTutorial/#PRO
used in the generation of three-dimensional
GRAMS
graphics displaying terrain slope, aspect
(direction of slope), and terrain profiles
between selected points. It is an open
standard, and is used throughout the world.
It has been superseded by the USGS's own
SDTS format but the format remains popular
due to large numbers of legacy files, self-
containment, relatively simple field structure
and broad, mature software support.
A digital raster graphic (DRG) is a scanned
image of a U.S. Geological Survey (USGS)
standard series topographic map, scanned,
digitized and georeferenced.
The USGS DRG consists of three physical
files: the TIFF image, a text file of metadata
along with a non-required third file, an
Arc/Info world file. The DRG image (*.tif),
File Extension: *.tif world (*.tfw), and metadata (*.fgd) files
incorporate an intelligent data set name USGS GeoData Digital Raster Graphics
(DSN) consisting of descriptive metadata Fact Sheet (2001)
Often a single digital image file DRGs created by USGS are
wrapped around a standardized kernel that Most commercial GIS http://egsc.usgs.gov/isb/pubs/factsheets/f
usually saved as a .tif typically scanned at 250 dpi
describes the spatial location of the file. USGS created software packages can s08801.html
and saved as a TIFF.
USGS Digital Raster Graphic DRGs for all States, read image files including
3 Files: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Di
Digital Raster Graphics (DRGs) are Standards but these are being world files including those For an example DRGs see
USGS Digital Raster *.tif - TIFF Image gital_raster_graphic
scanned, digitized and georeferenced USGS Waning replaced by the US from GE Smallworld, Not on list Yes
Graphic (DRG) *.txt, *fgd - Metadata file
*.tfw - Arc/Info World file topographic maps at 1:24,000, 1:100,00 and http://rockyweb.cr.usgs.gov/nm TOPO maps ESRI, Intergraph, Bentley
DRGs are typically found as
Kent County Delaware DRGs/DLGs
1:250,000 scale. DRGs are in TIFF format pstds/drgstds.html (http://nationalmap.g Systems, MapInfo, Safe http://www.rdms.udel.edu/drgdlg/dg_kc.ht
(optional) *.tif or *.jpg files.
(using the GeoTIFF specifications) and are ov/ustopo/) Software, Autodesk, ml
http://services.arcgisonline.c
scanned at a minimum resolution of 250 dots ERDAS IMAGINE
om/arcgis/services
per inch. The digital image is georeferenced NCSU guidance at
to the true ground coordinates of the 2.5- http://www.lib.ncsu.edu/gis/drg.html
minute grid ticks and projected to the
Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM) for
projection consistency with USGS Digital
Orthophoto Quadrangles (DOQs) and Digital
Line Graphs (DLGs). DRGs have been
made for all quadrangles in the USGS
standard topographic map series for the
United States, its territories and trusts.
Although the original data program was
completed in 1998, the USGS has continued
Description at:
A world file is a plain text computer data file
used by geographic information systems to http://webhelp.esri.com/arcgiSDEsktop/9.
georeference raster map images, which may 3/index.cfm?TopicName=World_files_for
be produced in several of the basic image _raster_datasets
File Extension: *.xx w formats. The file specification was
introduced by Esri. World files establish an http://webhelp.esri.com/arcims/9.2/genera
Seen success in moving
e.g. image-to-world transformation that converts l/topics/author_world_files.htm
MrSID image files with associated
World File TIFF World File: *.tfw the image coordinates in raster data to real- Proprietary Current Not on list
ERDAS Imagine world files across versions
JPEG World File: *.jgw world coordinates, where each cell in the http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_file
and (GIS) platforms
PNG World File: *.pgw image has a row and column number. Some
Bitmap World File: *.bpw image formats will store their georeferencing Esri provides a Raster World File export
information in a separate file, rather than in tool to create a world file based on the
the header. World Files do not specify a geographic information in a raster dataset.
coordinate system, but contain six-line files http://webhelp.esri.com/arcgiSDEsktop/9.
that provide the georeferencing information. 3/index.cfm?TopicName=Export_Raster_
World_File_%28Data_Management%29
URLs were active as of
Emerging Widely Used Yes
2011 Mar 4
Current Moderate Use No
Raster Geospatial File Formats page 8 of 18
Supported by
Safe Software
Link to Format Standard/ Format Supported GDAL Feature
Raster Formats File Composition Description Format Prevalence Tools for Viewing Format http://www.gdal.org/formats_li Manipulation Sustainability Issues Comments
Specification Currency st.html Engine (FME)
http://www.safe.com/
fme/format-search/
Waning Niche Use
*** Qualified by use
in state govt context
Legacy
(e.g. widely used in
Industry, but
Vector Geospatial File Formats page 9 of 18
Supported by Safe
Software Feature
Tools for Viewing Supported by OGR
Vector Formats File Composition Description Link to Format Standard/ Specification Format Currency Format Prevalence http://www.gdal.org/og Manipulation Engine Sustainability Issues Comments
Format (FME)
r/ogr_formats.html
http://www.safe.com/fme
/format-search/
Vector datasets are based on the interaction between arcs and nodes, represented as points , lines , and polygons A
point is a single node, a line is two nodes with an arc between them, and a polygon is a closed group of three or more
arcs. With these three elements, it is possible to record most all necessary information. Vector data is useful for
modeling discrete physical features
(http://www.umich.edu/~ipcaa/GIS/General%20GIS%20Concepts.htm)
(http://www.mass.gov/mgis/GIS_Glossary.pdf)
AutoCAD DXF (Drawing Interchange Format, or) is a As AutoCAD has
Proprietary, Published A long list of tools that
CAD data file format developed by Autodesk for Creation-No become more
can view DXF files can
enabling data interoperability between AutoCAD and Georeferencing-Yes powerful, supporting
Autodesk Drawing AutoDesk DXF Reference be found here:
File Extension: *.dxf other programs. Versions of AutoCAD from Release Waning Niche use Compiled by default- Yes more complex object
eXchange Format http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/item?si http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki
10 (October 1988) and up support both ASCII and Yes types, DXF has
teID=123112&id=12272454&linkID=10809 /AutoCAD_DXF#Softwar
binary forms of DXF. Earlier versions support only become less useful.
