Contents
- Index
3D Fast
Track
This module
will convert any flat image into 3D numerical data and preview it as a surface
(mesh) or contour plot.
Start by loading an image from a file, the clipboard or a Twain device (scanner,
digital camera, etc.)
From the menu select 3D|Run - the image will now be scanned and converted to a
3D surface plot and automatically displayed in the preview window.
If you invert the colors (intensities) 3D|Invert Colors and run again the 3D image
will now be inverted, that is flipped vertically. This is useful if the
information you want in your main picture is darker then the rest. It will cause
the peaks to be up rather then down. Try it and see the results.
The data can now be saved as a text file or sent directly to the analysis plotter
(Send to plotter) for further evaluation as either x,y,intensity or x,y,R,G,B.
In both cases you have several options for the output under Files|Save Options:
Resolution:
Choices are 1, 2, 4, 8 - This determines the sample size or the number of
steps between digitizing. Eg. 4 (the default) will read every 4th pixel,
1 will read every pixel (maximum resolution). If the image is small, resolution
of 1-2 would be reasonable, if the image is large then 4 or 8 may be best. The
higher the resolution the larger the data set that will be created, especially
if saving the full color data.
Levels:
This gives you the choice of saving the data as x,y,z(intensity) or as x,y,R,G,B
(full
color). If
the original image is in color and you save/preview the data as x,y,z the information
will be converted to grey scale (see Balance).
Balance:
The choices are Weighted or Averaged. This determines the conversion balance
when saving as grey scale x,y,z. When converting from color to grey scale
there are several ways to balance the colors. Averaged is simply averaging the
three colors (R+G+B)/3
- Weighted applies an algorithm that converts the colors to grey based on the
human
eyes response
to color. Normally this is the mode you would use.
As you can see, the data file could be quite large if choosing a resolution of
1 and output levels as color. When you select each mode option you will
be shown in the message box the approximate file size.
Note1:
most menu selections are available as 'shortcut keys' such as CTRL+C will paste
a clipboard image directly into the digitizer window.
Note2:
If you resize the 3D preview window there will be some latency in updating the
graph due to the processor intensive nature of 3D generation. The larger
the original image the slower this update will be.
It's that easy.