.rdc

Extension: IDRISI Raster Documentation File

Developer: Clark Labs

The .rdc file, or IDRISI Raster Documentation file, is a crucial component of the IDRISI GIS software developed by Clark Labs. It’s not an image file itself, but rather a companion file containing essential metadata about a corresponding raster image. This metadata acts like a detailed description, providing critical information such as the image’s dimensions (rows and columns), spatial resolution (the size of each pixel on the ground), the coordinate system and projection used (e.g., geographic coordinates or UTM), and other important attributes. This information is vital for correctly interpreting and using the raster data within IDRISI and other GIS applications that support this file type. Without the associated .rdc file, the raster image might be difficult or impossible to properly display and analyze.

Opening an .rdc file directly isn’t usually done; it’s inherently linked to its associated raster data file. You wouldn’t typically open it independently. Instead, when you open the corresponding raster image file (usually with a different extension, depending on the specific IDRISI format used), the IDRISI software automatically reads and utilizes the information stored within the .rdc file to properly display and process the image. Therefore, ensuring both the raster image file and its .rdc file are in the same directory and have consistent naming conventions is paramount for correct operation. If you find a .rdc file without its associated raster image, the metadata contained within it will be largely useless without the image data it describes.