This chapter provides a list of topics documenting various file formats and data sources to which Manifold can connect. Manifold can read virtually every format and data source in existence. See the Big List of Formats and Data Sources topic for the huge list.
There are so many formats and data sources that Manifold can read that most do not have their own topics. A partial listing of formats documented within individual topics follows:
A more or less comprehensive list of all formats and data sources Manifold can handle, in addition to those for which the following individual topics are provided. |
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Land Use and Land Cover (LULC) data in CTG format in files that do not have a three letter extension. See the CTG, LULC Grid Cell topic. |
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Launch the GDAL/OGR dataport: files will be imported using GDAL/OGR. See the GDAL / OGR topic. |
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Land Use and Land Cover (LULC) data in Geographic Information Retrieval and Analysis System (GIRAS) format in files that do not have a three letter extension. See the GIRAS, LULC Vector Format topic. |
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Terrain elevation data in NOAA GLOBE format files that do not have a three letter extension. GLOBE is usually considered a more modern, slightly more complete version of the USGS GTOPO30 project. See the GLOBE topic. See also the DEM, GTOPO30 topic. |
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Geographic Resources Analysis Support System (GRASS) format dot files. See the GRASS topic. |
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Databases |
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Manifold Server is a high performance, parallel, read-only, spatial database server. It allows many Manifold users to share data that is published through Server. |
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ESRI enterprise geodatabases, also referred to as "SDE" style geodatabases and stored within a database server such as Oracle or SQL Server. If we connect to a popular database server like Oracle or SQL Server, if there is an ESRI SDE geodatabase hosted on that server, Manifold will automatically show that as well. |
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File Databases |
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Borland Paradox database files. Requires installation of Microsoft's 64-bit Access Database Engine if 64-bit Microsoft Office has not been installed. |
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The ancient database format originally introduced by dBase II and used as a database component by ESRI shapefiles. |
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File geodatabases are ESRI's recommended geodatabase format. Manifold's GDB dataport includes numerous features to facilitate read/write use of ESRI file geodatabases. |
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Use GDAL to connect to ESRI's deprecated, "old" format for file geodatabases, as used by ArcGIS 9. ArcGIS 10 and subsequent use new GDB format. |
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The OGC GeoPackage format for storing vector and raster spatial data within an SQLite database container within a single .gpkg file. As an interchange format, clearly superior to ubiquitous, but obsolete, shapefiles. |
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All Manifold and Radian .map project files. |
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ESRI "personal" geodatabases stored using Microsoft Access .mdb format. |
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All Microsoft Access formats, such as Access 2000 and Access 97 .mdb forma. Requires installation of Microsoft's 64-bit Access Database Engine if 64-bit Microsoft Office has not been installed. |
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Release 4.50 and earlier Manifold GIS .mfd files. |
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An alternate, compressed, archival form of Manifold .map project files. |
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SQLite database files. |
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Folders |
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An image library is a data source that provides what appears to be a single image that is created by automatically forming a mosaic from one or more image files within a Windows folder. |
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Create a single point cloud drawing from all LAS or LAZ files found within a given folder. |
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Web Servers |
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The ArcGIS REST Server dataport connects to web servers using REST (representational state transfer) architecture that provide raster or vector data via ESRI ArcGIS protocols. ESRI refers to ArcGIS REST servers that provide vector data as feature servers. |
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How to connect to web servers providing data in CSV format. |
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Generic image servers. |
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Google Sheets spreadsheets served by Google. The dataport is named generically since other document servers, such as Microsoft's Office 365 or other options, may be added in the future. |
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Provides access to popular web-based geocoders. Some geocoding servers may require licensing or a key for access. Geocoders built into the dataport include Bing, Google, Here, MapBox, MapQuest, OpenCage, and Yandex, with geocoding, reverse geocoding, search by attribute filter, search within radius, and search within bounding rectangle for many geocoders. |
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How to connect to web servers providing data in GeoJSON format. |
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Image servers, often written in concatenated form as imageservers, are a subset of web servers that serve imagery in a form supported by dedicated modules specific to each such image server. Many image server modules are already built into Manifold, providing a choice of popular image servers providing street maps and satellite views, like Bing, Google, Here, MapBox, MapQuest, NearMap, OpenStreetMap, WikiMapia, Yandex, and custom servers. Pre-built image servers provide options for both free access as well as paid access requiring API or other credentials. |