853 e_that_supports_DXF
ASCII.
Autodesk offers a free
DWG viewer: DWG
TrueView
http://usa.autodesk.com/a
dsk/servlet/pc/index?siteI
D=123112&id=15314320
DWG ("drawing") is a file format used for storing two Widely used in Third party viewers not including
and three dimensional design data and metadata. It is CAD(Architecture, AutoCad should understand dwg
ArcGIS Products ;
the native format for several CAD packages including Proprietary, Engineering, Design) design specifications that would
Autodesk Drawing File File Extension: *.dwg Current AutoCad ; Other Not listed Yes
AutoCAD, IntelliCAD (and its variants) and Caddie. In Not Available Industries. Minimal limit viewing of certain dwg
Viewers:
addition, DWG is supported non-natively by many use in traditional elements such as unexploded
http://usa.autodesk.com/a
other CAD applications geospatial shops blocks, custom fonts, etc…
dsk/servlet/pc/index?id=1
5409188&siteID=123112
;
http://usa.autodesk.com/a
dsk/servlet/pc/index?id=6
703438&siteID=123112;
http://www.autodesk.co.uk
/adsk/servlet/index?siteID
=452932&id=8992673 ;
Proprietary
Creation-Yes
DGN is the name used for CAD file formats supported ArcGIS Products,
Bentley Microstation V8 File Format Reference for Georeferencing-No
by Bentley Systems' MicroStation and Intergraph's Bentley Microstaton,
Microstation Design File Extension: *.dgn the native DGN file format is available upon Current Widely Used Compiled by default- Yes
Interactive Graphics Design System (IGDS) CAD Bentley Viewer,
File request at: Yes
programs. AutoCad, etc.
http://www.bentley.com/en-
GB/Products/MicroStation/OpenDGN/
A Digital Line Graph (DLG) is digital vector data The LULC and Native
representing cartographic information derived from format DEM and DLG
USGS maps and related soruces. DLGs contain a wide data do not contain
variety of information depicting geographic features (for record delimiters.
example, hypsography, hydrography, boundaries, Some commercial
roads, utility lines, etc). DLGs are derived from software requires that
hypsographic data (contour lines) using USGS 7.5- delimiters be added. In
some cases, you will USGS Earth Resources
minute, 15-minute, 2-arc-second (30- by 60-minute),
need to add delimiters Observation and Science
and 1:2 million-scale topographic quadrangle maps.
before using display (EROS) Center guidance at
Large-, intermediate-, and small-scale DLG data are
programs. USGS http://eros.usgs.gov/#/Guides/dlg
File Extension: *.dlg, useful for the production of cartographic products (e.g.,
Digital Line Graph Standards: Windows 95 viewing
*.dlg3, *.opt base maps). Also, the data are structured to support
http://rockyweb.cr.usgs.gov/nmpstds/dlgstds software (DLGV32) Example DLGs can be found:
digital vector data (GIS) technologies. A typical use of base category
.html USGS Digital Data will display the data Kent County Delaware
digital cartographic data is to combine them with other
Viewer: dlgv32 Pro correctly with or DRGs/DLGs
Digital Line Graph Appears to be distributed geographically referenced data.
USGS US GeoData Digital Line Graphs http://mcmcweb.er.usgs.g without record http://www.rdms.udel.edu/drgdlg/d
(DLG) later in a wide variety of USGS topographic
Fact Sheet: Current ov/drc/dlgv32pro/index.ht Not on list Yes delimiters. SDTS g_kc.html
Digital Line Graph formats: .e00, shp, USGS Nine different categories of features, or layers, are maps
http://egsc.usgs.gov/isb/pubs/factsheets/fs0 ml formatted data does
Optional (DLG-OPT) .dd file (DLG standard), available in DLGs: Public Land Survey System,
7896.html (ver 12.01 rls Jan 13, not require delimiters. Much of the Digital Line Graph
USGS .do file (DLG Boundaries, Transportation, Hydrography,
2011) Source: vector map data produced by
option) Hypsography, Non-vegetative features, survey control
http://egsc.usgs.gov/isb/pubs/factsheets/fs0 http://edc2.usgs.gov/ge U.S. Geological Survey has been
and markers, man-made features, and Vegetative
7896t.pdf odata/public.php converted to SDTS format
surface cover.
