GVRS File – What is .gvrs file and how to open it?

General Overview of GVRS Files

A GVRS file (Gridfour Virtual Raster Store Image) is a proprietary raster data format from Gridfour Ltd., primarily used for storing and manipulating large aerial and satellite imagery datasets. This format is designed to handle large-scale geospatial data, providing efficient storage, compression, and indexing mechanisms that facilitate fast data access and processing. GVRS files are often encountered in GIS (Geographic Information Systems) applications and remote sensing workflows.

Features and Benefits of GVRS Files

GVRS files offer several advantages over traditional raster formats, making them particularly suitable for handling large geospatial datasets. Their primary strength lies in their virtual raster approach, where the actual image data is stored separately from the file itself. This approach allows for efficient data storage and retrieval by utilizing a “reference file” that contains metadata and pointers to the image data. Additionally, GVRS files support various compression algorithms, enabling significant file size reductions without compromising image quality.

Opening GVRS Files with Gridfour Virtual Raster Store

GVRS files store raster image data in a proprietary format developed by Gridfour. To open and view GVRS files, you will need Gridfour Virtual Raster Store software, which is no longer actively developed but can still be downloaded from the Gridfour website. Once installed, you can open GVRS files directly by double-clicking on them or by importing them into the software. Gridfour Virtual Raster Store provides various tools for viewing and manipulating GVRS images, including zooming, panning, and image adjustments.

Alternative Methods to Open GVRS Files

If you do not have Gridfour Virtual Raster Store installed or encounter difficulties opening GVRS files, there are a few alternative methods you can try. Some third-party software, such as Microcosm Viewer and Nitro PDF Reader, can open and display GVRS files as images. Additionally, you can convert GVRS files to more common image formats using online conversion tools or specialized software. By converting GVRS files to formats like JPEG, PNG, or TIFF, you can open them with a wider range of image viewers and editing software.

GVRS File Format

GVRS (Gridfour Virtual Raster Store Image) is a proprietary raster file format developed by Gary Lucas. It is used to store and manipulate large geospatial datasets, particularly aerial and satellite imagery. GVRS files employ a unique tiling system that allows for efficient access and processing of data at various scales and resolutions. The format supports a wide range of raster data types, including geoTIFF, JPEG2000, and MrSID, enabling seamless integration with other geospatial applications.

Technical Specifications

GVRS files are organized as a hierarchical structure, with tiles arranged in a pyramid structure. Each tile represents a specific geographic area and resolution, enabling rapid access to specific regions of interest. The format supports metadata tagging that provides information about the image’s projection, georeferencing, and other attributes. GVRS files can be compressed using various algorithms to reduce file size without compromising data integrity. This makes them suitable for storage and distribution of large geospatial datasets, especially over networks with limited bandwidth.

Other Extensions