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Using the Data Import Wizard

The iTool Data Import Wizard steps you through the process of importing data into the Data Manager. Launch the Data Import Wizard by selecting File  Import... The Data Import Wizard has three screens:

1. Select the data source.

You can import data either from a data file or from the IDL session:

2. Select the data and specify a data name.

If you are importing data from a file, the second screen of the Data Import Wizard contains the following items:

Importing some types of data files may cause IDL to present additional screens that describe the data before import.

If you are importing data from an IDL variable, the second screen of the Data Import Wizard contains the following items:

3. Select the type of visualization you want to create.

The Data Import Wizard will automatically create a new visualization of the selected type. Choosing <Default> will create the default visualization for the selected data type, regardless of the type of iTool into which you are importing the data.

Example: Importing a JPEG File

The following example describes how to import a JPEG image file using the Data Import Wizard and display the image:

  1. From an iTool window select File  Import.
  2.  

    Figure 2-2: The IDL Data Import Wizard, Showing Step 1 of 3

    Figure 2-2: The IDL Data Import Wizard, Showing Step 1 of 3

     

  3. Select From a File and click Next.
  4.  

    Figure 2-3: The IDL Data Import Wizard, Showing Step 2 of 3

    Figure 2-3: The IDL Data Import Wizard, Showing Step 2 of 3

     

  5. Click the File Open button just to the right of the File Name field and select the endocell.jpg file from the examples/data directory of the IDL distribution. Click Next.
  6.  

    Figure 2-4: The IDL Data Import Wizard, Showing Step 3 of 3

    Figure 2-4: The IDL Data Import Wizard, Showing Step 3 of 3

     

  7. Select Image as the desired visualization to create since we have a JPEG image.
  8.  

  9. Click Finish. The data is imported into the Data Manager, and a new image visualization appears in the iTool window.


Note
The process of creating visualizations is discussed in detail in Visualizations.

  IDL Online Help (March 01, 2006)