how to get a file format supported

[bmicklem]

I'm using a file format that is partially supported by BioFormats (it opens 16 bit pixel data OK, but metadata is wrong, e.g. Magnification = 1.773109134501434 E73; Nanometers per pixel (X) = -1.6592252278676578 E73; Nanometers per pixel (Y) = 2.2189910874259497 E280).

I'd ideally like a contact email I can pass on to the software vendor and apply pressure on them to disclose enough infomation about their format for BioFormats to support it.

[dgault]

Hi,

Thanks for enquiring about adding support for this format. It largely depends on if this is a new file format that requires a new reader or if it is providing a specification to update metadata parsing in an existing reader.

We certainly have a growing backlog of new file formats. Developing and testing new file format readers is significantly more costly than maintaining existing ones. On the other hand, we will review any external contribution with new reader additions and consider their inclusion in a minor release of Bio-Formats. Some examples of recent additions from vendors would be: PerkinElmer Columbus was developed for the IDR project, Olympus OIR, PerkinElmer Vectra QPTIFF and Zeiss CZI/JPEG-XR were funded by a partnership between Glencoe Software and the commercial developer of the formats. 3i Slidebook was developed and is maintained by the 3i team (http://blog.openmicroscopy.org/file-for ... tnerships/). If the vendor wishes to investigate the commercial support offered by Glencoe Software then they can be contacted at info@glencoesoftware.com.

We always welcome independent community contributions to Bio-Formats as well (https://www.openmicroscopy.org/contributors/) and are happy to assist yourself or any developers who are able to contribute a fix to the open source. If an updated spec or information about the format is available then it can be provided via any of the support channels at https://www.openmicroscopy.org/support/

David Gault