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Geodatabases and ArcSDE > Working with geodatabases using SQL > SQL functions reference
Geodatabases and ArcSDE > Working with geodatabases using SQL > SQL functions reference
Supported raster dataset file formats |
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Release 9.2
Last modified September 22, 2008 |
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The geodatabase is the native data model in ArcGIS for storing geographic information, including raster datasets and raster catalogs; however, there are many file formats you can work with that are maintained outside a geodatabase. The following table gives a description of the supported raster formats and their extensions and identifies if they are read-only or if they can also be written by ArcGIS.
Learn how to add file extensions to ArcCatalog or search all files
Learn more about the technical specifications for raster formats
| Format | Description | Extension(s) | Read/Write |
| ARC Digitized Raster Graphics (ADRG) | Distributed on CD-ROM by the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA). ADRG is geographically referenced using the equal arc-second raster chart/map (ARC) system in which the globe is divided into 18 latitudinal bands or zones. The data consists of raster images and other graphics generated by scanning source documents. | Multiple files
Data file—extension *.img or *.ovr Legend file—extension *.lgg |
Read-only |
| ArcSDE raster | Raster data stored within an ArcSDE database. | Stored in SDE database. | Read and write |
| ASCII Grid | The ArcInfo ASCII Grid format is an ArcInfo Grid exchange file. | Single file—extension *.asc | Read-only |
| Band interleaved by line (ESRI BIL), band interleaved by pixel (ESRI BIP), band sequential (ESRI BSQ) | This format provides a method for reading in and displaying decompressed, BIL, BIP, and BSQ image data. By creating an ASCII description file that describes the layout of the image data, black-and-white, grayscale, pseudo color, and multiband image data can be displayed without translation into a proprietary format. | Multiple files:
Data file—extension *.bil, *.bip, or *.bsq Header file—extension *.hdr Colormap file—extension *.clr Statistics file—extension *.stx |
Read-only |
| Bitmap (BMP), device-independent bitmap (DIB) format, or Microsoft Windows bitmap | BMP files are Windows bitmap images. They are usually used to store pictures or clip art that can be moved between different applications on Windows platforms. | Single file—extension *.bmp
World file—extension *.bpw |
Read and write |
| BSB | This is a compressed raster format used in the distribution of raster nautical charts by MapTech and NOAA. | Multiple files—extension *.bsb, *.cap, and *.kap | Read-only |
| Compressed ARC Digitized Raster Graphics (CADRG) | Distributed on CD-ROM by NGA. CADRG is geographically referenced using the ARC system in which the globe is divided into 18 latitudinal bands, or zones. The data consists of raster images and other graphics generated by scanning source documents. CADRG achieves a nominal compression ratio of 55:1. | Single file—no standard file extension.
Choose to search all files or add your file extensions to ArcCatalog. |
Read-only |
| Controlled Image Base (CIB) | Panchromatic (grayscale) images that have been georeferenced and corrected for distortion due to topographic relief distributed by NGA. Thus, they are similar to digital orthophoto quads and have similar applications, such as serving as a base or backdrop for other data or as a simple map. | Single file—no standard file extension.
Choose to search all files or add your file extensions to ArcCatalog. |
Read-only |
| Digital Geographic Information Exchange Standard (DIGEST)
Arc Standard Raster Product (ASRP), UTM/UPS Standard Raster Product (USRP) |
DIGEST datasets are digital replicas of graphic products designed for seamless worldwide coverage. ASRP data is transformed into the ARC system and divides the earth's surface into latitudinal zones. USRP data is referenced to UTM or UPS coordinate systems. Both are based on the WGS 1984 datum. | Multiple files
Main raster image—extension *.img General information file—extension *.gen Georeference file—extension *.ger Source file—extension *.sou Quality file—extension *.qal Transmission header file—extension *.thf |
Read-only |
| Digital Terrain Elevation Data (DTED) Level 0, 1, and 2 | A simple, regularly spaced grid of elevation points, base on 1 degree latitude and longitude extents. Created by the NGA. | Single file—various file extensions *.dt0, *.dt1, *.dt2
All possible file extensions are available by default (*.dt0, *.dt1, *.dt2). |
Read-only |
| ECW |
ER Mapper's
Enhanced Compressed Wavelet (ECW) format is able compress extremely large images at high compression ratios, while still providing fast data access and high visual quality. |
Single file—extension *.ecw | Read-only |
| ER Mapper | A proprietary raster format from ER Mapper. Produced using the ER Mapper image processing software. | Multiple files
Header file—extension *.ers Data file—usually same as header file without the *.ers extension but could be any and is defined in the header file. |
Read-only |
| ERDAS 7.5 GIS | Single-band thematic images produced by ERDAS 7.5 image processing software. | Multiple files
Data file—extension *.gis Color map file—extension *.trl |
Read-only |
| ERDAS 7.5 LAN | Single- or multiband continuous images produced by the ERDAS 7.5 image processing software. | Multiple files
Data file—extension *.lan Color map file—extension *.trl |
Read-only |
| ERDAS IMAGINE | Produced using IMAGINE image processing software created by ERDAS. IMAGINE files can store both continuous and discrete, single-band and multiband data. | Single file—extension *.img
If image is bigger than 2 GB—extension *.ige World file—extension *.igw |
Read and write |
| ERDAS RAW | Provides a method for reading and displaying files that are not otherwise supported by another format but are formatted in such a way that the arrangement of the data may be described by a relatively small number of parameters. By creating an ASCII file that describes the layout of the raster data, it can be displayed without translation in a proprietary format. The format is defined in the ERDAS IMAGINE software. | Single file—extension *.raw | Read-only |
