About GCD Software
GCD 7 is available as two separate products:
- GCD AddIn (for users with ArcGIS) includes map display integration with ArcMap.
- GCD Standalone is independent of ESRI and does not require ArcGIS. It has no built-in map display, but is otherwise fully functional.
GCD AddIn for ArcGIS
The following table shows compatibility of GCD versions with ArcGIS:
| GCD Version | 10.1 | 10.2 | 10.3 | 10.4 | 10.5 | 10.6 | ArcPro |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GCD 6 | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ |
| GCD 7 | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ |
Free ArcGIS for Students & Researchers
Most academic institutions offer ArcGIS licenses. ESRI also provides free one-year licenses for students and researchers.
GCD Standalone
The GCD Standalone version lets you:
- Create projects
- Specify DEM surveys
- Perform change detection
tip
GCD Standalone does not include a map display. Ideal for those using QGIS or other GIS software.
Key Features
- 64-bit application (faster than 32-bit AddIn)
- No ArcGIS required
- Uses ClickOnce technology:
→ Installs to your profile folder
→ No admin rights needed
→ Follow prompts carefully when downloading.exe
Prerequisites
Both the AddIn and Standalone versions require .NET Framework 4.5.2 (that should already included with Windows 10).
Other Notes
- Incompatibility: GCD 6 and 7 projects cannot be opened across versions.
- Running Both Versions: AddIn and Standalone can coexist. The only shared resource is the FIS Library. You can use both on the same
*.gcdfile. Details
Tutorials & Extensions
To build surfaces in ArcGIS, you need Spatial Analyst and 3D Analyst extensions enabled.