(http://www.microimages.com/doc
USGS Global Mapper umentation/Tutorials/import.pdf)
DLGs are available in two different formats: optional
format, a simple-to-use format that incorporates an 80- will not display DLG-S
byte logical record length, the UTM ground coordinate data, an older format
system, and topology linkages contained in line, node that is no longer sold
and area elements; and Spatial Data Transfer or supported. Most
Standard (SDTS) format, a format that facilitates USGS DLG-Optional
transferring of spatial data between different computer data do not contain
systems. record delimeters.
Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digital_line_graph Global Maper does not
require that delimiters
Vector Geospatial File Formats page 10 of 18
Supported by Safe
Software Feature
Tools for Viewing Supported by OGR
Vector Formats File Composition Description Link to Format Standard/ Specification Format Currency Format Prevalence http://www.gdal.org/og Manipulation Engine Sustainability Issues Comments
Format (FME)
r/ogr_formats.html
http://www.safe.com/fme
/format-search/
Creating/Editing
coverages requires
ArcInfo Workstation Desktop 10 ArcGIS Resource
license Center: Coverages
(source: ArcGIS Professional Library -> Data
Desktop 10 online Management -> Geographic data
help Coverage toolbox types -> Coverages
licensing) http://help.arcgis.com/en/arcgisde
sktop/10.0/help/index.html
A coverage is ESRI's core data model. A coverage is a Desktop v 10
georelational data model that stores vector data only. Esri Conversion Esri description of how
Coverages use a set of feature classes to represent Toolbox offers tools to coverages are stored is
Coverages are organized geographic features. Each feature class stores a set of convert Coverages to documented at:
Creation-No & from various other
as a topical directory points, lines (arcs), polygons, or annotation (text).
Georeferencing-Yes formats (e.g. DLG,
structure within a Esri Coverages can have topology, which determines the Proprietary, http://webhelp.esri.com/arcgisdes
Esri ArcInfo Coverage Legacy Widely Used ArcGIS Workstation Compiled by default- Yes SDTS, etc.)
feature class. relationships between features. A coverage is stored Not Available ktop/9.2/index.cfm?TopicName=
Yes
as a directory within which each feature class is stored How_coverages_are_stored
as a set of files. Older datasets are
seen to be retained in An example directory structure
http://webhelp.esri.com/arcgisdesktop/9.2/index.cfm?To original coverage for a Coverage.
picName=How_coverages_are_stored formats, rather than
being converted. =>National park Coverages
Successful ->roads (coverage)
conversion of ->streams (coverage)
coverage to shapefile -> annotation (feat class)
& file / personal -> arc (feature class)
geodbs has been -> tic (feature class)
experienced.
File Geodatabases are
stored as folders in a file Preferred format over personal
A collection of various types of GIS datasets held in a
system including increased filesize
file system folder. This is the recommended native data
A proprietary data capacity, the ability to apply
format for ArcGIS stored and managed in a file system
Folder Name *.gdb Proprietary, framework used for spatial indexes, supports
Esri File Geodatabase folder. File Geodatabases are stored as folders in a file Current Frequently Primary ArcGIS Not listed Yes
Individual files include: File Geodatabase API expected in 2011 ESRI GIS software compression, etc.
system. Each dataset is held as a file that can scale up
.gdbindexes, .gdbtable, applications.
to 1 TB in size. This option is recommended over
.gdbtablx, .freelist, .spx Does not support versioned
personal Geodatabases.
workflows.
.e00 is an Esri-
Specification is proprietary and unpublished
proprietary format, and
ArcInfo Interchange File Format is a vector file format by ESRI Use of zip compression will result
Not a viewable format. you should make any
which is produced by ESRI and pre-dates the Creation-No in file corruption. Also,
Exported files (*.e00) are transformations for
shapefile. It is as an export file used to enable A non-authoritative version of the Georeferencing-Yes knowledge of the coverage
Esri ArcInfo imported to ARCINFO this format using Esri
File Extension: *.e00 coverage, grid or TIN and an associated INFO table to specification can be found at: Legacy Widely Used Compiled by default- Yes workspace is critical for data
Interchange File (E00) coverage format through tools. Any *.e00 files
be transferred between different machines, which are Yes management and portability.
ArcGIS Toolbox or or coverages should
not connected by any type of file sharing network. A (source: ArcGIS Desktop 9.3
command line ARCINFO. be converted to either
volume has the extension .E00 through .E99. http://avce00.maptools.org/docs/v7_e00_co Help)
Esri feature classes or
ver.html
Esri shapefiles.
See comments above with Esri
This is the original data format for ArcGIS
File Geodatabase to understand
Geodatabases stored and managed in Microsoft
limitations.
