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

       • 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

       • Create a PDF file from a XML composition file:

                gdal_create -co COMPOSITION_FILE=composition.xml out.pdf

       • 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

                                                  Feb 11, 2025                                    GDAL_CREATE(1)