[gdal-dev] zmap format

[Even Rouault]

Nikolaos,

> 
> There is a format called zmap format and it has Zmap Plus grid
> does anybody know more info about this format?

Well, here's a few interesting links what I've found with the help of a search 
engine :
* http://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2003/ofr-03-230/DATA/ : several datasets in zmap 
format (.dat) and also the same datasets but in other formats that are already 
recognized by GDAL, such as .gxf, .ers, .xyz and .tif  --> Very useful to 
check that a decoder for zmap works
* http://lists.directionsmag.com/discussion/read.php?f=19&i=30467&t=30467&v=t 
: contains some bits of zmap content similar to the one of the previous link
* http://arcscripts.esri.com/details.asp?dbid=13093 : import/export zmap 
plugin for ArcGrid with source code in visual basic

> mostly it is used for DEM and petroleum and according to my
> opinion it is descried by a rectangular kind of cells but it might not,
> that's why I am asking for some reference for zmap format and
> of course if it is possible to be adopted by gdal :)

Although none of those links is a formal specification of the format, that 
should be sufficient for someone to write a decoder. But I'm not sure to 
understand your needs: do you have some zmap datasets that you need to read 
with GDAL ?

Best regards,

Even