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PlotReader is a plot digitizer. It is a Windows program that enables you to retrieve data point coordinates from an image (scanned, photographed or other) that contains a plot. You simply open or paste a plot image in PlotReader, set two calibration points per axis, and click all points you want coordinates for. PlotReader will then calculate the original plot coordinates, and allows you to export these to file or clipboard.
- PlotReader can obtain images from file (JPEG, GIF, TIFF, PNG, BMP, WMF, EMF), clipboard (bitmap or vector format), scanner or camera. [Windows XP SP1 or higher, Vista or 7 is needed for image retrieval from scanner or camera.]
- PlotReader automatically corrects for tilt. Thus, scans performed at an angle present no problem.
- PlotReader can zoom in on the image, with a maximum of 400%. This allows for highly accurate results.
- PlotReader can deal with logarithmically scaled axes.
- PlotReader can automatically locate the center of clicked data points, allowing fast data entry without requiring high user accuracy.
- Data point coordinates are exported to a text file or the clipboard. You have full control over number formatting and number separators. Thus, PlotReader output can be used by any data-processing program (e.g. Excel).
PlotReader is not a program that automatically retrieves point coordinates by processing an image; you manually click the points you need.
Anyone who needs the (numeric) data coordinates from a plot, but does not have access to the original raw data. Scientific articles tend to show only plots, not data point coordinates. Now, anyone with access to such an article can easily obtain good estimates for the original data series.
Originally, I developed PlotReader with applications in the field of theoretical biology in mind. In this field, you often need raw data from published experiments in order to calibrate models. PlotReader allows scientists to retrieve these data directly from figures published in articles and reports.
PlotReader is free. You can download the latest version here.
- How do I obtain data from figures in PDF documents? PlotReader cannot open PDF files directly. The best way to digitize a plot in PDF format is to open the file in Adobe Acrobat Reader or a comparable program, set the program to full screen and zoom in on the figure so it fills the window. Then press Alt-Print Screen to save a screenshot to the clipboard. You can then paste this image in PlotReader.
If you encounter bugs, or have any questions or comments regarding PlotReader, please use the Issues section.
- Updated for latest .NET and Visual Studio 2019.
- Improved data point centering: increased performance, selected area is visualized while mouse button is pressed, centering works on vector images.
- Fixed scanning functionality (Windows XP SP1 and higher).
- Various minor user interface tweaks.
- Added: automatic location of data point centers using a magic wand/flood fill algorithm.
- Changed: updated user interface with more modern controls and icons.
- Changed: PlotReader is now freeware.
- Added: settings are remembered across runs (including: marker type/size, colors, text output settings).
- Added: option to sort points.
- Added: option to hide image navigator.
- Changed: less cluttered start-up screen (controls are hidden until image is opened).
- Changed: slightly more modern toolbar icons.
- Fixed: scroll bars no longer disappear under certain conditions when opening new image.
- Added: caret-based selection of data points.
- Added: toolbar for common functions (e.g. open, paste, save, copy).
- Added: option to specify number of decimals used for output.
- Added: zoom control (to navigator).
- Added: statusbar now reflects mouse function.
- Fixed: changes to multiple-point selections through control- and shift-keys now works according to Microsoft Office rules.
- Added: navigator-control for easy scrolling.
- Added: control over output (number formatting, number separator).
- Added: option to copy data point coordinates to clipboard.
- Fixed: tab-order of controls is now as expected from user interface.
- Fixed: no longer crashes when zoom-to-fit is active and PlotReader is minimized.
- Added: option to import image from scanner or camera (Windows XP only).
- Added: option to paste image from clipboard.
- Added: option to set colors used in PlotReader interface.
- Added: support for multiple-point selections.
- Added: support for scrolling image by dragging with mouse button.
- Added: 'About PlotReader' dialog.
- Added: MSI-based setup application for PlotReader installation.
- Changed: default marker type now is 'cross' (previously 'fat cross').
- Fixed: now supports Windows XP visual styles wherever possible.
- First publicly released evaluation version.
- Added: support for logarithmically scaled axes.
- Added: full checking of axes calibration (points specified?, coordinates entered?, axes not parallel?, log coordinates positive?), and clear, complete warnings if calibration is incorrect.
- Changed: axes are now drawn through calibration points, rather than at x=0 and y=0.
- First released version.