Chapter 6 (continued): Working with Raster Graphic Images in Origin
Working with Raster Graphic
Images in Origin
Importing and Plotting Images
Origin provides enhanced support for importing, viewing, and plotting raster graphic images. To import a
gray scale, 8-bit color or higher resolution color image into the active matrix, select File:Import Image.
(Alternatively, drag the desired file from Windows Explorer and drop it into the matrix.) When you first
import the image, Origin displays a device independent bitmap (DIB) of the image in the matrix.
If you are only interested in a region of the image, you can select a region of the DIB using the Rectangle
on the Tools toolbar. The "region of interest mode" is controlled
Tool in "region of interest mode"
from the Tools:Region of Interest Tools menu command.
Selecting a Region of Interest
You can also view the image data instead of the image. To do this, select View:Data Mode. Once you
view the data in the matrix, you cannot return to the original DIB view. To convert the DIB to data, Origin
converts each pixel to an RGB value and then assigns the corresponding matrix cell an index number to a
gray scale palette, based on the RGB value of the pixel. To convert back to image view, select
View:Image View. The matrix now displays the image by mapping each each cell's index value to a gray
scale palette.
You can also view the image using a built-in or user supplied color palette. Viewing the image using a
specified color palette may clarify regions of the image. To view the image using a color palette, you must
first convert the DIB to matrix data. To do this, select Image:Convert to Gray + Data. (You can also
switch to View:Data Mode and then back to View:Image Mode.) Origin converts each pixel to an RGB
value and then assigns the corresponding matrix cell an index number to a gray scale palette, based on the
RGB value of the pixel. To display the image using a palette other than gray scale, select
Importing and Plotting Images 144
Chapter 6 (continued): Working with Raster Graphic Images in Origin
Image:Palette:PaletteSelection. A number of built-in palettes are provided. For information on including
your own palettes, see "Adding New Color Palettes to Origin" on page 146.
Viewing the Image Using a Built-in Palette for Improved Clarity
When viewing the image from a palette, Origin maps each cell's index value to a color in the selected
palette. Thus, the image's full matrix Z value range is mapped to the palette. You can adjust the brightness
and the contrast of the image using the Tuning tool. To open this tool, select Image:Tuning. When you
adjust the Contrast slider, you are increasing or decreasing the Z value range that is mapped to the palette.
When you adjust the Brightness slider, you are shifting the range of Z values that are mapped to the palette.
Adjusting the Brightness and Contrast of the Image
To plot the image into a graph window, select Plot:Image Plot. The default X and Y axis range is
determined by the coordinate range of the matrix, which is the same as the image's X and Y pixel range.
Importing and Plotting Images 145
Chapter 6 (continued): Working with Raster Graphic Images in Origin
Plotting the Image into a Graph
Adding New Color Palettes to Origin
You can add new image palettes that are in Microsoft binary format or JASC ASCII format and that are
256 color. To do this, copy the file to the Origin \Palettes subfolder. The next time you start Origin, these
new palettes will display in the Image:Palette submenu.
You can create new palettes using any external application that writes the palette out in the Microsoft .PAL
format. This is the only format that is recognized by Origin.
Additionally, Origin provides a palette editor project file located in the Origin subfolder:
\SAMPLES\PROGRAMMING\PALETTE EDITOR\[Link]
Entering Image Data Directly into a Matrix
In addition to importing images, you can enter image data directly into a matrix. In this case, the values
you enter are considered to be 8-bit or higher gray scale intensity values. Before entering values in a
matrix, select Matrix:Set Properties to correctly set the internal data type. If you view the image instead
of the data you entered (View:Show Image), Origin displays the image by converting each intensity value
to an index number from a gray scale palette. The gray scale palette is created based on the internal data
type (resolution) of the matrix. As with imported images, you can change the palette by selecting
Image:Palette:PaletteSelection.
Adding New Color Palettes to Origin 146
Chapter 6 (continued): Working with Raster Graphic Images in Origin
Image Processing Example
Origin provides a basic image processing example that allows you to choose a filter and then apply the
filter to the image. The example uses Origin C code to perform the filter operations.
To review this example, open IMAGE PROCESSING. OPJ located in the Origin
\SAMPLES\PROGRAMMING\IMAGE PROCESSING subfolder.
Plotting an Image Histogram
After importing a raster graphic image into a matrix, Origin can create a histogram of the intensity values
in the image. To plot a histogram from the image in the matrix, select Plot:Histogram.
Example Image Histogram
Viewing the Images X and Y Projections
Matrix images can also be plotted using a graph template that includes X and Y projections. To plot to this
template, select Plot:Profiles. You can drag the lines to view different X and Y projections. You can also
view the projections using an arbitrary line.
Image Processing Example 147
Chapter 6 (continued): Working with Raster Graphic Images in Origin
Viewing the Images X and Y Projections
Exporting an Image
To export an image in the matrix to a raster graphic image file, the internal data type of the matrix must be
set to either short, int, or char. (The internal data type is set in the Matrix Properties dialog box. To open
this dialog box, select Matrix:Set Properties.)
To export an image to a file, select File:Export Image when the matrix is active.
Exporting an Image 148