Versatile file-based format for one or more images.

The driver is (nearly) compatible with Baseline TIFF and the GeoTIFF specification. Unsupported are 1 and 4 bit data, and colour space conversion. All 3-band data is assumed to be RGB. Image to model space conversion must use a tiepoint and pixel scaling, rubber sheeting using the conversion matrix is not supported. Only square pixels are supported.

The driver reads all common forms of TIFF and GeoTIFF files, with the exception of data in 1 and 4 bit lengths. Data can be uncompressed or compressed with the PackBits compression scheme. Modified Huffman compression (for 1 bit data) is not supported.

The images in the file are grouped in rasters. Compatible images (having the same dimension and coordinate system) will form a raster with multiple bands.

Many features commonly used with TIFF images are not supported, but the data will typically be read nonetheless.

Currently the driver has no support for writing new data sets. This will be added in the near future (really!).

Coordinate system information is currently partially parsed. When the coordinate system is specified using a single tie point and scaling factors the image is correctly placed relative to other data (the raster to model conversion, in GeoTIFF parlance). Rubber sheeting using the conversion matrix is not supported.

The parameters of the projection system (model to Earth conversion) are not yet parsed, but this will be supported when the DSpatial kernel supports coordinate system conversions.

The official GeoTIFF specification can be found here.

TIFF was originally developed by Aldus Corp, now Adobe. The TIFF specification can be downloaded here.

Aware Systems in Belgium developed TIFF software for Delphi and their excellent web site has possibly the most information on the format anywhere on the web.

Data sources in GeoTIFF format abound on the internet. Particularly satellite imagery is supplied in this format. Perhaps the largest repository of satellite imagery in GeoTIFF format can be found at the Global Land Cover Facility at the University of Maryland. (Many images on the GLCF come in the HDF format, also supported by DSpatial.)

High resolution aerial photography for the United States (DOQs) is also available in GeoTIFF format. Data can often be downloaded from state mapping agencies or universities.

The GeoTIFF home page is the best place to start investigating this format. The official source code release in the C language can be found here.