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How to connect to web servers providing data in JSON format. |
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Manifold can connect to KML or KMZ files on our computer or, using the Web Server: kmlserver choice in the New Data Source dialog, Manifold can connect to a KML or a KMZ file hosted by a web server. |
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KoBo Toolbox servers storing data collected in the field using survey forms. |
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OpenStreetMap servers. |
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The TMS Server dataport connects to web servers using the Tile Map Service (TMS) protocol developed by the Open Geospatial Consortium (OGC). TMS servers provide raster data, that is, images. They do not provide vector drawings. |
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The WFS Server dataport connects to web servers using the Web Feature Service (WFS) protocol developed by the Open Geospatial Consortium (OGC). WFS servers provide vector data, that is, drawings with attribute tables. They do not provide images or image tiles. |
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The WMS Server dataport connects to web servers using the Web Map Service (WMS) protocol developed by the Open Geospatial Consortium (OGC). WMS servers provide raster data, that is, images. They do not provide vector drawings. |
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The WMTS Server dataport connects to web servers using the Web Map Tile Service (WMTS) protocol developed by the Open Geospatial Consortium (OGC). WMTS servers provide raster data, that is, images, in the form of pre-rendered raster tiles. They do not provide vector drawings. |
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File Formats |
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Used for nautical charts, especially for ENC electronic chart displays used in shipping. |
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ADF files can contain raster data, ESRI TIN data or vector (drawing) data. |
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NGA ARC Digitized Raster Graphics, loaded from .thf files. |
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Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer (AVHRR) Level 1b raw data, from satellites such as the NOAA Polar Orbiter. |
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BIL is an ESRI format used for raster data. |
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Generic raw binary files. See the RAW, RWB, RWT, BIN topic. |
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Windows bitmap. |
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Atlas BNA format, a legacy vector format used with Atlas GIS packages. |
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BWx is a legacy US Census Bureau TIGER file format. |
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Cloud Optimized Point Cloud (COPC) format stores point cloud data, typically LiDAR data, is a special form of LAZ format that stores point data organized in a clustered octree. COPC data is automatically read by Manifold's LAZ dataport. This topic is a stub provided for anyone looking to import or to link (a better idea with LiDAR data) COPC data. |
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Comma Separated Values (CSV) and similar formats for text files, where each line is a record and the values for fields are separated by a character such as a comma (CSV), a | "pipe" character (Pipe Separated Values, or PSV) and similar. Includes the File:csv type when creating a new data source. |
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Web servers providing data in CSV (comma separated values) format, using typical variations on the format. Link to data in CSV (comma separated values) format files provided by web URLs. The CSV web dataport allows refreshing tables to re-read the latest data from the web. |
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LULC (Land Use Land Cover) data from USGS in CTG (Composite Theme Grid) raster format, also known as Grid Cell files. |
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CUR is an image format used for saving images that will be used for icons. Using images from CUR files is basically identical to using ICO files. See the ICO topic for details. |
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SPOT satellite raster data. |
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US government SDTS (Spatial Data Transfer Standard) format using file names that end in a three-letter DDF extension. DDF files can store raster or vector data. |
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DDR files as used with Log ASCII Standard (LAS) format used for well logging data. This is a legacy format different from the LAS format used for LiDAR data. LAS is a format originally developed by the Canadian Well Logging society in the late 1980's. DDR files are most often encountered with older raster data from archival sites providing satellite images recorded by earth observation satellites in the 1990's. |
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USGS DEM files, typically used for terrain elevation. A different format than DEM as used in GTOPO30 format. |
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USGS GTOPO30 DEM files, a different format than USGS DEM format. |
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A legacy vector format used with Intergraph and Bentley Microstation GIS products. |
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USGS Digital Line Graph Optional |
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DNG is an Adobe raster image format similar to TIF. It provides no projection information and is primarily used for photography and non-spatial graphics arts. |
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USGS Digital Orthophoto Quadrangle |
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USGS Digital Raster graphics (scanned maps) in .tif format. |
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Digital Terrain Elevation Data (US Military / NGA), DTED Level 0 (dt0), Level 1 (dt1), Level 2 (dt2) |