| ESRI Grid | A proprietary ESRI format that supports 32-bit integer and 32-bit floating-point raster grids. Grids are useful for representing geographic phenomena that vary continuously over space and for performing spatial modeling and analysis of flows, trends, and surfaces such as hydrology. | Directory colormap file—extension *.clr | Read and write |
| ESRI Grid stack | Used to reference multiple ESRI Grids as a multiband raster dataset. A stack is stored in a directory structure similar to a grid or coverage. | Directory | Read and write |
| ESRI Grid stack file | Used to reference multiple ESRI Grids as a multiband raster dataset. A stack file is a simple text file that stores the path and name of each ESRI Grid contained within it on a separate line. | Single file—possible file extension *.stk | Read and write |
| Graphic Interchange Format (GIF) | A proprietary image format that is highly compressed and requires an LZW license from Unisys. Allows high-quality, high-resolution graphics to be displayed on a variety of graphics hardware and is intended as an exchange and display mechanism for graphic images. | Single file—extension *.gif
World file—extension *.gfw |
Read and write |
| Hierarchical Data Format (HDF) 4 | A self-defining file format used for storing arrays of multidimensional data. | Single file—extension *.hdf | Read-only |
| Idrisi Raster Format (RST) | File format native to Idrisi. | Multiple files
Raw image—extension *.rst descriptor—extension *.rdc color map—extension *.smp georeference file—extension *.ref |
Read-only |
| Intergraph raster files:
CIT—Binary data; COT—Grayscale data |
Intergraph's proprietary format for 16-bit imagery (CIT) and unsigned 8-bit imagery (COT). | Multiple files
Binary imagery—extension *.cit Grayscale imagery—extension *.cot |
Read-only |
| Joint Photographic Experts Group (JPEG) File Interchange Format (JFIF) | A standard compression technique for storing full-color and grayscale images. Support for JPEG compression is provided through the JFIF file format. | Single file—Possible file extensions are *.jpg, *.jpeg, *.jpc, and *.jpe.
World file—extension *.jgw ArcCatalog only recognizes the .jpg file extension by default. To add .jpeg or .jpe files to ArcMap without renaming them, add those file extensions to ArcCatalog or drag those files from Windows Explorer into your map. |
Read and write |
| JPEG 2000 | A compression technique especially for maintaining the quality of large imagery. Allows for a high-compression ratio and fast access to large amounts of data at any scale. | Single file—extension *.jp2, *.j2c, or *.j2k | Read and write |
| MAP | PCRaster's raster format. | Single file—extension *.map | Read-only |
| Multiresolution Seamless Image Database (MrSID) | A compression technique especially for maintaining the quality of large images. Allows for a high-compression ratio and fast access to large amounts of data at any scale. | Single file—extension *.sid
World file—extension *.sdw |
Read-only |
| National Imagery Transmission Format (NITF) | A collection of standards and specifications that allow for interoperability in the dissemination of imagery and it's metadata among various computer systems. Developed by the NGA. |
|
Read-only |
| PCIDSK | PCI Geomatics raster format | Single file—extension *.pix | Read-only |
| Portable Network Graphics (PNG) | Provides a well-compressed, lossless compression for raster files. It supports a large range of bit depths from monochrome to 64-bit color. Its features include indexed color images of up to 256 colors and effective 100 percent lossless images of up to 16 bits per pixel. | Single file—extension *.png | Read and write |
| Raster Product Format (RPF) | The underlying format of CADRG, ADRG and CIB. | Single file—no standard file extension. | Read-only |
| Tagged Image File Format (TIFF) (GeoTIFF tags are supported.) | Widespread use in the desktop publishing world. It serves as an interface to several scanners and graphic arts packages. TIFF supports black-and-white, grayscale, pseudo color, and true color images, all of which can be stored in a compressed or decompressed format. | Single file—possible file extensions *.tif, *.tiff, and *.tff
World file—extension *.tfw ArcCatalog only recognizes the .tif file extension by default. To add .tiff or .tff files to ArcMap without renaming them, add those file extensions to ArcCatalog or drag those files from Windows Explorer into your map. |
Read and write |
| United States Geological Survey (USGS) digital elevation model (DEM) | This format consists of a raster grid of regularly spaced elevation values derived from the USGS topographic map series. In their native format, they are written as ANSI-standard ASCII characters in fixed-block format. | Single file—extension *.dem (need to change .dat extension to .dem) | Read-only |
| XPixMap (XPM) | Stores color images in a format consisting of an ASCII image and a C library. | Single file—extension *.xpm | Read-only |
Building a customized raster format
Raster format support in ArcGIS is built on an open structure. With this open structure, you can add your own raster format support to ArcGIS by creating a format driver. ArcGIS 9.2 has adopted the Geospatial Data Abstract Library (GDAL) and supports adding custom formats through the GDAL format driver.
For information on implementing a GDAL format driver, see www.remotesensing.org/gdal/gdal_drivertut.html.
To configure the GDAL format driver with ArcGIS, the GDAL format driver should be named with a prefix "gdal_" and with the extension ".so" or ".dll", such as gdal_fm.dll.
The steps to plug in a GDAL format driver to ArcGIS are:
- Copy the GDAL format driver to the ArcGIS bin directory (i.e. C:\Programs Files\ArcGIS\Bin).
- In the ArcGIS bin folder, back-up RasterFormats.dat, and save it to another location.
- Open RasterFormats.dat in a text editor.
- Add a line at the end with the information about the new format.
For example: - Close all ArcGIS applications and restart them for the format changes to take effect.
<e on="y" nm="ABC" ex="*.abc" et="ABC" at="0x27" />
where
in nm="ABC", ABC is the format name
in ex="*.abc", .abc is the format extension
in et="ABC", ABC is the format string
in at="0x27", 0x27 means read; can also be 0x0f which means read/write