Fluke Thermal Reader

A Python library for reading and analyzing Fluke thermal files (.is2 and .is3 formats).

Package: fluke_thermal_reader | Import: import fluke_thermal_reader

Features

• Complete .is2 support: Parse Fluke .is2 thermal imaging files
• Accurate temperature conversion: Convert raw thermal data to temperature values with high precision
• Metadata extraction: Extract camera information, calibration data, and image properties
• Fusion offset correction: Automatic correction for horizontal shift in thermal images
• Lightweight design: Minimal dependencies (only numpy required)
• Optional image loading: Images are returned as paths, not loaded automatically
• Tested camera models: Ti300 and Ti480P (other models supported with user feedback)

Installation

pip install fluke_thermal_reader

Important: package name and import are identical: fluke_thermal_reader.

Quick Start

from fluke_thermal_reader import read_is2

# Load a Fluke .is2 file
data = read_is2("thermal_image.is2")

# Access thermal data
thermal_data = data['data']  # 2D numpy array of temperatures
print(f"Temperature range: {thermal_data.min():.1f}°C - {thermal_data.max():.1f}°C")

# Access metadata
print(f"Camera: {data['CameraModel']}")
print(f"Image size: {data['size']}")
print(f"Emissivity: {data['Emissivity']}")
print(f"Background temperature: {data['BackgroundTemp']}°C")

Examples

Quick Example

Run the basic example from the project root:

python example.py

Complete Examples

For comprehensive examples, see the examples/ directory:

# Basic usage example
python examples/basic_usage.py

# Complete usage example (shows all features)
python examples/complete_usage_example.py

# Simple usage example
python examples/simple_usage.py

The complete example demonstrates:

• Reading IS2 files with error handling
• Extracting all metadata categories
• Displaying temperature statistics
• Showing camera information
• Accessing measurement parameters
• Displaying thermal images with matplotlib
• Analyzing thermal data distributions

Supported File Formats

• IS2 (images): Fluke thermal image format — FULLY SUPPORTED
• IS3 (video): Fluke thermal video format — FUTURE WORK (not implemented yet)

All the examples and usage below refer to IS2 image files only.

Image Handling

The library is designed to be lightweight and efficient. Images (thumbnails and visible photos) are handled as follows:

• Paths only: Images are returned as file paths, not loaded automatically
• Optional loading: You choose when and how to load images
• Memory efficient: No automatic image loading saves memory
• Flexible: Use any image library you prefer (matplotlib, PIL, opencv, etc.)

# Images are returned as paths
data = read_is2("thermal_image.is2")
print(f"Thumbnail path: {data['thumbnail_path']}")
print(f"Photo path: {data['photo_path']}")

# Load images only when needed
if data['thumbnail_path']:
    # Option 1: Using matplotlib
    import matplotlib.pyplot as plt
    thumbnail = plt.imread(data['thumbnail_path'])
    
    # Option 2: Using PIL (lighter)
    from PIL import Image
    thumbnail = Image.open(data['thumbnail_path'])

Tested Camera Models

• Ti300: Fully tested and supported
• Ti480P: Fully tested and supported

Other Fluke camera models: If you have files from other Fluke thermal cameras, please share them so we can add support for additional models.

API Reference

read_is2(file_path)

Load and parse a Fluke thermal .is2 file.

Parameters:

• file_path (str): Path to the .is2 file

Returns:

• dict: Dictionary containing thermal data and metadata

Returned Data Structure (read_is2):

{
    'data': numpy.ndarray,           # 2D array of temperature values
    'FileName': str,                 # Original filename
    'CameraModel': str,              # Camera model
    'CameraSerial': str,             # Camera serial number
    'size': [width, height],         # Image dimensions
    'MinTemp': float,               # Minimum temperature
    'MaxTemp': float,               # Maximum temperature
    'AvgTemp': float,               # Average temperature
    'Emissivity': float,            # Emissivity setting
    'BackgroundTemp': float,        # Background temperature
    'CaptureDateTime': str,         # Capture date and time
    'thumbnail_path': str,          # Path to thumbnail image (if available)
    'photo_path': str,              # Path to visible light image (if available)
}

