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Export

The Export page allows you to write project content to external file formats. Exports enable data sharing with external applications, preparation for 3D printing, input for simulation software, medical imaging system integration, and documentation generation.

warning

Export operations work on the currently selected or active object. Before exporting, verify that the correct volume, mask, surface, or mesh is selected in the Scene Tree.

Available Export Types​

Export TypeDescription
Volume ImageExport volume data to standard 3D formats
Volume Image As Image StackExport volume slices as 2D image sequences
Volume Image As VideoExport slice-through animation as video
Volume Image As DICOM ImagesExport volume data to DICOM format
Mask ImageExport mask/segmentation data to 3D formats
Surface ModelExport surface meshes to CAD/STL/3D formats
Volume Mesh ModelExport tetrahedral/hexahedral meshes
3D SceneExport scene including measurements and annotations

Exporting Volume Images​

Export the active volume to standard 3D volume formats for use in other analysis applications.

Workflow​

  1. Select the volume to export in the Scene Tree
  2. Navigate to File → Export → Volume Image
  3. The save dialog opens
  4. Choose the output format and location
  5. Click Save to export

Supported Formats​

FormatExtensions
Meta Image.mha, .mhd
NIfTI.nii, .nii.gz
NRRD.nrrd, .nhdr
Analyze.hdr, .img.gz
GIPL.gipl
LSM.lsm
VTK Image.vti
NIfTI rounds spacing and origin

NIfTI stores voxel spacing and origin as single precision numbers, so exporting to .nii or .nii.gz rounds those values. Importing the file back gives geometry that differs slightly from the original, which is enough to be reported as a geometry mismatch at the default origin comparison of six decimal places.

Use Meta Image (.mha, .mhd) or NRRD when the geometry has to round-trip exactly. Both store spacing and origin as text at full precision. See Import for the workaround if NIfTI is required.

Formats that write more than one file

Meta Image .mhd, NRRD .nhdr, and Analyze .hdr store the header and the voxel data in separate files. The data file is written next to the header with the same base name, and the header refers to it by name only. Keep the pair together when moving or sharing the export. Choose .mha or .nrrd for a single self-contained file.

Exporting Volume as Image Stack​

Export volume slices as a sequence of 2D images. This is useful for documentation, external 2D image processing, or creating input for systems that accept image sequences.

The image-stack export dialog is also reused by Image → Reslice → Export All Slices. In that case it exports the current resliced preview volume instead of the original active volume. The control layout is the same, but the source data and export semantics are described in Reslice.

Workflow​

  1. Select the volume to export
  2. Navigate to File → Export → Volume Image As Image Stack
  3. The export dialog opens
  4. Choose the slice plane to export
  5. Choose whether to export the current slice, all slices, or a range
  6. If needed, define the range and increment
  7. Enter the base file name, output format, and destination folder
  8. Click Apply to export

Image Stack Export Dialog Controls​

ControlDescription
Slice planeChooses which orthogonal stack to export. Plane 1 (YZ) exports slices orthogonal to the X axis, Plane 2 (XZ) exports slices orthogonal to the Y axis, and Plane 3 (XY) exports slices orthogonal to the Z axis.
CurrentExports only the current slice for the selected plane.
AllExports the full stack for the selected plane.
RangeEnables the range controls so you can export only part of the stack.
FromStart slice position for a range export. The values are shown in physical slice spacing units for the selected plane.
UntilEnd slice position for a range export.
IncrementSlice step for range export. 1 exports every slice, 2 exports every second slice, and so on.
CountRead-only preview of how many images will be written using the current plane, range, and increment settings.
File nameBase file name used to generate the exported image filenames. The active volume label is prefixed automatically.
FormatOutput image format. Available formats are bmp, jpg, and png.
PathDestination folder for the exported image series.
Browse...Opens a folder picker for the export destination.
ApplyStarts writing the image series to disk.
CloseCloses the dialog without starting a new export.

Behavior Notes​

  • File-tab image-stack export writes slices from the original active volume data.
  • The dialog validates that the destination folder exists before export starts.
  • If Range is selected, From must not be after Until.
  • The dialog updates Count automatically when the plane, range, or increment changes.

Output Structure​

Images are named with the base name plus a sequential number:

BaseName_001.png
BaseName_002.png
BaseName_003.png
...
tip

The dialog displays a count of images that will be exported based on your settings. Verify this count before exporting to avoid generating excessive files.

Exporting Volume as Video​

Create a video that sweeps through volume slices—useful for presentations, documentation, or sharing with stakeholders who don't have volume visualization software.

