Integrated Morphometrics Package (IMP) Suite

In cooperation with Prof. Dr. H. David Sheets, we are happy to announce that we can now provide the full Integrated Morphometrics Package (IMP) Suite here. Prof. H. David Sheets is one of the authors of the well-known book Geometric Morphometrics for Biologists: A Primer by Miriam L. Zeldith, Donald L. Swiderski, H. David Sheets and William L. Fink, which also references the IMP software suite. He is now unable to maintain support for this software and has thus taken down the website on which IMP was previously available. Hence, we have taken it upon us to fill in the distribution role and provide continued access to both current and legacy versions of the IMP software suite. However, all software below will have to be considered as Abandonware, meaning that except for the comment section here as well as potential groups present at other social media, there will be no more support available for this software.

What is IMP?

IMP is a set of compiled software tools with graphic user interfaces that carry out a wide variety of tasks related to the display and analysis of landmark-based geometric morphometric data. IMP can read files in the TPS file format used by F. James Rohlf’s TPS series software. All of the IMP programs use the same file format, and are meant to work in conjunction with one another. Each program in the IMP series is meant to carry out a limited number of specific tasks, so that a complete analysis of your data will require the use of more than one IMP program. Since they share a common file format that also loads easily into other software such as R, SPSS and Excel, progressing through a series of different programs to carry out the analysis is not as daunting as it might seem initially. Each program in the series is meant to be easy to use, and the controls of the various programs operate in similar ways. This is meant to ease the learning curve for the software, and allows for a lot of flexibility in how the software operates. A few programs for 3D morphometric data are also available, as are programs to use semi-landmarks along curves. A more detailed description of the software can be found in the IMP manual.

The most current version of the IMP suite is IMP 8, which runs under Mac OSX 10.7, 10.8 and under Windows 7, 8, 10. IMP 8 was compiled using Matlab 8.2, when you download and run these programs, they will download the Matlab drivers needed to run the programs from the Mathworks Corporation, and install the dynamic link libraries needed to run IMP 8. In IMP8, many previously independent programs have been bundled into a more limited number of packages. CoordGen 8 for example can call TMorphGen, SemiLand, MatchMaker, BigFix and VisProto Editor. CoordGen 8 doesn’t look much different than earlier versions, and isn’t any harder to use, but it now serves as a starting point for the other programs. This should simplify using IMP programs by reducing the sheer number of them. These programs will not run within the Matlab environment, they are compiled versions of the Matlab functions. IMP programs will tend to start slowly, due to the need to load a lot of library files, be a bit patient. The bundling of multiple tools into a single package helps to reduce this problem slightly when you are using a number of different tools.

How to cite IMP?

If you are using IMP in your research, please cite it as follows:
Here, we use CoordGen 8 as an example, please replace this with the respective software that you used. Moreover, the years should be different dependent on which IMP version you used. For IMP 8, cite the year 2014, for IMP 7, the year 2010. The most up-to-date IMP 6 versions should be cited with the year 2007 and the IMP 6 versions frozen at the time the 2003 book was released, the year 2003.

Inline text:
[…]with CoordGen 8 (Integrated Morphometrics Package Suite, H. David Sheets, Canisius College, New York, USA).

Citation:
[…]CoordGen 8 (Sheets, 2014).

Reference:
Sheets, H.D. (2014) Integrated Morphometrics Package (IMP) 8, 2014.

Are there any up-to-date alternatives to IMP?

In case you would like to consider other software, the GeoMorph package for R is a suitable alternative. According to the accompanying paper, it provides routines for all stages of landmark‐based geometric morphometric analyses in 2D and 3D. A Quick Guide for GeoMorph is also available.

