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Upload compressed folders (ZIP, RAR, 7z)

Some scanners give you the exam as a folder with hundreds of loose DICOM files. Compressing that folder before uploading has two benefits: it uploads faster and is easier to organize.

Supported compressed formats

  • .zip — the most common. Windows, Mac and Linux create them natively.
  • .rar — WinRAR proprietary format. Supported.
  • .7z — 7-Zip software format. Better compression than ZIP.
  • .tar.gz / .tgz — common on Linux systems.

How to compress before uploading

Windows
  1. 1
    Right-click on the exam folder.
  2. 2
    Choose Send to → Compressed (zipped) folder.
  3. 3
    A .zip is created next to the folder. Upload it to CBCTHub.
Mac
  1. 1
    Right-click on the exam folder.
  2. 2
    Choose Compress “[name]”.
  3. 3
    A .zip is created. Upload it to CBCTHub.

When does compressing help?

  • Slow connection: a 200 MB ZIP uploads faster than 400 loose files of 500 KB each because of per-request latency.
  • Many files: dragging 600 files at once can be problematic on older browsers.
  • Sending the exam to a colleague: before uploading, you can send the ZIP by email or file share.
NotaCBCTHub processes the ZIP in your browser (not on the server): unzips locally, identifies the DICOMs and only uploads the relevant files. The compressed folder never leaves your computer.

Structure inside the ZIP

The folder structure inside the ZIP does not matter. CBCTHub searches recursively for all DICOM files. Some cases:

  • Loose DICOMs: fine.
  • Nested subfolders: fine, searches all.
  • Mix of DICOM + PDF + screenshots: DICOMs are loaded, other files are ignored.
  • Multiple studies in one ZIP: if there are DICOMs from different patients, CBCTHub mixes everything and patient data is loaded from the first DICOM. Better one ZIP per patient.
ImportanteDo not compress password-encrypted archives. CBCTHub cannot extract protected ZIPs. If you need security, upload the file normally — CBCTHub encrypts everything at rest.