Workflow​

  1. Select the volume to export
  2. Navigate to File → Export → Volume Image As Video
  3. The export dialog opens
  4. Configure export parameters:
ParameterOptionsDescription
Slice planePlane 3 (XY), Plane 2 (XZ), Plane 1 (YZ)Which orthogonal stack is swept. Plane 3 (XY) is selected by default
Frames per second (FPS)1–240, default 20Playback rate of the exported video
FormatAVI, MP4 (H.264)Output video format
  1. Select the output file path
  2. Click OK to export
  3. A progress dialog shows export status

Considerations​

  • Video duration = (number of slices) / FPS
  • Higher FPS creates smoother but faster playback
  • MP4 with H.264 provides better compression than AVI

Exporting Volume as DICOM​

Export volume data to DICOM format for integration with medical imaging systems or PACS.

Workflow​

  1. Select the volume to export
  2. Navigate to File → Export → Volume Image As DICOM Images
  3. Configure DICOM export settings (patient information, study details)
  4. Select the output folder
  5. Click OK to export
Medical Use Disclaimer

Volvicon is not a regulated medical device. DICOM exports from Volvicon should not be used for clinical diagnosis or treatment without validation by qualified professionals using approved systems.

Exporting Mask Images​

Export segmentation masks to 3D volume formats. Masks are exported as label maps where each label value represents a distinct region.

Workflow​

  1. Select the mask to export in the Scene Tree
  2. Navigate to File → Export → Mask Image
  3. The save dialog opens
  4. Choose the output format and location
  5. Click Save to export

Supported Formats​

FormatExtensions
Meta Image.mha, .mhd
NIfTI.nii, .nii.gz
VTK Image.vti
note

Masks are written as label images with one value per voxel and 0 as background. A mask exported from Volvicon can be imported back through File → Import → 3D Images as Masks.

Exporting Surface Models​

Export surface meshes for 3D printing, CAD integration, or visualization in other applications.

Workflow​

  1. Select the surface(s) to export in the Scene Tree
  2. Navigate to File → Export → Surface Model
  3. The export dialog opens
  4. Select the output format
  5. Configure format-specific options if available
  6. Choose the output location and click Save

Supported Formats​

FormatExtensionUse Case
STL.stl3D printing, CAD import
PLY.plyMesh exchange with vertex colours
OBJ.objGeneral 3D graphics
3MF.3mfModern 3D printing with color and material
U3D.u3dPDF embedding, 3D documentation
AMF.amfAdditive manufacturing
VRML.wrlWeb 3D, legacy visualization
glTF.gltfWeb and real-time 3D
X3D.x3dWeb 3D successor to VRML
Open Inventor.ivLegacy scene exchange
STEP Triangles.stepCAD exchange as a tessellated shape
IGES Triangles.igesCAD exchange as a tessellated shape
VTP.vtpVTK poly data
Points.xyzVertex positions only, no faces
3D PDF.pdfInteractive document, produced by a separate dialog

The save dialog offers STL and PLY in both ASCII and binary variants. When a file name is typed without a recognised extension, the extension of the selected filter is appended.

Format Considerations​

  • STL: Universally supported for 3D printing, ASCII or binary variants
  • 3MF: Supports multiple objects, colors, and materials in a single file
  • U3D: Can be embedded in PDF documents for interactive 3D viewing
  • PLY and OBJ: Good for graphics applications, may include vertex colors
  • STEP and IGES: Written as tessellated triangles, not as analytic CAD surfaces, so the result is a mesh rather than editable CAD geometry
  • XYZ: Writes vertex positions only, so faces are lost
Binary glTF

Volvicon reads .glb but writes the text form only. Export to .gltf.

tip

For 3D printing, verify that the exported mesh is watertight (no holes) and has correct normals. Use Diagnostics and Fixes before exporting if mesh quality is uncertain.

Exporting Volume Meshes​

Export tetrahedral or hexahedral meshes for finite element analysis or simulation software.

Workflow​

  1. Select the volume mesh in the Scene Tree
  2. Navigate to File → Export → Volume Mesh Model
  3. Select the output format appropriate for your simulation tool
  4. Choose the output location and click Save

Supported Formats​

FormatExtension
VTK Unstructured Grid.vtu (ASCII or binary)
VTK.vtk (ASCII or binary)

Solver formats such as Abaqus, Nastran, LS-DYNA, ANSYS, Gmsh, and OpenFOAM are written from the FEM Mesh Export tools rather than from this page, because they need the part, set, and material information that those tools collect.