File Extension: .mdb Access data files Creation-No
A proprietary data
This is limited in size and tied to the Windows operating Georeferencing-Yes
framework used for The ArcSDE Geodatabase
Esri Personal Single file system. All datasets are stored within a Microsoft Proprietary, Compiled by default-
Waning Frequently Primary ArcGIS Yes ESRI GIS software System Tables entity relationship
Geodatabase Geodatabases are stored Access data file, which is limited in size to 2 GB. Not Available No, needs ODBC
applications. diagram is available at:
and managed in Microsoft library
Access data files The storage size of personal geodatabases are
http://help.arcgis.com/en/arcgisde
effectively limited to between 250 and 500 MB for the
sktop/10.0/help/0029/pdf/sdesyst
entire geodatabase.
ables_diagram.pdf
Vector Geospatial File Formats page 11 of 18
Supported by Safe
Software Feature
Tools for Viewing Supported by OGR
Vector Formats File Composition Description Link to Format Standard/ Specification Format Currency Format Prevalence http://www.gdal.org/og Manipulation Engine Sustainability Issues Comments
Format (FME)
r/ogr_formats.html
http://www.safe.com/fme
/format-search/
Can or should contain up
to 7 files
Mandatory files to store
the core data :
* .shp — shape format;
the feature geometry itself
* .shx — shape index Shapefiles are
format; a positional index complex file sets with
of the feature geometry to ESRI offers a free up to 7 files. All of the
allow seeking forwards shapefile viewer: files need to be kept
and backwards quickly DWG TrueView together to properly
Proprietary, Documented
* .dbf — attribute http://usa.autodesk.com/a read the file.
Shapefiles are a simple, nontopological format for
format; columnar dsk/servlet/pc/index?siteI
storing the geometric location and attribute information ESRI Shapefile Technical Description
attributes for each shape, D=123112&id=15314320 Shapefiles are an
in dBase IV format of geographic features. The geometry for a feature is whitepaper at:
Creation-Yes openly documented,
stored as a shape comprising a set of vector http://www.esri.com/library/whitepapers/pdfs/
Primarily ArcGIS Georeferencing-Yes published
Esri Shapefile coordinates. Shapefiles can support point, line, and shapefile.pdf Current Frequently Yes
Optional files : however is an openly Compiled by default- specification. As such,
area features. An Esri shapefile consists of a main file,
* .prj — projection documented published Yes they are a stable file
an index file, and a dBASE table. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/index.html?curid=
format; the coordinate specification. format for preservation
2770513
system and projection and data exchange.
information, a plain text file Compatible with hydraulic
describing the projection modeling, GPS, Relationships are not
(used by ARC-GIS) GeoMedia, Google Earth maintained when
* .sbn and .sbx — a Pro, etc shapefiles are
spatial index of the exported from file
features geodatabases.
* .fbn and .fbx — a
spatial index of the
features for shapefiles that
are read-only
* .ain and .aih — an
attribute index of the
active fields in a table or a
Map and imagery products created by TerraGo
software applications. GeoPDF products use
geospatial PDF as a container for maps, imagery, and
Adobe Acrobat, Adobe
other data used to deliver an enhanced user Open Geospatial Consortium (OGC) In use in Federal
Reader, Global Mapper,
GeoPDF File Extension: *.pdf experience in TerraGo applications. However, GeoPDF Current Government/ DoD for Not listed No
and various TerraGo
products conform to published specifications including http://www.opengeospatial.org/standards/bp past 5+ years
Tools
both the OGC best practice for PDF georegistration as
well as Adobe's proposed geospatial extensions to ISO
32000
Geospatial PDF refers to geospatial extensions to the
Portable Document Format (PDF) that relate a region
on a PDF document page to a georeferenced region in Adobe Acrobat 9.X,
physical space. The georeferencing metadata for Adobe Reader 9.X,
geospatial PDF is most commonly encoded in one of International Standards Organization ISO
Avenza PDF Maps for
two ways: the OGC best practice and as Adobe's 32000-1:2008
Apple iOS, Global
Geospatial PDF File Extension: *.pdf proposed geospatial extensions to ISO 32000. Current Frequently Not listed Yes
Mapper, Geospatial Data
Features include: the ability to graphically represent http://www.iso.org/iso/catalogue_detail.htm?
Abstraction Library
vector and raster information, the separation of csnumber=51502
(GDAL), various TerraGo
graphics content into different layers , and the Tools
association of tabular information with graphical
features
Geomedia .mdb
GeoMedia is a suite of GIS editing tools created by
File Extension: *.mdb, Creation-No
Intergraph. GeoMedia can read/export feature classes
*.mge Industry specific use Georeferencing-No
into a variety of formats including the proprietary Proprietary,
Intergraph GeoMedia Current in areas such as Intergraph GeoMedia Compiled by default- Yes
Modular GIS Environment (.mge) and GeoMedia Not Available
Dataset comprised of Utilities and e-911 No, needs ODBC
Warehouse (.mdb) (based on MS Access, SQL
single file library
Server, or Oracle Spatial)
Open Standard for all
geobrowsers, became official
KML is an Open Geospatial Consortium (OGC)
standard of the OGC, April 14,
sponsored xml schema file format used to display Increasing use for
2008
geographic data in an earth browser, such as Google map/ geospatial data
Creation-Yes http://www.opengeospatial.org/sta
File Extension: *.kml, Earth, Google Maps, and Google Maps for mobile. A Open Geospatial Consortium (OGC) creation in non GIS
Georeferencing-Yes ndards/kml
Keyhole Markup *.kmz KML file is processed in much the same way that shops Google Earth,
Current Compiled by default- Yes
Language (KML) HTML (and XML) files are processed by web browsers. http://www.opengeospatial.org/standards/km Marble
Yes (read support Google Earth and Google Maps
Contains several files: Like HTML, KML has a tag-based structure with l Increasing use for
needs libexpat) act as browsers for KML files.
