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GeoViewer Supported File Formats for GIS Raster Data Viewing

  • Writer: Anvita Shrivastava
    Anvita Shrivastava
  • 15 hours ago
  • 4 min read

In the current geospatial business environment, the ability to easily view and analyze many different types of information is critical. In industries such as remote sensing, urban planning, defense, and environmental monitoring, a dependable, multi-format compatible viewer significantly enhances productivity and aids in decision making.


GeoViewer meets these needs by providing a comprehensive set of tools for working with all of the most common geospatial data file types. In this blog post, I will discuss the different types of data that GeoViewer can work with, their common use cases, and how using GeoViewer simplifies the workflow associated with visualizing GIS and raster datasets.



Why File Format Compatibility Matters in GIS


Geospatial professionals will frequently work with data from many different sources, including satellite imagery, aerial imagery, Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) systems, and geographic information systems (GIS), relative to the place of origin. Data from these sources generally comes in many different formats, including those designed to be able to handle the characteristics of each type of data being collected from the various sources. For example, the need to compress data, store metadata, and perform spatial indexing.


A geospatial data viewer that can read multiple file formats eliminates the regular conversion of files required to be able to view data, which reduces the occurrence of errors and saves time when viewing data. GeoViewer supports the interoperability of raster and vector file formats that are typically used across all segments of the geospatial profession, thereby reducing the overhead costs associated with viewing these datasets.


Supported Raster File Formats in GeoViewer


Raster data is a type of GIS data that represents the Earth's surface as a series of dots or "pixels." Because raster data can represent both imagery and continuous data, such as elevation or temperature, it is particularly useful for visualizing and analyzing a variety of data types.


  1. GeoTIFF (.tif or .tiff)


The GeoTIFF format is one of the most popular raster formats used in the GIS field and has the capability to embed geographic metadata into a single file, enabling accurate georeferencing of data in any GIS application.


Advantages of GeoTIFF as a Raster Format:


  • High compatibility with GIS applications

  • Supports large data sets for use in GIS applications

  • Suitable for both aerial and satellite images


  1. MrSID (.sid)


MrSID is another raster format that was created to store and display large amounts of imagery efficiently.


Advantages of MrSID as a Raster Format:


  • Very high levels of compression with relatively little loss of image quality

  • Well-suited for streaming large images

  • Frequently used in governmental and military applications.


  1. JPEG 2000 (.jp2)


JPEG 2000 (jp2) is considered the latest in image compression, allowing images to be compressed both with and without loss of quality.


Some advantages of using JPEG 2000 (jp2) are as follows:


  • You will have very high-quality images utilizing less storage space.

  • Geospatial metadata can be incorporated into images when using this format.

  • JPEG 2000 (jp2) is ideal for the delivery of web-based images.


  1. ECW (.ecw)


ECW (ecw) is also a very common image format used to store large amounts of aerial and satellite imagery.


Some of the benefits of the ECW (ecw) format include:


  • Quickly generating images from very large datasets.

  • Highly efficient compression.

  • Widely utilized in mapping applications.


  1. PNG, JPEG, and BMP


PNG, JPEG, and BMP are standard formats used for the visual representation of images.


Some of the advantages of using these file formats include:


  • Easy to share and compatible with other systems.

  • They can be used for imagery that does not have a geospatial reference.

  • Because they are small in size, they can be accessed easily.


Key Advantages of Using GeoViewer


  1. Multi-Format Support with No Compatibility Issues


GeoViewer provides a single interface that provides seamless multi-format support in raster and vector formats, thereby eliminating compatibility problems.


  1. Fast Rendering


Optimized for large datasets, GeoViewer provides fast and smooth zooming, panning, and visualising—even for very large files of high-resolution imagery.


  1. No Conversion Required


You can open and view your files directly, without the delay of converting to another format.


  1. Easy to Use


Whether you are a novice or experienced, GeoViewer makes complex GIS workflows simple to use and understand.


Use Cases Across Industries


GeoViewer's numerous file type formats enable it to be utilized in numerous ways:


  • Urban Planners – zoning maps and infrastructure

  • Environmental Scientists – satellite imagery and terrain

  • Defense and Intelligence Agencies – high-quality geospatial datasets

  • Agriculture – monitoring crop health with raster images

  • Disaster Relief – damage assessment with aerial and satellite photos


GeoViewer is an exceptional product for GIS professionals needing versatile raster and vector (file extension) formats. Its high-speed image rendering and compatibility-free nature help GIS professionals focus immediately on the fundamental task of analyzing and interpreting geographic information.


If you need a cost-effective, flexible, and productive GIS Viewer, GeoViewer has the software and file format compatibility necessary to support your productivity and efficiency for improved workflow.


For more information or any questions regarding the LizardTech suite of products, please don't hesitate to contact us at:



USA (HQ): (720) 702–4849


(A GeoWGS84 Corp Company)

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