Supported Data Formats¶

This page lists the data formats RustGIS reads and writes, how to add each one, and the main limits. Data covers adding data, large files and rasters in more detail; Maps and Basemaps covers web tile layers.

Most formats open in the desktop app and in the web app alike. Those that need C libraries (SQLite for GeoPackage, GDAL) or files on disk are desktop-only, as the tables say.

Vector and tabular files¶

Format	Extensions or source	How to add it	Notes
GeoJSON	`.geojson`, `.json`	Map › Add Data, or drop the file	Features with typed attributes; a `GeometryCollection` keeps its first member.
CSV	`.csv`, `.txt`	Add Data	Longitude/latitude columns become points; a CSV without them opens as a standalone table.
Shapefile	`.shp` with `.dbf` (and `.shx`)	Add Data (desktop)	Read in longitude/latitude; a `.prj` isn't applied.
GeoPackage	`.gpkg`	Add Data (desktop)	Every feature table becomes a layer (`"layer"` picks one). Read in place by its R-tree; any EPSG system is reprojected.
GeoParquet	`.parquet`, `.geoparquet`	Add Data, or upload in the web app	WKB geometry, with the CRS from the file's `geo` metadata. Row groups are pruned by the bbox covering. zstd-compressed files open on the desktop only; Brotli isn't read.
FlatGeobuf	`.fgb`	Add Data, or upload	Read in place by its packed R-tree.
Standalone tables	CSV, or any layer without geometry	Add Data	Listed under the map in Contents; join or relate them to layers.

Files with more than 100,000 features (GeoPackage, GeoParquet, FlatGeobuf) are read in place, a view at a time, rather than loaded whole: see Large files. They draw, label, identify and run through tools like any layer; Load All Features loads one to edit it.

Formats read through GDAL¶

With GDAL installed (its ogr2ogr and ogrinfo on the PATH, GDAL 3.7 or later), the desktop app also reads the vector formats below. Each layer is converted once into a cached, indexed FlatGeobuf, so large ones stream too: see Formats through GDAL.

Format	Extensions or source	Notes
KML / KMZ	`.kml`, `.kmz`	A layer that mixes points, lines and polygons becomes a layer of each.
GPX	`.gpx`	Waypoints, routes, tracks and their points as separate layers.
Esri File Geodatabase	`.gdb` folder	Every feature class becomes a layer.
AutoCAD DXF	`.dxf`	Give `"crs"` (such as `EPSG:2263`) when the drawing doesn't say its coordinate system.
GML	`.gml`
MapInfo	`.tab`, `.mif`	Keep the companion files together.
OpenStreetMap	`.osm`, `.osm.pbf`
GeoJSON Lines, GMT	`.geojsonl`, `.geojsons`, `.gmt`

Rasters¶

Format	Extensions or source	How to add it	Notes
GeoTIFF / Cloud-optimised GeoTIFF	`.tif`, `.tiff`	Add Data, or upload	Regular or cloud-optimised, striped or tiled; grey, RGB(A), palette (with its colour table) or multiband. Any EPSG system, or the file's own projection from its GeoKeys (Albers, LCC, transverse Mercator…), reprojected as it draws. A large file opens from its overview, or one made as it is read when it has none.
ASCII grid	`.asc` (with an optional `.prj`)	Add Data, or upload

Tiles and web services¶

Format	Extensions or source	How to add it	Notes
Raster tiles	XYZ/TMS template (`{z}/{x}/{y}`, `{-y}`, `{s}`, `{q}`), WMS (`{bbox-epsg-3857}`)	Map › Basemap › Add Tile Layer	PNG, JPEG and WebP.
Vector tiles	Mapbox Vector Tiles (`.pbf`, `.mvt`) template, or TileJSON	Add Tile Layer	Drawn in a built-in style that knows the OpenMapTiles, Protomaps and Shortbread schemas.
MapLibre styles	`style.json`	Add Tile Layer	The style's vector and raster sources, sprite, expressions and zoom functions.
PMTiles	`.pmtiles`: a web address, or a file on the desktop	Add Tile Layer (or its PMTiles File… button), Add Data, or drop the file	Raster or vector, as the archive says. Read a tile at a time by byte ranges (the server must allow them, and CORS in the web app). A vector archive is drawn in the built-in style when it is a basemap, otherwise with each of its layers in its own colour.

Writing¶

Format	How to write it	Notes
GeoJSON, CSV	Data › Export (`share.exportLayer`)	A streamed layer writes its whole source.
FlatGeobuf	Data › Export to `.fgb`	With a spatial index; features without geometry are left out (and reported).
KML, GPX, CSV with WKT	Analysis › Workflows › Data Interop
GeoTIFF	Raster Data › Export
PNG	Share › Export Map (`share.exportMap`)	At any DPI, with labels, scale bar and tile credits.
PDF	Layouts, reports and presentations
Wavefront OBJ, glTF	Share › Export To 3D, Share As › Web Scene	Polygons extruded by a field.
Web map, OGC API Features, MapLibre style	Share › Share As	Open-format files that need no server: see Sharing.
Raster tiles	Imagery › Create Hosted Imagery

RustGIS files¶

File	Extension	Notes
Project	`.rgis` (older `.rgisx` open too)	Saves streamed layers' file paths, not their features; a browser upload is kept inside.
Map, layer, style, template, task and layout files	`.rgismap`, `.rgislyr`, `.rgisstyle`, `.rgistemplate`, `.rgistask`, `.rgislayout`	See Project items.
Project package	`.rgispkg`	Everything, rasters included.
Plugin	`.rgplugin`	See Plugins.