IMP file list

Software name

Description

Download

IMP 8 (most up-to-date version, requires Windows 7 or later)
2D IMP Programs
CoordGen 8 Utility tool for file conversion, checking for digitizing errors and other data management tasks, and simple statistics on a single data set.
Now included within CoordGen: TMorphGen (Traditional Morphometrics Generator, calculates lengths and angles based on landmark data), SemiLand (Semi-Landmark alignment based on distance minimization), BigFlip (Tool for reflecting and averaging bilaterally symmetric specimens), MatchMaker (Tools for searching for ‘matches’ within a specified measurement error), VisProto (An editing tool for creating protocol files for other IMP programs, including TMorphGen, also allows for extraction of subsets of data, with specified landmarks).
MyAppInstaller_CoordGen8Win (3650 downloads) MyAppInstaller_CoordGen8Mac.app (1833 downloads) CoordGen 8 User Manual (2092 downloads)
TwoGroup 8 Tool for comparing the means of two groups, and displaying differences in mean shape. TwoGroup8_Win (1969 downloads) TwoGroup8_Mac (1064 downloads)
PCAGen 8 PCA tool in the IMP series, also includes NMMDSGen8 (Non-metric multidimensional scaling), PCAGen8SP (PCA of size and shape), CorrExplore (Testing models of correlation structure), DisparityBox ( Investigating morphological disparity), AsymBoxTwo (Calculation of asymmetry, PCA+CVA of asymmetry based on LM data). PCAGen8_Win (2295 downloads) PCAGen8_Mac (1097 downloads)
CVAGen 8 Canonical Variates Analysis of landmark data CVAGen8_Win (2165 downloads) CVAGen8_Mac (1130 downloads)
Regress 8 Regression tools for landmark data, also includes Standard8 (size standardization for residual analysis of shape), VecLand8 (display and compare ontogenetic growth vectors), VecCompare8 (compute and angles between regression vectors), ShuffleAllometry8 (specialized allometry tests). Regress8_Win (1710 downloads) Regress8_Mac (1057 downloads)
PLSMaker 8 2 Block Partial Least squares, also includes PLSAngle8 (Tools for comparing variance+covariance patterns in multiple groups), SpaceAngle (Calculation of angles between subspaces defined by PCA axes of groups), OModel. PLSMaker8_Win (1665 downloads) PLSMaker8_Mac (1044 downloads)
MakeFan 8 Tool for drawing ‘fans’ or guidelines for digitizing semi-landmarks on images. MakeFan8_Win (2999 downloads) MakeFan8_Mac (1443 downloads)
3D IMP Programs
Simple3D8 Basic utility for 3D shape data, including simple states, comparison of the means of two groups, variance calculations, file conversion, traditional measurements calculations etc. The 3D equivalent of CoordGen 8. Includes the following tools: ChainMan3D (Conversion of chain-coded outlines in 2D or 3D to semilandmarks), WireMan (This is an editor for creating wire frames or protocols for use with other IMP 3D tools), Pts_2_tps (converts .pts format files from LandMark to tps format), MatchMaker3D (the 3D shape matching tool). Simple3D8_Win (1149 downloads) Simple3D8_Mac (1009 downloads)
ThreeDPCA 8 PCA analysis of 3D shape data. Also includes: DisparityBox3D8 ( analysis of disparity patterns). ThreeDPCA 8_Win (1602 downloads) ThreeDPCA 8_Mac (925 downloads)
ThreeDCVA 8 CVA of 3D shape data. ThreeDCVA 8_Win (1052 downloads) ThreeDCVA 8_Mac (903 downloads)
ThreeDRegress Regression Tools in 3D. Also includes VecCompare3D (3D comparisons of ontogenetic trajectories), Standardize3D (Standardization tool for residual analysis in 3D). ThreeDRegress_Win (1094 downloads) ThreeDRegress_Mac (905 downloads)
ThreeDPLS 8 Partial Least Squares analysis. Includes ThreeDPLS_Angle8 ( Comparison of covariance patterns in multiple groups). ThreeDPLS 8_Win (1393 downloads) ThreeDPLS 8_Mac (901 downloads)
IMP 7 (for Windows XP and later)