names and attributes used for specific display mass market delivery
purposes. Thus, Google Earth and Maps act as of geospatial delivery
Seen increase in
browsers for KML files.
state/local/federal use of KML to
push out versions of their geodata
MapInfo Interchange File format is an ASCII text file
format that fully describes the contents of a MapInfo
Non-authoritative source, not published by
table. MIF consists of two related files: one for the
MapInfo (now PitneyBowes): MapInfo File
graphical data, and one for the tabular data. The
Creation-Yes
MapInfo Interchange graphical data is in a file with a .mif extension, and the MapInfo Professional,
File Extension: .mif, .mid http://www.gissky.com/Download/Download/ Waning Unknown Georeferencing-Yes Yes
Format tabular data is in a file with a .mid extension. MIF files GeoMedia, ArcGIS
DataFormat/Mapinfo_Mif.pdf (October Compiled by default-
can be read and written by MapInfo Professional and
1999) Yes
translated into other formats with other programs.
MapInfo is now Pitney Bowes Business Insight
Vector Geospatial File Formats page 12 of 18
Supported by Safe
Software Feature
Tools for Viewing Supported by OGR
Vector Formats File Composition Description Link to Format Standard/ Specification Format Currency Format Prevalence http://www.gdal.org/og Manipulation Engine Sustainability Issues Comments
Format (FME)
r/ogr_formats.html
http://www.safe.com/fme
/format-search/
File Extension: *.tab,
*dat, *.id, *.map MapInfo Table (*.tab) TAB is a proprietary geo-spatial
vector data format for geographic information systems
According to Wikipedia, software used by MapInfo mapping products. A
This is a proprietary
two files. minimum of two files are required for the tab format.
format, but it can be
The .DAT file which stores the attribute data and the Proprietary
exported to ESRI file
MapInfo TAB A minimum of two files are .TAB ASCII file which is the link between all other files Not Available Current Niche use ArcGIS Products Not listed Yes
types using the data
required for the tab format- and holds information about the type of data file. The interoperability
-.dat and .tab MapInfo TAB importer is closely patterned after the
extension.
MapInfo MIF/MID reader and writer. This commonality
From Wikipedia, four files, makes it easy to support both MIF and MapInfo native
the *.DAT, *.TAB, *.ID formats in the same mapping file.
and *.MAP
Scalable Vector Graphics (SVG) is a family of Per Wikipedia:
specifications of an XML-based file format for All major modern web
describing two-dimensional vector graphics, both static browsers except MS
and dynamic (i.e. interactive or animated). W3C Internet Explorer support
The SVG specification is an open standard that has and render SVG markup
used mostly as a
been under development by the World Wide Web SVG1.2 (Apr 2005) directly. IE 9 Beta Other "network payload" formats
Scalable Vector network payload (e.g.
File Extension: *.svg Consortium (W3C) since 1999. http://www.w3.org/TR/SVG12/ Current supports the basic SVG not listed Yes include: WFS, WCS, domain-
Graphics for applications like
SVG images and their behaviors are defined in XML feature set. specific GML
Polymaps)
text files. This means that they can be searched, SVG2 is currently under development per
indexed, scripted and, if required, compressed. Since W3C Long list of applications
they are XML files, SVG images can be created and that support SVG
edited with any text editor, but specialized SVG-based available in Wikipedia
drawing programs are also available. entry.
Topologically Integrated Geographic Encoding and
Referencing, or TIGER, or TIGER/Line is a format 2010 TIGER/Line Shapefile Descriptions: The positional accuracy varies
Prior to 2008, published used by the United States Census Bureau to describe http://www.census.gov/geo/www/tiger/tgrshp with the source materials used,
as custom text-based land attributes such as roads, buildings, rivers, and 2010/documentation.html but at best meets the established
format (TIGER/Line). lakes, as well as areas such as census tracts. TIGER National Map Accuracy
Topologically Creation-No
was developed to support and improve the Bureau's Previous Versions of TIGER/Line Files Primarily Esri ArcGIS, standards (approximately +/- 167
Integrated Geographic Georeferencing-Yes
Beginning in 2008, the process of taking the Decennial Census. The TIGER Technical Description but supported by any feet) where 1:100,000-scale
Encoding and Current Widely Used Compiled by default- Yes
Census published TIGER files do not contain the census demographic data, but http://www.census.gov/geo/www/tiger/oldtec software that can read maps from the USGS are the
Referencing Files Yes
line files as shapefiles. merely the map data. GIS can be used to merge hdoc/tgrlinedoc.html shapefiles (after 2008) source.
(TIGER)
census demographics or other data sources with the
(See Esri Shapefile TIGER files to create maps and conduct analysis. TIGER/Line 1992 TIGER Information Page:
description above) TIGER data is available without cost due to the http://www.census.gov/geo/www/tiger/t92top http://www.census.gov/geo/www/ti
requirement for U.S. Government publications to be .html ger/
released into the public domain.
