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MrSID Image Format Information

MrSID (Multiresolution Seamless Image Database; *.sid) is a proprietary image format owned by LizardTech. This format is known for its capacity to greatly reduce (compress) image file sizes, with only minor sacrifices to image quality when compared to the traditional GeoTIFF format.

After downloading a MrSID formatted image from RIGIS, you may need to install some software to view the file. If you are not a GIS user, our recommended viewer is either GeoViewer (standalone software for Windows) or the ExpressView Browser Plug-in (works with both Windows and MacOS), both available from LizardTech. These software perform well, and also may be used to view the MrSID compressed images RIGIS distributes.

A couple of more options are IrfanView (be sure to install the JP2 extension) and ESRI ArcGIS Explorer.

Please email us if you find other useful, free software that display MrSID formatted images!

ESRI product users please note:
If you have Arcview3.X you will have to install LizardTech's AVMrSID.dll.  "Addresses several viewing issues when viewing .sid within ArcView 3.x, including georeferencing and incorrect placement of .sid with associated .sdw file. Also provides support for the MG3 .sid file format. Not supported on ArcGIS." If you are using ArcGIS8.X  you will have to download and install the Raster upgrade patch that supports the MrSID MG3 image format.  If you are using ArcGIS9.X no additional effort should be necessary.

Finally, the MrSID GeoViewer is still available for direct download from this website. This standalone software is no longer supported by LizardTech, but a few RIGIS users still use this program. Your mileage may vary! The minimum system requirements are:

Windows

* Microsoft® Windows 95/98/2000 or Windows NT® 4.0 with service pack 6 or greater
* 200MHz PC processor
* Minimum of64MB RAM
* Internet Explorer 4.0 or greater, or Netscape® navigator 4.5-4.7

Apple

* Apple® G3 or later
* Mac® OS 9 or later
* 20MB allocated to Web browser
* 5MB hard disk space
* Internet Explorer 5.0 or greater or Netscape® Navigator 4.5-4.