Proper way to share raster layer

Question

In ArcGIS I have used to share a shapefile (for example beach areas) by sending a package that contains different files (.shp, .shx, .prj, .cpg, .dbf, .sbn, .xml) which contains all necessary properties for the shapefile. So far everyone has been happy.

But now I got NetCDF file of average wind speed. I successfully imported it from ArcToolbox -> Multidimensional Tools -> Make NetCDF Raster Layer. From layer properties I changed the "Color ramp" to be "red to blue", so that blue color is 3 m/s and red is 8 m/s.

Now, what is the proper way to export/save that wind speed raster layer? So that I could send it by e-mail and everyone could see the same colorful picture and the "color ramp." Is GeoTIFF-format mostly used? Or is there something better for sharing raster layer?

J.R · Accepted Answer

If it's to share a colorful map, creating a layout and exporting to PDF or JPG will do the the job.
The pro are :

it will probably result in a smaller file (good for email)
you can add a legend and other label
People don't need to use any specialized tool to view it

The con :

It is now just a picture (note that a PDF can retain some geographic properties so accessing coordinate and making measurement are still possible), so the people who receive it can't use it to do further analysis

Or as said by Vince in comment you could share it the same way as shapefile with an added .lyr for the symbology

Proper way to share raster layer

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