Unknown
Spec is dated 28
Vector Product Format (VPF) is a military standard for June 1996>
vector-based digital map products produced by the 1997 ESRI User
U.S. Department of Defense (DOD). The two primary U.S. Department of Defense Military Conf The National Imagery and
Creation-No
standards are the VMAP Vector World Map formerly Standard proceedings - Mapping Agency (NIMA)
Georeferencing-Yes
known as Digital Chart of the World-DCW and Digital MIL-STD-2407 ArcView Viewer Used predominately produces its vector digital map
Compiled by default-
Vector Product Format File Extension: *.vpf Nautical Chart (DNC) Description: Digital Nautical extension within federal Esri ArcView Yes products in this format (1997 Esri
No, needs OGDI
Chart is a Vector Product Format (VPF) based http://earth- government/ DoD User Conference Proceedings:
library
database containing maritime features of digitally info.nga.mil/publications/specs/printed/VPF/ maybe not "The VPF Viewer Extension for
replicated Nautical Charts derived from the National vpf.html current -- but ArcView")
Geospatial-Intelligence Agency. there may be
numerous
"artifactual"
assets still in this
format
URLs were active as of 2011 Mar 4 Emerging Widely Used
Current Moderate Use
Waning Niche Use
*** Qualified by use in
state govt context (e.g.
widely used in
Legacy
Industry, but
uncommon in State
Govt)
Geospatial Standards and Specifications page 13 of 18
Standard/Specification Names Link Description Comments
Center for International Earth
Science Information Network
Data Model for Managing and Paper prepared by CIESIN describing a comprehensive data
(CIESIN)
Preserving Geospatial model and data dictionary for managing and preserving
Electronic Records geospatial data records.
http://ciesin.columbia.edu/ger/Data
ModelV1_20050620.pdf
Content Standard for Digital Geospatial Metadata. Prepared by:
Federal Geographic Data the Federal Geographic Data Committee. FGDC-STD-001-1998
FGDC Content Standard for
Committee (http://www.fgdc.gov/standards/projects/FGDC-standards-
Digital Geospatial Metadata
projects/metadata/base-metadata/v2_0698.pdf). Foundation of
http://www.fgdc.gov/metadata/geos ISO 19115. ESRI profile of the Content Standard for digital
patial-metadata-standards geospatial metadata can be found at the following website:
http://www.esri.com/metadata/esriprof80.html
OGC Geography Markup
The Geography Markup Language (GML) is the XML grammar
Language - Open GIS Geography
defined by the Open Geospatial Consortium (OGC) to express
Geography Markup Language Markup Language (GML)
geographical features. GML serves as a modeling language for
(GML) Encoding Standard:
geographic systems as well as an open interchange format for
http://www.opengeospatial.org/stan
geographic transactions on the Internet.
dards/gml
GML in JPEG 2000 for
The OpenGIS encoding specification defines the means by
Geographic Imagery (GMLJP2)
which the OpenGIS GML is to be used within JPEG 2000 images
Encoding Specification
for geographic imagery.
http://portal.opengeospatial.org/file
GMLJP2, GML in JPEG 2000
s/?artifact_id=13252
for Geographic Imagery Note: The ISO JPEG 2000 standard
(http://www.jpeg.org/jpeg2000) is a wavelet based encoding for
Available at OGC GML page:
imagery that provides the ability to include XML data for
http://www.opengeospatial.org/stan
description of the image within the JPEG 2000 data file.
dards/gml
GML is an xml specification for characterizing geospatial data.
GML Simple Features are an OpenGIS standard which specifies
OGC Geography Markup digital storage of geographical data (point, line, polygon, multi-
An .xsd schema document defines a
Language (GML) point, multi-line, etc.) with both spatial and non-spatial attributes.
reference schema for GML simple features
http://www.opengeospatial.org/stan Simple Features are based on 2D geometry with linear
profile) Profile document.
dards/gml interpolation between vertices.
GML Simple Features (OGC
This is an emerging standard being used in
specification for vector data) GML Simple Features Profile GML Simple Features profile offers a simpler entry point for
the academic and research communities.
http://portal.opengeospatial.org/file vendors to attempt to implement tool support for GML than
s/?artifact_id=11266 & attempting to support the full GML specification.
Some software packages have option to
http://www.opengeospatial.org/stan
export datset as GML Simple Features.
dards/sfa The GML Simple Features Profile is a more complete profile of
GML than the Point Profile and supports a wide range of vector
feature objects. (Source: Wikipedia: Geography Markup
Language)
Geospatial Standards and Specifications page 14 of 18
Standard/Specification Names Link Description Comments
ISO/IEC 8211:1994 - Specification for a data descriptive file (ddf)
for information interchange.
Available for purchase through Specifies an interchange format to facilitate the moving of files or
ISO at: parts of files containing data records between computer systems.
