In this lesson we will provide a brief introduction on how to use The National Map Download Application. The TNM Download application allows users to explore and access the USGS staged products available for download. This application is a user-friendly version of the USGS staged-product application programming interface, and it is available on most platforms.
What happened to the Gridfloat, ArcGrid, and IMG formats for elevation data in The National Map?
USGS elevation data available through The National Map was converted to Cloud Optimized Geotiff (COG - GeoTIFF) format in mid-December, 2019. This change was made to improve product processing time, storage, and to support new and evolving cloud processing capabilities.
GeoTIFF is a widely supported raster format and is directly useable by most commercial software that reads or processes Digital Elevation Model (DEM) data. GeoTIFF DEMs will fit seamlessly into most workflows.
Instructions and translator scripts for converting from GeoTIFF to FLT format (Gridfloat) and for converting GeoTIFF to IMG format can be found on the Raster Conversion page.
For additional questions, please send an email to our National Map Help Desk: tnm_help@usgs.gov.
Learn more: USGS Digital Elevation Models (DEM) Switching to New Distribution Format.
Related Content
Where can I get global elevation data?
Download free global elevation data products using AppEEARS or EarthExplorer . Free registration is required. In AppEEARS : Download Aster Global Digital Elevation Model (GDEM version 3) 1-arc-second (30m) resolution GeoTIFF format Acquired 2000-2013 In EarthExplorer , select “Digital Elevation” under the "Data Sets" tab and choose an option: Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM) 1-arc...
What types of elevation datasets are available, what formats do they come in, and where can I download them?
Digital elevation data for the United States and its territories are available through The National Map Downloader . Click the “Help” link at the top of the page for detailed instructions on how to find and download data. There is a separate site for The National Map Services . The 3D Elevation Program (3DEP) products and services available through The National Map consist of standard digital...
What is Lidar data and where can I download it?
Light Detection and Ranging ( lidar ) is a technology used to create high-resolution models of ground elevation with a vertical accuracy of 10 centimeters (4 inches). Lidar equipment, which includes a laser scanner, a Global Positioning System (GPS), and an Inertial Navigation System (INS), is typically mounted on a small aircraft. The laser scanner transmits brief pulses of light to the ground...
What data sources are used to produce the 3D Elevation Program (3DEP) DEMs?
The USGS 3D Elevation Program (3DEP) is in the process of collecting high-quality lidar and IfSAR (for Alaska) coverage for all of the United States and its territories. As this new data becomes available, legacy Digital Elevation Models (DEMs) are being systematically replaced with high-resolution DEMs produced almost entirely from the lidar and ifsar data. Legacy DEMs were produced from...
Where can I find 3D Elevation Program (3DEP) product updates and status maps?
3D Elevation Program (3DEP) product updates and status maps are available at these sites: Updates The National Map Data Delivery News Subscribe to Simple Notification Services to receive emails regarding changes to the status of The National Map Services Status Maps The National Map Download Client – Click “Show” below each elevation product LidarExplorer – Lidar point cloud only DEM Availability...
Lesson 4a – Using The National Map Download Application
In this lesson we will provide a brief introduction on how to use The National Map Download Application. The TNM Download application allows users to explore and access the USGS staged products available for download. This application is a user-friendly version of the USGS staged-product application programming interface, and it is available on most platforms.
Using The National Map Web Services in ArcMap
Lesson 5: Using The National Map Web Services in ArcMap - This video provides an overview and demonstrates how to use The National Map's web services in a mapping application.
Lesson 5: Using The National Map Web Services in ArcMap - This video provides an overview and demonstrates how to use The National Map's web services in a mapping application.
Related Content
Where can I get global elevation data?
Download free global elevation data products using AppEEARS or EarthExplorer . Free registration is required. In AppEEARS : Download Aster Global Digital Elevation Model (GDEM version 3) 1-arc-second (30m) resolution GeoTIFF format Acquired 2000-2013 In EarthExplorer , select “Digital Elevation” under the "Data Sets" tab and choose an option: Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM) 1-arc...
What types of elevation datasets are available, what formats do they come in, and where can I download them?
Digital elevation data for the United States and its territories are available through The National Map Downloader . Click the “Help” link at the top of the page for detailed instructions on how to find and download data. There is a separate site for The National Map Services . The 3D Elevation Program (3DEP) products and services available through The National Map consist of standard digital...
What is Lidar data and where can I download it?
Light Detection and Ranging ( lidar ) is a technology used to create high-resolution models of ground elevation with a vertical accuracy of 10 centimeters (4 inches). Lidar equipment, which includes a laser scanner, a Global Positioning System (GPS), and an Inertial Navigation System (INS), is typically mounted on a small aircraft. The laser scanner transmits brief pulses of light to the ground...
What data sources are used to produce the 3D Elevation Program (3DEP) DEMs?
The USGS 3D Elevation Program (3DEP) is in the process of collecting high-quality lidar and IfSAR (for Alaska) coverage for all of the United States and its territories. As this new data becomes available, legacy Digital Elevation Models (DEMs) are being systematically replaced with high-resolution DEMs produced almost entirely from the lidar and ifsar data. Legacy DEMs were produced from...
Where can I find 3D Elevation Program (3DEP) product updates and status maps?
3D Elevation Program (3DEP) product updates and status maps are available at these sites: Updates The National Map Data Delivery News Subscribe to Simple Notification Services to receive emails regarding changes to the status of The National Map Services Status Maps The National Map Download Client – Click “Show” below each elevation product LidarExplorer – Lidar point cloud only DEM Availability...
Lesson 4a – Using The National Map Download Application
In this lesson we will provide a brief introduction on how to use The National Map Download Application. The TNM Download application allows users to explore and access the USGS staged products available for download. This application is a user-friendly version of the USGS staged-product application programming interface, and it is available on most platforms.
In this lesson we will provide a brief introduction on how to use The National Map Download Application. The TNM Download application allows users to explore and access the USGS staged products available for download. This application is a user-friendly version of the USGS staged-product application programming interface, and it is available on most platforms.
Using The National Map Web Services in ArcMap
Lesson 5: Using The National Map Web Services in ArcMap - This video provides an overview and demonstrates how to use The National Map's web services in a mapping application.
Lesson 5: Using The National Map Web Services in ArcMap - This video provides an overview and demonstrates how to use The National Map's web services in a mapping application.