Encode dicom file to jpeg transfer syntax
dcmcjpeg [options] dcmfile-in dcmfile-out
The dcmcjpeg utility reads an uncompressed DICOM image (dcmfile-in), performs a JPEG compression (i. e. conversion to an encapsulated DICOM transfer syntax) and writes the converted image to an output file (dcmfile-out).
dcmfile-in DICOM input filename to be converted dcmfile-out DICOM output filename
-h --help
print this help text and exit
--version
print version information and exit
--arguments
print expanded command line arguments
-q --quiet
quiet mode, print no warnings and errors
-v --verbose
verbose mode, print processing details
-d --debug
debug mode, print debug information
-ll --log-level [l]evel: string constant
(fatal, error, warn, info, debug, trace)
use level l for the logger
-lc --log-config [f]ilename: string
use config file f for the logger
input file format:
+f --read-file
read file format or data set (default)
+fo --read-file-only
read file format only
-f --read-dataset
read data set without file meta information
input transfer syntax:
-t= --read-xfer-auto
use TS recognition (default)
-td --read-xfer-detect
ignore TS specified in the file meta header
-te --read-xfer-little
read with explicit VR little endian TS
-tb --read-xfer-big
read with explicit VR big endian TS
-ti --read-xfer-implicit
read with implicit VR little endian TS
compatibility (ignored by +tl):
+Ma --accept-acr-nema
accept ACR-NEMA images without photometric interpretation
# Enables compatibility for old ACR-NEMA images without photometric
# information (only pseudo lossless encoder)
+Mp --accept-palettes
accept incorrect palette attribute tags (0028,111x) and
(0028,121x)
# If enabled, incorrect palette attribute tags are accepted
# (only pseudo lossless encoder)
JPEG process:
+e1 --encode-lossless-sv1
encode lossless sv1 (default)
# This option selects the JPEG Lossless, Non-Hierarchical, First-Order
# Prediction (Process 14 Selection Value 1) Transfer Syntax for
# Lossless JPEG Image Compression.
+el --encode-lossless
encode lossless
# This option selects the JPEG Lossless, Non-Hierarchical (Process 14)
# Transfer Syntax for Lossless JPEG Image Compression.
+eb --encode-baseline
encode baseline
# This option selects the JPEG Baseline (Process 1) Transfer Syntax
# for Lossy JPEG 8 Bit Image Compression.
+ee --encode-extended
encode extended sequential
# This option selects the JPEG Extended (Process 2 & 4) Transfer
# Syntax for Lossy JPEG Image Compression.
+es --encode-spectral
encode spectral selection
# This option selects the JPEG Spectral Selection, Non-Hierarchical
# (Process 6 & 8) Transfer Syntax for Lossy JPEG Image Compression.
+ep --encode-progressive
encode progressive
# This option selects the JPEG Full Progression, Non-Hierarchical
# (Process 10 & 12) Transfer Syntax for Lossy JPEG Image Compression.
lossless JPEG codec selection:
+tl --true-lossless
true lossless codec (default)
# This option selects an encoder, that guarantees truely lossless
# image compression. See NOTES for further information.
+pl --pseudo-lossless
old pseudo-lossless codec
# Old encoder, that uses lossless compression algorithms, but can
# cause lossy images because of internal color space transformations
# etc. Higher compression ratio than --true-lossless in most cases.
lossless JPEG representation:
+sv --selection-value [sv]: integer (1..7, default: 6)
use selection value sv only with --encode-lossless
# This option selects the selection value for lossless JPEG.
+pt --point-transform [pt]: integer (0..15, default: 0)
use point transform pt
# This option selects the point transform for lossless JPEG.
# WARNING: Using this option with a value other than zero causes
# a loss of precision, i. e. makes the compression "lossy".
lossy JPEG representation:
+q --quality [q]: integer (0..100, default: 90)
use quality factor q
# This option selects the quality factor used to determine the
# quantization table inside the JPEG compressor, which affects
# compression ratio and image quality in lossy JPEG.
# See documentation of the Independent JPEG Group for details.
+sm --smooth [s]: integer (0..100, default: 0)
use smoothing factor s
# This option enables a smoothing (low-pass filter) of the image data
# prior to compression. Increases the compression ratio at the expense
# of image quality.
other JPEG options:
+ho --huffman-optimize
optimize huffman tables (default)
