Exporting RockPlot2D Images to a PNG Format

RockPlot2D File | Export | PNG
or
RockWorks | Utilities | Grafix | 2D Utilities | Export | PNG

Use this program to save an existing Rw2D image in a PNG format.  PNG files are a popular raster format because there is no color loss, the files sizes are relatively small, and they are compatible with web browsers.

Menu Options
Step-by-Step Summary
Tips

Menu Options

From the RockPlot2D Window

• Pixels per inch: This setting determines the resolution of the output graphic. As you increase the number of pixels per inch, the disk size of the output file (noted at the bottom of the dialog box) will increase. If you want to display the image on screen only, a resolution of 96 will probably be adequate. If you want to print the image at high resolution, you should increase the resolution to at least 150 pixels per inch. (We use 200 - 300 for publication quality graphics.)
• Colors: Choose from the drop-down list box the color resolution you wish to use for the output PNG 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.
• Sizing:
  • Size in Inches: You can use these Width and Height prompts to change the actual size of the picture contained in the PNG file.  (The Pixels per Inch times the Size in Inches will determine the total number of pixels stored for the image horizontally and vertically.)
    • If the Keep Same Proportions box is checked, then the program will be sure the same height:width aspect ratio is maintained. This means that if you edit one of the values, the other one will be updated automatically. Editing either Size prompt will also cause the Scale prompts to be updated.  This will take into account the current vertical exaggeration.
    • If the Keep Same Proportions box is not checked, you can vary the width and height independently.
  • Scale (Units per inch): 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. 
    • As with the Size prompts, if the Keep Same Proportions box is checked (in RockPlot2D windows only), then the program will be sure the Scale values remain equal for X (width) and Y (height); as you edit one, the other one will be updated automatically. 
    • If the Keep Same Proportions box is not checked, you can vary the units per inch for the width and height independently.
• Pattern Options:
  • Dynamic Sizing (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. 
  • Fixed Sizing (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.
• Compression: PNG files can be created with varied compression; choose from Low, Medium or High.  Generally, the higher the compression, the smaller the file size, but image quality can be degraded.  Lower compression will result in slightly larger files, but will assure the best image quality.
• Transparent: Insert a check here if you would like to choose a color in the image to be transparent, and select the color by clicking in the color box. 
• Background:  Insert a check here if you would like to select a default background color should there be no background color available or selected in the application in which the PNG image is eventually displayed.  Select the default color for the background by clicking on the color box.
• Save Progressive:  Insert a check in this box to enable drawing of the image on the screen as it is being loaded in the destination application.
• Create "World" File: Insert a check here for the program to create an accompanying World File with the output graphic. Expand this heading as necessary to access the naming convention settings.
  • 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.png", the World File will be named "Project 27.pngw".  (Prompting for the output file name will occur after the menu settings are established.)
  • 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.png", the World File will be named "Project 27.pgw".
• Display 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 PNG files.
   

From Utilities | Grafix | 2D | Export | PNG

• RockPlot2D File: Click here to select the name of the Rw2D file to be exported to PNG format. This file must have already been saved in the RockPlot2D window.  See Saving RockPlot2D Images.
• PNG File: Click here to type in the name to assign the PNG file to be created.
• Output Scale:
  • Pixels / inch: This setting determines the resolution of the output graphic. As you increase the number of pixels per inch, the disk size of the output file will increase. If you want to display the image on screen only, a resolution of 96 will probably be adequate. If you will want to print the image at high resolution, you should increase the resolution to at least 150 pixels per inch. (We use 200 - 300 for publication quality graphics.)
  • Scale (Units / inch): 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. 
  • Vertical Exaggeration:  Click here to type in how much stretch should be applied to the vertical axis.  If you type in "1", the diagram will be output at the above scale setting along both the horizontal and vertical axes.  If you type in "2", the diagram will be output at the above scale for the horizontal axis, and at half that scale for the vertical axis, resulting in a diagram stretched 2x vertically.  If you type in "0.5," the diagram will be output at the above scale for the horizontal axis and at twice that scale vertically, resulting in a diagram half as tall as at 1:1.
• Pattern Scaling:
  • Dynamic Size (Auto):  This option, which is default, will scale any diagram patterns (such as those in cross-sections) automatically, to match the pattern density saved in the Rw2D file. 
  • Fixed Sizing (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.
• Compression Level: PNG files can be created with varied compression; choose from Low, Medium or High.  Generally, the higher the compression, the smaller the file size, but image quality can be degraded.  Lower compression will result in slightly larger files, but will assure the best image quality.
• Save Progressive:  Insert a check in this box to enable drawing of the image on the screen as it is being loaded in the destination application.
• Transparent: Insert a check here if you would like to choose a color in the image to be transparent, and select the color by clicking in the color box. 
• Change Background Color:  Insert a check here if you would like to select a default background color should there be no background color available or selected in the application in which the PNG image is eventually displayed.  Select the default color for the background by clicking on the color box.
• Display 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 PNG 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 | PNG command from the RockPlot2D menu.
   - OR -
   From the RockWorks Utilities program tab: Select the Grafix | 2D Utilities | Export | PNG menu option.
2. Enter the requested menu settings, as described above.
3. Click the Process button to continue.
4. If you are exporting directly from RockPlot2D, you will be prompted to enter the name for the exported file; into the File Name prompt, type in the name under which you want the file to be saved.  The program will append the PNG file name extension automatically.  Click Save to proceed.

The program will then store the current plot file in a Portable Network Graphics format.  If a World File was requested, it will also be saved, using the requested file name convention. If requested, the PNG file will be loaded into the default viewer you have installed on your computer.

Tips:

• PNG files can be:
  • Displayed as a background image during creation of 2D maps and floated above 3D images. See Map | EZ Map, Map | Grid-based Map, Grafix menu tools, and Imagery menu tools. 
  • Inserted into a RockPlot2D window using the Draw | Insert | Image option.
  • Inserted into a ReportWorks document (the page layout program in RockWorks).
• If you wish to script this export, use the menu settings and program command from the Grafix menu version in your RCL listing.
  
  

Back to Export menu

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