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How to view common air photo file types in various GIS software packages: ArcMap, ArcGIS Pro, Global Mapper, and QGIS.
If the file format you have is not found here, it may be in our GIS file formats or Digital Elevation Model formats pages.
JPEG is an image compression format for storing image data. A georeferenced JPEG is a JPEG file that has georeferencing information embedded in it and georeferenced JPEG file components generally include .jpg and .jgw files.
How to open a JPEG file:
- ArcGIS Desktop (ArcMap, ArcScene, etc.): click the Add Data button, browse to .jpg file(s) to be added, then click Add.
- ArcGIS Pro: click the Add Data button, browse to .jpg file(s) to be added, then click Add.
- Global Mapper: File > Open Data File(s)... and browse to .jpg file(s) to be added, then click Open.
- QGIS: Layer > Add Layer > Add Raster Layer... and browse to .jpg file, then click Add button. Repeat for further files or close the dialog box to view added file.
MrSID is an image compression format developed by Lizardtech for storing image data. MrSID file components generally include .aux, .sdw, and .sid files.
How to open a MrSID file:
- ArcGIS Desktop (ArcMap, ArcScene, etc.): click the Add Data button, browse to .sid file(s) to be added, then click Add.
- ArcGIS Pro: click the Add Data button, browse to .sid file(s) to be added, then click Add.
- Global Mapper: File > Open Data File(s)... and browse to .sid file(s) to be added, then click Open.
- QGIS: Layer > Add Layer > Add Raster Layer... and browse to .sid file, then click Add button. Repeat for further files or close the dialog box to view added file.
TIFF is a widely used format for storing image data. A georeferenced TIFF is a TIFF file that has georeferencing information embedded in it, and components include .tif and .tfw files.
How to open a Tiff file:
- ArcGIS Desktop (ArcMap, ArcScene, etc.): click the Add Data button, browse to .tif file(s) to be added, then click Add.
- ArcGIS Pro: click the Add Data button, browse to .tif file(s) to be added, then click Add.
- Global Mapper: File > Open Data File(s)... and browse to .tif file(s) to be added, then click Open.
- QGIS: Layer > Add Layer > Add Raster Layer... and browse to .tif file, then click Add button. Repeat for further files or close the dialog box to view added file.
BSB files are a compressed format used primarily for nautical charts. There are multiple file extensions involved: .bsb, .cap, and .kap.
How to open a BSB file:
- ArcGIS Desktop (ArcMap): click the Add Data button, browse to the .kap file(s) to be added, then click Add.
- ArcGIS Pro: click the Add Data button, browse to the .kap file(s) to be added, then click Add.
- Global Mapper: File > Open Data File(s)... and browse to the .kap file(s) to be added, then click Open.
- QGIS: Layer > Add Layer > Add Raster Layer... and browse to a .kap file, then click Add button. You can also click and drag a .kap file into QGIS.
