Apr 18, 2023 6:44 PM : Global Mapper

Have you ever wanted to share GIS data with someone who doesn’t have access to GIS software? For example, you’ve created a beautiful terrain model for a construction site and want to send it to a customer for review. Not everyone has access to a powerful tool like Global Mapper. Still, using Global Mapper’s extensive list of supported file types, there are many ways you can send out data that can be visualized by a non-GIS user.  

In Global Mapper, you can, of course, create a traditional non-interactive map. These maps sometimes cannot  encapsulate tiled resolutions fully, or detail included in the data, especially when elevation data is involved. There are other more dynamic methods to share the data in a way that’s almost as interactive as in Global Mapper. This blog will go over a few ways to do this for 2D and 3D data. 

If the user has another type of software that loads spatial data, you may be able to find a shared compatible file type between their software and Global Mapper. Global Mapper has the most extensive list of file compatibility types on the market (as far as we know). Peruse the full list HERE in the Knowledge Base. Do you have a file type that we don’t yet support? .

GeoPDF – 2D

A GeoPDF is a georeferenced PDF that also contains spatial/coordinate reference data. Exporting a GeoPDF is a great way to dynamically share 2D data in a format that can also be again loaded into Global Mapper. This type of file allows you to turn layers on and off, obtain XY coordinates for a location, measure length, and more. Export it from: File > Export > PDF.