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TYPES OF FILE FORMATS

 

Q:  What are the types of Formats that the GL can save in and what are their uses?

 

Two types of file formats are supported by the GL instruments are GBD binary file and CSV ascii file.

 

1) GBD: Binary data that has been developed specific to Graphtec products, both for the software and the instruments.

This is the only binary format that can be read by the GL.  When saving files, it is best to save in GBD file format as you can always convert to ascii CSV file later using the APS software.  Graphtec software does not allow you to convert back to GBD from CSV so we recommend saving all files in GBD so that you can always have an option as to which format you want your file in.  Processing GBD files on the APS software will also be quicker for large files then CSV files.

 

2) CSV:  ASCII text format used when you want to export the information onto the computer so you can read it on Microsoft excel and other data processing software. Graphtec instruments does allow you to directly format and record your file into a CSV file format, but the memory space will be significantly limited when using CSV format.