The import procedure involves copying raw data files into the project directory, assigning and determining a set of parameters for each image, and optionally running one or several scripts for each image during and/or after import. This process is handled by the Import Tool. The tool can be configured to automatically fetch newly recorded stacks throughout the microscopy session from a network-mounted storage location. A delay timer can be set to ensure that files are only copied after being fully written by the camera computer. Files can optionally be deleted from the camera computer after import.

Using the tool, image data can be imported as dark-subtracted and gain-corrected images, or as dark-subtracted images only (in this case a separate gain reference file should be provided). Optionally, combinations of raw image stacks, drift-corrected stacks, and drift-corrected and averaged 2D images, can be imported simultaneously.

The Import Tool allows a choice of scripts to be run on the imported data during import, which results in sequential processing of the data. This is required, e.g., if the incremental electron dose on the sample has to be computed for consecutively recorded image stacks within the same dose-fractionated tomography tilt series. The Import Tool also allows a choice of scripts to be submitted to the parallel batch queue for processing after import. This would be used, e.g., to schedule computationally intensive tasks such as motion correction and the subsequent steps.