SDTS Topological Vector Profile and Raster Profile (TVP, DDF) File Description

Grapher can import USGS SDTS Topological Vector Profile .TVP or .DDF data sets.

SDTS File Information

The Spatial Data Transfer Standard, or SDTS, is a robust way of transferring earth-referenced spatial data between dissimilar computer systems with the potential for no information loss. It is a transfer standard that embraces the philosophy of self-contained transfers, i.e. spatial data, attribute, georeferencing, data quality report, data dictionary, and other supporting metadata all included in the transfer.

The purpose of the SDTS is to promote and facilitate the transfer of digital spatial data between dissimilar computer systems, while preserving information meaning and minimizing the need for information external to the transfer. Implementation of SDTS is of significant interest to users and producers of digital spatial data because of the potential for increased access to and sharing of spatial data, the reduction of information loss in data exchange, the elimination of the duplication of data acquisition, and the increase in the quality and integrity of spatial data. SDTS is neutral, modular, growth-oriented, extensible, and flexible--all characteristics of an "open systems" standard.

The SDTS provides a solution to the problem of spatial data transfer from the conceptual level to the details of physical file encoding. Transfer of spatial data involves modeling spatial data concepts, data structures, and logical and physical file structures. To be useful, the data to be transferred must also be meaningful in terms of data content and data quality. SDTS addresses all of these aspects for both vector and raster data structures.

There are two separate types of SDTS DEM files: topological vector profile SDTS and raster profile SDTS files.

TVP

The topological vector profile SDTS files contain boundary line information and can be used as an imported file using the File | Import command.

DDF

The raster profile SDTS files contain gridded elevation information and can be used to directly create a grid-based map (i.e. Graph | Contour Maps | XY Grid). An uncompressed SDTS contains several files with the .DDF extension. All of the .DDF files are necessary to produce a map (i.e. you cannot copy just one .DDF file and create a map from it). You can choose any of the .DDF files when importing a base map with the Topological Vector Profile SDTS files.

Remarks

When you unzip the tar.gz file containing the DDF files, there is an option in WinZip (or other unzipping software) that needs to be disabled. Use the ClosedWinZip settings to disable this option.

  1. In WinZip, use the Options | Configuration command to open the Configuration dialog.

  2. Click on the Miscellaneous tab.

  3. In the Other category, un-check TAR file smart CR/LF conversion.

  4. Click the OK button.

  5. The Tar.GZ file will now properly unzip the files.

Import Options Dialog

SDTS TVP Import Options Dialog

Import Automation Options

SDTS TVP Import Automation Options

Export Options Dialog

Grapher does not export SDTS .DDF files.

See Also

SDTS TVP Import Options Dialog

SDTS TVP Import Automation Options

File Format Chart