ISO_8211, ISO/IEC 8211 Data
http://www.iso.org/iso/iso_catalogu
Descriptive File (DDF)
e/catalogue_tc/catalogue_detail.ht Used by Spatial Data Transfer Standard (SDTS)
m?csnumber=20305 http://www.digitalpreservation.gov/formats/fdd/fdd000307.shtml
FAQ available at:
http://py-iso8211.sourceforge.net/tibbs/faq.html
ISO 19115:2003 defines the schema required for describing
geographic information and services. It provides information
about the identification, the extent, the quality, the spatial and
temporal schema, spatial reference, and distribution of digital
International Standards
geographic data.
Organization
ISO 19115:2003
ISO 19115:2003
Standard for Geographic Though ISO 19115:2003 is applicable to digital data, its
Information Metadata principles can be extended to many other forms of geographic
http://www.iso.org/iso/catalogue_d
data such as maps, charts, and textual documents as well as
etail.htm?csnumber=26020
non-geographic data.
Commonly used as source of topical categories to organize
geospatial data.
Geospatial Standards and Specifications page 15 of 18
Standard/Specification Names Link Description Comments
ESRI is defining a GML profile and
implementing this profile in a free software
extension.
ESRI is working closely with other OGC
members to define an OGC profile that will
be standardized.
Avail through ArcExplorer Java Edition
Interoperability extension, ArcIMS Web
Geography Markup Language
Feature Server connector.
http://www.opengeospatial.org/stan
dards/gml
The OpenGIS Geography Markup Language (GML) standard is ArcGIS supports the OGC Simple Features
an XML grammar for the encoding of geographic information standard profile out-of-the-box.
GML in JPEG 2000 for
including geographic features, coverages, observations,
Geographic Imagery Encoding:
topology, geometry, coordinate reference systems, units of Numerous GML profiles can be created.
http://www.opengeospatial.org/stan
JPEG 2000 GML profile measure, time, and value objects. ISO JPEG 2000 standard Each GML profile will require its own
dards/gmljp2
(http://www.jpeg.org/jpeg2000) is a wavelet based encoding for translator for ingestion and use in your
imagery that provides the ability to include XML data for system. (per ArcGIS 9.2 Desktop Help)
GML in GPEG 2000 for
description of the image within the JPEG 2000 data file for JPEG2000 GML is one such profile.
Geographic Imagery (GMLJP2)
geographic imagery.
Encoding Specification
ESRI recommends use of the OGC Simple
http://portal.opengeospatial.org/file
Features profile for open information
s/?artifact_id=13252
exchange.
Application support for evolving versions of
GML
e.g. ArcGIS v. 9.2 can read v 2.x and 3.x
files. However, ArcGIS v 9.2 will write out
onlyl GML v3.1.1. The GML Simple Features
Profile is based on GML 3.1.1.
Geospatial Standards and Specifications page 16 of 18
Standard/Specification Names Link Description Comments
LPGS and NLAPS Processing Systems Comparison
Two processing systems currently generate USGS Landsat
standard data products:
- Level 1 Proudct Generation Systems (LPGS) - Nearly all
NLAPS Systematic Format Landsat data is processed through LPGS. LPGS metadata is
Description Document contained in a MTL.txt file which accompanies all data files.
http://eros.usgs.gov/ecms/docume - National Land Archive Production System (NLAPS) - Due to an
nts/products/NLAPSII.pdf unusual raw format, some Landsat 4 and Landsat5 data are
processed through NLAPS. NLAPS metadata is contained in a
Level 1 Product Output Files Data .WO file, which accompanies all data files.
Format Control Book (Vol 5, Book http://landsat.usgs.gov/products_IP_LPGSvsNLAPS.php
NLAPS (National Land Archive
2)
Production System) Data
http://landsathandbook.gsfc.nasa.g Landsat Product Type Descriptions:
Format (NDF)
ov/handbook/pdfs/level1_dfcb_rev http://edcsns17.cr.usgs.gov/helpdocs/landsat/product_description
5_401.pdf s.html#nlaps_lpgs
NLAPS Processing Parameters Multispectral Scanner (MSS)
http://edcsns17.cr.usgs.gov/helpdo The Landsat Multispectral Scanner (MSS) was a sensor aboard
cs/landsat/parameters_NLAPS.ht Landsats1 through 5 and acquired images of the Earth nearly
ml continuously from July 1972 to October 1992.
Landsat MSS scenes are processed with the Level 1 Product
Generation ystem (LPGS)
http://eros.usgs.gov/#/Find_Data/Products_and_Data_Available/
MSS
Geospatial Standards and Specifications page 17 of 18
Standard/Specification Names Link Description Comments
ISO 19115:2003 defines the schema required for describing
geographic information and services. It provides information
about the identification, the extent, the quality, the spatial and
temporal schema, spatial reference, and distribution of digital
Federal Geographic Data geographic data.
Committee
North American Profile of ISO Though ISO 19115:2003 is applicable to digital data, its
19115:2003 http://www.fgdc.gov/standards/proj principles can be extended to many other forms of geographic
Standard for Geographic ects/incits-l1-standards- data such as maps, charts, and textual documents as well as
Information Metadata projects/NAP- non-geographic data.
Metadata/napMetadataProfileV101
.pdf The United States of America and Canada have agreed to revise
their respective meatdata standards and develop a common
profile of ISO19115:2003 Geographic Information Metadata
which will enhance interoperability of geographic information
metadata in North America.
