Image Quality

Image quality factors – Overview and Imatest measurements
Introduction – Summary table – Image quality factors – Sharpness – Noise – Dynamic range – Color accuracy – Distortion – Uniformity – Lateral chromatic aberration – Veiling glare – Color moire – Software artifacts – Data compression – Printer quality factors – Print Dmax – Print color gamut
Sharpness – What is it and how is it measured?
Introduction – MTF – MTF equation – Slanted-edge measurements - MTF measurement matrix – Spatial frequency units – Results – Noise reduction – Diffraction & Optimum aperture – Interpreting MTF50 – Calculation details – Links
Sharpening – and Standardized Sharpening for comparing cameras
Introduction – Standardized sharpening – Examples – Links
MTF curves and Image appearance – Correlating measurement with appearance
Introduction – The Slanted-edge test – Reference image – Sharpened images – Blurred images – Sharpened + blurred images – Observations – Sharpness ranking – Links
SQF (Subjective Quality Factor) and Acutance
Introduction – SQF and MTF – Meaning of SQF – Measuring SQF – The SQF equation – CSF – Links
Noise in photographic images
Introduction – Appearance – Noise measurements – Noise summary – F-stop noise – The mathematics of noise – Links
Sharpness comparisons – for several digital cameras
Introduction – Explanation of results – Tables of results – Interpretation of MTF – Some observations – Links
Chromatic Aberration – AKA Color fringing
Introduction – Measurement – Demosaicing
Veiling glare (Lens flare)
Introduction – Target – Measurement – Results – ISO 9358
Color correction matrix
Introduction – Math – Multicharts
ISO Sensitivity and Exposure Index
Introduction – Modules – Equations – RAW files – Related documents
I3A CPIQ (Camera Phone Image Quality) Support
SFR & Acutance – Color Uniformity – Distortion & Chromatic Aberration – Texture
Shannon information capacity – information that can pass through a channel without error
Meaning – Results – Summary

Imatest Instructions — General

Installation – and getting started
Version 3.6+ changes – Install – Purchase – Register – Offline registration – Files
Using Imatest – Introduction and general instructions
Running Imatest – Multi file read – RAW files – Other controls – Options I – Options II – EXIF data & ExifTool – Dropdown menus – Figures – .CSV and XML output – Use of Imatest
Imatest IT/EXE instructions – Running Imatest IT (Industrial Testing)/EXE
Introduction – Installation – Setup – INI files – DOS call – Calling from Matlab – Testing – Error handling
Imatest IT/DLL instructions – Running Imatest IT (Industrial Testing)/DLL
Introduction – Installation – Setup – INI files – Functions and prototypes – JSON – Passing images directly – Testing – Error handling
Skype video specification support – Instructions and suggestions
The Imatest Functional Interface – A simplified interface for running tests with consistent settings
The Functional Interface – The Editor – Preparing a merge file with the INI editor
RAW files
Introduction – Using RAW files – Bayer RAW – dcraw demosaicing – Rawview utility – Generalized Read Raw
Building a Low-Cost Test Lab – How to build a testing lab
Introduction – Hardware – Lighting – Easel – Light measurement – Tripod – Clamps – Putting it together – Targets – Aligning target & camera
Troubleshooting – What to do when Imatest doesn’t work
Installation problems – Version 3.6+ changes – Problems after install – Missing DLLs – Runtime problems – INI files – Command (DOS) window – Diagnostics runs – Path conflicts
Saved settings – Using custom icons & shortcuts
imatest.ini – ini file utilities – Creating custom icons – Locking settings

Imatest Instructions — Sharpness modules

Using SFR Part 1 – Setting up and photographing SFR targets
Slanted-edge test – Print chart – Lighting – Distance – Exposure – Tips – Quality and Distance
Using SFR Part 2 – Running Imatest SFR
Image file – ROI – Additional input – Equations – Gamma – Warnings – Saving – Repeated runs – Excel CSV output
Imatest SFR LCD target
Screen Patterns module – Web pattern
SFR results: MTF (Sharpness) plot
SFR results: – Chromatic Aberration, Noise, and Shannon capacity plot
SFR results: Multiple ROI (Region of Interest) plot
2D Summary plot – 1D Summary plot – CSV Output file – Summary explanation – Excel plots
Using SFRplus Part 1 – The SFRplus chart: features and how to photograph it
Slanted-edge test – Advantages – Obtain chart – Framing – Lighting – Distance – Exposure – Tips – Links
Using SFRplus Part 2 – Running Imatest SFRplus
Running SFRplus – Rescharts – SFRplus settings windows – Parameters & setup window – Settings & options window – Gamma – Warnings – SFRplus summary
Using SFRplus Part 3 – Imatest SFRplus results
SFRplus results – Multi ROI – Edge & MTF display – Chromatic Aberration display – SQF display – Tonal response & gamma – Histograms & noise – Tonal response & gamma – Uniformity profiles – Image & geometry – 3D Plots – Lens-style MTF plot – Edge roughness plot – Color analysis – Excel CSV & XML output – Links
Using Rescharts – Analysis of resolution-related charts
Introduction – Getting started – The Rescharts window – Rescharts modules – Slanted-edge SFR – Log frequency (simple) – Log frequency-contrast
Log Frequency - Analysis of log frequency-varying charts
Introduction - Photographing, running - Color moire - Output - Pattern - MTF - Comparisons - Calculation details - Nyquist, aliasing
Log F-Contrast – Analysis of charts that vary in log frequency and contrast
Introduction – Creating, printing – Photographing, running – Output – Pattern – MTF – MTF/contrast contours -MTFnn
Star Chart – Analysis of the Siemens star chart
Introduction – Creating, photographing, running – Output – MTF – MTFnn, MTFnnP – MTF contours – Equations
Random Scale-invariant – Analysis of a Random Scale-invariant pattern
Introduction – Creating, photographing, running – Output – MTF – MTFnn, MTFnnP – Power Spectral Density – Equations
Wedge – Analysis of hyperbolic or trapezoidal wedge patterns
Introduction – Recommendations – Instructions – Results – Limitations & Comparisons – Calculation details – MTF/Nyquist & Aliasing
MTF Compare – Compare MTFs of different cameras and lenses
Introduction – Instructions
Batchview – Postprocessor for viewing summaries of SFR, SFRplus results
Introduction – Preparation – Instructions
How to Test Lenses with SFRplus
Introduction – Test chart – Photograph – Run SFRplus – Rescharts SFRplus – SFRplus settings – Auto run options – Display options – Secondary readout – Interpret the results – Batches – Checklist – Links
Find Sharpest Files – Find thre sharpest files in a batch
Introduction – Operation – 2. Select files – 3. Rename options – 4. Preview – 5. Rename files
How to Test Lenses with SFR – (old page: Imatest SFRplus recommended)
Introduction – Test target – Photograph – Run SFR – Interpret – Checklist

