diff --git a/Makefile b/Makefile
index 5d256d1c3..b78856f82 100644
--- a/Makefile
+++ b/Makefile
@@ -472,17 +472,16 @@ untar:
 FRAMERATE := 24
 OUTPUT := output
 
+MAGICK_DENSITY := 96
+MAGICK_RESIZE_X := 1024
+MAGICK_RESIZE_Y := 1024
+MAGICK_RESIZE := $(MAGICK_RESIZE_X)x$(MAGICK_RESIZE_Y)
+
 jpeg: 
-	@magick identify -format "%h" $(OUTPUT)/initial.svg > __H.txt 
-	@magick identify -format "%w" $(OUTPUT)/initial.svg > __W.txt 
-	@expr 2 \* \( $$(grep . __H.txt) / 2 \) > __H1.txt 
-	@expr 2 \* \( $$(grep . __W.txt) / 2 \) > __W1.txt 
-	@echo "$$(grep . __W1.txt)!x$$(grep . __H1.txt)!" > __resize.txt 
-	@magick mogrify -format jpg -resize $$(grep . __resize.txt) $(OUTPUT)/s*.svg
-	rm -f __H*.txt __W*.txt __resize.txt 
+	magick mogrify -density $(MAGICK_DENSITY) -format jpg -resize $(MAGICK_RESIZE) $(OUTPUT)/s*.svg
 	
 gif: 
-	magick convert $(OUTPUT)/s*.svg $(OUTPUT)/out.gif 
+	magick -density $(MAGICK_DENSITY) $(OUTPUT)/s*.svg -resize $(MAGICK_RESIZE) $(OUTPUT)/out.gif 
 	 
 movie:
 	ffmpeg -r $(FRAMERATE) -f image2 -i $(OUTPUT)/snapshot%08d.jpg -vcodec libx264 -pix_fmt yuv420p -strict -2 -tune animation -crf 15 -acodec none $(OUTPUT)/out.mp4
diff --git a/modules/PhysiCell_settings.cpp b/modules/PhysiCell_settings.cpp
index 538f6a8ea..a588383d1 100644
--- a/modules/PhysiCell_settings.cpp
+++ b/modules/PhysiCell_settings.cpp
@@ -64,9 +64,16 @@
 #                                                                             #
 ###############################################################################
 */
+
+#include <version>
+
+#ifdef __cpp_lib_filesystem
+#include <filesystem>
+#endif
  
 #include <sys/stat.h>
 #include "./PhysiCell_settings.h"
+#include "../core/PhysiCell_cell.h"
 
 using namespace BioFVM; 
 
@@ -355,6 +362,20 @@ bool create_directories(const std::string &path)
     return create_directory(path);
 }
 
+#ifdef __cpp_lib_filesystem
+bool create_directory(const std::string &path)
+{
+	// Create the directory using C++17 filesystem library
+	std::error_code ec; // To capture any error
+	if (std::filesystem::create_directories(path, ec)) {
+		return true; // Directory created successfully
+	} else if (ec) {
+		std::cerr << "Error creating directory " << path << ": " << ec.message() << std::endl;
+		return false; // An error occurred
+	}
+	return true; // Directory already exists
+}
+#else
 bool create_directory(const std::string &path)
 {
 #if defined(__MINGW32__) || defined(__MINGW64__)
@@ -364,6 +385,7 @@ bool create_directory(const std::string &path)
 #endif
 	return success || errno == EEXIST;
 }
+#endif
 
 void create_output_directory(const std::string& path)
 {
diff --git a/sample_projects/Makefile-default b/sample_projects/Makefile-default
index 5d256d1c3..b78856f82 100644
--- a/sample_projects/Makefile-default
+++ b/sample_projects/Makefile-default
@@ -472,17 +472,16 @@ untar:
 FRAMERATE := 24
 OUTPUT := output
 
+MAGICK_DENSITY := 96
+MAGICK_RESIZE_X := 1024
+MAGICK_RESIZE_Y := 1024
+MAGICK_RESIZE := $(MAGICK_RESIZE_X)x$(MAGICK_RESIZE_Y)
+
 jpeg: 
-	@magick identify -format "%h" $(OUTPUT)/initial.svg > __H.txt 
-	@magick identify -format "%w" $(OUTPUT)/initial.svg > __W.txt 
-	@expr 2 \* \( $$(grep . __H.txt) / 2 \) > __H1.txt 
-	@expr 2 \* \( $$(grep . __W.txt) / 2 \) > __W1.txt 
-	@echo "$$(grep . __W1.txt)!x$$(grep . __H1.txt)!" > __resize.txt 
-	@magick mogrify -format jpg -resize $$(grep . __resize.txt) $(OUTPUT)/s*.svg
-	rm -f __H*.txt __W*.txt __resize.txt 
+	magick mogrify -density $(MAGICK_DENSITY) -format jpg -resize $(MAGICK_RESIZE) $(OUTPUT)/s*.svg
 	
