Four File Format types are available for export from Surfer: grid, data, base map, and 3D. Base map formats fall into three groups: raster, vector, and metafile. Your export format choice depends on the content type and intended use. Here are some common scenarios with recommended export formats.
Export Scenario |
Format Recommendation |
Publication on the web | SVG or PNG |
Publication in print | TIF (at least 300 dpi) or vector PDF |
Insertion into PowerPoint or Word | EMF |
Use in GIS (and you want attributes) | SHP or MIF |
Use in GIS (and you want attributes and colors) | MIF |
Use in GIS/CAD (and you want colors) | DXF or MIF |
Use in GIS/CAD (and you want Z values of contour lines) | DXF or SHP |
Use in other Golden Software applications | GSI |
Use in Google Earth | KML or KMZ |
Use as a background image | GeoTIFF or GeoPDF |
Print to a 3D printer | STL or VRML |
Show a 3D model to clients or coworkers | 3D PDF |
Grid Files
Grid files (e.g. ADF, ASC, DEM, GRD) consist of grid nodes or cells located at specific x,y coordinates, each with corresponding z values.
Surfer supports grid files with evenly spaced nodes or cells, although some may have uneven spacing. The grid file defines x, y limits, node spacing, and null values, and maintains consistent information. Grids can be saved in Surfer to create contours, watersheds, or perform calculations. The x,y, and z data remain constant across formats, so choose a compatible format. If you primarily use Surfer, save grids in its default format. If you use ArcMap, select a supported ESRI format (ADF, ASC, or FLT).
For guidance on creating grid files in Surfer, refer to the Surfer Gridding Training Video.
Data Files
Data files (e.g., CSV, DAT, TXT, XLSX) are used to store raw data, including important information such as x, y coordinates, z values, and labels.
You can save Surfer worksheets without altering their content. If you're working with large datasets, storing them in XLS or XLSX formats may result in data loss. XLS can handle up to 65,536 rows and 256 columns, whereas XLSX allows for a much larger capacity of 1,048,576 rows and 16,384 columns!
Base Maps
The three primary types of base map files are raster images, vector files, and metafiles.
Raster maps, which encompass image maps and 3D surfaces, are in raster format. In contrast, lines and text utilize vector format, which allows for quality preservation during resizing. Moreover, vector files tend to be smaller than raster files. Metafiles do not include spatial references, coordinate system information, or attribute/Z values. When used in Word or PowerPoint or re-imported into Surfer, metafiles can be broken down to access their individual components.
Base Map: Raster Image Files
Raster images (e.g. JPG, GeoTIFF) show exactly what appears on the screen and are great for sharing maps in emails, reports, presentations, or publications. These files allow georeferencing in Surfer but do not permit editing individual elements like line styles and text; color attributes can be adjusted with image processing software.
All formats export an image from your Surfer project, with choices varying mainly by compression, transparency, or publication requirements. Each format enables you to set pixel size, resolution (dpi/ppi), document size (in or cm), and color formats, and can include spatial reference information (real-world XY coordinates).
Base Map: Vector Files
Vector files (e.g., DXF, KML, MIF, SHP, PDF) contain object entities such as polylines, polygons, points, text, and images.
Numerous vector formats are available, each carrying distinct information. Some formats include color, support coordinate data, include spatial reference information, and enable text and imagery, while others do not. The format you ultimately export will depend on your data requirements and the intended use of the file.
Base Map: Metafiles
Metafile formats blend raster and vector data. EMF (Windows Enhanced Metafile) and WMF (Windows Metafile) are ideal for inserting maps into reports and presentations, as they closely resemble the original appearance.
3D Files
Three-dimensional (3D) files (e.g., 3D PDF, VRML, STL) provide true 3D viewing options in various programs. A 3D PDF is designed for clients and is to be viewed in applications such as Adobe Acrobat. Alternatively, a grid file can be saved as an STL file for 3D printing. When exporting to a 3D file, options include setting vertical exaggeration (for differing XY and Z units) and adjusting quality.
A single file format may not fulfill all needs. In many typical cases, an alternative format might align more closely with your requirements. For further information, visit the File Format Chart help page and click on file types for comprehensive descriptions. Don't hesitate to reach out with any questions.
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