How to Load Values into NIH Image

Entering the values into ClarisWorks:

The values or data used to create a raster grid are first entered into a ClarisWorks word processing document. It is important to remind the students that they must read and record the values in order, left to right, across each row. Remind the students to space once between each value as they are entered.

Saving the values in Text:

When saving the values to disk, select "save as" from the "File" menu. From the window "ClarisWorks" pull down and select "text." Only now do you name your file. (By adding the ".txt" ending you will remember that it is a text file.)

Opening NIH Image:

Note: When using NIH Image, access the Control panel and set the monitor color to 256. When using NIH Image Software, you will notice that the highest value is displayed as the darkest color. This is due to the original use of NIH Image which was to analyze x-ray film. This is just the opposite of what really happens. You will need to emphasize this with the students.

Load and open NIH Image onto the hard drive. Data can then be saved to a disk.

Importing Values from ClarisWorks:

Put the disk that contains your values into the computer. Select "Import" from the "File" menu. Select "Desktop", "Open Disk", and highlight the file from ClarisWorks that has your values. Select "Edit" from the lower right corner. Set the "width" as the number of columns of data and the "height" as the number of rows of data. Before leaving this window, select "Text." Now, open your file.

Creating a Raster Grid:

Click on the small icon found next to the "Tool Bar Heading." then from the "Options" menu, select "Scale to Fit Window." Go back to that tiny icon and click and drag it to enlarge it. What you see is the raster grid for the values you entered in the ClarisWorks Program. By adding color, ("Options" and select "Color Table"), the students can see that each value has a designated color. Similar values on the raster grid have the same color.

Creating Surface Profiles:

If your values show elevation, you can create a surface profile by using "Surface Plot" from the "Analyze" menu. These can be printed for further study.