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A tagged based file format for storing and interchanging raster images with the most recent version 6.0 published in 1992.
Many mainframe computers use a big-endian (Motorola) architecture. Most modern computers, including PCs, use the little-endian (Intel) system. Converting between these two systems is possible but as a general rule modern software should be expected to handle both of these outputs without operator intervention.
We have conducted tests on a number of Geographical Information Systems (GIS) and Computer Aid Design (CAD) software packages and no problems have been encountered with reading either TIFF Intel or TIFF Mototola. Whilst this list of software packages is not exhaustive, it is not known if it will cause a problem with some older versions of desktop or CAD systems.
Ordnance Survey have adopted a policy that customers should expect to receive data in TIFF Intel or TIFF Motorola format dependent on the individual product creation software and which delivery platform is used to supply the data.
As from 1st February 2006, Ordnance Survey have changed the supply of 1:10 000 Scale Raster, 1:25 000 Scale Raster and 1:50 000 Scale Raster from TIFF Intel to TIFF Motorola format. This conforms to the TIFF 6.0 standard, but the onus will be on the user to ensure that their system can read either of these TIFF standard file formats.
In the unlikely event that any problems are encountered when loading TIFF files, you should seek advice from your software supplier.