GDAL_CREATE(1) GDAL GDAL_CREATE(1)

NAME

gdal_create - Create a raster file (without source dataset)

SYNOPSIS

gdal_create [--help] [--help-general]
[-of <format>]
[-outsize <xsize> <ysize>]
[-bands <count>]
[-burn <value>]...
[-ot {Byte/Int8/Int16/UInt16/UInt32/Int32/UInt64/Int64/Float32/Float64/
CInt16/CInt32/CFloat32/CFloat64}] [-strict]
[-a_srs <srs_def>] [-a_ullr <ulx> <uly> <lrx> <lry>] [-a_nodata <value>]
[-mo <META-TAG>=<VALUE>]... [-q]
[-co <NAME>=<VALUE>]...
[-if <input_dataset>]
<out_dataset>

DESCRIPTION

The gdal_create utility can be used to initialize a new raster file,
from its dimensions, band count and set various parameters, such as
CRS, geotransform, nodata value, metadata. It can be used also in
special cases, like creating a PDF file from a XML composition file.

--help Show this help message and exit

--help-general
Gives a brief usage message for the generic GDAL commandline
options and exit.

-ot <type>
Force the output image bands to have a specific data type
supported by the driver, which may be one of the following:
Byte, Int8, UInt16, Int16, UInt32, Int32, UInt64, Int64,
Float32, Float64, CInt16, CInt32, CFloat32 or CFloat64.

-of <format>
Select the output format. Starting with GDAL 2.3, if not
specified, the format is guessed from the extension
(previously was GTiff). Use the short format name.

-outsize <xsize> <ysize>
Set the size of the output file in pixels. First figure is
width. Second one is height.

-bands <count>
Number of bands. Defaults to 1 if -outsize is specified, or 0
otherwise.

-burn <value>
A fixed value to burn into a band. A list of -burn options can
be supplied, one per band (the first value will apply to the
first band, the second one to the second band, etc.). If a
single value is specified, it will apply to all bands.

-a_srs <srs_def>
Override the projection for the output file. The<srs_def> may
be any of the usual GDAL/OGR forms, complete WKT, PROJ.4,
EPSG:n or a file containing the WKT. No reprojection is done.

-a_ullr <ulx> <uly> <lrx> <lry>
Assign the georeferenced bounds of the output file.

-a_nodata <value>
Assign a specified nodata value to output bands.

-mo <META-TAG>=<VALUE>
Passes a metadata key and value to set on the output dataset
if possible.

-co <NAME>=<VALUE>
Many formats have one or more optional creation options that
can be used to control particulars about the file created. For
instance, the GeoTIFF driver supports creation options to
control compression, and whether the file should be tiled.

The creation options available vary by format driver, and some
simple formats have no creation options at all. A list of
options supported for a format can be listed with the
--formats command line option but the documentation for the
format is the definitive source of information on driver
creation options. See Raster drivers format specific
documentation for legal creation options for each format.

-q Suppress progress monitor and other non-error output.

-if <input_dataset>
New in version 3.3.


Name of GDAL input dataset that serves as a template for
default values of options -outsize, -bands, -ot, -a_srs,
-a_ullr and -a_nodata. Note that the pixel values will not be
copied.

<out_dataset>
The destination file name.

EXAMPLES

+o Initialize a new GeoTIFF file with a uniform value of 10

gdal_create -outsize 20 20 -a_srs EPSG:4326 -a_ullr 2 50 3 49 -burn 10 out.tif

+o Create a PDF file from a XML composition file:

gdal_create -co COMPOSITION_FILE=composition.xml out.pdf

+o Initialize a blank GeoTIFF file from an input one:

gdal_create -if prototype.tif output.tif

AUTHOR

Even Rouault <even.rouault@spatialys.com>

COPYRIGHT

1998-2025

January 8, 2025 GDAL_CREATE(1)