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ECW Files Explained: Efficient Drone Image Format

  • Writer: Anvita Shrivastava
    Anvita Shrivastava
  • Oct 3
  • 4 min read

Updated: Oct 4

In the fast-developing field of drone technology today, achieving efficient capture of high-resolution photos can be a challenge. Drones can create a significantly large amount of data, and storage, processing, and transmission can be laborious. That’s where ECW files come in. Due to its efficient storage capabilities and compactness, ECW files have been a game-changer for aerial imaging and GIS applications. In this article, we will discuss in depth what ECW files are, how they work, and their importance in drone operations today.


ECW File
ECW File

What is an ECW file?


ECW stands for Enhanced Compressed Wavelet. ECW is a proprietary image format designed by ERDAS (currently part of Hexagon Geospatial), made for storing large raster images while still maintaining efficiency. ECW is differentiated from other image formats, such as JPEG and TIFF, in terms of compression. ECW uses advanced wavelet compression algorithms, resulting in decreased file size and unblemished visuals.


Key Features of ECW Files:


  • High Compression Ratio: ECW file compression can reduce the size of an image (paper or electronic) from a 1:50 ratio without discerning any noticeable loss in quality.

  • Speed of Rendering: ECW files were built for GIS applications and can rapidly stream, visualize, and design large amounts of information.

  • Scalability: ECW files are made to support aerial images as well as satellite imagery, and whether the file is small or massive, ECW files can accommodate them.

  • Multi-Resolution Access: Users can zoom in and out without loading the full high-resolution image, avoiding processing time and memory.


Why ECW Files Are Best for Drone Imaging


Drone photography, particularly in the application of mapping, surveying, and agriculture, ends up with high-resolution pictures that can be in gigabytes in size. Standard image formats like JPEG or PNG quickly become unwieldy with these high file sizes. ECW formats solve the problem by providing:


  • Efficient Storage: Transpose a large drone image into much smaller sizes while still being able to hold important details.

  • Faster Data Processing: Because of ECW's ability to provide multi-resolution formats, software will only retrieve the image tiles that are necessary, improving GIS workflow efficiency.

  • Bandwidth-Friendly: When sharing drone images over the internet or cloud platforms, smaller versions reduce upload and download times substantially.

  • GIS Software Supported: ECW files are supported natively in most GIS solutions, including ArcGIS, QGIS, and ERDAS IMAGINE, making it an efficient file choice for professional mapping processes.


Applications of ECW in Drone Operations


  1. Agricultural Mapping: ECW files improve the storage and analysis of high-resolution crop images.

  2. Urban Planning: City planners can use ECW images for detailed aerial reconnaissance and 3D modeling.

  3. Environmental Monitoring: When large environmental datasets need to be compressed without critical details.

  4. Disaster Management: ECW files reduce the size of high-resolution drone imagery, enabling fast distribution of images and video to emergency responders.


Tools to Work with ECW Files


Many GIS platforms and software tools support ECW files, including:


  • ERDAS IMAGINE

  • ArcGIS

  • QGIS

  • Global Mapper

  • MapInfo Pro


Drawbacks of ECW Files


Although ECW files are very effective and commonly used for drone photos and GIS, they do have disadvantages. It is important that you understand these disadvantages for any decision to utilize this format for your project.


  1. Proprietary Format


ECW is a proprietary format created by ERDAS/Hexagon.


  • Has less support from open source communities than formats like GeoTIFF or MrSID.

  • Some software might require a license or purchasing a plugin to read ECW files.


  1. Lossy Compression


While ECW uses wavelet compression, which retains visual quality,


  • Some level of data loss is always going to happen, which could be a problem for rigorous analytical applications. (i.e., scientific projects, legal surveying).

  • Editing and saving processes can degrade image quality when accessed several times.


  1. Limited Flexibility for Editing


  • ECW files are built for eyes and GIS analysis, not detailed editing of pixels.

  • If an image manipulation is complex, it would require converting back to another format to make desired edits, which adds more steps to work workflow.


  1. Constraints of Compatibility


  • Not all software supports ECW format inherently, particularly lightweight tools or mobile GIS.

  • There may also be limits with some web platforms on ECW files without processing or conversion.


  1. Management of Large Files for Very High Resolutions


  • While ECW does an excellent job of compressing images, extremely high-resolution datasets may push the limits of storage and processing.

  • In very limited situations, compression can introduce some minor artifacts into very fine texture or detail.


These products let users view, edit, and analyze ECW images without losing valuable time utilizing drone table images in their workflows.


The establishment of compressed formats like ECW or MrSID files has changed how drone imagery is both stored and processed. High compression ratios, fast rendering, and GIS integration create efficient ways of dealing with large aerial datasets. Regardless of your profession, drone operator, GIS professional, or urban planner, being familiar with compressed MrSID or ECW files, their use, and application will optimise your workflow when utilizing high-resolution drone imagery.


For more information or any questions regarding ECW Files, please don't hesitate to contact us at:



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