# This option enables an optimization of the huffman tables during
# image compression. It results in a slightly smaller image at a small
# increase of CPU time. Always on if bits/sample is larger than 8.
-ho --huffman-standard
use standard huffman tables if 8 bits/sample
# This option disables an optimization of the huffman tables during
# image compression.
compressed bits per sample (always +ba with +tl):
+ba --bits-auto
choose bits/sample automatically (default)
+be --bits-force-8
force 8 bits/sample
+bt --bits-force-12
force 12 bits/sample (not with baseline)
+bs --bits-force-16
force 16 bits/sample (lossless only)
compression color space conversion (overriden by +tl):
+cy --color-ybr
use YCbCr for color images if lossy (default)
# This option enables a transformation of the color space to YCbCr
# prior to image compression for color images in lossy JPEG.
+cr --color-rgb
use RGB for color images if lossy
# This option prevents the transformation of the color space to YCbCr
# prior to image compression for color images in lossy JPEG. It causes
# lossy image compression in the RGB color space which is not
# recommendable.
+cm --monochrome
convert color images to monochrome
# This option forces a conversion of color images to monochrome
# prior to compression.
decompression color space conversion
(if input is compressed; always +cn with +tl):
+cp --conv-photometric
convert if YCbCr photometric interpretation (default)
# This option describes the behavior of dcmcjpeg when a compressed
# image is read and decompressed prior to re-compression. If the
# compressed image uses YBR_FULL or YBR_FULL_422 photometric
# interpretation, it is converted to RGB during decompression.
+cl --conv-lossy
convert YCbCr to RGB if lossy JPEG
# If the compressed image is encoded in lossy JPEG, assume YCbCr
# color model and convert to RGB.
+cg --conv-guess
convert to RGB if YCbCr is guessed by library
# If the underlying JPEG library "guesses" the color space of the
# compressed image to be YCbCr, convert to RGB.
+cgl --conv-guess-lossy
convert to RGB if lossy JPEG and YCbCr is
guessed by the underlying JPEG library
# If the compressed image is encoded in lossy JPEG and the underlying
# JPEG library "guesses" the color space to be YCbCr, convert to RGB.
+ca --conv-always
always convert YCbCr to RGB
# If the compressed image is a color image, assume YCbCr color model
# and convert to RGB.
+cn --conv-never
never convert color space
# Never convert color space during decompression.
standard YCbCr component subsampling (not with +tl):
+s4 --sample-444
4:4:4 sampling with YBR_FULL (default)
# This option disables color component subsampling for compression in
# the YCbCr color space. The DICOM photometric interpretation is
# encoded as YBR_FULL.
+s2 --sample-422
4:2:2 subsampling with YBR_FULL_422
# This option enables a 4:2:2 color component subsampling for
# compression in the YCbCr color space. The DICOM photometric
# interpretation is encoded as YBR_FULL.
non-standard YCbCr component subsampling (not with +tl):
+n2 --nonstd-422-full
4:2:2 subsampling with YBR_FULL
# This option enables a 4:2:2 color component subsampling for
# compression in the YCbCr color space. The DICOM photometric
# interpretation is encoded as YBR_FULL which violates DICOM rules.
+n1 --nonstd-411-full
4:1:1 subsampling with YBR_FULL
# This option enables a 4:1:1 color component subsampling for
# compression in the YCbCr color space. The DICOM photometric
# interpretation is encoded as YBR_FULL which violates DICOM rules.
+np --nonstd-411
4:1:1 subsampling with YBR_FULL_422
# This option enables a 4:1:1 color component subsampling for
# compression in the YCbCr color space. The DICOM photometric
# interpretation is encoded as YBR_FULL_422 which violates DICOM rules.
encapsulated pixel data fragmentation:
+ff --fragment-per-frame
encode each frame as one fragment (default)
# This option causes the creation of one compressed fragment for each
# frame (recommended).
+fs --fragment-size [s]ize: integer
limit fragment size to s kbytes
# This option limits the fragment size which may cause the creation of
# multiple fragments per frame.
basic offset table encoding:
+ot --offset-table-create
create offset table (default)
# This option causes the creation of a valid offset table for the
# compressed JPEG fragments.
-ot --offset-table-empty
leave offset table empty
# This option causes the creation of an empty offset table
# for the compressed JPEG fragments.
VOI windowing for monochrome images (not with +tl):
-W --no-windowing
no VOI windowing (default)
