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Error: "Could not add a raster layer using 'xxx.grd(GRD)'.The raster may not be supported by your installation of ArcGIS Desktop" or ""Invalid Raster Dataset. Failed to create a raster layer."

Joe McPherson
  • Updated

Occurrence:

I have Extensions for ArcGIS installed and I get one of the following error messages when trying to display a Geosoft grid via the Add Data button or create a grid from a Geosoft database or shapefile. 
 
"Could not add a raster layer using 'xxx.grd(GRD)'.The raster may not be supported by your installation of ArcGIS Desktop" Or
 
"Invalid Raster Dataset. Failed to create a raster layer."

Resolution:

here are several possible solutions to this problem. Work through them one at a time to see if it resolves your problem.

  • Ensure Target for ArcGIS or the Plug-in for ArcGIS is installed
  • Save the ArcMap MXD file to your project folder
  • Run ArcGISbootstrap.exe
  • Delete any special characters from your project folder name or grid filename
  • Shorten long file names.
  • Upgrade ArcGIS

To install your extension:

  1. Close ArcMAP.
  2. Go to Start menu, Control Panel, Programs, Programs and features and select Geosoft Desktop Applications
  3. Right-click and select Change
  4. Select Add or Remove Applications
  5. Ensure Extensions for ArcGIS or Plug-in for ArcGIS is selected
  6. Launch ArcMap and try to add the grid file.

To save the ArcMap MXD file to your project folder:

  1. Go to File and select Save As.
  2. Enter a MXD name, select the project folder and click Save.
  3. Try to add or create the grid file.

To run ArcGISbootstrap.exe:

  1. Close ArcMap.
  2. Go to C:\Program Files (x86)\Geosoft\Desktop Applications 9\bin and run the ArcGISPostBootStrap.exe by double-clicking the file name.
    On a 32-bit computer, run C:\Program Files\Geosoft\Desktop Applications 9\bin\ArcGISPostBootStrap.exe.
    This application will quickly run and automatically close.
  3. Launch ArcMap and try to add or create the grid file.

To delete any special characters from your project folder or grid file name:

  1. Close ArcMAP.
  2. Manually edit the folder name where your grid or data are located if it has any special characters (e.g.: ç  ~  ´ ^) in it.
    Special characters also include letter with accents such as à and é.
  3. Manually edit the grid file name if it has any special characters in it.
    You will also need to also edit the associated *.GI and *.XML files.
  4. Re-add or re-create the grid file to ArcMap.

To shorten long file names:

  1. Close ArcMAP.
  2. Manually edit the file name so it is shorter.
    You will also need to also edit the associated *.GI and *.XML files.
  3. Re-add the grid file to ArcMap.

To upgrade ArcGIS:

If none of the above resolve the issue then you will need to upgrade your ArcGIS. Before upgrading ArcGIS you must uninstall Geosoft Extensions for ArcGIS. When the ArcGIS upgrade is completed you can reinstall Extensions for ArcGIS.

How to uninstall Geosoft software and then reinstall it