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AutoCAD DWG format, a spatially-unaware CAD format that saves neither database information nor projection settings. |
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AutoCAD DXF format, a spatially-unaware CAD format that saves neither database information nor projection settings. |
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ESRI .e00 is a complex legacy format used with ESRI's ArcINFO GIS product. It is capable of storing different types of data, including images and surfaces ("grids"), but is most often used for drawings. |
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ERMapper, ERDAS format. A high performance, more modern technology for raster compression using wavelet algorithms. Manifold can link or import ECW and can export to ECW as well. |
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Windows Meta File and Extended Meta File |
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ERMapper .ers files. |
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ESRI ArcINFO Floating-Point Grid |
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GDAL / OGR is not a single format but a collection of open source libraries that can read many formats, including many formats that Manifold can directly read. |
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Geographic Data Format (GDF) as used in TeleAtlas MultiNet and generic European GDF use. |
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Files providing spatial data using GeoJSON, a "geographic" format using text written in JavaScript Object Notation (JSON). Manifold automatically reads TopoJSON when a GeoJSON file contains TopoJSON. Geometry collections are expanded automatically. |
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Web servers providing spatial data using GeoJSON, a "geographic" format using JavaScript Object Notation (JSON). Manifold automatically reads TopoJSON when a GeoJSON Server provides TopoJSON. Geometry collections are expanded automatically. Link to data in GeoJSON format files provided by web URLs. The GeoJSON web dataport allows refreshing tables to re-read the latest data from the web. |
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A well-known image format. |
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LULC (Land Use Land Cover) data from USGS in GIRAS (Geographical Information Retrieval and Analysis System) vector format. |
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ERDAS .gis or .lan formats are often used for raster images, for example, from Landsat Thematic Mapper (TM) satellite imagery. |
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Terrain elevation data in NOAA GLOBE format files that do not have a three letter extension. GLOBE is usually considered a more modern, slightly more complete version of the USGS GTOPO30 project. See also the DEM, GTOPO30 topic. |
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GML uses XML-like text to encode spatial data. |
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GPX Exchange format |
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Format for the "Geographic Resources Analysis Support System" (GRASS) raster-oriented package, originally developed by the US Army Corps of Engineers, and still surviving as open source. |
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ESRI ArcINFO ASCII Grid |
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Northwood / Vertical Mapper Grid Format |
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Golden Software Surfer Grid Format |
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Geosoft Grid Exchange File, an ASCII grid format mainly used for terrain elevation data but also for raster data for concentrations and similar. |
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SeaWiFS, EOS, NCSA (National Center for Supercomputing Applications) Hierarchical Data Format (HDF). Used mostly for images. Used widely in Earth Observation Satellite (EOS) projects. |
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High Efficiency Image File Format (HEIF) files storing images and sequences of images. Manifold works with HEIF as implemented using Microsoft modules, reading and writing files with an .heic extension. HEIF capability requires downloading and installing optional, free packages from Microsoft. |
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Space Shuttle SRTM data in .hgt, including .inc, .mag, .pol and .err files. |
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Tables in HTML files. Requires installation of Microsoft's 64-bit Access Database Engine if 64-bit Microsoft Office has not been installed. |
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Bitmap image files in .ico format, often used to store icons. |
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ENVI, ERDAS, IDRISI and IMDISP .img formats. ManifoMd autodetects and configures the right dataport. When linking ERDAS IMG file ensembles that include intermediate levels in the RRD file, Manifold will automatically use those intermediate levels to provide very fast display. |
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EPANET files. |
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A compression format using wavelet compression similar to ECW and MrSID. |
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A well-known image format using .jpg, .jpeg, or .jpe extension. |
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Generic JSON text files, written in JavaScript Object Notation (JSON), often used to convey metadata or table data. |
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Web servers providing data in generic JSON text files, written in JavaScript Object Notation (JSON), often used to convey metadata or table data. Link to data ix JSON format files provided by web URLs. The JSON web dataport allows refreshing tables to re-read the latest data from the web. |
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Text based format introduced by Google. Connect to KML files using the New Data Source dialog to follow recursive links within the KML file. KMZ is the same thing, but compressed using "zip" compression. |
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Web servers providing data in KML or KMZ format. Connect using the New Data Source dialog to KML files provided by web URLs. |