MATLAB Compiler Runtime Password-protected MATLAB Compiler Runtime from MathWorks Corp, needed to support IMP7. Username: ‘guest’, Password: ‘morph’. Windows installation routine: 1) Create a directory on your hard drive, so that it appears as C:\IMP7, 2) Download MCRInstaller into your C:\IMP7 directory, 3) Expand MCRInstaller in this directory, by running it. It will install the Matlab components needed to run the IMP7 modules, 4) Download IMP7 programs/modules as desired, and load them into the directory C:\IMP7\V78\bin\win32, 5) Run the files from this directory. Alternatively, you can also include the directory C:\IMP7\V78\bin\win32 in the PATH variable on your computer, and then the IMP7 programs can be installed and run from anywhere on your computer. A copy of this installer for the Mac is included in the Mac version of the Coordgen 7a file. MATLAB Compiler Runtime (1207 downloads)
2D IMP Programs
CoordGen7a Includes TMorphGen and SemiLand, called from within CoordGen7. Now includes Procrustes SP. CoordGen7a_Win (1419 downloads) CoordGen7a_Mac (599 downloads)
CVAGen 7b CVAGen program- with single factor MANOVA. CVAGen 7b_Win (1035 downloads) CVAGen 7b_Mac (835 downloads)
DisparityBox7 Disparity Box tool for Disparity/Variance Calculation. DisparityBox7_Win (1374 downloads) DisparityBox7_Mac (1176 downloads)
LMEdit7 Landmark and data set editor. LMEdit7_Win (1342 downloads) LMEdit7_Mac (1281 downloads)
MakeFan7 MakeFan7_Win (1393 downloads) MakeFan7_Mac (877 downloads)
MatchMaker7 Searches for “matches” in shape databases based on a stated measurement resolution – meant for forensics. MatchMaker7_Win (1435 downloads) MatchMaker7_Mac (1285 downloads)
PCAGen7a PCAGen – PCA of shape data. PCAGen7a_Win (972 downloads) PCAGen7a_Mac (961 downloads)
PCAGen7SP PCAGen variant using Procrustes SP (size-preserving) superimpositions. Meant for forensic applications. PCAGen7SP_Win (1327 downloads) PCAGen7SP_Mac (1322 downloads)
PLSMaker7 Partial Least Squares Analysis of Shape Data. PLSMaker7_Win (1340 downloads) PLSMaker7_Mac (1222 downloads)
PLSAngle7 Angular comparisons of PLS axes and PCA axes. PLSAngle7_Win (1315 downloads)
RegPac7 Regression of shape data. RegPac7_Win (1235 downloads)
Regression7a Regress7a – highly revised user interface. Regression7a_Win (1031 downloads) Regression7a_Mac (1196 downloads)
Standard7 Standardization program, for residual analysis. Standard7_Win (1310 downloads)
TwoGroup7 Pairwise comparisons of populations. TwoGroup7_Win (1218 downloads) TwoGroup7_Mac (916 downloads)
VecCompare7 Growth Vector Comparison. VecCompare7_Win (1353 downloads) VecCompare7_Mac (395 downloads)
VecLand7 Growth Vector Comparison plots. VecLand7_Win (1145 downloads)
Vis_Proto7 Visual Protocol Editor. Vis_Proto7_Win (1239 downloads) Vis_Proto7_Mac (1192 downloads)
3D IMP Programs
DisparityBox3D Disparity Box in 3D. DisparityBox3D_Win (1064 downloads)
MatchMaker3D7 3D version of the MatchMaker matching program. MatchMaker3D7_Win (1191 downloads)
PLS3D7 Partial Least Squares in 3D. PLS3D7_Win (1242 downloads) PLS3D7_Mac (1225 downloads)
ThreeDCVA CVA of 3D landmark data. N/A
ThreeDPCA PCA of 3D landmark data. ThreeDPCAPC7 (1172 downloads) ThreeDPCAPC7_Mac (1106 downloads)
ThreeDRegress7 Regression of 3D landmark data. ThreeDRegress7_Win (1211 downloads)
ThreeDPLS7 Partial Least Squares of 3D landmark data. ThreeDPLS7_Win (1269 downloads) ThreeDPLS7_Mac (1265 downloads)
WireMan7 Utility tool for creating 3D wireframe. Files for use with other 3D tools. WireMan7_Win (1157 downloads) WireMan7_Mac (1274 downloads)
IMP 6 (most updated versions)
Matlab drivers version 6.5 Download this file and install it in a new directory, not, repeat, not, the same directory as the mglinstaller for version 6, which you presumably already have installed. Matlab drivers version 6.5 (760 downloads)
2D IMP Programs
CVAGen6L This is an update of CVAGen6 with a jackknife procedure for assessing how well the discriminant function and assignment test work for a given data set. There is a newer version of CVAGen available below, listed as PCA_CVA. CVAGen6L (920 downloads)
PLSMaker6g This is a version of PLSMaker with a trace correlation calculation available. The trace correlation may be calculated between the two blocks, and the use of a generalized inverse calculation is available within this calculation. PLSMaker6g (1121 downloads)
BigFlip6a This is an updated version of the Big Flip program which can use pairs of off-axis landmarks to estimate the location of the symmetry axis when carrying out reflection and averaging of data. BigFlip6a (1237 downloads)
