Re: Importing graphics into mathematica
- To: mathgroup at smc.vnet.net
- Subject: [mg19260] Re: Importing graphics into mathematica
- From: paulh at wolfram.com (P.J. Hinton)
- Date: Thu, 12 Aug 1999 01:24:18 -0400
- Organization: "Wolfram Research, Inc."
- References: <7or4qd$13q@smc.vnet.net>
- Sender: owner-wri-mathgroup at wolfram.com
In article <7or4qd$13q at smc.vnet.net>, "Getz" <chonat at iafrica.com> writes:
>I am having a problem importing graphics into mathematica in a form
>which can be manipulated by the kernel.
>There is NO problem in opening any graphic image via OPEN in FILE menu
>or copying and pasting.
>After opening the graphic in mathematica, I select it and then use the
>command CELL>CONVERT TO>INPUTFORM. This gives a listing of the graphic
>object (apparently different kindsof lists for different objects) but
>the image fails to materialise. Sometimes I get an empty space and at
>other times I get a failed message.
>The graphics programs that I use are paint, power point, ipplus and
>micrografx picture publisher.
It sounds as if you are trying to import a bitmap graphic. Is
that correct?
In Mathematica 4, the Import[] function can be used to read
several different common bitmap formats. Consult the online
refrence guide for details
FrontEndExecute[
FrontEnd`HelpBrowserLookup[
"RefGuide",
"Import"
]
]
In Mathematica 3.0 and earlier versions, your best bet is to
convert the graphic into a lowest common denominator format
and read it in. The formats which apply here are:
format suitable for
------------------------------------------
portable bitmap bilevel images
portable graymap grayscale images
portable pixmap color images
------------------------------------------
The specifications for these formats can be downloaded from
Wotsit's Format?
http://www.wotsit.org/cgi-bin/search.cgi?graphics
The formats you want are PBM, PGM, and PPM.
You may have an image converter program that can translate your
existing graphic file into one of these formats.
Once you have converted your image to this format, it is just a
matter of reading the converted file using ReadList[], converting
the numerical values into an appropriate color directive (RGBColor[]
or GrayLevel[]) and throwing it into a RasterArray[].
--
P.J. Hinton
Mathematica Programming Group paulh at wolfram.com
Wolfram Research, Inc.
Disclaimer: Opinions expressed herein are those of the author alone.