GeoTIFF files are a powerful way to store high-resolution geospatial data—but that detail comes with trade-offs. If you’ve noticed slower upload or loading times, here’s what’s happening behind the scenes and how to improve performance.
File Size Matters
GeoTIFFs are often very large—ranging from hundreds of MBs to multiple GBs.
The larger the file:
The longer it takes to upload
The more processing is required before it’s usable
Even on a fast connection, large datasets simply take time to move and prepare.
Upload ≠ Ready to View
Uploading a GeoTIFF is just the first step.
Once uploaded, the platform needs to process and optimise the file so it can be viewed smoothly in your browser. This ensures fast interaction later—but it does add some upfront time.
What Happens During Processing
To make your data usable and responsive, several steps happen behind the scenes:
1. Tiling & Pyramiding
The GeoTIFF is broken into smaller tiles and multiple resolution levels (zoom levels) are created.
→ This is what allows you to zoom in and out quickly without loading the entire dataset at once.
2. Reprojection & Alignment
The dataset is transformed into a web-friendly coordinate system.
→ This ensures it lines up correctly with base maps and other layers in your workspace.
3. Optimisation for Streaming
The file is restructured so only the visible portions are loaded as you navigate.
→ This avoids loading massive datasets all at once and improves overall performance.
Why It Can Feel Slow in the Platform
Even after upload, you might still notice some delays:
Initial Load = Tile Generation
When you first open a dataset, some tiles may still be generating.
→ This can cause slight delays when zooming or panning.
Large Datasets = More Processing
Higher resolution imagery means:
More tiles
More data to process and serve
→ Performance scales with dataset size.
Layer-Heavy Scenes
If multiple layers are active (e.g. orthomosaics, contours, AI outputs), performance can drop.
→ Your browser is loading and rendering more data at once.
Simple Ways to Improve Performance
Here are a few practical ways to speed things up:
Reduce File Size Before Upload
Clip data to your area of interest
Lower resolution if full detail isn’t required
Use Optimised Formats
Upload Cloud Optimized GeoTIFFs (COGs) where possible
→ These are designed specifically for faster web-based access
Limit Active Layers
Only turn on the layers you need for your current task
→ Reduces load time and improves responsiveness