SIGDEM → FITS · Windows

Convert SIGDEM to FITS

SIGDEM to FITS for whole archives of tiles, layers or survey files at once, with nothing uploaded and no account required.

Tired of converting SIGDEM files one at a time? reaConverter processes entire folders to FITS automatically. Handles large batches reliably without crashes or timeouts. No command line and no scripting, unlike the usual ogr2ogr route.

DownloadSIGDEM to FITS ConverterConvert
SIGDEM to FITS
Online
.sigdem.FITS
4.8

Converting files since 2001

Runs offline — nothing uploaded

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How to Convert Multiple .sigdem Files to .fits?

1. Download and Install reaConverter

Download reaConverter and install it in seconds. The setup is straightforward — no complex configuration, no extra software required.

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Install reaConverter

2. Load your SIGDEM files

Add SIGDEM files to reaConverter. One file or a thousand, the process is the same. Everything runs locally on your machine.

You can drag-and-drop files, browse to a folder, or add entire directory trees including subfolders.

Load your SIGDEM files into reaConverter

3. Select FITS as output format

Set FITS as output format and select where to save your converted files. Customize quality settings if needed.

Select FITS as output format

4. Start SIGDEM to FITS conversion

Click the Convert button to start. reaConverter will process all your files with the settings you selected.

Start Conversion

When finished, your new .fits files will be waiting in the destination folder.

Step by step

How It Works

reaConverter offers the fastest, simplest solution for converting your SIGDEM files into FITS without GIS software - all files processed on your PC for maximum privacy and speed.

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Technical note

SIGDEM to FITS: what carries over and what does not

Every cell in an SIGDEM file holds a measurement rather than a colour, usually elevation in metres, running from sea level up to whatever the highest point in the tile happens to be. FITS stores brightness, so the conversion stretches that range across a grey or colour scale. What you get is a readable picture of the terrain, and it is the right thing for a relief map or a figure. What you no longer have is the data: sampling a pixel in the FITS returns a shade, not an altitude. Missing cells in an elevation grid, such as water, radar shadow or the edge of a survey, are not empty: they hold a sentinel value, -32768 in SRTM, -32767 in DTED and very often -9999 in ESRI grids. Counted as a real height, that value stretches the scale so far that the actual terrain collapses into a few near-identical shades. When a FITS output looks flat and washed out, a void treated as data is the usual cause.

Map Data Workflow

Turn GIS data into something anyone can open

Not everyone who needs to see SIGDEM data has GIS software. reaConverter renders it to FITS for a report, an email or a slide, and handles a whole folder in one run.

  • Render every file in a folder to FITS with the same size and settings
  • Set DPI and output dimensions before the run, not afterwards
  • Pick up new data automatically with Watch Folders, or script the job from the command line

Everything runs on your PC, which matters for cadastral, utility and client data that should not pass through an upload form.

GIS data conversion

User reviews

What people say after the first batch

Average User Rating:4.8
Last updated on September 13, 2026
Essential for our astroimaging pipeline! reaConverter perfectly handles FITS files from our research telescope, preserving all WCS coordinates and photometric data during batch conversion to TIFF. Now we process 100+ deep-sky exposures nightly without losing critical metadata for our exoplanet studies!
Joseph Wilson
Joseph Wilson
Satisfied Customer
reaConverter makes FITS conversion incredibly easy. We batch convert astronomical images to standard formats for presentations and analysis, all automated through the command-line. It’s fast, reliable, and handles large datasets without issues.
Laura N.
Laura N.
Astrophysics Research Assistant
We deployed reaConverter across our department to standardize file formats for our archives. The command-line support and automation features integrated perfectly into our systems. Stellar performance and zero crashes—it just works.
David R.
David R.
IT Solutions Architect
So simple! I just needed to convert a couple of files to another format, and for such a straightforward task, the online converter worked perfectly — delivering the files I needed in no time. Excellent service!
Kenneth D. Carter
Kenneth D. Carter
Satisfied Customer
I run a small design agency, and reaConverter has saved me countless hours. The batch processing is lightning-fast, and the ability to convert hundreds of files into different formats at once is a game-changer. Highly recommend!
Mark T.
Mark T.
Satisfied Customer
5/5⭐ Finally! Does what it promises - converts AND tweaks images without complicated menus. Perfect for quick jobs.
J. Mitchell
J. Mitchell
Satisfied Customer

FAQ

SIGDEM to FITS Conversion

What are SIGDEM files?

SIGDEM (Scaled Integer Gridded Digital Elevation Model) is a compact binary format for storing a grid of terrain heights. Instead of saving each height as a bulky decimal number, it records a whole number together with a scale and an offset, from which the true height is calculated, and this keeps the files small while retaining the accuracy needed for mapping work. A file of this type holds exactly one layer and begins with a short header that gives the position of the grid, the cell size, the scale factors, and the coordinate system, which is usually specified by its EPSG number. Files can also be packed with gzip or zip and keep the same extension in front. The format is open, and its specification is published on GitHub.

What are FITS files?

The FITS (Flexible Image Transport System) format is a standard format used particularly for storing, transferring and processing scientific images from fields such as astronomy. FITS was first launched as an open standard in the early 1980s and has gone through several subsequent upgrades. FITS files contain not just images, but also data related to photometry and spatial calibration, and information about the origin of the image. Similar formats include FIT and FTS.

Can reaConverter convert SIGDEM to FITS?

Yes! reaConverter instantly converts .sigdem to .fits with perfect quality preservation. With its batch processing feature, you can convert multiple files at once in just a few clicks. You can even convert images directly from Windows Explorer using the right-click menu — fast and convenient.

What is reaConverter used for?

reaConverter is a Windows converter for 800+ formats, GIS data among them. For SIGDEM to FITS it replaces the usual detour through QGIS, ArcGIS or ogr2ogr: add the files, pick the output format, and the whole batch converts offline. Surveyors, planners and engineering teams use it to pass data between GIS, CAD and everyday document formats.

Why choose offline conversion with reaConverter?

reaConverter is a software program that is used for offline files conversion. Your proprietary documents never leave your computer – essential for architects, engineers, healthcare and government contractors handling classified projects. Meets GDPR, HIPAA, CCPA, and corporate security policies by ensuring files never cross borders or third-party systems.

Can I convert SIGDEM to FITS online?

If you only need to convert a few SIGDEM files to FITS format, feel free to try our free online free online SIGDEM to FITS converter — perfect for small batches with no installation needed!

How can I turn SIGDEM files into FITS on my computer?

The best way to change SIGDEMs to FITSs on your PC is to install a quality piece of software, such as reaConverter. This software is extremely efficient in managing a wide range of batch files conversions, including conversion from SIGDEM to FITS.

How can I automate SIGDEM to FITS files conversion?

reaConverter supports all the most useful automation features such as right-click сonversion and Watch Folders for the most efficient automated files conversion in any software of this type.

Is there a way to convert SIGDEM files to FITS using the command prompt?

reaConverter provides full access to all its features via Windows command line, including a high-performance command-line sigdem to fits converter for batch processing.

What else can I do with reaConverter?

Convert PDF filesAdd watermark on imageConvert GIS filesChange format settingsCopy metadata (EXIF, IPTC)

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