In general a user provided image data set consists of a set of 2D rectangular data arrys (the slices in the image), which are either organized sequentially in a single file or in separate files. (In the case in which the data is provided slicewise in separate files), 3DMA assumes that the file names are labeled user_string.NNN. Here user_string is a user defined descriptive designator identifying the data set. NNN is a three digit number identifying the slice in the data set. There is no requirement that the first slice be numbered 001. The only requirement is that the slices be labelled consecutively in the range 000 to 999.
If a 3D data set is provided in a single file, there is no restriction on its filename. For the segmented, burn and medial axis data files used internally by the code, all information is printed slicewise in single files using the convention new_user_string.NNN. Here new_user_string is specified by the user in response to an appropriate question by the 3DMA software. The slice numbers NNN replicate the sequence of slice numbers used in the original user provided image.