Supported raster data file types

ArcGIS Image Server adds raster data to image service definitions by specifying raster types. The raster type helps the server identify metadata, such as georeferencing, acquisition date, and sensor type, along with a raster format.

A raster format defines how pixels are stored, such as number of rows and columns, number of bands, actual pixel values, and other raster format-specific parameters. However, by adding raster data according to a raster type, ArcGIS Image Server reads the appropriate metadata and uses it to define any processing that has to be applied. After selecting the specified type of raster, the program will prompt you for additional information that is pertinent to that raster type. For example, when adding a QuickBird Standard scene, a scene is defined by an .imd file. The .imd file contains metadata information about the raster dataset and may point to one or more .tif files. You will be prompted to choose details that are available because of the .imd file, such as the band combinations or whether you want the output to have panchromatic sharpening.

When you choose to add raster data to your image service definition, the Select Raster Type dialog box is displayed. There are three folders on this dialog box where most of the raster types are located—Elevation, Georeferenced Imagery, and Orthorectification. Additionally, there are other raster types such as ArcGIS Raster Datasets, ArcSDE Raster Datasets, GDAL Supported Raster Datasets, and Raster Process Definition Files. Each of these and the raster types are described below.

Learn about adding raster data to an image service definition

Third-party developers can also create .RPDef files for direct use in ArcGIS Image Server.

Georeferenced imagery raster types

This category includes raster types that have already been georeferenced or have associated files that will assist in georeferencing the raster data.

The Tiled Rasters folder contains the georeferenced raster types that are supported as tiled rasters. Tiled rasters have more than one raster dataset, and each has been clipped into tiles (often described as being buttjoined). Rather than handling each raster dataset individually, they are handled as a group.

Learn about adding georeferenced raster types

Raster type	Description	Extensions
Compressed ARC Digitized Raster Graphic (CADRG)	Distributed on CD-ROM by the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (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.	Single file—no standard file extension. Add your extension in the Filters text box when using this raster type. Remarque : The A.TOC is not recommended for use when building image service definitions. To learn more, see Recommendations for using A.TOC files.
Controlled Image Base (CIB)	Panchromatic (grayscale) images that have been georeferenced and corrected for distortion due to topographic relief distributed by the 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. Add your extension in the Filters text box when using this raster type.
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 WGS84 datum.	Multiple files main raster image—*.img—the default extension specified in the Filter text box General information file—*.gen Georeference file—*.ger Source file—*.sou Quality file—*.qal Transmission header file—*.thf
ERDAS 7.5 GIS	Single-band thematic images produced by ERDAS 7.5 image processing software.	Multiple files Data file—*.GIS Color map file—*.trl
ERDAS 7.5 LAN	Single- or multiband continuous images produced by the ERDAS 7.5 image processing software.	Multiple files Data file—*.lan Color map file—*.trl
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—*.img If image is bigger than 2GB—*.ige World file—*.igw
Graphic Interchange Format (GIF)	A proprietary image format that is highly compressed and requires an LZW license from UNISYS. It 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—*.gif World file—*.gfw
Image Service	The ArcGIS Image Server reference file, which points to an active image service.	Single file—*.ISRef
Intermap Orthorectified Radar Imagery (ORI)	A grayscale image created by RADAR imaging.	Multiple files Data file—*.tif Metadata file—*.html, *.xml, or *.txt
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—*.jpg, *.jpeg, or *.jpe; *.jpg is the default extension specified in the Filter text box. To search for the others. enter their extensions. World file—*.jgw
JPEG 2000	A compression technique especially for maintaining the quality of large imagery. It allows for a high compression ratio and fast access to large amounts of data at any scale.	Single file—*.jp2 World file—*.j2w
Landsat-7 Level 1G	Orthorectified Landsat 7 (ETM+) imagery (see sample data at www.landsat.org). Stored in the Fast format or as orthorectified TIFF files.	Single file—*.tif Metadata file—*.met Fast file—*._mtl.fst file
Multi-Resolution Seamless Image Database (MrSID)	A compression technique especially for maintaining the quality of large images. It allows for a high compression ratio and fast access to large amounts of data at any scale.	Single file—*.sid World file—*.sdw
National Imagery Transmission Format (NITF)	A collection of standards and specifications that allows for interoperability in the dissemination of imagery and its metadata among various computer systems.	Single file—*.ntf
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—*.png
QuickBird Standard	QuickBird imagery that has been radiometrically, sensor, and geometrically corrected and mapped to a projection.	Data file—*.imd; contains reference to TIFF or NITF
Raw with Header	Provides a method for reading and displaying decompressed BIL, BIP, and BSQ image data.	Multiple files Data file—*.bil, *.bip, or *.bsq; *.bil is the default extension specified in the Filter text box. To search for the others, enter their extensions. Header file—*.hdr World file—*.blw or *.bsw
SPOT Level 2A	Supports SPOT Level 2A satellite imagery, which is geometrically corrected to a given projection and matching local map sheets.	Single file in dimap format—metadata.dim
SPOTView	Ortho SPOT imagery that has been preprocessed using a DEM from the Reference 3D database to correct residual parallax errors due to relief. Ideal for mapping relief.	Single file in dimap format—metadata.dim
Tagged Image File Format (TIFF)	Has 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. Multiple georeferencing support includes GeoTIFF.	Single file—*.tif, *.tiff, or *.tff; *.tif is the default extension specified in the Filter text box. To search for the others, enter their extensions. World file—*.tfw
United States Geological Survey (USGS) digital orthophoto quadrangle (DOQ)	A standard product file format for the national orthoimagery of the United States.	Multiple files Data file—*.bip, or *.tif; *.bil is the default extension specified in the Filter text box. To search for the others, enter their extensions. Header file—*.hdr; it should be *.bip for the default extension. Needs to change in the software.
Windows bitmap (BMP)	BMP files are Windows bitmap images. They are usually used to store pictures or clip art that can be moved among different applications on Windows platforms.	Single file—*.bmp World file—*.bpw
Web Map Service (WMS)	The Open Geospatial Consortium, Inc (OGC) Web Map Service (WMS) is an OpenGIS standard specification for interactive mapping based on requesting map images from a server over the Internet. This raster type allows you to add Web Map Services to image service definitions.	Single file—*.xml Remarque : To learn more about creating an xml file, see Adding WMS services to an ISDef.