 gif: 
-	magick convert $(OUTPUT)/s*.svg $(OUTPUT)/out.gif 
+	magick -density $(MAGICK_DENSITY) $(OUTPUT)/s*.svg -resize $(MAGICK_RESIZE) $(OUTPUT)/out.gif 
 	 
 movie:
 	ffmpeg -r $(FRAMERATE) -f image2 -i $(OUTPUT)/snapshot%08d.jpg -vcodec libx264 -pix_fmt yuv420p -strict -2 -tune animation -crf 15 -acodec none $(OUTPUT)/out.mp4
diff --git a/sample_projects/asymmetric_division/Makefile b/sample_projects/asymmetric_division/Makefile
index 6682b5c46..3b10a0734 100644
--- a/sample_projects/asymmetric_division/Makefile
+++ b/sample_projects/asymmetric_division/Makefile
@@ -224,17 +224,16 @@ untar:
 FRAMERATE := 24
 OUTPUT := output
 
+MAGICK_DENSITY := 96
+MAGICK_RESIZE_X := 1024
+MAGICK_RESIZE_Y := 1024
+MAGICK_RESIZE := $(MAGICK_RESIZE_X)x$(MAGICK_RESIZE_Y)
+
 jpeg: 
-	@magick identify -format "%h" $(OUTPUT)/initial.svg > __H.txt 
-	@magick identify -format "%w" $(OUTPUT)/initial.svg > __W.txt 
-	@expr 2 \* \( $$(grep . __H.txt) / 2 \) > __H1.txt 
-	@expr 2 \* \( $$(grep . __W.txt) / 2 \) > __W1.txt 
-	@echo "$$(grep . __W1.txt)!x$$(grep . __H1.txt)!" > __resize.txt 
-	@magick mogrify -format jpg -resize $$(grep . __resize.txt) $(OUTPUT)/s*.svg
-	rm -f __H*.txt __W*.txt __resize.txt 
+	magick mogrify -density $(MAGICK_DENSITY) -format jpg -resize $(MAGICK_RESIZE) $(OUTPUT)/s*.svg
 	
 gif: 
-	magick convert $(OUTPUT)/s*.svg $(OUTPUT)/out.gif 
+	magick -density $(MAGICK_DENSITY) $(OUTPUT)/s*.svg -resize $(MAGICK_RESIZE) $(OUTPUT)/out.gif 
 	 
 movie:
 	ffmpeg -r $(FRAMERATE) -f image2 -i $(OUTPUT)/snapshot%08d.jpg -vcodec libx264 -pix_fmt yuv420p -strict -2 -tune animation -crf 15 -acodec none $(OUTPUT)/out.mp4
diff --git a/sample_projects/biorobots/Makefile b/sample_projects/biorobots/Makefile
index 26314225c..867e5db38 100644
--- a/sample_projects/biorobots/Makefile
+++ b/sample_projects/biorobots/Makefile
@@ -224,17 +224,16 @@ untar:
 FRAMERATE := 24
 OUTPUT := output
 
+MAGICK_DENSITY := 96
+MAGICK_RESIZE_X := 1024
+MAGICK_RESIZE_Y := 1024
+MAGICK_RESIZE := $(MAGICK_RESIZE_X)x$(MAGICK_RESIZE_Y)
+
 jpeg: 
-	@magick identify -format "%h" $(OUTPUT)/initial.svg > __H.txt 
-	@magick identify -format "%w" $(OUTPUT)/initial.svg > __W.txt 
-	@expr 2 \* \( $$(grep . __H.txt) / 2 \) > __H1.txt 
-	@expr 2 \* \( $$(grep . __W.txt) / 2 \) > __W1.txt 
-	@echo "$$(grep . __W1.txt)!x$$(grep . __H1.txt)!" > __resize.txt 
-	@magick mogrify -format jpg -resize $$(grep . __resize.txt) $(OUTPUT)/s*.svg
-	rm -f __H*.txt __W*.txt __resize.txt 
+	magick mogrify -density $(MAGICK_DENSITY) -format jpg -resize $(MAGICK_RESIZE) $(OUTPUT)/s*.svg
 	
 gif: 
-	magick convert $(OUTPUT)/s*.svg $(OUTPUT)/out.gif 
+	magick -density $(MAGICK_DENSITY) $(OUTPUT)/s*.svg -resize $(MAGICK_RESIZE) $(OUTPUT)/out.gif 
 	 
