Get hdf band, inverse data set dimensions

[cermak]

Hi!

In the MODIS cloud product hdf files (MOD03, MYD03) some data sets are stored with the band dimension last instead of first.

gdalinfo myfile.hdf (or gdal.Dataset.GetSubDatasets) yields:
[snip]
SUBDATASET_52_NAME=HDF4_EOS:EOS_SWATH:'myfile.hdf':mod06:Cloud_Mask_1km
SUBDATASET_52_DESC=[2040x1354x2] Cloud_Mask_1km mod06 (8-bit integer)
[snip]

So obviously there are two bands of size 2040x1354 in the subdataset. However, in order for gdal to recognize them as two bands the dimensions would have to be [2x2040x1354].

Accordingly, when I do gdalinfo HDF4_EOS:EOS_SWATH:'myfile.hdf':mod06:Cloud_Mask_1km I get information on 2040 different bands, each of size 1354x2

It would be useful to have a feature in gdal that allows explicit selection of the dimension that holds the band count or even let gdal decide on this.

A sample file is at: ​ftp://ladsweb.nascom.nasa.gov/allData/5/MYD06_L2/2006/220/MYD06_L2.A2006220.1315.005.2006222153137.hdf

Thanks and all best, Jan

PS: hdfview can read these files.

[warmerdam]

Added a few people knowledgable about HDF4 to cc list.