Imatest Training Course

What students will learn

• Measuring key image quality factors using Imatest.
• Understanding and interpreting Imatest output.
• Avoiding common mistakes in applying Imatest.
• An overview of how to set up and tailor your test lab for accurate measurements.
• Selecting appropriate test charts.
• Configuring options to achieve particular testing objectives.
• Assessing overall image quality.
• Automating tests for manufacturing quality control.
• Balancing the trade-off between yield and end-user satisfaction.
  

Other recommended material

We recommend that you have some knowledge of the basic concepts of photography and optics (focal length, aperture, exposure, etc.) before reviewing the Imatest Training.

Cambridge in Colour’s: Learn Photography Basics course is an excellent concise introduction to the key background material. 

If you have the time, we recommend Marc Levoy’s Digital Photography course, available on YouTube.

To focus your learning from Marc Levoy’s course, we have outlined the most relevant lectures to what you will learn in the Imatest training course:

• Lecture 1 – Introduction and Image Formation
• Lecture 3 – Optics I: Lenses and Apertures
• Lecture 4 – Optics II: Practical Photographic Lenses
• Lecture 6 – Autofocus and Exposure Metering (AF and AE)
• Lecture 7 – Sampling and Pixels
• Lecture 8 – Photons and Sensors
• Lecture 10 – Noise and ISO, Image Stabilization
• Lecture 12 – Color I: Trichromatic Theory
• Lecture 13 – Color II: Applications in Photography
• Lecture 15 – Light and Reflection
• Lecture 17 – In-camera Image Processing
• Lecture 18 – Panoramas

We also recommend that you review our Image Quality Factors series for a background in the key factors that determine image quality.

Topics Covered

Review our recorded training course to learn how to use Imatest software to test key image quality factors and benefit your company’s IQ test processes.

Part 1: Introduction and imaging Concepts

• Company background
• Raw files & raw conversion
• Gamma, color spaces
• Sharpness and noise introduction

Part 2: Image Quality Factors & Test Lab

• Image quality factors
• Common operations: File & region selection
• Test Lab Construction
• Settings stored in imatest.ini, used for controlling IT
• Summary of modules

Part 3: SFRplus and Settings Overview

• SFRplus demo
• module summary

Part 4: Tonal Response and Color

•  Stepchart
• Flare / Veiling glare
• Dynamic range post-processor
• Contrast Resolution
• Colorcheck – measure 24-patch X-Rite Colorchecker
• Multicharts – measures several standard color charts

Part 5: Distortion and Nonuniformity

• Distortion
• Light falloff and color nonuniformity measurement with Uniformity and Uniformity-Interactive
• Blemish Detect

Part 6: Detailed Sharpness measurements

• SFR (Slanted-edge Spatial Frequency Response)
• Batchview
• MTF Compare Transfer functions & deconvolution
• Sharpening – Introduction and Standardized sharpening
• Slanted-edge algorithm – ISO-12233 and enhancements
• SQF – Subjective Quality Factor (Acutance)

Part 7: Rescharts – Interface for interactive sharpness measurements

• SFR & SFRplus
• Star Chart (Siemens Star)
• Log Frequency
• Log F-Contrast
• Wedge
• Random – Dead leaves / Spilled coins (scale-invariant)
• Any scene sharpness

Part 8: Imatest 5.0 & 5.1 New Features

• Arbitrary charts
• Database for storage of capture conditions
• Test Manager

Part 9: Imatest IT (Industrial Testing)

• EXE and DLL interfaces
• Performance enhancement
• Manufacturing test setup – preventing darkness and saturation
• Pass/fail configuration
• Parsing of outputs using JSON