 movie:
 	ffmpeg -r $(FRAMERATE) -f image2 -i $(OUTPUT)/snapshot%08d.jpg -vcodec libx264 -pix_fmt yuv420p -strict -2 -tune animation -crf 15 -acodec none $(OUTPUT)/out.mp4
diff --git a/sample_projects/cancer_biorobots/Makefile b/sample_projects/cancer_biorobots/Makefile
index b74f8837a..e39d24fe6 100644
--- a/sample_projects/cancer_biorobots/Makefile
+++ b/sample_projects/cancer_biorobots/Makefile
@@ -224,17 +224,16 @@ untar:
 FRAMERATE := 24
 OUTPUT := output
 
+MAGICK_DENSITY := 96
+MAGICK_RESIZE_X := 1024
+MAGICK_RESIZE_Y := 1024
+MAGICK_RESIZE := $(MAGICK_RESIZE_X)x$(MAGICK_RESIZE_Y)
+
 jpeg: 
-	@magick identify -format "%h" $(OUTPUT)/initial.svg > __H.txt 
-	@magick identify -format "%w" $(OUTPUT)/initial.svg > __W.txt 
-	@expr 2 \* \( $$(grep . __H.txt) / 2 \) > __H1.txt 
-	@expr 2 \* \( $$(grep . __W.txt) / 2 \) > __W1.txt 
-	@echo "$$(grep . __W1.txt)!x$$(grep . __H1.txt)!" > __resize.txt 
-	@magick mogrify -format jpg -resize $$(grep . __resize.txt) $(OUTPUT)/s*.svg
-	rm -f __H*.txt __W*.txt __resize.txt 
+	magick mogrify -density $(MAGICK_DENSITY) -format jpg -resize $(MAGICK_RESIZE) $(OUTPUT)/s*.svg
 	
 gif: 
-	magick convert $(OUTPUT)/s*.svg $(OUTPUT)/out.gif 
+	magick -density $(MAGICK_DENSITY) $(OUTPUT)/s*.svg -resize $(MAGICK_RESIZE) $(OUTPUT)/out.gif 
 	 
 movie:
 	ffmpeg -r $(FRAMERATE) -f image2 -i $(OUTPUT)/snapshot%08d.jpg -vcodec libx264 -pix_fmt yuv420p -strict -2 -tune animation -crf 15 -acodec none $(OUTPUT)/out.mp4
diff --git a/sample_projects/cancer_immune/Makefile b/sample_projects/cancer_immune/Makefile
index 5cbb2ca8f..65dd4bad7 100644
--- a/sample_projects/cancer_immune/Makefile
+++ b/sample_projects/cancer_immune/Makefile
@@ -220,17 +220,16 @@ untar:
 FRAMERATE := 24
 OUTPUT := output
 
+MAGICK_DENSITY := 96
+MAGICK_RESIZE_X := 1024
+MAGICK_RESIZE_Y := 1024
+MAGICK_RESIZE := $(MAGICK_RESIZE_X)x$(MAGICK_RESIZE_Y)
+
 jpeg: 
-	@magick identify -format "%h" $(OUTPUT)/initial.svg > __H.txt 
-	@magick identify -format "%w" $(OUTPUT)/initial.svg > __W.txt 
-	@expr 2 \* \( $$(grep . __H.txt) / 2 \) > __H1.txt 
-	@expr 2 \* \( $$(grep . __W.txt) / 2 \) > __W1.txt 
-	@echo "$$(grep . __W1.txt)!x$$(grep . __H1.txt)!" > __resize.txt 
-	@magick mogrify -format jpg -resize $$(grep . __resize.txt) $(OUTPUT)/s*.svg
-	rm -f __H*.txt __W*.txt __resize.txt 
+	magick mogrify -density $(MAGICK_DENSITY) -format jpg -resize $(MAGICK_RESIZE) $(OUTPUT)/s*.svg
 	
 gif: 
-	magick convert $(OUTPUT)/s*.svg $(OUTPUT)/out.gif 
+	magick -density $(MAGICK_DENSITY) $(OUTPUT)/s*.svg -resize $(MAGICK_RESIZE) $(OUTPUT)/out.gif 
 	 
 movie:
 	ffmpeg -r $(FRAMERATE) -f image2 -i $(OUTPUT)/snapshot%08d.jpg -vcodec libx264 -pix_fmt yuv420p -strict -2 -tune animation -crf 15 -acodec none $(OUTPUT)/out.mp4
diff --git a/sample_projects/celltypes3/Makefile b/sample_projects/celltypes3/Makefile
index 29732af20..9e5af67d3 100644
--- a/sample_projects/celltypes3/Makefile
+++ b/sample_projects/celltypes3/Makefile
@@ -224,17 +224,16 @@ untar:
 FRAMERATE := 24
 OUTPUT := output
 