Exporting 3D Scenes​

Export everything the 3D view is currently showing as geometry into one file, instead of exporting each object separately. This is the quickest way to hand a complete result to someone who does not have Volvicon.

Workflow​

  1. Set up the scene: show the objects you want in the file and hide the rest.
  2. Navigate to File → Export → 3D Scene.
  3. Choose a format and a file name, then click Save.
  4. For 3D PDF, a further dialog collects the document settings before the file is written.

Supported Formats​

FormatExtensionNotes
3D PDF.pdfInteractive document; opens its own settings dialog
U3D.u3dThe 3D payload used inside PDF documents
3MF.3mfMultiple objects with colour in one file
AMF.amfAdditive manufacturing exchange
VRML.wrlUsed when a file name is typed without an extension
STL.stlGeometry only, no colour
PLY.plyGeometry with vertex colour
OBJ.objGeneral 3D graphics exchange

What is included​

IncludedNot included
Visible surface objectsGrayscale volumes, which are rendered rather than meshed
Visible mask 3D previewsMasks that have no 3D preview generated
Visible volume meshesHidden objects of any type
Visible primitivesMeasurements and their annotations

Each object keeps the colour and opacity it has in the 3D view, in the formats that can carry them.

note

Measurements are deliberately left out of this export, because most of the target formats have no way to represent a dimension. To publish measurements, use the PDF report, which lays them out as a document with tables and snapshots.

How Exports Are Written​

An existing file is replaced only by a complete one​

Every file export is written to a temporary location first and moved onto the destination only after the writer reports success. If an export fails or is cancelled part way through, the previous file at that location is left untouched and no partial file is created. Formats that write a header and a separate data file are moved together, so the pair can never end up half replaced.

Because the temporary location is a subfolder of the destination folder, the destination has to allow subfolders to be created. A destination that permits files but not folders, which occurs on some network shares, causes the export to fail without writing anything.

File naming​

When several objects are exported to a folder at once, each file is named after its object.

  • Characters that cannot appear in a file name are replaced with an underscore
  • Names that would otherwise be reserved by the operating system are prefixed with an underscore
  • Objects that would produce the same file name are given a numeric suffix, for example Femur, Femur_1, Femur_2

Batch results​

A batch export reports success only when every requested object was written. An object holding no usable data is named in the log and skipped, and the operation reports failure so a partially completed export is never mistaken for a complete one.

Best Practices​

Before Exporting​

  1. Select the correct object: Verify the intended object is selected/active
  2. Check object visibility: Some exports respect visibility settings
  3. Verify data quality: Run diagnostics on surfaces before export

Coordinate Systems​

  • Exports maintain the coordinate system used in Volvicon
  • Verify coordinate system compatibility with the receiving application
  • Document the coordinate convention when sharing data

File Naming​

Use descriptive filenames that include:

  • Subject/sample identifier
  • Data type (volume, surface, mesh)
  • Processing state (raw, segmented, smoothed)
  • Date or version number

Validation​

After exporting:

  • Verify the exported file opens correctly in the target application
  • Check that dimensions and scale are correct
  • Confirm that all expected data is present

Troubleshooting​

Export Produces Empty or Invalid File​

  • Verify an object is selected before exporting
  • Check that the selected object contains data
  • Try a different output format

Export Reports Failure and Nothing Is Written​

  • Confirm the destination folder exists and allows both files and subfolders to be created. A network share that blocks subfolders prevents the staged write used by every export.
  • Confirm no other application is holding the destination file open.
  • Check the log for the name of the object that could not be written.

A Re-Imported File Is Reported as Mismatched​

This is expected for NIfTI, which stores voxel spacing and origin as single precision numbers and therefore rounds them on export. Use Meta Image or NRRD when the geometry has to round-trip exactly, or lower Origin comparison precision in Preferences → Import.

Typed File Name Was Given a Different Extension​

If the typed name does not end with an extension the selected format recognises, the extension of the chosen filter is appended. A name such as CT 1.5mm is saved as CT 1.5mm.mha when the Meta Image filter is selected.

Exported Surface Has Inverted Normals​

  • Run Diagnostics and Fixes to correct normals before export
  • Some applications can flip normals on import

Video Export Fails​

  • Verify sufficient disk space for the output file
  • Check that the output path is writable
  • Try a different video format

DICOM Export Not Accepted by Target System​

  • Verify the target system accepts third-party DICOM files
  • Check that required DICOM tags are populated
  • Consult with your imaging IT department for compatibility requirements