REGPAC6P This is an update of Regress6k called Regress6K+, it is a Beta version that checks the correlation of the linear tangent space distances with the Procrustes distance in curved space. Includes a Word file called “Correlation of Euclidean and Procrustes” that explains how it works. REGPAC6P (953 downloads)
PCAGen6p This version has a summed variance calculation in it (the summed squared partial procrustes distance about the mean form divided by (n-1), where n is the sample size). It also has a better window resizing function. I also updated the write to eps files option and added more error trapping. PCAGen6p (870 downloads)
TMorphGen6c This expanded version of Tmorphgen computes angles on organismal structures based on landmark coordinates, as well as lengths along structures based on landmarks. Users specify the angles to be measured using a protocol and angles are output in degrees and radians. TMorphGen6c (1247 downloads)
CoordGen6h This version will compute a matrix of all pairwise Partial Procrustes Distances between specimens in the input file. The option is available on the file menu to run this calculation. Also has the ability to display individual specimens one by one, and a zoom function has been added. CoordGen6h (1249 downloads)
PairDisparity This is a program for testing whether the disparity of one group of organisms/species (ie. a clade, local population, ecologically related group) is statistically significantly larger or smaller than that of another group using a permutation test. This compliments DisparityBox6. PairDisparity (1213 downloads)
Vis_Proto This is a tool for visually editing a number of different “protocols” used in other pieces of software. It is currently under development, so I would like to restrict it’s use to direct collaborators only please. Vis_Proto (1213 downloads)
TMCorr -Traditional Morphometrics Correlation Structure Tool. Currently under development, so I would like to restrict it’s use to direct collaborators only please. TMCorr (1206 downloads)
ChainMan This is the ChainMan tool for outline data. It can carry out a PCA of outline-based data, and can extract evenly spaced semi-landmarks from chain-codes or curves into semi-landmarks. This is currently under development, so direct collaborators only please. ChainMan runs under Matlab version 6.5 so it needs the mglinstaller version 6.5 drivers. ChainMan (833 downloads)
ChainMan3D This is a 3D version of the ChainMan tool. It runs under the Matlab 6.0 drivers, and now includes the ability to handle 2D data also. Still in Beta, let me know about problems! ChainMan3D (1218 downloads)
PCA_CVA This is a version of CVAGen (CVAGen6o) which is capable of performing a PCA on the data first, and then carrying out the CVA on a subset of the PC scores to reduce the dimensionality of the data. This program is currently in Beta Form. There is also a Jackknife test of the assignment of specimens to groups, as well as the more complex assignment test. I also fixed some problems with the save eps format file and other issues. PCA_CVA (1079 downloads)
CCoder This is the utility tool for producing customized group codes for use with CVAGen and PCAGen. CCoder (1233 downloads)
3D IMP Programs
ThreeDPCA6 I have added the ability to save the eigenvalues and eigenvectors (PC axis loadings) from the PCA analysis. The save options are on the File menu. Beta 2. ThreeDPCA6 (1191 downloads)
V3pac This is a program called V3Comp6, which is a version of VecCompare meant for use with 3 dimensional data. Very limited
manual. Beta 2.
V3pac (1207 downloads)
TDSPAC This is a three dimensional version of Standard6, for removing variance attributable to an independent variable, using a
regression model. The program enclosed is ThreeDStand6 (which means Three Dimensional Standardization). It can load
either IMP or TPS files. Beta 2.
TDSPAC (1166 downloads)
WireMan6 Visual editing tool for constructing wireframes, traditional measurements data sets and block structures using 3D landmark data. There is a manual for this, but it is in Beta form. Beta 2. WireMan6 (1138 downloads)
PLS3PAC This is a three dimensional version of the PLSBlock program, called PLS3D, for carrying out Partial Least Squares
