Workswell ThermoFormat: Complete Guide to Features & Uses

Workswell ThermoFormat: Complete Guide to Features & UsesWorkswell ThermoFormat is a specialized software tool designed for processing and converting thermal images and radiometric data from infrared cameras. It’s commonly used by thermographers, researchers, and engineers to extract accurate temperature information, reformat imagery for analysis, and prepare thermal datasets for reporting or further processing in third‑party tools. This guide explains what ThermoFormat does, its main features, typical workflows, file formats it supports, practical use cases, tips for accurate thermal analysis, and alternatives.

What ThermoFormat is and who it’s for

Workswell ThermoFormat is a utility focused on manipulating thermographic files: converting proprietary camera file formats, extracting radiometric data, calibrating images, and creating outputs compatible with common image and analysis systems. It targets:

• Building and facility inspectors performing condition surveys.
• Industrial maintenance and predictive maintenance teams monitoring equipment.
• Research labs and universities working with thermal data.
• Drone/UAV operators using thermal sensors for mapping and inspection.
• Photographers and consultants producing deliverables that include temperature maps.

Core features

• Radiometric data extraction: ThermoFormat can read embedded temperature (radiometric) information from supported camera files, allowing users to retrieve per‑pixel temperature values rather than just visualized color palettes.
• File conversion and reformatting: Converts proprietary thermal formats to common formats (TIFF, PNG, JPEG) while preserving or exporting radiometric data when possible.
• Calibration and emissivity handling: Supports applying emissivity, reflected temperature, and other correction parameters so exported temperature values are more accurate for specific materials and scenes.
• Batch processing: Automates conversion or extraction on large sets of files to speed up workflows for inspections or surveys.
• Metadata preservation: Keeps camera metadata (timestamps, GPS, camera settings) so records remain traceable and usable in GIS or reporting tools.
• Multiple output options: Exports radiometric TIFFs (often in 16‑bit), CSV temperature tables, and visual images with applied palettes for reporting.
• Integration readiness: Produces outputs intended for import into analysis software (e.g., MATLAB, QGIS, GIS tools) or for use in reporting packages.

Supported file formats

ThermoFormat supports a range of proprietary camera formats from popular manufacturers as well as standard image formats. Typical support includes:

• Manufacturer raw formats (examples: FLIR, Workswell, Optris — specific file extensions depend on camera models)
• Radiometric TIFF (16‑bit TIFF with temperature values)
• PNG/JPEG (visual exports with palette)
• CSV or TXT (table of temperatures or metadata)

Always check compatibility for your specific camera model; Workswell updates supported formats as new cameras and firmware appear.

Typical workflows

1. Collect images with a radiometric infrared camera, ensuring the camera records radiometric data (not only visualized palettes).
2. Transfer the camera files to a workstation.
3. Use ThermoFormat to batch-convert raw files into radiometric TIFFs or CSV exports:
   • Set emissivity and reflected temperature if measurements require correction.
   • Choose desired output palette and scaling for visual exports.
   • Preserve or export metadata (timestamps, GPS).
4. Import converted files into analysis tools (e.g., thermal analysis software, GIS, MATLAB) or include visual exports in reports.
5. Use CSV per‑pixel data or radiometric TIFFs for quantitative temperature analysis, trend detection, or thresholding in condition monitoring workflows.

Best practices for accurate thermal results

• Confirm your camera produces radiometric images. Non‑radiometric images only contain a colorized picture and cannot yield accurate temperature values.
• Measure or estimate emissivity for the target surface and set it in ThermoFormat before exporting temperatures. Emissivity errors can create significant temperature inaccuracies.
• Account for reflected apparent temperature (background radiation) and ambient conditions (distance, atmospheric transmission) for outdoor or long‑range measurements.
• Calibrate and validate: periodically validate your thermal camera with temperature references or blackbody sources where possible.
• Use 16‑bit radiometric outputs when doing quantitative analysis; 8‑bit visual exports lose precision.
• Keep metadata intact for traceability and later correlation with other datasets (time series, GPS positions).

Example use cases

• Building inspection: Convert thermographic surveys into radiometric TIFFs, apply emissivity corrections for building materials, and generate CSV reports showing hottest/coldest spots per image.
• Electrical inspection: Batch process inspection images from switchgear, extract maximum temperature points per file, and create a prioritized maintenance list.
• Drone thermal mapping: Convert drone-acquired thermal frames to georeferenced radiometric TIFFs for mapping and analysis in GIS.
• Research: Export per‑pixel temperature data for statistical analysis, modeling heat transfer, or developing automated detection algorithms.

Tips for working with ThermoFormat

• Use batch processing templates to keep settings consistent across large inspections.
• Store a small sample of converted outputs and check values against known references before processing the entire dataset.
• When exporting visual images for clients, include both the colored visual and the corresponding radiometric TIFF or CSV for transparency and future verification.
• Keep software updated to benefit from new camera support and bug fixes.

Alternatives and complementary tools

• Manufacturer software (e.g., FLIR Tools/FLIR ResearchIR) — often tightly integrated with specific camera features.
• General image analysis tools (ImageJ, MATLAB, Python libraries like OpenCV + tifffile) — for customized processing of exported radiometric TIFFs or CSVs.
• GIS tools (QGIS, ArcGIS) — for geospatial thermal mapping when working with drone or survey datasets.

Comparison (quick):

Licensing, availability, and support

ThermoFormat is distributed by Workswell; licensing terms, pricing, and platform support (Windows, etc.) can vary. For production use, consult Workswell’s official site or authorized resellers for the latest version, system requirements, and licensing options. Technical support and documentation are typically available from Workswell.

Conclusion

Workswell ThermoFormat is a practical tool for converting, calibrating, and exporting radiometric thermal data into formats suitable for analysis, reporting, and integration with other software. Its strengths are radiometric extraction, batch processing, and metadata preservation, making it valuable for inspections, mapping, research, and maintenance workflows where accurate temperature data is required.