Supported Vector Formats
A guide to the vector file formats supported by SkyGIS - from CAD drawings to GIS standards and BIM models.
CAD-Based Formats
DWG (AutoCAD Drawing)
The native format of AutoCAD and one of the most widely used CAD formats in the world. DWG files contain 2D and 3D geometry, layers, annotations, and metadata. SkyGIS imports DWG files and renders them as interactive vector overlays on point cloud data.
- Common use: Architectural plans, engineering designs, site layouts
DXF (Drawing Exchange Format)
An open interchange format originally developed by Autodesk. DXF files are widely supported across CAD and GIS applications and contain the same types of geometry as DWG, in a more portable format.
- Common use: Cross-platform CAD exchange, survey exports
DGN (MicroStation Design)
The native format of Bentley MicroStation, commonly used in infrastructure and transportation projects. DGN files support complex 3D geometry, cell libraries, and reference files.
- Common use: Road and rail design, utility mapping, large-scale infrastructure
GIS Formats
SHP (Shapefile)
The de facto standard for GIS vector data, developed by Esri. Shapefiles store geometry (points, lines, polygons) and attributes in a set of related files (.shp, .shx, .dbf). SkyGIS reads shapefiles and displays them as interactive map layers.
- Common use: Cadastral data, land use mapping, environmental boundaries
GeoJSON
A lightweight, text-based format for encoding geographic features using JSON. GeoJSON is widely used in web mapping applications and APIs. It supports points, lines, polygons, and multi-part geometries with properties.
- Common use: Web mapping, API data exchange, lightweight GIS workflows
GPKG (GeoPackage)
An open OGC standard built on SQLite for storing vector features, attributes, and tile pyramids in a single, self-contained file. GeoPackage avoids the sidecar-file problem of Shapefile and is the recommended format for distributing multi-layer datasets.
- Common use: Multi-layer GIS deliverables, field data collection, cross-tool exchange
Model & BIM Formats
IFC (Industry Foundation Classes)
An open standard for Building Information Modeling (BIM) data. IFC files describe building elements (walls, doors, slabs) with full semantic information. SkyGIS renders IFC geometry alongside point clouds for design verification and clash detection.
- Common use: BIM coordination, design-to-reality comparison, construction verification
LandXML
An XML-based format for civil engineering and land surveying data. LandXML files typically contain surface models, alignments, parcels, and pipe networks. Used extensively in road design and earthworks.
- Common use: Road design, earthworks, site grading, corridor modeling
CityGML
An open standard for representing 3D city models with semantic information. CityGML supports multiple levels of detail (LOD) for buildings, terrain, vegetation, and infrastructure.
- Common use: Urban planning, smart city applications, 3D cadastre
NWD (Navisworks Document)
A read-only format from Autodesk Navisworks used for project review and coordination. NWD files contain aggregated 3D models with viewpoints, annotations, and clash results.
- Common use: Construction coordination, design review, project handover
Splat Formats (SOP, SOG, PLY, XGRIDS)
Gaussian Splat formats represent scenes using 3D Gaussians defined by position, covariance, opacity, and color, enabling high-quality rendering without meshes. They are used in real-time radiance field pipelines with GPU-optimized storage for efficient, view-dependent reconstruction from multi-view images. SkyGIS supports the most common splat formats.
- Common use: Virtual tour, site inspection, digital twin