analysis of 3D data. It is in beta form, with only the sketchiest of users manuals. Direct collaborators only please. Beta 3.
PLS3PAC (1141 downloads)
SAT6 This is a three dimensional version of the SpaceAngle program, called SpaceAngleThree6. Beta 2. SAT6 (1233 downloads)
R3PAC This is the the 3D regression tool ThreeDRegress. R3PAC (1152 downloads)
CVAPAC3 This is an the 3D alpha version of a 3D CVA tool-very rough-collaborators only, thanks! ThreeDPCA_6 (1395 downloads)
Other software
WalkPac This is the Walkbox6 tool for testing time series against the null model of a random walks, and contains some of the tests discussed
in Sheets, H. D. and Michell C.E., 2001. Why the Null Matters: statistical tests, random walks and evolution. Genetica 112-113 pg 105-125. There is a pdf manual included that should be reasonably complete.
WalkPac (1181 downloads)
WalkPac 6.5 This is WalkBox65 with multivariate random walk models included. It requires the matlab version 6.5 driver files. This is a program for direct collaborators only, thanks. WalkPac 6.5 (1197 downloads)
AgroPac This is the GrowChoice software tool used in Zelditch, M.L, B.L. Lundrigan, H.D. Sheets and T.Garland, Jr. 2003. Do precocial mammals develop at a faster rate? A comparison of rates of skull development in Sigmodon fulviventer and Mus musculus domesticus. Journal of Evolutionary Biology, Volume 16, pgs not known at present. The manual may be a bit sketchy for this program at the moment, let me know how it goes. AgroPac (1187 downloads)
DefCat This is the DefCat retrodeformation operations test frame software, not currently intended for general distribution, collaborators only, thanks! DefCat (1115 downloads)
FMC This is the FMC Finite Mixture Coding Program for phylogenetic coding, test frame software, not currently intended for general distribution, collaborators only, thanks! FMC (1161 downloads)
CorrExplore6 This is a tool for exploring matrix correlations. Collaborators only, thanks. CorrExplore6 (1166 downloads)
OmitBox This is a tool for selecting taxa to omit in a rarefaction study-very limited, direct collaborators only, thanks! OmitBox (1185 downloads)
ManPac This is the Manova/Mancova tool for 2D geometric morphometric data, allowing up to 2 classification variables and 1 covariate. This is currently in a very early beta version, direct collaborators only, thanks! ManPac (1199 downloads)
CardWalkPac This is a simulation designed for classroom laboratory use, direct collaborators only at the moment, thanks! CardWalkPac (1185 downloads)
RepManPac This is a repeated measures manova tool, using permutations and procrustes distances, direct collaborators only, thanks! RepManPac (1216 downloads)
IMP 6 versions frozen at the time the book Geometric Morphometrics for Biologists: A Primer by Miriam L. Zeldith, Donald L. Swiderski, H. David Sheets and William L. Fink was published
MathWorks libraries Self-extracting compressed mathematics and graphics libraries from Mathworks (makers of MATLAB), needed to support IMP. MathWorks libraries (657 downloads)
IMPBasics If you want to use IMP and want all of the basic IMP files in one bundle, you may want to download the combined, self-extracting Zip File IMPBasics, which contains CoordGen, Regress, PCAGen, CVAGen, TwoGroup and TradMorph, the core programs of IMP. IMPBasics (793 downloads)
General Release Software
CoordGen6 Coordinate Generating Utility, also file translator to/from X1Y1, TPS file formats. CoordGen6 (1493 downloads) CoordGen6Manual (1257 downloads)
CVAGen6 Canonical Variates Analysis Program. Try using PCAGen6 before using CVAGen, the 2 programs use the same input files and operational format. CVAGen6 (786 downloads) CVAGen6Manual (1227 downloads)
PCAGen6 Principal components analysis based on partial warp scores, outputs partial warps scores and principle axis scores. PCAGen6 (823 downloads) PCAGen6Manual (1266 downloads)
Regress6 Thin Plate Spline and Regression Utility. Regress6 (845 downloads) Regress6Manual (1182 downloads)
SuperPoser Allows for the exploration of a variety of alternative superimposition criteria-different distance minimization criteria-Not recommended as a general purpose tool, but provided as an alternative…..written by Dave Liebner, Canisius. SuperPoser (1202 downloads) SuperPoserManual (1195 downloads)
