What is GeoExpress?
GeoExpress 7 is the premier application for quick and easy encoding, compression, and manipulation of complex geospatial imagery. Whether your project calls for compressing to industry standard MrSID or ISO standard JPEG 2000 formats, GeoExpress 7 has you covered. With GeoExpress 7 you can mosaic, color balance, and reproject your imagery, then deploy it to LizardTech's Express Server for publishing to a WMS application, an ArcIMS server, or a Web application. With GeoExpress 7, you can process and deploy your geospatial imagery faster and easier than ever before.

What is MrSID and what does it stand for?
LizardTech's GeoExpress products are powered by MrSID®, a powerful wavelet-based image encoder, optimizer, viewer and file format designed specifically for GIS professionals for true portability of massive images. The name MrSID stands for Multiresolution Seamless Image Database.

I've heard reference to "MG3" and "MG2". What are they?
MG2 and MG3 are MrSID format files and they both have the file extension of ".sid." MG2 stands for MrSID Generation Two and MG3 stands for MrSID Generation Three. GeoExpress can create MG2 and MG3 files, with MG3 supporting the latest cutting-edge technology from LizardTech, such as lossless and improved lossy encoding, updating MrSID mosaics and mosaicking existing MrSID tiles.

Is GeoExpress backwards compatible with previous versions of MrSID?
Yes. GeoExpress can read all previous versions of MrSID and encode to MG2 and MG3 formats. The ExpressView browser plug-in can view all previous versions of the MrSID file format. The ExpressView Browser Plug-in ships on the GeoExpress CD and is available as a free download at www.lizardtech.com in the downloads section.

I want GeoExpress, but I'm currently using an older version. Can I upgrade or do I have to purchase the entire software?
If you currently are using older version of GeoExpress, you can still upgrade to the new release. Please contact your LizardTech representative for details, and/or any applicable promotional time periods.

What are data cartridges?
Data cartridges are binary encrypted files that enable you to encode images with GeoExpress. Cartridges are not a physical dongle or hardware lock. They are generated by LizardTech based upon your system ID and then emailed to you as an attached file.

What operations get charged against my cartridge?
Only the initial encode to MrSID file format charges against the cartridge. Working with images already in MrSID format does not decrement the data cartridge. For instance, you can encode to a lossless MrSID file, which decrements the cartridge, and then use that MrSID file to create visually lossless compressed MrSID files that do not charge against the cartridge. Additionally, updating mosaics and creating mosaics of existing MrSID files do not charge against the cartridge.

Can I share my data cartridge with other users in my organization?
Yes. GeoExpress includes a network version of the cartridge manager on the product software media. Contact your LizardTech sales representative for purchasing additional encoders that can read from the network cartridge manager.

How long will it take me to learn to use GeoExpress?
Unlike other image processing applications, GeoExpress is designed for the geospatial professional who is an expert in their field but is not an image scientist. A simple and intuitive interface allows new users to quickly perform imaging tasks so they can get their real work done, while powerful advanced tools support even the most demanding imaging expert.

Can I use all the tools in one encode operation?
Yes. You can mosaic, color balance, reproject, and crop your imagery, then export ifor use in WMS applications in one operation. You'll save time by combining all of these processes into one encoding operation to get just the image you need, just when you need it.

Does GeoExpress work with other GIS applications?
GeoExpress is designed for interoperability with the widest range of leading geospatial applications from ESRI, Leica Geosystems, Autodesk and Intergraph, MapInfo, Bentley, and GE/Smallworld, to name a few.