EXCELITAS pco.fileconversion Software User Manual

: July 30, 2024
: Excelitas

Table of Contents

EXCELITAS pco.fileconversion Software
Product Information
Product Usage Instructions
Introduction
Converting a file
- Shell extension Windows only
- Command line tool
About Excelitas PCO
Contact Information
References
Read User Manual Online (PDF format)
Download This Manual (PDF format)

EXCELITAS pco.fileconversion Software

Product Information

The pco.fileconversion software provided by Excelitas PCO GmbH allows users to convert various file formats into different formats. It offers both a shell extension for Windows users and a command line tool for converting files.

Specifications:

Product: pco.fileconversion
User Manual Version: 1.26.0
Manufacturer: Excelitas PCO GmbH
License: Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License

Product Usage Instructions

Converting a File:

Shell Extension (Windows only):
To convert a file using the shell extension on Windows:

Hover over the file to view popup information.
Right-click on the file and select ‘properties’ to access the PCO file information dialog.
Right-click on a b16 file and choose ‘Convert b16+tif’ from the menu.
Choose the destination folder, bit resolution, and destination file type in the pco.fileconversion start screen.
Adjust any options for specific file types in the dialog.
Click ‘Finish’ to convert all selected files.

Command Line Tool:
To convert files using the command line tool:

Locate the pco_file_cmd file in your installation folder.
Use the utility to convert (multi) tif, McGraw, (multi) dicom, and b16 files into various formats.
Arguments: -i -o [-b] [-n] [-s] [-m]
Description: Use numbers 1 to 5 for single input files (e.g., 4 for test_0001.b16).

FAQ:

Q: How can I develop my file formats for conversion?
A: If you need formats beyond those supplied, you can develop your formats by contacting support@pco.de for more information.
Q: Where can I find additional support or contact Excelitas PCO GmbH?
A: You can reach Excelitas PCO GmbH via telephone at +49 (0) 9441 2005 50, fax at +49 (0) 9441 2005 20, email at pco@excelitas.com, or visit their website at www.excelitas.com/product-category/pco.

Excelitas PCO GmbH asks you to carefully read and follow the instructions in this document. For any questions or comments, please feel free to contact us at any time.

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License. To view a copy of this license, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/4.0/ or send a letter to Creative Commons, POBox1866, MountainView, CA94042, USA.

Introduction

The PCO.fileconversion is a software package which can:

Convert 16-bit tif, pcoraw, and b16 files to various formats
Display file information
Show thumbnail images

If you need formats beyond the ones that are supplied, you can also develop your formats. Pleasecontactusvia support@pco.detolearnmoreaboutthisfeature.

Converting a file

Follow these instructions to convert files under Windows and Linux.

Shell extension Windows only

Stopping the mouse cursor while the cursor hovers over a file will show some popup information:

By a mouse right-click and selecting ‘properties’ you can select the pco file information dialog:

The complete functionality is accessible via the right mouse button or by hovering over the file. Simply right-click on a b16 file and select the menu entry: Convert b16+tif:

After clicking on Convert b16+tif, the pco.fileconversion start screen opens. Please choose a destination folder, bit resolution, and destination file type:

Some file types have options, which can be changed in the appropriate dialog:

In case all settings are done select finish to convert all selected files:

Command line tool

The pco_file_cmd file can be found in your installation folder. This utility converts (multi) tif, pcoraw, (multi) dicom, and b16 into various other formats.

Arguments:

Parameter	Description
-i
-o
[-b]	<Output Bits: (8,16RAW,24)>
[-n]	<Start#> <Stop#>
[-s]	: 1..5 for single input files, e.g. 4 for

test_0001.b16
[-m]|

Note:

-i and -o are mandatory parameters.
[-b] sets the bit range of the file to be written (8, 16, or 24; 16 is the default).
[-n] sets the start and stop images for single files to be written.
[-s] sets the number of digits for (single) files to be scanned. In this example, it relates to 0001 in the file name.
[-m] creates a Multi-tif file if tif is selected as an extension.

Examples:

pco_file_cmd -i .tif -o .b16: Produces multiple b16 file for a multi tif in or a single file
pco_file_cmd -i .pcoraw -o .b16: Produces multiple b16 files
pco_file_cmd -i .pcoraw -o .tif -m: Produces a multi tif file
pco_file_cmd -i 0000.b16 -o .tif -m -s 4: Produces a multi-tif file while scanning for ????.b16
pco_file_cmd -i 0000.b16 -o .tif -m -s 4 -n 10 100: Produces a multi tif file while scanning for ????.b16 starting with 10 up to 100

About Excelitas PCO

PCO, an Excelitas Technologies® Corp. brand, is a leading specialist and Pioneer in Cameras and Optoelectronics with more than 30 years of expert knowledge and experience in developing and manufacturing high-end imaging systems. The company’s cutting-edge sCMOS and high-speed cameras are used in scientific and industrial research, automotive testing, quality control, metrology, and a large variety of other applications all over the world.

The PCO® advanced imaging concept was conceived in the early 1980s by imaging pioneer, Dr. Emil Ott, who was conducting research at the Technical University of Munich for the Chair of Technical Electrophysics. His work there led to the establishment of PCO AG in 1987 with the introduction of the first image- intensified camera followed by the development of its proprietary Advanced Core technologies which greatly surpassed the imaging performance standards of the day.

Today, PCO continues to innovate, offering a wide range of high-performance camera technologies covering scientific, high-speed, intensified, and FLIM imaging applications across the scientific research, industrial and automotive sectors. Acquired by Excelitas Technologies in 2021, PCO represents a world- renowned brand of high-performance scientific CMOS, sCMOS, CCD, and high-speed cameras that complement Excelitas’ expansive range of illumination, optical, and sensor technologies and extend the bounds of our end-to-end photonic solutions capabilities.