Common transform file format

[effigies]

Project Title

Common transform file format (.x5)

Contributors

Name	Position	Institute
Chris Markiewicz	Software Developer	Stanford University
Satra Ghosh		MIT
Bob Cox	Staff Scientist	NIH

Project Summary

The goal of this project is to unify affine, non-linear and composite transforms in a single, open file format.

Project Significance

Most major neuroimaging software packages (AFNI, SPM, FSL, FreeSurfer) have independently produced formats and conventions for reading, writing and interpreting affine and non-linear transforms. As part of the BIDS effort, settling on a common transform format has proved desirable, which requires working closely with representatives of the major packages to ensure that the final format meets their needs without providing an insurmountable barrier to eventual adoption.

Progress Report

• Bob Cox was consulted to elaborate on the representations and conventions of transformations in AFNI.
• The X5 draft spec was updated to include data structures that are compatible (with simple conversions) with AFNI affine and displacement field transform formats.

Project URLs

https://gist.github.com/effigies/0c8c456f5f0439c191b32d6c90e23cb3