Extract text from Global Mapper catalogs (GIC)
To convert GIC catalogs to another format, you need Global Mapper or other GIS software.
To convert other file formats to the "Map Catalog File" file type, you need software like Global Mapper or a similar tool.
The .GIC file extension primarily identifies a Global Mapper Catalog, a proprietary geospatial project file developed by Blue Marble Geographics. These files function as organizational 'wrappers' that reference multiple layers of vector data, raster imagery, and elevation grids, allowing users to load complex map compositions instantly.
However, .GIC files create significant friction in collaborative workflows. Because they often store absolute paths to external data files rather than embedding the data itself, sharing a raw .GIC file usually results in broken links and empty maps for the recipient. Additionally, the format is locked to the Global Mapper ecosystem; industry standards like QGIS or ArcGIS cannot natively interpret these catalogs. To make the data usable, users must typically convert the composition into portable formats. For web mapping and visualization, KML or KMZ are standard. For engineering and vector analysis, converting to SHP or DXF is preferred.
A secondary, less common use of the .GIC extension is for renamed Microsoft Jet Databases. These are essentially legacy MDB files used by older applications to obscure the file type. Opening these requires outdated 32-bit drivers, making conversion to modern CSV or XLSX essential for data preservation.
Convert.Guru analyzes your GIC file, detects the exact format, and lets you read the text inside.
Users also converted LAY6, DT2, GMP and GPM files.
If you want to convert GIC file to , you can use Global Mapper or similar software from the "Geospatial Layer Catalog" category. In the File menu, look for Save As… or Export….
To convert files to GIC, try Global Mapper or another comparable tool in the "Geospatial Layer Catalog" category.
The history of Convert.Guru began over 25 years ago in California with Tom Simondi’s file-format database. A former contributor to Space Shuttle development and a software pioneer of the 1980s, Simondi established a trusted resource for file type analysis that was even referenced by Microsoft Windows XP. Today, we use modern technology to process and convert thousands of file formats while continually improving our GIC converter.