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Window/Level Tool

The Window/Level Tool adjusts image contrast and brightness to optimize visualization of anatomical structures.

  • Window Width (WW) controls contrast (range of displayed intensities)
  • Window Level (WL) controls brightness (center of the intensity range)

When the Window/Level Tool is active, adjustments are applied to the active viewport.

Adjusting Window/Level​

  • Select the Window/Level Tool from the toolbar
  • Click and drag within the viewport:
    • Up / Down → Adjust contrast (window width)
    • Left / Right → Adjust brightness (window level)

Adjustments are applied in real time as the cursor moves.

Preset Window/Level Settings​

Predefined Window/Level presets are available to quickly optimize image display for common clinical viewing scenarios.

  • Access presets using the dropdown associated with the Window/Level Tool
  • Presets may include configurations such as:
    • Soft Tissue
    • Lung
    • Liver
    • Bone
    • Brain

Selecting a preset immediately updates the display of the active viewport.

Window/Level presets can also be accessed and configured in User Settings.

  • Users may modify existing presets or define custom configurations
  • The numbers displayed to the right of each preset in the Window/Level toolbar menu represent the keyboard shortcuts (hotkeys) associated with each preset.
  • Pressing the associated number key will apply the corresponding preset to the active viewport
note

Preset availability and default values may vary depending on system configuration and image modality.

tip

Use keyboard shortcuts to rapidly switch between presets during image review workflows.

Color Bar Display​

The Window/Level icon located in the upper-right corner of the active viewport toggles the color bar display.

  • Show Color Bar → Displays the grayscale intensity range
  • Hide Color Bar → Removes the overlay for a clearer image

Behavior Notes​

note

Window/Level adjustments affect only the visual presentation of the image and do not modify the underlying image data.

note

The effectiveness of Window/Level adjustments depends on the image modality and available DICOM metadata.

tip

Use predefined presets for rapid adjustment, then fine-tune manually using click-and-drag interactions.