How Do I Open A Cloud Optimized GeoTiff (.tif) File?

When returning results from an order, this data is returned in 3 ways:

Visual Output File - A .png image, that can be opened without further analysis

COG- Cloud Optimized GeoTiff (.tif) image, which is georeferenced, and can be used for further customization or analysis in GIS software.

Metadata - A JSON file containing the associated metadata for an image

This article covers the steps of how to open the COG (.tif), using QGIS, an open source GIS software for displaying such images.

1. Download the .tif file by clicking on the Download -> Metadata -> Download

2. (If Not Already Installed) Install QGIS software: https://www.qgis.org/en/site/forusers/download.html

3. (Optional) Add Google Satellite Data as a source for a basemap (XYZ Tile) in QGIS: https://opensourceoptions.com/blog/how-to-add-google-satellite-imagery-and-google-maps-to-qgis/

4. Open QGIS and load the downloaded .tif file (drag & drop the .tif file into QGIS):

5. (Optional) Add the Google Satellite basemap, as a layer in the project:

6. Reorder the layers, so the Google Satellite layer is below the .tif image:

7. The image should not be visibly and automatically georeferenced on top of the Google Satellite basemap, ready for any further analysis. Multiple .tif files can be displayed at the same time if necessary.