# No window level/width is "burned" into monochrome images prior to
# compression. See notes below on pixel scaling and rescale slope
# and intercept encoding.
+Wi --use-window [n]umber: integer
use the n-th VOI window from image file
# Apply the n-th window center/width encoded in the image data prior
# to compression.
+Wl --use-voi-lut [n]umber: integer
use the n-th VOI look up table from image file
# Apply the n-th VOI LUT encoded in the image data prior
# to compression.
+Wm --min-max-window
compute VOI window using min-max algorithm
# Compute and apply a window center and width that covers the
# range from the smallest to the largest occuring pixel value.
+Wn --min-max-window-n
compute VOI window using min-max algorithm,
ignoring extreme values
# Compute and apply a window center and width that covers the
# range from the second smallest to the second largest occuring
# pixel value. This is useful if the background is set to an
# artificial black (padding value) or if white overlays are burned
# into the image data which should not be considered for the window
# computation.
+Wr --roi-min-max-window [l]eft [t]op [w]idth [h]eight: integer
compute ROI window using min-max algorithm,
region of interest is specified by l,t,w,h
# This option works like --min-max-window but only considers the given
# region of interest inside the image.
+Wh --histogram-window [n]umber: integer
compute VOI window using Histogram algorithm,
ignoring n percent
# Compute a histogram of the image data and apply window center
# and width such than n% of the image data are ignored for the window
# computation
+Ww --set-window [c]enter [w]idth: float
compute VOI window using center c and width w
# Apply the given window center/width prior to compression.
pixel scaling for monochrome images (--no-windowing; ignored by +tl):
+sp --scaling-pixel
scale using min/max pixel value (default)
# Monochrome image pixel values are always scaled to make use of the
# pixel range available with the selected JPEG process as good as
# possible. This option selects a scaling based on the minimum and
# maximum pixel value occuring in the image. This often leads to
# significantly better image quality, but may cause different
# compressed images within one series to have different values for
# rescale slope and intercept, which is a problem if a presentation
# state for one series is to be created.
+sr --scaling-range
scale using min/max range
# This options selects a scaling based on the pixel range as defined
# by the stored bits, pixel representation and modality transform,
# without consideration of the minimum and maximum value really
# used within the image.
rescale slope/intercept encoding for monochrome (-W; ignored by +tl):
+ri --rescale-identity
encode identity modality rescale (default)
Never used for CT images
# This options prevents the creation of a modality transformation
# other than an identity transformation (which is required for
# many DICOM IODs). Window center/width settings encoded
# in the image are adapted, VOI LUTs are removed.
+rm --rescale-map
use modality rescale to scale pixel range
Never used for XA/RF/XA Biplane images
# This option causes the creation of a modality rescale slope and
# intercept that maps the decompressed image data back to their
# original range. This keeps all VOI transformations valid but
# requires that the DICOM IOD supports a modality rescale slope
# and intercept transformation other than identity.
SOP Class UID:
+cd --class-default
keep SOP Class UID (default)
# Keep the SOP Class UID of the source image.
+cs --class-sc
convert to Secondary Capture Image (implies --uid-always)
# Convert the image to Secondary Capture. In addition to the SOP
# Class UID, all attributes required for a valid secondary capture
# image are added. A new SOP instance UID is always assigned.
SOP Instance UID:
+ud --uid-default
assign new UID if lossy compression (default)
# Assigns a new SOP instance UID if the compression is lossy.
+ua --uid-always
always assign new UID
# Unconditionally assigns a new SOP instance UID.
+un --uid-never
never assign new UID
# Never assigns a new SOP instance UID.
post-1993 value representations:
+u --enable-new-vr
enable support for new VRs (UN/UT) (default)
-u --disable-new-vr
disable support for new VRs, convert to OB
group length encoding:
+g= --group-length-recalc
recalculate group lengths if present (default)
+g --group-length-create
always write with group length elements
-g --group-length-remove
always write without group length elements
length encoding in sequences and items:
+e --length-explicit
write with explicit lengths (default)
-e --length-undefined
write with undefined lengths
data set trailing padding:
-p= --padding-retain
do not change padding (default)
-p --padding-off
no padding
+p --padding-create [f]ile-pad [i]tem-pad: integer
align file on multiple of f bytes
and items on multiple of i bytes
The dcmcjpeg utility compresses DICOM images of all SOP classes. Special handling has been implemented for CT images (where the modality transformation is required to create Hounsfield units) and the XA/RF/Biplane SOP classes (where the modality transformation has 'inversed' semantics). However, dcmcjpeg does not attempt to ensure that the compressed image still complies with all restrictions of the object's IOD.
A few examples:
MR images are required to have BitsAllocated=16.
NM Images can only be encoded with MONOCHROME2 or PALETTE COLOR photometric interpretation but not with RGB or YBR_FULL (which effectively prevents compression).
Hardcopy Color images must have RGB color model which is a problem if lossy compression is to be performed.
The user is responsible for making sure that the compressed images he creates are compliant with the DICOM standard. If in question, the dcmcjpeg utility allows to convert an image to secondary capture - this SOP class does not pose restrictions as the ones mentioned above.
