Introduction to Infrared Image Analysis & Reporting Software
Turn Thermal Images into Actionable Inspection Reports
Capturing a thermal image is only the first step. Professional thermographers rely on image analysis software to review, verify, analyse and document their findings before producing a clear inspection report.
While this page uses FLIR Ignite as the demonstration platform, the concepts and workflow apply to most infrared reporting software available today.
Why Use a Thermal Reporting Software?
An infrared reporting software is much more than a report generator.
It helps transform thermal images into meaningful inspection findings through a structured workflow.
Capture → Organise → Analyse → Interpret → Document → Report ↓ Archive
What Can an Infrared Reporting Software Do?
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Keep inspection images organised and accessible.
- Import thermal images from the camera
- Organise inspections into folders or projects
- Store inspection history
- Search and retrieve previous inspections
- Manage large inspection datasets
Review thermal images after the inspection with greater detail than on the camera.
Typical analysis includes:
- Viewing radiometric thermal images
- Zooming and panning
- Comparing thermal and visual images
- Reviewing image metadata
- Applying measurement tools
- Identifying abnormal thermal patterns
Extract meaningful information from the thermal image.
Common tools include:
- Spot temperature
- Area (box/circle/polygon) measurements
- Maximum, minimum and average temperatures
- Line temperature profiles
- Multiple measurement comparisons
Improve image interpretation without altering the captured thermal data.
- Colour palettes
- Level & Span adjustment
- Auto and Manual scaling
- MSX / Fusion overlays
- Isotherms / Colour alarms
Verify important settings that affect temperature measurements.
Examples include, but not limited to:
- Emissivity
- Reflected Apparent Temperature (RAT)
- Distance
- Atmospheric Temperature
- Relative Humidity
Record findings consistently.
- Add notes
- Insert comments
- Label inspection locations
- Document observations
- Record recommendations
Compile inspection findings into a professional report.
- Thermal images
- Visible images
- Measurement results
- Inspection comments
- Recommendations
- Company branding
- PDF export
Maintain a historical record of inspections.
Benefits include:
- Equipment history
- Trend comparison with graphs
- Easier follow-up inspections
- Audit documentation
- Long-term maintenance records
Basic Features Every Level-1 Thermographer Should Know
Essential Functions
- Upload radiometric images
- Navigate the image library
- View & edit radiometric images
- Zoom and pan images
- Adjust Level & Span
- Change colour palettes
- Use Spot and Area measurements
- View & edit image information and metadata
- Generate Report
For training purposes, FLIR Ignite is used to introduce the basic functions of infrared image analysis and reporting software.
The core features covered are common to most professional thermography software, regardless of manufacturer.
You may download the images below to use with FLIR Ignite.
While the screenshots below guides you through the basic functions, actually using the software is the best way to become familiar with them.
Take some time to explore and experiment with the various tools available.
Mobile Phone Version
Measurement tools help you analyse temperatures and thermal patterns within an image. They can be used to measure temperatures at specific points, compare multiple areas, identify the hottest or coldest regions, and examine how temperature changes across a surface. Common tools include Spot, Area, Line, Rectangle, Ellipse, Polygon, and temperature comparison tools.
Change the colours used to display temperatures in the thermal image. Different palettes can make certain thermal patterns easier to see, but they do not change the actual temperature measurements.
Fusion Modes control how the thermal image and visible image are combined to help identify objects and interpret inspection findings.
- Thermal – Displays only the thermal image.
- Visual – Displays only the digital photograph.
- Picture in Picture (PiP) – Places the thermal image inside a movable window over the visible image, allowing you to compare both views at the same time.
- Blend / Fusion – Gradually blends the thermal and visible images together using an adjustable transparency.
- MSX® (Multi-Spectral Dynamic Imaging) – Adds visible image details, such as edges and outlines, onto the thermal image to improve object recognition without altering the thermal data. (MSX® is FLIR’s image enhancement technology. Similar features are available on other brands under different names.)
- Visual with Thermal Overlay (if supported by the camera) – Overlays thermal information onto the visible image, showing temperature information only where required.
Controls how colours are spread across the selected temperature range to improve image interpretation.
- Linear – Distributes colours evenly across the temperature span. Best for general viewing and reporting.
- Histogram – Redistributes colours based on the temperatures in the image, helping to reveal subtle thermal differences.
- Signal Linear – Displays the thermal image in a way that can make very small temperature differences easier to see. It is mainly used for advanced image analysis.
Uses colour to highlight temperatures within a selected range. This makes it easier to quickly identify areas that are above, below, or within a chosen temperature threshold.
Rotate the image to the correct orientation for easier viewing, analysis and reporting.
Draw directly on the image using freehand lines or markings to highlight areas of interest or provide additional notes before generating a report.
Desktop (Browser) Version
The full version (desktop browser) version has more functions like comparison and allows for easier use.
