Convert BIL to APR

Understanding BIL and APR file formats

BIL (Band Interleaved by Line) is a raster file format commonly used in remote sensing and geographic information systems (GIS). It stores image data in a way that each line contains pixel values for all bands, making it efficient for certain types of image processing.

APR files are project files used by Esri ArcView GIS software. An APR file contains map layouts, data references, symbology, and other project-specific settings, but does not store actual raster or vector data. Instead, it references external data files such as shapefiles, grids, or images.

Can you convert BIL to APR?

Direct conversion from BIL to APR is not possible because they serve different purposes: BIL is a raster data format, while APR is a project file format. However, you can import a BIL file into an ArcView project and then save the project as an APR file, which will reference the BIL raster data.

How to add a BIL file to an APR project

1. Open Esri ArcView GIS (version 3.x).
2. Go to File → New Project to create a new APR file.
3. In the project window, select the View icon and open a new view.
4. Click View → Add Theme.
5. In the file dialog, set the file type to Image Data Source and select your BIL file.
6. Click OK to add the BIL raster as a theme in your project.
7. Save your project via File → Save Project. This creates or updates the APR file, which now references your BIL data.

Recommended software for BIL to APR workflow

• Esri ArcView GIS 3.x – The native environment for APR files and BIL raster import.
• QGIS – While QGIS does not use APR files, it can open BIL files and export projects in its own format.

Summary

While you cannot directly convert a BIL file to an APR file, you can import BIL raster data into an ArcView project and save the project as an APR file, which will reference the BIL data for use in GIS workflows.