Georeferenced imagery raster types

Elevation raster types

This category of raster types includes those that contain elevation data.

The Tiled Rasters folder contains the georeferenced raster types that are supported as tiled rasters. Tiled rasters have more than one raster dataset, and each has been clipped into tiles (often described as being buttjoined). Rather than handling each raster dataset individually, they are handled as a group.

Learn about adding elevation raster types

Raster type	Description	Extensions
ArcInfo ASCII GRID	The ArcInfo ASCII GRID format is an ArcInfo GRID exchange file.	Single file—*.asc
ArcInfo Binary GRID	A proprietary ESRI format that supports 32-bit integer and 32-bit floating-point raster grids.	Single file—hdr.adf
Binary FLT	A binary floating-point raster file containing elevation values.	Single file—*.flt
Digital Terrain Elevation Data (DTED) Level 0, 1, and 2	A format created by the NGA for storing terrain elevation data.	Single file—various file extensions *.dt0, *.dt1, *.dt2. All possible file extensions are available by default (*.dt0, *.dt1, *.dt2).
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—*.img If image is bigger than 2 GB—*.ige World file—*.igw
Intermap Digital Surface Model (DSM)	A topographic model of the earth's surface; includes buildings, vegetation, and other surface features.	Single file—*.bil
Intermap Digital Terrain Model (DTM)	A topographic model of the bare earth; surface features present in the DSM are removed.	Single file—*.bil
JPEG 2000	A compression technique especially for maintaining the quality of large imagery. It allows a high compression ratio and fast access to large amounts of data at any scale.	Single file—*.jp2 World file—*.j2w
Multi-Resolution Seamless Image Database (MrSID)	A compression technique especially for maintaining the quality of large images. It allows a high compression ratio and fast access to large amounts of data at any scale.	Single file—*.sid World file—*.sdw
National Imagery Transmission Format (NITF)	A collection of standards and specifications that allows interoperability in the dissemination of imagery and its metadata among various computer systems.	Single file—*.ntf
Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM) level 3	Digital elevation models of the earth's surface, with measurements derived from the return signals received from two radar antennae on a spacecraft. Each data file covers a one-degree-of-latitude by one-degree-of-longitude block of earth's surface.	Data file—*.hgt
Tagged Image File Format (TIFF)	Has 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. Multiple georeferencing support includes GeoTIFF.	Single file—*.tif, *.tiff, or *.tff; *.tif is the default extension specified in the Filter text box. To search for the others, enter their extensions. World file—*.tfw
United States Geological Survey (USGS) digital elevation model (DEM)	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 *.dat
VTP Binary Terrain (BT)	An elevation raster format created as part of the Virtual Terrain Project.	Single file—*.bt Projection file—*.prj