A metadata standard defining the types of information that
U.S. Library of Congress
PREservation Metadata: should be associated with an archived digital object, providing a
Implementation Strategies data dictionary of core metadata for archived digital objects, and
http://www.loc.gov/standards/premi
(PREMIS). guidance and best practices for creating, managing, and using
s/v2/premis-dd-2-1.pdf
the metadata in preservation systems.
ANSI Store:
http://webstore.ansi.org
Official Federal Standard but not widely
SDTS, Spatial Data Transfer The American National Standards Institute’s (ANSI) Spatial Data
Standards Docs drafts avail at: supported outside of the US Government.
Standard (SDTS) Transfer Standard (SDTS), is a robust way of transferring earth-
http://mcmcweb.er.usgs.gov/sdts/s http://mcmcweb.er.usgs.gov/sdts/
referenced spatial data between dissimilar computer systems
tandard.html
FIPSBUP 173-1, 1994 with the potential for no information loss. The SDTS specifies
Much of the Digital Line Graph (DLG) vector
superseded by exchange constructs, such as format, structure, and content, for
Description: map data produced by the USGS has been
ANSI NCITS 320-1998 spatially referenced vector and raster (including gridded) data.
http://mcmcweb.er.usgs.gov/sdts/ converted to SDTS format.
Backgrounder:
http://egsc.usgs.gov/isb/pubs/facts
heets/fs07799.pdf
URLs were active as of
2011 Mar 4
Additional Resources related to geospatial data formats:
Digital Image Data Formats
http://www.scs.gmu.edu/~rgomez/EOS%20Lectures/7Lecture%2014%20Oct%2003/Formats/Digital%20Image%20Data%20Formats.
Provides a nice summary of the 4 major formats used for remotely sensed data (BIP, BIL, BSQ, Run-Length Encoding)
Federal Geospatial Data Systems Engineer Manual [EM 1110-1-2909] (2005)
Chapter 7: Geospatial Data Overview and Standards
http://140.194.76.129/publications/eng-manuals/em1110-1-2909/c-7.pdf
FGDC Endorsed External Standards
http://www.fgdc.gov/standards/fgdc-endorsed-external-standards/index_html
Standards endorsed by the FGDC Steering Committee to promote interoperability
GeoCommunity: GISDataDepot - GIS Data Formats
http://data.geocomm.com/helpdesk/formats.html
Offers a brief description of several Vector and Raster data formats
Grime: GIS Formats: File Formats in GIS, 3D & Imagery and What to Treat them with ...
http://www.grime.net/gistools/a-z.htm
Offers and A-Z listing of numerous file formats, and summarizes a list of tools that can read them and write them.
Grime: GIS Tools: Useful 3rd party Data Conversion Tools for the GIS, 3D & Imagery Entrepreneur
http://www.grime.net/gistools/index.htm
Offers an extensive list of utilities and summarizes what file formats they read and write.
Library of Congress: Sustainability of Digital Formats- Planning for Library of Congress Collections
http://www.digitalpreservation.gov/formats/
McGarva, Guy, Steve Morris, and Greg Janee. “Technology Watch Report: Preserving Geospatial Data.” May 2009.
http://www.dpconline.org/component/docman/doc_download/363-preserving-geospatial-data-by-guy-mcgarva-steve-morris-and-gred-
(NARA) U.S. National Archives and Records Administration: Technical Guidelines for Digitizing Archival Materials for Electronic Access:
Creation of Production Master Files - Raster Images.
http://www.archives.gov/preservation/technical/guidelines.pdf
North Carolina State University Library: Geospatial Data Formats
http://www.lib.ncsu.edu/gis/formats.html
Offers a brief description of some of the most prevalent Vector and Raster Data file formats
Wikipedia GIS file formats
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GIS_file_formats
Offers a quick list of popular GIS formats (Raster, Vector, Grid, Other miscellaneous).
Federal Geospatial Data Systems Engineer Manual EM 1110-1-2909 (2005)
http://140.194.76.129/publications/eng-manuals/em1110-1-2909/
Consult your GIS software vendor’s documentation for description of the file formats they support (import and export). They will likely
support many more formats for importing than for exporting.
e.g. Bentley MicroStation Supported Output File Formats (References, Raster Images, Point Clouds):
http://docs.bentley.com/en/MicroStation/ustnhelp841.html
e.g. Bentley MicroStation Supported Input File Formats(References, Raster Images, Point Clouds):
http://docs.bentley.com/en/MicroStation/ustnhelp866.html
e.g. Esri ArcGIS Desktop 9.3 Help: Supported raster dataset file formats:
http://webhelp.esri.com/arcgiSDEsktop/9.3/index.cfm?TopicName=Supported_raster_dataset_file_formats
e.g. Esri ArcGIS Desktop 9.3 Help: Data formats supported in ArcGIS:
http://webhelp.esri.com/arcgiSDEsktop/9.3/index.cfm?TopicName=Data_formats_supported_in_ArcGIS
e.g. MapInfo Professional 10.5 User Guide
p. 90 - File Format Types Supported
http://reference.mapinfo.com/software/mapinfo_pro/english/10.5/MapInfoProfessionalUserGuide.pdf