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NOAA Polar Orbiter Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer (AVHRR) Level 1 B |
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Format for storing LiDAR data (LAS) or LiDAR data in zipped form (LAZ). |
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An ESRI ArcGIS layer package .lpk file is a zipped form of an ESRI file GDB plus layer information for ArcGIS. |
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All Manifold and Radian .map project files. |
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ETAK / TeleAtlas MapBase |
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Release 4.50 and earlier Manifold GIS .mfd files. |
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MapInfo mid/mif, an interchange format for vector drawings. |
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Manifold Markup Language .mml files for generic storage of Release 9 / Radian projects. |
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Manifold 4.50 .mws workspace files, including automatic import from referenced .mfd and .mdb files. |
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NetCDF files in .nc format |
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TAIF is TeleAtlas Interchange Format, used in Street Net and Multi Net data sets. |
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US military NGA .ntf image format, a different format than UK Ordnance Survey .ntf. |
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UK Ordnance Survey .ntf files, including various NTF subformats. |
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OpenStreetMap (OSM) native Protocol Binary Format (PBF) for total, native access to every detail of OSM data using OSM's recommended format. Manifold also reads OpenStreetMap OSM and O5M formats. |
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PC Paintbrush format by ZSoft |
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NASA Planetary Data System files. NASA's PDS4 version of PDS has adopted XML as a standard way of describing the data in a PDS file set. The Manifold PDS dataport currently imports tables and images within PDS file sets that are provided with an .xml file. Choosing the XML file will import the images and tables it describes. Note that older PDS file sets often do not include an XML file. In many cases, the formats used for images and tables in such older "PDS" file sets can be imported into Manifold using direct import of files. For example, .img files containing images are often in ENVI .img format and can be directly imported. using Manifold's IMG dataport. |
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PCIDISK, Silicon Graphics Alias / Wavefront |
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Portable Network Graphics (pronounced "Ping"), a well-known image format. |
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Raw binary or raw text format files using various extensions. |
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IDRISI .rst format raster image files |
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Silicon Graphics .sgi format files |
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Notes on ESRI shapefiles, including exporting drawings to shapefiles. |
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A format for raster compression using wavelet technology that was popular with government agencies in the early 2000's. Manifold directly reads MrSID format as a built-in format. |
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SUN Microsystems .sun files |
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MapInfo TAB "table" format consists of multiple files, usually five files, referenced by a controlling .tab file. TAB format can result in drawings, labels, and raster images. |
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Targa Truevision .tga files |
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TIF and variations such as GeoTIFF and cloud optimized GeoTIFF. Adobe Tagged Image File Format (TIFF or TIF) is so universally used few people know it is a Adobe format. The GeoTIFF form of TIF includes tags providing projection information. Manifold reads virtually all known variations of TIF/TIFF and will extract projection information from GeoTIFF or older TIF files accompanied by TFW "world" files. Manifold reads GeoTIFF info and always writes TIF files with internal tags providing projection information that make them GeoTIFFs. The GeoTIFF form of TIF includes tags providing projection information. Manifold also always stores intermediate levels within the TIF from smallest to largest, so every TIF file Manifold writes is also a cloud optimized GeoTIFF as well. Manifold also reads cloud optimized GeoTIFF, taking advantage of stored intermediate levels for faster display when linking cloud optimized GeoTIFFs. |
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NGA ARC Digitized Raster Graphics (ADRG) and Compressed ADRG (CADRG). Same as using .thf but using a .toc file. |
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IDRISI vector format |
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IDRISI vector format |
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Google .webp image format. |
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Lotus. Requires installation of Microsoft's 64-bit Access Database Engine if 64-bit Microsoft Office has not been installed. |
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Microsoft Excel. Microsoft XLSX files appeared in Microsoft Office 2007 and later. Requires installation of Microsoft's 64-bit Access Database Engine if 64-bit Microsoft Office has not been installed. |
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ASCII gridded XYZ. |
Z exports - Exporting to BIL, FLT, XYZ and other formats often used for height data will apply Z offset / scale values to pixels.
Mixed Geometry Types - Copying and pasting a table with geometry data from a .map file into a data source that does not allow mixing geometry types within a single table, for example, GDB, automatically sets the geometry type of pasted data to that used by most records. This is a way of ensuring that tables which use only one type (points, lines, areas) have the type that they use correctly specified in the destination data source.
Big List of Formats and Data Sources