With version DCMTK 3.5.4 a new encoder for truely lossless JPEG compression was added (--true-lossless). Compared to the old (--pseudo-lossless) encoder, that creates slightly lossy images caused from internal color space conversions, windowing etc., there are a some issues to consider:
Only source images with Bits Allocated 8 or 16 are supported
Options for color space conversions, windowing or pixel scaling are ignored or overriden
Photometric Interpretations YBR_FULL_422, YBR_PARTIAL_422, YBR_PARTIAL_420, YBR_ICT, YBR_RCT are not supported
The encoder changes automatically Planar Configuration from 1 to 0 if necessary
The compression ratio can be lower than in --pseudo-lossless mode
However, when using the new encoder (default), you can be sure, that compression does not affect image quality.
In order to be on the safe side, the Lossy Compression Flag is always set to '01' and a new SOP instance UID is assigned (by default) for the old pseudo-lossless encoder. The output of the old and new lossless encoder can also be distinguished by the Derivation Description in the resulting DICOM image, which contains the term 'Lossless JPEG compression' for the new and 'Pseudo-Lossless JPEG compression' for the old encoder.
dcmcjpeg supports the following transfer syntaxes for input (dcmfile-in):
LittleEndianImplicitTransferSyntax 1.2.840.10008.1.2 LittleEndianExplicitTransferSyntax 1.2.840.10008.1.2.1 DeflatedExplicitVRLittleEndianTransferSyntax 1.2.840.10008.1.2.1.99 (*) BigEndianExplicitTransferSyntax 1.2.840.10008.1.2.2 JPEGProcess1TransferSyntax 1.2.840.10008.1.2.4.50 JPEGProcess2_4TransferSyntax 1.2.840.10008.1.2.4.51 JPEGProcess6_8TransferSyntax 1.2.840.10008.1.2.4.53 JPEGProcess10_12TransferSyntax 1.2.840.10008.1.2.4.55 JPEGProcess14TransferSyntax 1.2.840.10008.1.2.4.57 JPEGProcess14SV1TransferSyntax 1.2.840.10008.1.2.4.70
(*) if compiled with zlib support enabled
dcmcjpeg supports the following transfer syntaxes for output (dcmfile-out):
JPEGProcess1TransferSyntax 1.2.840.10008.1.2.4.50 JPEGProcess2_4TransferSyntax 1.2.840.10008.1.2.4.51 JPEGProcess6_8TransferSyntax 1.2.840.10008.1.2.4.53 JPEGProcess10_12TransferSyntax 1.2.840.10008.1.2.4.55 JPEGProcess14TransferSyntax 1.2.840.10008.1.2.4.57 JPEGProcess14SV1TransferSyntax 1.2.840.10008.1.2.4.70
The level of logging output of the various command line tools and underlying libraries can be specified by the user. By default, only errors and warnings are written to the standard error stream. Using option --verbose also informational messages like processing details are reported. Option --debug can be used to get more details on the internal activity, e.g. for debugging purposes. Other logging levels can be selected using option --log-level. In --quiet mode only fatal errors are reported. In such very severe error events, the application will usually terminate. For more details on the different logging levels, see documentation of module 'oflog'.
In case the logging output should be written to file (optionally with logfile rotation), to syslog (Unix) or the event log (Windows) option --log-config can be used. This configuration file also allows for directing only certain messages to a particular output stream and for filtering certain messages based on the module or application where they are generated. An example configuration file is provided in <etcdir>/logger.cfg).
All command line tools use the following notation for parameters: square brackets enclose optional values (0-1), three trailing dots indicate that multiple values are allowed (1-n), a combination of both means 0 to n values.
Command line options are distinguished from parameters by a leading '+' or '-' sign, respectively. Usually, order and position of command line options are arbitrary (i.e. they can appear anywhere). However, if options are mutually exclusive the rightmost appearance is used. This behaviour conforms to the standard evaluation rules of common Unix shells.
In addition, one or more command files can be specified using an '@' sign as a prefix to the filename (e.g. @command.txt). Such a command argument is replaced by the content of the corresponding text file (multiple whitespaces are treated as a single separator unless they appear between two quotation marks) prior to any further evaluation. Please note that a command file cannot contain another command file. This simple but effective approach allows to summarize common combinations of options/parameters and avoids longish and confusing command lines (an example is provided in file <datadir>/dumppat.txt).
The dcmcjpeg utility will attempt to load DICOM data dictionaries specified in the DCMDICTPATH environment variable. By default, i.e. if the DCMDICTPATH environment variable is not set, the file <datadir>/dicom.dic will be loaded unless the dictionary is built into the application (default for Windows).
The default behaviour should be preferred and the DCMDICTPATH environment variable only used when alternative data dictionaries are required. The DCMDICTPATH environment variable has the same format as the Unix shell PATH variable in that a colon (':') separates entries. On Windows systems, a semicolon (';') is used as a separator. The data dictionary code will attempt to load each file specified in the DCMDICTPATH environment variable. It is an error if no data dictionary can be loaded.
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