Exporting RockPlot3D Images to a PNG Format

RockPlot3D | File | Export | PNG

Use RockPlot3D's PNG export tool to create PNG-format images of the current 3D view, at any resolution. This type of Portable Network Graphics bitmap was created specifically for the internet and other networks, and offers high color support and good compression.

Menu Options
Step-by-Step Summary

Menu Options

• Maintain aspect ratio: Insert a check in this box to keep the current width-to-height ratio constant as you adjust the image resolution. This means that as you edit the dimensions of one axis, the other will be updated automatically. Leave this box unchecked to vary the axes independently.
  
  
• Dimensions (pixels): The Width and Height defaults displayed here represent the current size of the 3D View pane on your screen display, at 96 pixels per inch. For example, if the View pane were 10 inches wide on your screen, the default Width in pixels would be 960. 
  • If you leave the resolution settings as-is, the exported image will look just like the current screen display. This may be OK for display of the exported image on the screen, but the resolution may be low for print output.
  • You can adjust these pixels to increase or decrease the resolution of the output bitmap. 

    • For display on a computer screen, adjust the Dimensions settings using this formula: 
      desired output size (in inches) x 96 pixels per inch
      For example, if you needed an image that was 5 inches wide at 96 pixels per inch, you would set the Width to 480.

    • For high resolution print output, adjust the Dimensions settings using this formula: 
      desired output size (in inches) x desired output resolution (in pixels per inch)
      For example, if you needed an image that was 5 inches wide at 300 pixels per inch, you would set the Width to 1500
      
      
• Background Color: Choose the color to be represented as the background in the output image. This can be different than the current RockPlot3D background color.
  
  
• PNG Options: 
  • Progressive Save:  Insert a check here to allow the PNG image to be displayed as it is being loaded in the eventual paint, photo, or other program you'll be using to view or edit the image.
  • Transparent:  Insert a check in this box to set the color you select as transparent in the output PNG image.
  • Compression:  Choose from Low, Medium, or High.  The greater the compression, the smaller the output file size.
    
    
• File Name: Click on the button to enter the name to assign to the PNG file to be created. 
  
  

Step-by-Step Summary

1. If necessary, open the Rw3D file you wish to export. (See Opening a RockPlot3D View.) 
2. Adjust the image view to your satisfaction. This includes, but is not limited to, the rotation angle, zoomed-in state, vertical exaggeration, etc. This is important because the bitmap will be captured from the current 3D View.
3. Select the Export command from the File menu. A pop-up menu will display the export options. Select the PNG option. 
4. Enter the requested menu options, described above.
5. Click OK to proceed.

The program will store on disk the current image in a PNG format, at the requested resolution.

The PNG file cannot be opened directly into RockPlot3D. It can be placed into a ReportWorks document. It can also be opened into most applications that read and manipulate bitmap-type images, and even into some drawing-style programs. The PNG image can also be inserted into a variety of different types of documents, such as a Microsoft Word DOC file. 

Back to Exporting Images

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