Global Mapper is a commercial geographic information system (GIS) software application that enables users to view, edit, analyze, and convert spatial data in a wide variety of raster and vector formats. Developed originally by Global Mapper Software, the program traces its roots to the USGS Digital Line Graph Viewer (DLGV) and the associated TerrainMapper product released in the mid‑1990s. In 2011, Blue Marble Geographics, Inc. acquired Global Mapper and has continued its development and distribution.
Key characteristics of Global Mapper include:
- Broad format support – The software can import and export more than 300 file types, encompassing common GIS formats such as ESRI Shapefile, GeoTIFF, KML/KMZ, and newer standards like Cloud Optimized GeoTIFF (COG) and MBTiles, as well as specialized data such as LiDAR point clouds (LAS/LAZ), DEMs, and satellite imagery.
- Terrain and elevation analysis – Integrated tools allow users to generate contour lines, slope and aspect maps, hillshades, and 3D visualizations from digital elevation models (DEMs). Advanced functions include watershed delineation, terrain profiling, and volume calculations.
- LiDAR processing – Global Mapper provides point‑cloud viewing, classification, filtering, and rasterization capabilities, supporting large datasets and offering features such as ground point extraction and vegetation height analysis.
- Cartographic production – The application includes map layout tools, labeling, symbology customization, and the ability to create publish‑ready maps in formats like PDF, image files, and web‑mapped services (WMS/WFS).
- Scripting and automation – Users can automate repetitive tasks through the built‑in ScriptLanguage or by employing command‑line interfaces, facilitating batch conversions and routine analyses.
- Extensibility – Plug‑in architecture permits third‑party developers to add specialized functionality, and the software can interface with external databases and web services.
Since its acquisition by Blue Marble Geographics, Global Mapper has undergone regular updates, typically released on a semi‑annual schedule. Each new version adds format compatibility, performance enhancements, and expanded analytical tools. The software is marketed to a range of professional sectors, including environmental management, surveying, forestry, utilities, emergency response, and academia.
Global Mapper is available for Microsoft Windows operating systems and can be obtained through a perpetual license or a subscription model. A limited‑function “Lite” version, known as Global Mapper Lite, was previously offered but has been discontinued in favor of a unified product line.