Copy GeoTIFF Metadata

2025-02-12 15:19 UTC gpt-4o Open in ChatGPT ↗

You

I have two identical tiff files, one is geotiff and the other is not. How can I copy all the geo tiff metadata ?

ChatGPT

You can copy all the GeoTIFF metadata from the georeferenced TIFF file to the non-georeferenced one using the gdalcopyproj utility from GDAL, or using Python with the rasterio or gdal library.

Option 1: Using GDAL Command-Line

If you have GDAL installed, run:

gdalcopyproj geotiff.tif non_geotiff.tif

This copies the projection and georeferencing metadata.

---

Option 2: Using Python with Rasterio

If you prefer Python, use rasterio to copy the metadata:

import rasterio
from rasterio.shutil import copy

# Input file paths
geo_tiff_path = "geotiff.tif"
non_geo_tiff_path = "non_geotiff.tif"
output_tiff_path = "output_geotiff.tif"  # New file with metadata

# Open the geotiff to read metadata
with rasterio.open(geo_tiff_path) as src:
    meta = src.meta

# Copy the non-georeferenced image and apply metadata
copy(non_geo_tiff_path, output_tiff_path, **meta)

print("GeoTIFF metadata copied successfully!")

---

Option 3: Using GDAL in Python

from osgeo import gdal

# Open the files
src_ds = gdal.Open("geotiff.tif", gdal.GA_ReadOnly)
dst_ds = gdal.Open("non_geotiff.tif", gdal.GA_Update)

# Copy georeferencing information
geo_transform = src_ds.GetGeoTransform()
projection = src_ds.GetProjection()

dst_ds.SetGeoTransform(geo_transform)
dst_ds.SetProjection(projection)

# Close the datasets
src_ds = None
dst_ds = None

print("GeoTIFF metadata copied successfully!")

This ensures that the georeferencing information (coordinate system, projection, and geotransform) is copied correctly.

Would you like any additional modifications or explanations? 😊

You

can I do in qgis

ChatGPT

Yes! You can copy GeoTIFF metadata in QGIS using the following methods:

---

Method 1: Using the “Assign Projection” Tool

If your non-georeferenced TIFF has the correct extent but is missing the projection information, you can assign it manually.

1. Open QGIS and add both the GeoTIFF and non-GeoTIFF files to the Layers Panel.
2. Go to Processing Toolbox (Ctrl+Alt+T if not visible).
3. Search for “Assign Projection”.
4. Select the non-georeferenced TIFF as the input.
5. Choose the same projection as the GeoTIFF.
6. Click Run to save the output with the correct projection.

---

Method 2: Using GDAL’s “Copy Raster” Tool

If the non-georeferenced TIFF has the same pixel alignment but lacks georeferencing data:

1. Open QGIS and go to Processing Toolbox.
2. Search for “Warp (Reproject)” under GDAL tools.
3. Select the non-georeferenced TIFF as the input.
4. Under Target CRS, choose the same projection as your GeoTIFF.
5. Expand Advanced Parameters → Check “Copy Metadata”.
6. Click Run to create a new georeferenced output.

---

Method 3: Manually Copying Metadata

1. Load the GeoTIFF into QGIS.
2. Right-click it in the Layers Panel → Properties.
3. Note the CRS (Coordinate Reference System) and Extent values.
4. Load the non-georeferenced TIFF.
5. Right-click it → Set Layer CRS → Select the same CRS as the GeoTIFF.
6. If needed, manually adjust the extent by going to Raster Properties → Transformations.

---

Method 4: Using the Georeferencer Plugin

If the non-GeoTIFF lacks spatial information entirely, you can use the Georeferencer tool:

1. Go to Raster → Georeferencer (enable it under Plugins if missing).
2. Load the non-georeferenced TIFF.
3. Use Add Control Points to match locations from the GeoTIFF.
4. Choose the same CRS as the GeoTIFF.
5. Click Run to create a properly georeferenced output.

---

✅ Best Method?

• If just projection metadata is missing → Assign Projection
• If full georeferencing (coordinates) is missing → Georeferencer
• If the same pixel grid is used → Warp (Reproject) with Metadata Copy

Would you like more detailed steps on any method? 🚀

You

for some reason the warp and assign projection fail

ChatGPT

If “Warp (Reproject)” and “Assign Projection” are failing in QGIS, here are a few alternative solutions and troubleshooting steps:

---

✅ Alternative: Use “Raster Calculator” to Copy Georeferencing

This is a simple hack to copy georeferencing without using Warp or Assign Projection.

1. Open QGIS and load both your GeoTIFF and non-GeoTIFF.
2. Go to Raster → Raster Calculator.
3. In the calculator, enter this expression:

   "non_geotiff@1"

   • Replace "non_geotiff@1" with the actual layer name.
   • This simply copies the pixel values without altering anything.
4. Under Output CRS, select the CRS of your GeoTIFF.
5. Click OK, and the output will have the same georeferencing as your GeoTIFF.

---

✅ Alternative: Use the “Refactor Raster” Tool

1. Open Processing Toolbox (Ctrl+Alt+T).
2. Search for “Refactor Raster”.
3. Select your non-GeoTIFF.
4. Under CRS, select the same CRS as the GeoTIFF.
5. Click Run.

---

✅ Troubleshooting the Assign Projection & Warp Issues

If you really need the original methods to work, try these fixes:

1. Ensure the TIFF file isn’t corrupted.

   • Open the non-GeoTIFF in another program (like Photoshop, GIMP, or GDAL).
   • If it doesn’t open, the file might be damaged.

2. Check File Permissions.

   • If QGIS doesn’t have write access to the folder, save the output in another directory.
   • Try running QGIS as Administrator.

3. Ensure Both TIFF Files Have the Same Size (Pixels & Resolution).

   • Open Layer Properties → Information for both images.
   • If they have different pixel sizes, Warp won’t work properly.

4. Try Reinstalling GDAL.

   • Go to Plugins → Manage and Install Plugins.
   • Search for GDAL and reinstall it.

---

✅ Final Solution: Copy Georeferencing with GDAL Manually

If QGIS tools keep failing, you can use GDAL directly:

1. Open the OSGeo4W Shell (installed with QGIS).
2. Run:

   gdalcopyproj geotiff.tif non_geotiff.tif

   • This copies the exact georeferencing.

---

Would you like help checking the TIFF file properties to see if there’s a mismatch? 🚀