Imatest Instructions — Tone, color, and spatial modules

Using Stepchart
Photographing the chart – Running Stepchart – Output – Temporal noise – Saving – Dynamic range – Algorithm
Stepchart: Applied Image and ISO charts
Photographing chart – Instructions – Patch order
Dynamic Range – Calculate Dynamic Range from several Stepchart images
Introduction – Operation – Results – Dynamic Range bkgnd
Using Colorcheck
What Colorcheck does – Colorchecker colors – Photographing target – Photographing target – Colorchecker reference sources – Output – Temporal noise – Saving – Links
Colorcheck Appendix – Algorithms and reference formulas
Color error formulas – Algorithm – Grayscale and exposure
Using Multicharts – Interactive analysis of several test charts
Introduction – Getting started – Reference files – The Multicharts window – Displays and options
Multicharts Noise – Noise, and especially sensor (RAW) noise in Multicharts
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Multicharts Special Charts – Additional charts, including circles arranged on a square
Instructions – Patch numbering – Examples
Color correction matrix
Introduction – Math – Multicharts
Using Light Falloff – Measure lens vignetting and sensor nonuniformity
Instructions – Results
Using Uniformity-Interactive – Interactive measurement of vignetting and sensor nonuniformity
Instructions – Results
Light Falloff: Imatest Master – Features in Imatest Master-only
Input dialog box – Hot and dead pixels – Color shading – Uniformity profiles – Polynomial fit – Histograms – Noise detail – Spot detection
Using Blemish Detect – Measure visible sensor defects
The Human Visual System – Algorithm – Instructions – Input dialog – Results
Using Distortion
Introduction – Instructions – Results – Main figure – Decentering – Corrected image – Intersection figure – Radius correction fig – Links – Algorithm
Dot Pattern – Analysis of a grid of circular dots
Introduction – Setup – Results

Imatest Instructions — Miscellaneous modules and utilities

Using Test Charts – Creates test charts for high quality inkjet printers
Introduction – Bitmap patterns – SVG patterns – Options
Using Screen Patterns – Monitor patterns for Light Falloff, SFR, Distortion, and monitor calibration
Introduction – Light Falloff – SFR – Distortion – Monitor calibration – Monitor gamma – Zone plate – SMPTE color bars – Slanted edges – Colorchecker-Stepchart – Squares (checkerboard)
SVG Test Charts – Scalable Vector Graphics charts for MTF measurements
Introduction: m x n squares – Squares and wedges – USAF 1951 chart – Operation – Options – Output figure – Printing
View/Rename Files – using EXIF data
Starting – 1. Select folder – 2. Select files – 3. Rename options – 4. Preview – 5. Rename files
Imatest IT/EXE instructions – Running Imatest IT (Industrial Testing)/EXE
Introduction – Installation – Setup – INI files – DOS call – Calling from Matlab – Testing – Error handling
Using Print Test – Measure print quality factors: color response, tonal response, and Dmax
Introduction – Instructions – Results
Maskfill – Removes features that interfere with Imatest measurements
Introduction – Instructions

Appendix

Cross-reference tables – Tables to help you navigate Imatest
Suppliers – Image quality factors – Modules – Test charts – Test images
Version comparisons – Differences between versions. Which is right for you?
Glossary
Glosario en Espanol
Troubleshooting – What to do when Imatest doesn’t work
Installation problems – Problems after install – Missing DLLs – Runtime problems – INI files – Command (DOS) window – Diagnostics runs – Path conflicts
Imatest Change Log – Imatest release history
XML Changes – New XML improvements in Imatest 3.5.1+
Complete PDF documentation – The whole docs 14 MB and almost 500 pages, updated occasionally
License – The Imatest End User License Agreement (EULA)