Examples

Simple Usage (No External Dependencies)

from fluke_thermal_reader import read_is2
import numpy as np

# Load thermal data
data = read_is2("thermal_image.is2")

# Basic analysis
temperatures = data['data']
print(f"Temperature range: {temperatures.min():.1f}°C - {temperatures.max():.1f}°C")
print(f"Average: {temperatures.mean():.1f}°C")

# Hot spot analysis
hot_spots = temperatures > (temperatures.mean() + 2 * temperatures.std())
print(f"Hot spots: {np.sum(hot_spots)} pixels")

Basic Usage (With Visualization)

from fluke_thermal_reader import read_is2
import matplotlib.pyplot as plt

# Load thermal data
data = read_is2("thermal_image.is2")

# Display thermal image
plt.imshow(data['data'], cmap='hot')
plt.colorbar(label='Temperature (°C)')
plt.title(f'Thermal Image - {data["CameraModel"]}')
plt.show()

# Load images separately if needed (optional)
if data['thumbnail_path']:
    # Using matplotlib (requires matplotlib)
    thumbnail = plt.imread(data['thumbnail_path'])
    plt.figure()
    plt.imshow(thumbnail)
    plt.title('Thumbnail')
    plt.show()
    
    # Or using PIL (lighter alternative)
    # from PIL import Image
    # thumbnail = Image.open(data['thumbnail_path'])
    # thumbnail.show()

Batch Processing

import os
from fluke_thermal_reader import read_is2

# Process multiple files
for filename in os.listdir("thermal_images/"):
    if filename.endswith(".is2"):
        data = read_is2(f"thermal_images/{filename}")
        print(f"Processed {filename}: {data['MinTemp']:.1f}°C - {data['MaxTemp']:.1f}°C")

Temperature Analysis

import numpy as np
from fluke_thermal_reader import read_is2

# Load data
data = read_is2("thermal_image.is2")
temperatures = data['data']

# Statistical analysis
print(f"Temperature statistics:")
print(f"  Mean: {temperatures.mean():.1f}°C")
print(f"  Std: {temperatures.std():.1f}°C")
print(f"  Min: {temperatures.min():.1f}°C")
print(f"  Max: {temperatures.max():.1f}°C")

# Find hot spots
hot_spots = temperatures > (temperatures.mean() + 2 * temperatures.std())
print(f"Hot spots: {np.sum(hot_spots)} pixels")

Accuracy

The library provides highly accurate temperature readings with:

• Mean difference: < 0.5°C compared to Fluke's official software
• Correlation: > 0.999 with reference data
• Precision: 16 decimal places for temperature values
• Tested on: Ti300 and Ti480P cameras with real-world data

Requirements

• Python 3.8+
• numpy>=1.20.0

Optional dependencies for visualization:

• matplotlib (for plotting thermal data)
• PIL/Pillow (for loading images)

Development

Project Structure

fluke_reader/
├── fluke_reader/          # Main library code
│   ├── __init__.py
│   ├── parsers.py         # File parsers
│   ├── reader.py          # Main reader functions
│   └── models.py          # Data models
├── examples/              # Usage examples
├── test/                  # Test files and analysis scripts
├── legacy/                # Legacy code and references
└── README.md

Running Tests

# Run basic tests
python -m pytest

# Run with coverage
python -m pytest --cov=fluke_thermal_reader

Contributing

Contributions are welcome! Please feel free to submit a Pull Request.

Adding support for new camera models: If you have .is2 files from other Fluke thermal cameras, please share them so we can extend support to additional models. You can:

• Open an issue with sample files
• Submit a pull request with test data
• Contact the maintainers directly

License

This project is licensed under the MIT License - see the LICENSE file for details.

Acknowledgments

• Fluke Corporation for the thermal imaging technology
• The open-source community for inspiration and tools

Changelog

Version 1.0.0

• Initial release
• Full .is2 support
• Accurate temperature conversion (< 0.5°C difference from Fluke software)
• Metadata extraction
• Fusion offset correction
• Support for Ti300 and Ti480P cameras
• Ready for additional camera model support with user feedback

---

read_is3 (Future Work)

read_is3(file_path) is planned for Fluke IS3 (video) files.

• Current status: Not implemented — calling it raises NotImplementedError.
• Scope: video streams (multiple thermal frames), video-level metadata.
• Documentation: the returned data structure will be defined once implementation starts.

If you are interested in IS3 support, please open an issue with sample files and requirements.