Log Body Items - Bitmap (Image) Columns

How it's Used
How to Insert a Bitmap Column into a Log Design
Menu Settings
How to Review the Settings

Use

How it's used: A Bitmap column is used to display a graphic image (BMP, JPG, PNG, TGA, or TIFF format) in the body of a log, in order to illustrate core sample images, scanned logs, fossil pictures, special sampling symbols, and more.

Alternatives: Bitmaps that you wish to include in the header or footer of the log are inserted using the Header / Footer Picture tool.

How it works: As you compile your log in LogPlot, the program will locate a Bitmaps datasheet with the same name as the Image column in the log's design. Any BMP, JPG, PNG, TGA, or TIFF images listed in the datasheet will be plotted in that column. The images can be plotted at real size or stretched to fill the column width and depth interval length. Each Image column on the log must have a separate Image datasheet in the data file; each datasheet may list multiple image names.

How to…

Insert an Image column in a log design

1. Access the Log Designer program tab.
   
2. Click in the log body design pane to make it active. (Use the Visible Sections check-boxes to show/hide the different design panes.)
   
3. Click on the Bitmaps button in the tool pane.
   
4. Position your mouse pointer where you want the left edge of the image column to be, in the log body portion of the design screen, and press the left mouse button to insert it. The program will display the Image Column Setup window.
   
5. Enter the requested settings.

   

   Name: Enter the name for this image column. When you compile your log, if LogPlot finds a Bitmaps datasheet with the same name, it will plot the listed image file(s) into the column.

   Position: These coordinates determine the horizontal placement of the Bitmaps column in the body of the log. The horizontal coordinates are expressed in decimal inches or centimeters relative to the left edge of the design screen. You may change the column's position by editing these values, or by widening/narrowing the column itself on the work screen (see Moving and Resizing Log Body Components).

   Insert Picture as:

   Choose Link to file if you don't want the image(s) themselves to be saved within the compiled plot file (.Lpt8 file); instead the program will save a link to the image file(s). This will keep the plot file smaller in size but you'll need to be sure to keep all referenced images in the same folder as the .Lpt8 file so that they will display when you open the log in the future. See additional notes in the Bitmaps datasheet regarding file name paths.

   Choose Imbed in Output Log (LPT8) if you want the program to save the image(s) in the compiled log plot file. This will cause the .Lpt8 file to be larger in disk size, but is a good option if keeping track of files and links is a bother. This is particularly true if you wish to share the log plot file with a co-worker or client.

   Scaling: Use these settings to define how the width of the images is to be determined.
   ! Note that bitmaps are always stretched vertically to fill the declared depth interval range declared in the data file.

   Stretch Bitmaps to Fit: Choose this option if you want the images to be stretched to fill the entire column width.

   Keep Aspect Ratio: Choose this option if the image will be plotted in the column at its true width, no stretching.

   Clip to column: Insert a check here if the program should clip bitmaps that are wider than the column to the column width when plotted using its original aspect ratio.

   Border Around Images: Insert a check in this box if you want the images themselves to be surrounded by a solid-line border. If multiple images are displayed within this column, each will be bordered.

   Frame around Column: Insert a check here if the Image column is to be surrounded by a solid-line border.

6. To accept the displayed information, click the Apply button. You will see the Image column displayed in the design screen. You may continue to adjust the settings if necessary; remember to click Apply any time you want your changes applied.
   
7. To close the Image column Setup window, click the Close button.
   

Review the Settings

If you need to access the Options window you can:

• Double-click on the Bitmaps column.
• Or, right-click on the Image column and select Edit Item.
• Or, double-click on the Bitmap column in the Items View at the bottom of the design window.
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See also

• Move or Resize Log Body Items for information about dragging, resizing, and aligning items.
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Back to Log Body Item Summary

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