A Brief Guide to Viewing MrSID Formatted Images

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.

You need specialized software to view MrSID formatted images. Here are your options available to you at no cost (as of February 16, 2006:

ExpressView Browser Plug-in (MrSID) by LizardTech
Supported by BOTH Microsoft Windows and Apple's Mac OS! This software is probably the easiest to install and use. It enables Internet Explorer and Apple Safari Internet browers to open & view MrSID formatted images. Please refer to the LizardTech website for downloading, installation, and use instructions.

GeoExpress View by LizardTech
Standalone software only available for Microsoft Windows. Please refer to the LizardTech website for downloading, installation, and use instructions.

ExpressView for Pocket PC by LizardTech
Used for handheld devices running Windows CE. Please refer to the LizardTech website for downloading, installation, and use instructions.

ArcExplorer 2 by ESRI
Standalone software only available for Microsoft Windows. Useful because it allows the display of other GIS data layers along with the MrSID formatted images. Please refer to the ESRI website for downloading, installation, and use instructions.

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 many 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.