File Formats
The OME file formats
A major goal of the OME project is the provision of common specifications for light microscopy file formats. Most light microscope data is collected using proprietary software. In general, users must convert files between formats to access different processing or display functionality. Migration between different formats is laborious, but most importantly often results in loss of critical image metadata.
The OME consortium has three projects providing tools for standardised file formats: OME-XML, OME-TIFF, and Bio-Formats. The definition, development, and maintenance of these tools are the result of close collaboration between all academic and commercial partners in the OME Consortium.
The ongoing development of the OME-XML data model can be tracked on http://www.ome-xml.org/.
Validation
If you are generating your own OME-XML files, we have a validator that will check OME-XML and OME-TIFF files located at
The Bio-Formats command line tools also include an XML validation tool.
Companies that write OME-XML or OME-TIFF include
- Applied Precision, LLC
- Bitplane AG
- SVI
- Leica, Inc.
- Improvision, Inc.
For company details see our full list of Partners
