

The idea here is to add the scale bar after you import your image into your software of choice. As such, they’re infinitely scalable with no loss of sharpness. Vector graphics on the other hand, are a mathematical description of a graphic. The problem, as we have seen, is that raster graphics do not adapt to scaling. Image data are examples of raster graphics. So what’s the alternative? I was hoping you’d ask… Vector Graphics The example below was scaled to just 75% of the original size and already shows some degradation (this is more of a problem with skinny scale bars and text).Įxample of an image scaled after the addition of a scale bar This is technically what you want (so it still represents the right size), however the quality of the scale bar will be degraded if you scale too much (for example in a multi-pane figure in a report or publication).

You can pick any Unit you want, for example the much under-used (and definitely not made up) micro-dolphin.


If your image is uncalibrated, enter the calibration information here. You can also find the calibration info by opening up the Properties of the Image, where you’ll get a dialog not too dissimilar to this: If an image has calibration information (above, right), the calibrated dimensions of an image are displayed with the units (65.02μm) followed by the pixel dimensions (256×256). Example of an uncalibrated (left) and a calibrated (right) image in Fiji.
