Error Message: "Invalid Raster Dataset. Failed to create raster layer". Cannot add Grids/Images to a layer in ArcGIS
Problem/Symptom:
Cannot see Geosoft Grids (*.GRD) or Tiff images (*.TIF) when adding data to a layer in ArcGIS (with Target for ArcGIS or the Geosoft Plugin for ArcGIS installed). OR, you get an error when trying to add a GRD or TIF, such as "Invalid Raster Dataset. Failed to create raster layer"
Environment:
This resolution applies to any version of ArcGIS and Target for ArcGIS/Geosoft Plugin for ArcGIS. Target for ArcGIS or the Geosoft Plugin for ArcGIS must be installed in order for a user to view Geosoft grids (*.grd) inside the ArcGIS environment.
Resolution:
1) In ArcGIS, go to Tools > Options > Raster tab. Click on File Formats. Look for "Geosoft Grid" (*.grd). Make sure it is checked ON.
2) If GRD does not appear in the list, go to Advanced > Restore Defaults.
3) If that does not help, we need to add a new raster format. To add a new raster format, shut down ArcMap and delete the rasterformats.cfg file from the C:\Program Files\Common Files\ESRI\Raster\devices\ntx86\RDOConfig directory. This file will regenerate itself on start up, when you add a new file to a new layer. Start up ArcMap and see if the GRD file type is recognized.
4) If you cannot find rasterformats.cfg in that directory, try searching for rasterformats.cfg anywhere in C:\Program Files\Common Files\ESRI\Raster and remove those files from your computer (don't delete them just yet, so place them on a zip drive or something, just to move it off your computer for the time being). Again, this file will re-generate itself upon opening ArcGIS again BUT only when you try and add a new file to a new layer. Upon opening ArcGIS, see if you can add GRDs.
5) Go to C:\Program Files\Common Files\ESRI\Raster\usr\lib\NTx86\RasterFormats and look for a file called geogrd_esri.dll. If you do not have it, this is the reason why the GRDs are not showing up. This DLL is the one we use to display GRDs. If you do not have it, do a search for it. If you can't find it, contact Geosoft Technical Support for the files (to be placed in the C:\Program Files\Common Files\ESRI\Raster\usr\lib\NTx86\RasterFormats directory). This file should be installed upon installation of Geosoft software, and thus something may be corrupt somewhere along the line.
6) Now with that DLL in that folder, in ArcGIS, go to Tools > Options > Raster tab > File Formats. Under the Advanced tab > Add New Raster Format. Search for that geogrd_esri.dll and add it.
7) If this fails, it may be because of some other ArcGIS extension that is on your ArcGIS installation, such as an ER Mapper viewer for ERS or ECW files.
a. Go to C:\Documents and Settings\your username\Application Data\ESRI\ArcMap\Templates. Some of these folders may be hidden so in Windows Explorer go to Tools > Folder Options > View, and select "Show hidden files and folders" under Files and Folders.
b. Once here, you should see a file called normal.mxt. If you delete this, it will restore all the defaults for your installation of ArcGIS, and may add the GRD extension. Be careful in doing this, as this will reset everything (project parameters and toolbars) in ArcGIS.
8) Place the ArcGIS 9.2 CD back on to your machine, and run the installation. Do a custom install, and install only the ".NET support files" from the CD. This has helped in the past with one user.
If all of this fails, you need to uninstall-reinstall Target for ArcGIS or the Geosoft Plugin for ArcGIS. To do this, please park your license (if applicable), then uninstall through Add/Remove Programs. Delete the entire C:\Program Files\Geosoft\ArcGIS directory, remembering to save any custom files you may have. Once complete, re-install the software from your CD or from our website:
http://www.geosoft.com/downloads/index.asp
And setup your Geosoft license (if applicable) prior to re-opening ArcGIS.
Note: If you upgrade your version of ArcGIS without first uninstalling Geosoft, your Geosoft installation may become corrupt. It is always recommended that you install ArcGIS followed by the Geosoft extension.
Case Example:
A user had a similar problem when they upgraded from ArcGIS 9.1 to 9.2 (it wasn't trivial that they had to uninstall TfA prior to upgrading ArcGIS). In that case, they had to uninstall Geosoft > uninstall ArcGIS > reinstall ArcGIS 9.2 > reinstall Geosoft. They also repaired their "Microsoft .NET Framework 2.0" through Add/Remove Programs, and when re-installing ArcGIS made sure to include the ".NET Support Files".
Root Cause:
This is most likely an issue with your ArcGIS installation not recognizing Geosoft grids (GRD). This may be a problem with the order in which you installed/upgraded ArcGIS (e.g. from 9.1 to 9.2) and/or Geosoft. It may also be a problem with missing DLLs, a corrupt ArcGIS installation, a corrupt .NET installation, amongst other things.
If you had Geosoft installed, and upgraded from Arc 9.1 to 9.2 (or possibly even just upgraded an ArcGIS service pack), problems like these arise. If you are upgrading ArcGIS (even upgrading a service pack), you need to uninstall Geosoft before proceeding with the ArcGIS upgrade. Once the ArcGIS upgrade is complete, re-install Geosoft.
