NimbleMapFormats · .tif / .tiff
Open a GeoTIFF as a map in one drop
A GeoTIFF is a raster image that also stores where it sits on Earth — elevation, land cover, satellite and drone scenes. Without that location data, it is just a flat picture.
How
Open it in NimbleMap
Drag the .tif into NimbleMap (or right-click › Open With › NimbleMap). It is placed under or over your other layers. Click a cell to read its value; colour by value with a legend.
Why not Preview, a browser tab, or QGIS
When a simple map viewer is enough
Preview and Photos open a GeoTIFF as an ordinary image and ignore where it belongs on Earth. Browser GeoTIFF viewers are fine for a peek, but large local files and stacking with a Shapefile or CSV work better on the desktop. You do not need QGIS just to see where the image sits.
Questions
Common questions
Why does Preview open my GeoTIFF but not on a map?
Preview ignores the location stored inside the file. NimbleMap reads it and draws the image in place.
Can I open a GeoTIFF on Mac without a full GIS?
Yes. Drag it into NimbleMap on Mac or Windows. No coordinate-system ceremony.
Does it work offline?
Yes. Your files stay on your computer. Basemap tiles need a network when you want them.
Also see: GeoTIFF viewer · Shapefile · NetCDF · GeoPackage · NimbleMap vs QGIS