GeoTIFF (Geographic Tagged Image File Format)

GISBox is a one-stop 3D GIS data editing, conversion and publishing platform that supports editing in multiple GIS formats such as OSGB/GEOTIFF/RVT, converting to 3DTiles/Terrain and publishing.

Introduction

**GeoTIFF **(Geographic Tagged Image File Format) is a commonly used geographic information image file format that combines image data and geographic information data and can be used to store and transmit image data with geographic location references. The GeoTIFF format supports embedding geographic information such as geographic coordinates, projection information, and ellipsoid parameters into image files, so that the image can correspond to the geographic spatial coordinate system.

Data Format

GeoTIFF adds some specific tags to store geographic information based on TIFF. These tags include:

ModelTiePointTag: defines the relationship between the image and the geographic coordinates.
ModelPixelScaleTag: describes the scale of the pixel in each dimension.
**GeoKeyDirectoryTag: **stores geographic information key-value pairs, which are used to define the coordinate system and other geographic parameters.
GeoDoubleParamsTag and GeoAsciiParamsTag: store double-precision floating point parameters and ASCII string parameters related to GeoKeyDirectoryTag respectively.

Pros

Support for multiple data types: The GeoTIFF format can handle multiple data types including remote sensing images, elevation data, vector data, etc., providing great flexibility for the storage of geographic information data.
**Embedded geographic information: **This format supports embedding geographic information such as geographic coordinates, projection information, ellipsoid parameters into image files.
Wide support: The GeoTIFF format is supported by a wide range of GIS software and geographic information systems.
Efficient storage: The GeoTIFF format supports lossless compression, which can reduce file size and improve storage efficiency without losing image quality.
Wide application scenarios: The GeoTIFF format is suitable for various geographic information application scenarios.

Cons

Large file size: Although the GeoTIFF format supports lossless compression, the file size may still be large when it is not compressed, and it takes up more storage space.
Transmission and loading speed may be slow: Due to the relatively large file size, data in the GeoTIFF format may have certain delays in network transmission and loading speed.
High learning and use costs: The GeoTIFF format is relatively complex, and users need to have certain geographic information knowledge and technical background to effectively use and process data in this format.
There may be differences in the standards implemented by different institutions: Due to the differences in the implementation of the GeoTIFF format by different institutions, this may lead to a certain degree of incompatibility.

Application Scenario

GeoTIFF is suitable for various geographic information application scenarios. It can store a combination of geographic data and image data, and is often used in map making, environmental monitoring, resource management, and geographic analysis. It can also be loaded and processed in GIS systems to help with geographic analysis and spatial data visualization.