Elevation raster types

If there is not a raster type specified in this folder for your data, you may be able to use the ArcGIS Elevation Raster Datasets raster type found at the same level as the Elevation folder. This will allow you to add any raster datasets supported in ArcGIS Desktop that are to be used for elevation.

Orthorectification raster types

This includes raster types that use the associated files for orthorectifying the raster data.

When using orthorectification raster types, the digital elevation model (DEM) needs to be defined.

Learn about orthorectification

Learn about adding orthorectified raster types

Raster type	Description	Extensions
Applanix DSS	The Applanix DSS is a medium format, digital airborne remote sensing system, using Integrated Inertial technology to produce georeferenced color and color infrared (CIR) imagery.	Project files—Applanix DSS eo_std.txt files and camera definition files
IKONOS	Imagery acquired from the IKONOS satellite.	Single file—*metadata.txt
ImageStation Automatic Triangulation (ISAT)	ImageStation Automatic Triangulation is an automatic image point extraction and triangulation package. ArcGIS Image Server can read the project file from this package.	Project file—PROJECT Camera file—CAMERA Photo file—PHOTO
MATCH-AT	MATCH-AT is an automatic digital aerial triangulation package. ArcGIS Image Server can read the project file from this package.	Project file—*.prj Camera file—CAMERA
National Imagery Transmission Format (NITF)	A collection of standards and specifications that allows for interoperability in the dissemination of imagery and its metadata among various computer systems.	Single file—*.ntf
QuickBird Basic	QuickBird imagery that has been radiometrically and sensor corrected only.	Data files—*.tif or *.ntf
QuickBird Standard Orthoready	QuickBird imagery that has been radiometrically and sensor corrected only.	Data files—*.tif or *.ntf
Socet Set	Socet Set provides accurate imagery using the latest airborne digital sensors and includes innovative point-matching algorithms for multisensor triangulation.	Data files—*.sup

Orthorectification raster types

Other raster types

Raster type	Description	Extensions
ArcGIS Elevation Raster Datasets	Allows you to import raster datasets supported in ArcGIS Desktop that are to be use for elevation. This should be used when a specific raster type cannot be used.
ArcGIS Raster Datasets	Allows you to import any raster datasets supported in ArcGIS Desktop. Use this when a format is not available in one of the raster type folders.	The file formats not covered above that are supported here are ADRG Image (.img) ADRG Overview (.ovr) ADRG Legend (.lgg) CADRG ERDAS Raw (.raw) ESRI Grid Stack ESRI Grid Stack file (.stk) ER Mapper (.ers) Intergraph raster file (.cit or .cot)
ArcSDE Raster Datasets	Allows you to add a raster dataset from ArcSDE.
GDAL Supported Raster Datasets	Allows you to add raster datasets supported by GDAL. You can create both georeferenced and elevation services using this raster type.	The file formats that are supported with this raster type are .asc .bil .bip .bmp .bt .dem .dt0 .dt1 .dt2 .flt .gif hdr.adf .hgt .img .jp2 .jpeg .jpg .jpx .png .sid .tif
Raster Process Definition files	Allows you to use the .RPDef files that have been previously generated for raster data.	Data file—*.RPDef

Other raster types