Import/Export

Workflow Export/Import

This example describes the workflow for the Image Export. The typical workflow is the same for both export and import of images.

You are on the Processing tab.

In the Method tool, open the Export/Import group and select Image Export.
In the Input tool, select the image you want to export. To do this, click on the small preview image within the tool. You see a preview of all the open images. To select an image, click on the image that you want to use. This is only necessary if you have several images open simultaneously. By default, the image currently selected is always used as the input image.
In the Parameters tool, set the desired export settings, e.g. file type, quality, export folder, etc.
At the top part of the Processing tab, click Apply.

You have successfully exported the selected image.

Exporting Images

Using the Quick Export function, you can export images automatically with a single click of the mouse, without setting the processing function parameters.

You have acquired or opened an image.

In the Right Tool Area, in the Images and Documents tool, select the image and click . Alternatively, click File > Export/Import > Quick Export.

The selected image is automatically exported with the default settings of the Image Export processing function (PNG, size 100%). The image is placed in the folder that is currently set in the Image Export processing function.
All images have 300 dpi.

If you export a time series or z-stack image using the Quick Export function, a movie is automatically generated using the default values of the Movie Export method.

Exporting Movies

Using the Quick Export function, you can export movies automatically with a single click of the mouse, without setting the processing function parameters.

You have acquired or opened an image from a time series or a z-stack image.

In the Right Tool Area, in the Images and Documents tool, click . Alternatively, click File > Export/Import > Quick Export.

The selected image is automatically exported with the default settings of the Movie Export processing function (AVI, original size). The movie is placed in the folder that is currently set in the Movie Export processing function.

Exporting Multichannel Images

To export multichannel images, see the following description. Not all the parameters are used in this example. For a description of all available export parameters, see Image Export.

You have acquired or opened a multichannel image.

On the Processing tab, select the function Image Export. Alternatively, click File > Export/Import > Export or press Ctrl+6.
The export options are displayed in the Parameters tool. Make sure that Show All is activated to see all options.
Merged Channels Image is activated by default. This means that the pseudo color image (mixed color image from all channels) is also exported as an individual image.
In the File Type section, define the format for your image to be exported.
Based on your selection, the displayed options might change.
Activate Individual Channels Image to export an image from each channel.
To change the folder where to save the images, for Export To click .
A file browser opens.
Navigate to the folder and click OK.
You have changed folder for saving.
Activate Generate zip File to generate zip files.
Activate Create Folder to create a subfolder with the name of the prefix.
Define a Prefix for naming your exported images. The default prefix is the name of your image. For information on naming conventions, see Naming Convention for Image Export.
Click Apply at the top of the Processing tab.

You have exported images of the individual channels and a pseudo color image of your multichannel image and automatically saved them (as a ZIP archive) in the defined folder.

Exporting Multiscene Images

File Size Limitation

The export of images to most file formats is subject to limits of the file size that can be created (typically ca. 2 GB). For this reason, we recommend to use the Big TIFF-format. If this is not possible because the Big TIFF-format does not fit your needs, check if the image size does not exceed the resources of your computer when exporting your preferred format. A message will inform you, when the size exceeds your resources. You have the following options to work around:

Resize the resolution to scale the image down with the Resize slider.
Activate Original Data and deactivate Apply Display Curve and Channel Color.
With a rectangle, select a region of interest to minimize the image itself.
Activate Crop to Selection and Generate New Tiles to cut the image again into tiles using the row and column options.

To export multiscene images, see the following description. Not all the parameters are used in this example. For a description of all available export parameters, see Image Export.

You have loaded a multiscene image.

On the Processing tab, select the function Image Export. Alternatively, click File > Export/Import > Export or press Ctrl+6.
The export options are displayed in the Parameters tool. Make sure that Show All is activated to see all options.
In the File Type section, define the format for your image to be exported.
Based on your selection, the displayed options might change.
If you have selected Big TIFF, activate Merge All Scenes to combine all scenes of your ROI in one image. Deactivate the checkbox to export single files per scene.
Activate Define Subset.
The Scene, the Region and the Tiles sections are displayed.
In the Scene section, from the drop-down menu, select which parts of the input image you want to use for the resulting image.
In the Region section, from the drop-down menu, select if you want to export the full image or a rectangle region.
If you select Rectangle Region, you can draw a rectangle in the image according to your needs.
To change the folder where to save the images, for Export To click .
A file browser opens.
Navigate to the folder and click OK.
You have changed folder for saving.
Define a Prefix for naming your exported images. The default prefix is the name of your image. For information on naming conventions, see Naming Convention for Image Export.
Click Apply at the top of the Processing tab.

Importing Z-Stack Images

You have saved the individual images of a Z-stack in a folder on your computer. The images have been named systematically, e.g. Image_Z0, Image_Z01, etc.

On the Processing tab, open the parameters for Image Import (or via the File > Export/Import > Import).
You will see the default settings of the parameters for Image Import.
Activate the Z-stack checkbox. Deactivate all the other dimensions.
Enter the interval for the Z-stack. The number of planes is set automatically if the images have been named systematically.
In the Import from section, select the folder that contains the individual images of your Z-stack image.
The individual images are displayed automatically in the list under the import directory.
Click on the Check Consistency button. This allows you to check whether the images can be imported correctly.
A check mark appears after each file name in the list. You can import the individual images.
Click on the Apply button at the top of the Processing tab.

The individual images are imported and combined to form a Z-stack image. You have successfully imported a Z-stack image from individual images.