Exporting RockPlot2D Images to a Bitmap (BMP) Format

RockPlot2D | File | Export | Raster
or
RockWorks | Graphics | 2D Tools | Export | Raster

Use this program to save an existing Rw2D image in a BMP format.

Menu Options
Step-by-Step Summary
Tips

Menu Options

• Input File (in the Graphics | 2D Tools | Export | Raster program only).
  • RockPlot2D File: Click here to select the name of the existing Rw2D file to be exported to BMP format.This file must have already been saved in the RockPlot2D window. See Saving RockPlot2D Images.
• Raster Conversion Options
  • Export Format: Click in the BMP button to export as a Bitmap format file.
  • Output File Name: Click to the right to type in the name to be assigned to the BMP file to be created.
  • Pixel Format: Choose from the drop-down list box the color resolution you wish to use for the output BMP image. As you increase the color resolution, the output file will increase in size. For good color depth, you should probably choose 24 bits/pixel.
    ! Changing the pixels per inch and/or colors per pixel does not change the printable size of the graphic (that is done under the Size in Inches settings) but instead the resolution of the image and the size on disk of the output file.
    ! Note that some of the other graphic formats, such as PNG and JPG, are more efficient in storing high-resolution images in smaller-sized files.
• Dimensions Defined By:
  • Image Size:
    • Image Width (Pixels): Enter the number of pixels for the horizontal dimension of the image. RockWorks will calculate the vertical pixels automatically using the Vertical Exaggeration setting.
  • Scale Factor: This setting works in conjunction with the Size in Inches, representing the number of diagram coordinates represented per inch in the diagram. For RockWorks maps that use real world coordinates, this may be an important setting. For other RockWorks images, such as ternary or rose diagrams, this may not be.
    • Units: Choose Imperial (Inches) or Metric (Centimeters) as the units to be represented in the scale settings.
    • Scale (Units / Inch or Cm): Enter the number of map or diagram units to be plotted per inch or centimeter in the output image. This will be adjusted for the vertical axis based on the Vertical Exaggeration setting, below.
• Vertical Exaggeration Enter "1.0" if the horizontal and vertical axes are to be scaled the same. Enter a value greater than "1.0" for the vertical axis to be stretched; enter a value less than "1.0" for the horizontal axis to be stretched.
• Pattern Scaling:
  • Automatic: This option, which is default, will scale any diagram patterns (such as those in cross-sections) automatically, to match the pattern density that you see on the screen.
  • Manual: This option can be used to increase or decrease the density of the patterns, particularly if you are exporting at a large vertical exaggeration. The greater the number you enter, the less dense the pattern will appear in the output. If you are compensating for a large vertical exaggeration in a cross section diagram, for example, you may want to make the vertical scalar a smaller value than the horizontal scalar.
• Create "World" File: Insert a check here for the program to create an accompanying World File with the output graphic. Use the following options to define the naming convention.
  • Append "W" To Output Extension: Choose this option if the file name extension of the World File should have the output file name extension plus the character "w". Example: If the output image is named "Project 27.bmp", the World File will be named "Project 27.bmpw".
  • 3-Character Format: Choose this option if the file name extension of the World File should have 3-characters:
    • The first character of the extension will equal the first character of the output file extension.
    • The second character of the extension will be equal to the last character of the output file extension.
    • The third character of the extension will be set to "W".
    • Example: If the output image is named "Project 27.bmp", the World File will be named "Project 27.bpw".
• Show Output in Default Viewer: Check this box if you want the output file to be loaded into the software on your computer that is currently established (via Windows) as the default program to view BMP files.
  

Step-by-Step Summary

1. From RockPlot2D: If necessary, open the Rw2D file you wish to export (see Opening Plot Files) or save the current plot if it's untitled (see Saving RockPlot2D Images). Then, select the File | Export | Raster option from the RockPlot2D menu.
   - OR -
   From the main RockWorks menu: Select the Graphics | 2D Tools | Export | Raster menu option.
2. Enter the requested information in the displayed program window, as described above.
3. Click the Process button when you are ready to continue.

The program will store on disk the current plot file in a Windows Bitmap format at the resolution and color depth you specified. If a World File was requested, it will also be saved, using the requested file name convention. If requested, the BMP file will be loaded into the default viewer you have installed on your computer.

Tips

• BMP files can be:
  • Displayed as a background image during creation of 2D maps
  • Floated or draped above 3D images.
  • Inserted into a RockPlot2D window using the Draw | Insert | Image option.
  • Inserted into a ReportWorks document (the page layout program in RockWorks).
  
  

See also

• Adding this program to your Playlist
• Adding this program to your Favorites
• Save/load/view menu settings
• 
  

Back to RockPlot2D Export menu

Back to Graphics Menu Summary

RockWare home page