====== Convert Data ======

This page describes the desktop additional tool "Convert". 

{{orbit_desktop:how_to_find.png?25&nolink  |}} Tools > Convert 

===== Concepts =====

The Convert and Optimize Tools enable import, export, and possible data optimization of Reference Resources.

"Convert Data" converts any [[dev:technology:supported_formats:index|supported resources file]] into another supported resource file, one on one. \\ 
"[[dev:desktop:tools:optimize_data|Optimize Data]]" optimizes one or more supported resource files into a single Orbit optimized resource file.

One sidebar to convert supported Reference Resources of various types: Image, Vector, Point Cloud, and Mesh.

Optimizing original spherical images of mobile mapping resources to processed OMI images needs to be done using the "Optimize Imagery" procedure, see [[dev:desktop_ext:mapping:manage:imagery|Optimize Imagery]] ((Spherical mapping images are optimized and normalized, and this tool cannot be used)). 

===== Source =====

Set the source file or the source directory. 
  * When activating the option source file, it is possible to drag and drop the resource file inside the entry field.
  * When using a source directory, all supported resource files of the specified data type inside the selected source directory and, optionally, its including subfolders will be converted.
  * For point cloud data, a source crs is required. If available, the CRS value is derived from the resource header or the accompanied [[dev:technology:supported_formats:other:ord|Ord file]], else the [[dev:technology:core:crs|Map CRS]] will set as default.

===== Source Options =====


Available when using a source directory:

  * Select the file format of the source files to be optimized.
  * Optionally, enter a filename to filter the source files to be optimized.

For point cloud LAS source files:
  * Optionally ignore the LAS bounds from the LAS header to import points out of bounds. 

For mesh 3DTiles or W3SM to Point Cloud
  * Set the point reference to convert triangles to point cloud. 

===== Target =====

Set the target file when converting a source file, or the target directory when converting a source directory. 

  * The source directory and filename are preset as default target file and directory. 
  * For point cloud data, a target CRS is required. As default the source CRS is preset.
  * Optionally when converting a source directory including all its subfolders, re-create the source directory tree inside the target directory. 
  * Optionally, overwrite existing target files. 
  * Optionally if target a native Orbit storage format, add converted resource to the [[dev:desktop:dataset:index|dataset list]] when processing is completed. 

===== Target Options =====

File storage options :

  * Format: Target resource file storage format. 

==== Image data ====

Options for Image data only. 

BMP : Bitmap Image \\
See [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BMP_file_format|Wikipedia, BMP file format]].
  * Pixel Size : Number of bits to store one pixel. 8-bit pixel to display 256 colors, 24 to display true colors (16,7 million colors).

GIF :  Graphics Interchange Format \\
See [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Graphics_Interchange_Format|Wikipedia, GIF]].
  * Interlace : See wikipedia page above > Interlacing.

JPG, JPEG : Joint Photographic Experts Group \\
See [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/JPEG|Wikipedia, JPEG]].
  * Quality : Set JPG compression quality poor (25), average (50), good (75), excellent (90) or custom. \\ It makes no sense to set target quality higher than quality of source. 

OMI : Orbit MultiResolution Image \\
See [[dev:technology:supported_formats:image:omi|]]

TIFF : Tagged Image File Format \\
See [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tagged_Image_File_Format|Wikipedia, Tagged Image File Format]].
  * Image Type : 
    * Monochrome image : 1 bit/pixel, black or white.
    * Grayscale image : 8 bits/pixel, 256 shades of gray.
    * Truecolor image : 24 bits/pixel, 16M colors.
  * Image Compression : Uncompressed / JPEG
  * File Structure : 
    * Striped : Baseline tiff image file by Strips, slower reading but higher compatibility.
    * Tiled :  Tiff image file by Tiles, faster reading but lower compatibility compatible. 
  * Multiresolution : Option to add multi resolution sub-levels to improve image reading performance. 

==== Vector data ====

The export storage format must support the dataset structure, see [[dev:technology:supported_formats:vector:ovf|Vector Data Structure]]. \\
Options for vector data formats: *.GPX , *.KMZ , *.KML , *.DXF , *.OVF , *.OVT , *.OXF , *.SHP  .\\

====  Point Cloud =====

Options for Point Cloud data, see [[dev:technology:supported_formats:pointcloud:opc|]].
  * Ascii source files
  * Strip Attributes: Ignore attributes from the Source File, when writing the Target file.
  * Filter points
  * Density