TwoGroup6h Comparison of statistically significant differences in shape between two groups. TwoGroup6h (1022 downloads) TwoGroup6hManual (1189 downloads)
TmorphGen6b Generates a set of traditional morphometrics variables from a set of geometric morphometric measurements. TmorphGen6b (1162 downloads) TmorphGen6bManual (1221 downloads)
GridTrimming A manual on how to use the grid trimming feature added to most programs which display deformation grids. GridTrimming (1110 downloads)
ReferenceRotation A manual on how to use the reference orientation controls added to most programs which display deformation grids. ReferenceRotation (1196 downloads)
Undocumented Software
BigFix6 Averages landmarks across a baseline-special purpose preprocessing of data. BigFix6 (1154 downloads)
GrowProfile6 Growth Profiles GrowProfile6 (1221 downloads)
DisparityBox6 Disparity Box, designed for calculation of Morpological Disparity. DisparityBox6 (1012 downloads)
LMEdit6 LMEdit6 is an editting tool for altering landmark configurations, allowing for averaging of measurements across an axis of symetry and eventually other tasks. LMEdit6 (870 downloads)
MakeFan MakeFan, a tool for drawing alignment “fans” at equal angular spacing on an image prior to digitization-can be used with TPSDig, or as a really primitive stand-alone digitizer. MakeFan (1052 downloads)
MakeFan EXTRADLL Extra DLL needed for MakeFan-expand this into the Bin\win32 directory where MakeFan is installed, if MakeFan doesn’t work properly initially. MakeFan EXTRADLL (928 downloads)
PLSAngle 6b Partial Least Squares tool for comparing patterns of covariance between blocks, using two data of 2 blocks each. PLSAngle 6b (793 downloads)
PLSMaker Partial Least Squares Tool for studying patterns of covariance using shape data. PLSMaker (1080 downloads)
SemiLand6 A tool for processing semi-landmarks, prior to use in other programs. Now includes a zoom function. SemiLand6 (1139 downloads)
ShuffleAllometry6 Computes range of vector correlations that can be generated by random shuffling of a vector. ShuffleAllometry6 (1231 downloads)
SpaceAngle Compares the angle between the spaces defined by the PC axis of different groups. SpaceAngle (1193 downloads)
Splice6 A tool to splice together ASCII files, either IMP or TPS. Splice6 (1132 downloads)
Standard6a Standardization Utility-removes linear dependences of shape on some variable. Standard6a (1135 downloads) Standard6aManual (1124 downloads)
TBox Computes a t-test score, given the means, samples sizes and standard errors in the measurements. Note the use of the standard error, rather than standard deviation. TBox (1166 downloads)
VecDisplay6 Displays thin plate spline vectors for comparison purposes. VecDisplay6 (1200 downloads) VecDisplay6Manual (1189 downloads)
VecCompare6 Computes a growth angle between two groups. Resampling statistics. VecCompare6 (1134 downloads)
VecLand6 Displays landmark by landmark differences between two groups. USE OF VECLAND NOT RECOMMEND – USE VECDISPLAY INSTEAD! VecLand6 (1206 downloads)
VecLand6b Displays landmark by landmark differences in regress models between two groups.
3D Beta Software
Regress3D Regression analysis of 3D landmark data using partial warp scores. Regress3D (1091 downloads)
Simple3D File conversion, Procrustes Superimposition, Goodall’s F-test for differences in means, calculation of Procrustes distances between means for 3D landmark data. Also, 3D Bookstein Coordinates, matrices of all pairwise interspecimen distances. Simple3D (1132 downloads)
ThreeDPCA PCA for 3D landmark data, based on partial warp scores. ThreeDPCA_6 (1395 downloads)

2 thoughts on “Integrated Morphometrics Package (IMP) Suite

  1. Greetings, I was wondering why I get the mclFreeStackTrace error when I try to open CoordGen8 on my Windows 11 laptop. The other programs don’t start either and I get the same error.

    Greetings,

    flavio

  2. When I try to open any of these software, it gives an error, after I install it and open it.

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