One of the issues that a user is faced with when analyzing ground motion records that come from various databases and multiple agencies in different countries is the fact that there is no standard ground motion format that is widely used. Many ground motion formats currently exist, that each have different header format and content, and different data format and units. This can become problematic (and tedious!) when multiple records from multiple sources need to be opened, processed, analyzed or compared.

A unique feature of Bispec is that it can automatically recognize and import many different types of ground motion record files, which relieves the user from having to perform time-consuming and error-prone manual file manipulations. Bispec currently supports 8 ground motion file formats:

1. Automatic: Automatically checks if the file is one of the predefined file formats (except User-defined format).
2. CSMIP (CDMG) Format
3. SMC (USGS) Format
4. USC Format
5. SAC Format (SAC Steel Project Ground Motions)
6. PEER Format
7. PEER NGA Format
8. User-defined format, which is more general and whose parameters can be explicitly defined by the user. See following the section for details.

These options cover the majority of record formats used in the United States, and some are also used outside the US. The "Ground Motion File Selection Dialog" section provides more information on various formats, particularly the "Automatic" and "User" options.