Importing images into Surfer

Working with image files in Surfer is straightforward with built-in path alignment and cropping tools. From warping cross-sections along survey lines to trimming raster margins, this reference covers essential image handling features.  Use these techniques to optimize image display in your Surfer projects and refine your map presentation. 

Orienting Imported Images Along Polylines

Placing vertical profiles or cross-section images in the 3D View can be time-consuming, especially when you have multiple images to manually place in the model or when the path of the image is not a straight line.

• Draw or import vector polylines on your map corresponding to your profile paths.

• Import your image into the 3D View

  1. 3D View | Tools  | Import Image.

• Set the image path property to follow the target polyline.

  1. In the Contents window, select you image.

  2. In the Properties window, select the Image tab.

  3. In the Spatial Extents section, set the Orientation field to Path.

  4. In the Placement section, set the Path field drop down to select the desired polyline.

  5. Adjust the Z-level elevation placement properties to move the warped image up or down in 3D space.

Choose to orient imported images along existing polyline or polygon paths.

Image Cropping

You can permanently crop floating graphic objects (inserted via Home | Insert | Graphic), base raster layers, or embedded images inside vector base layers:

1. In the Contents window, select the Image, Base(raster) or image within a Base(vector) layer that you wish to crop.
2. Click Features | Image | Crop.
3. Either manually move the yellow handles on the side of the image to specify the crop size, or CTRL-click and drag to draw a rectangle over the part of the image you wish to keep.
4. Press ENTER to crop the image.

• Limitations
  • Cropping is not available for rotated images, image layers with non-affine warps, and geotransformed layers.