Insert SID 4th generation file

[Anonymous]

Is there a version of AutoCAD that can allow the import of 4th generation sid files?  I can't find any information concerning this except to say that no version does (https://knowledge.autodesk.com/support/autocad-map-3d/troubleshooting/caas/sfdcarticles/sfdcarticles...), but I can't find any information about a newer version.  I currently have AutoCAD Map 3D.  Would upgrading to 2019 solve this issue?

[Pointdump]

David,

Welcome to the Autodesk Forums.

That article is dated 2014. Please post a 4th gen MrSID for testing. (You might have to zip it to post.)

Dave

[ChicagoLooper]

Do you have another program that supports MG4? If you do, you can try to export the image from there to a format that Map 3D supports, such as tiff.

[Anonymous]

See attached.

Forgot to add that I am using Map 3D 2017.

[Anonymous]

I downloaded LizardTech's GeoViewer, as suggested, and exported as a geo tiff.  But the file was huge (87 GB) and I wasn't able to open it up in any software.

[ChicagoLooper]

It works for me. Regarding the image you uploaded in post #4,  is that the actual image and the reason you post in the first place? If it is, I don't get it. I am able to bring in that uploaded image using two different methods:

1. Using MAPIINSERT command (Go to Intersert tab=>Image panel=>Image icon)
2. Using Data Connect palette (Go to Home tab=>Data panel=>Connect icon=>Data Connect palette=>Add Raster Note: If using Data Connect, you must edit the coord. sys. from 'Unknown' to UTM83-17 meters (EPSG 26917) which is the coord. sys. that that Map 3D is trying to read but for some reason it is not reading it.

Note: When using Add Raster in the Data Connect palette, the world file is not being read and you MUST edit the coordinate system so the appropriate coordinate system is shown in the Data Connect palette.

1A-MAPIINSERT command.1B-Using MAPIINSERT, MrSid with bing aerial in background.

2A-Data Connect palette. You must edit <unknown> shown under Coord. Sys.2B-The image using Data Connect.

Note: You must have an assigned 'coordinate system' applied to your drawing BEFORE bringing in the image. The CS must be appropriate to your drawing's location.

Use MAPCSASSIGN and assign an appropriate coordinate system to modelspace. You may use either (both work):

• UTM83-17 meters (EPSG 26917)
• UTM84-17N meters (EPSG 32617)

[Anonymous]

Nope. Tried all that. Doesn't work.  This is the error from the data connect method.  the MAPIINSERT method just returns "C:\GIS\2018SIDfiles\534-4807.sid was not found or is not valid.".

I can bring in 2017 files no problem.  But they are 3rd generation and only contain RGB bands.  The 2018 files are 4th generation and RGB and infrared bands.  But then you can insert them no problem.  What version/product are you using?

This might be a moot point now as our ortho supplier might be providing us with 3rd generation files soon.  I would still like to solve this if it can be though.

[ChicagoLooper · Accepted solution]

v2018 is what I'm currently running.

How about you? Do you run 2018 too?

You can read about Fourth Generation MrSid by clicking >HERE<<.

If you are using Map 3D 2018 then it can't be the program. If using v2017 or earlier then MrSid 4th Gen is not supported.

[ChicagoLooper]

OK, so export to tiff using GeoViewer creates a file that's too big. Can GeoViewer export to another format, such as jp2? I used Global Mapper and exported to jp2 and file is a reasonable size. I tested and can open the image using MAPIINSERT as well as using Data Connect, both work.

Image exported to jp2 format. 

[Anonymous]

So the problem is that I need to have at least AutoCAD v2018.

Version 2017 doesn't support 4th gen MrSid files, period.

[Pointdump]

David,

"I downloaded LizardTech's GeoViewer, as suggested, and exported as a geo tiff. But the file was huge..."

MrSID is a proprietary format of file compression. As such, using GeoViewer to Export a full resolution GeoTiff results in a file 10 times as large as the MrSID. Your 27MB file becomes a 272MB Tiff.

"Version 2017 doesn't support 4th gen MrSid files, period."

You're probably right on that, but I don't have 2017 to test with Raster Design.

Dave

[Anonymous]

The problem that I am having and notice here in your post is that when I bring the aerial in that it has a blue tint to it.  I can bring the 4th gen mrsid file in v2018c3d but they are the wrong color. Any suggestions? If I bring the same mrsid file into ESRI or Qgis they are the correct colors. 

[ChicagoLooper]

Using the image you uploaded in post #4 of this thread, I couldn't use it ( MrSid 4th gen) in v2018 because it's not supported. But when I used third party software (Global Mapper) I was able to open the image which allowed me to perform an export to two formats: JPG2000 and GeoTIFF, both formats are supported in Acad_v2018. The JPG2000 made a blue tint (and I don't know why) while the GeoTiff did not. Also when exporting to GeoTiff, I exported two types geotiffs: 8-bit and 24-bit RGB. Both 8-bit and 24-bit worked without  making a blue tint. In terms of file size, the 8-bit was considerably smaller.

1-Exported in two formats from Global Mapper : JPG2000 and GeoTiff.2-Exported two versions of Geotiff, one had smaller file size, neither had blue tint.

 If you can export MrSid 4th gen using third party software, try exporting to Geotiff and select 8-bit or 24-bit RBG as output file. It worked for me using Acad v2018..

[CMyersNHNL6]

This is not solved. still no solution available.

[ChicagoLooper]

Here are two work-a-rounds.

1. Use another software to open your SID then perform a Save As and save you SID image in another format such as jpg or geotiff. M3D con consume your newly formatted image.
2. Download another image from another website. You can try >>Earth Explorer<< which has various formats of free downloadable images. Whether they are more current (or less current) compared to SID imagery can only be determined on a photo-by-photo basis.

1-Search Criteria=>Use Map=>Pan & Zoom

2-Expand image type=>check box=>click RESULTS.

[KDAddison]

Is there any answer to this question?  I have Civil 3D edit: C3D2023 that is) and it won't load 4th generation sid files, even though the chatter seems to say it can.

[ChicagoLooper]

Hi @KDAddison 

No. There isn't. 

FWIW, I have never liked using MrSID. The images are too heavy (too many KBs) and they're too wide and too tall. Most, if not all drawings, only need a small portion of MrSID and not the entire image. When I zoom-in to the part really I need, it's too blurry and have discovered I can find better and clearer imagery elsewhere. Lots of MrSIDs are also funky colored black & white aerials. They're ugly and cheapen the deliverable.

Yes, MrSID is georeferenced but you can accurately insert 'other' images, if you know how. The key is to use the info from the image's author (or provider) to insert it accurately. For example, advanced users can manually georeference an image that's saved from Google Earth Pro (GE Pro used to be a paid program but now it's FREE to download). Georeferencing only takes a minute or two and no one will be able to tell whether the GE Pro image has a geospatial projection or not. 

You can also purchase a subscription service as an add-on, e.g. Plex Earth, Near Map, for geospatial satellite imagery.

If you insist on using MrSID, then find ones that at 3rd gen or older.

[KDAddison]

I'd love to use tifs for everything but IT gets upset if I try to store 5 TB of aerials. What irks me most about MrSid is that it's proprietary.

[ChicagoLooper]

Hi @KDAddison 

I find the MrSID is (typically) the largest raster. In comparison, tiff's, jpg's, png's, etc. are smaller so transitioning away from MrSID is beneficial and that makes IT happy. And Sids also give the dwg lots of LAG, waaay too much lag.

And they're blurry.