+MAGICK_DENSITY := 96
+MAGICK_RESIZE_X := 1024
+MAGICK_RESIZE_Y := 1024
+MAGICK_RESIZE := $(MAGICK_RESIZE_X)x$(MAGICK_RESIZE_Y)
+
 jpeg: 
-	@magick identify -format "%h" $(OUTPUT)/initial.svg > __H.txt 
-	@magick identify -format "%w" $(OUTPUT)/initial.svg > __W.txt 
-	@expr 2 \* \( $$(grep . __H.txt) / 2 \) > __H1.txt 
-	@expr 2 \* \( $$(grep . __W.txt) / 2 \) > __W1.txt 
-	@echo "$$(grep . __W1.txt)!x$$(grep . __H1.txt)!" > __resize.txt 
-	@magick mogrify -format jpg -resize $$(grep . __resize.txt) $(OUTPUT)/s*.svg
-	rm -f __H*.txt __W*.txt __resize.txt 
+	magick mogrify -density $(MAGICK_DENSITY) -format jpg -resize $(MAGICK_RESIZE) $(OUTPUT)/s*.svg
 	
 gif: 
-	magick convert $(OUTPUT)/s*.svg $(OUTPUT)/out.gif 
+	magick -density $(MAGICK_DENSITY) $(OUTPUT)/s*.svg -resize $(MAGICK_RESIZE) $(OUTPUT)/out.gif 
 	 
 movie:
 	ffmpeg -r $(FRAMERATE) -f image2 -i $(OUTPUT)/snapshot%08d.jpg -vcodec libx264 -pix_fmt yuv420p -strict -2 -tune animation -crf 15 -acodec none $(OUTPUT)/out.mp4
diff --git a/sample_projects/custom_division/Makefile b/sample_projects/custom_division/Makefile
index e90a9966f..64fd45150 100644
--- a/sample_projects/custom_division/Makefile
+++ b/sample_projects/custom_division/Makefile
@@ -224,17 +224,16 @@ untar:
 FRAMERATE := 24
 OUTPUT := output
 
+MAGICK_DENSITY := 96
+MAGICK_RESIZE_X := 1024
+MAGICK_RESIZE_Y := 1024
+MAGICK_RESIZE := $(MAGICK_RESIZE_X)x$(MAGICK_RESIZE_Y)
+
 jpeg: 
-	@magick identify -format "%h" $(OUTPUT)/initial.svg > __H.txt 
-	@magick identify -format "%w" $(OUTPUT)/initial.svg > __W.txt 
-	@expr 2 \* \( $$(grep . __H.txt) / 2 \) > __H1.txt 
-	@expr 2 \* \( $$(grep . __W.txt) / 2 \) > __W1.txt 
-	@echo "$$(grep . __W1.txt)!x$$(grep . __H1.txt)!" > __resize.txt 
-	@magick mogrify -format jpg -resize $$(grep . __resize.txt) $(OUTPUT)/s*.svg
-	rm -f __H*.txt __W*.txt __resize.txt 
+	magick mogrify -density $(MAGICK_DENSITY) -format jpg -resize $(MAGICK_RESIZE) $(OUTPUT)/s*.svg
 	
 gif: 
-	magick convert $(OUTPUT)/s*.svg $(OUTPUT)/out.gif 
+	magick -density $(MAGICK_DENSITY) $(OUTPUT)/s*.svg -resize $(MAGICK_RESIZE) $(OUTPUT)/out.gif 
 	 
 movie:
 	ffmpeg -r $(FRAMERATE) -f image2 -i $(OUTPUT)/snapshot%08d.jpg -vcodec libx264 -pix_fmt yuv420p -strict -2 -tune animation -crf 15 -acodec none $(OUTPUT)/out.mp4
diff --git a/sample_projects/episode/Makefile b/sample_projects/episode/Makefile
index a9b43a58e..bcacd072a 100644
--- a/sample_projects/episode/Makefile
+++ b/sample_projects/episode/Makefile
@@ -235,17 +235,16 @@ untar:
 FRAMERATE := 24
 OUTPUT := output/episode00000000
 
+MAGICK_DENSITY := 96
+MAGICK_RESIZE_X := 1024
+MAGICK_RESIZE_Y := 1024
+MAGICK_RESIZE := $(MAGICK_RESIZE_X)x$(MAGICK_RESIZE_Y)
+
 jpeg: 
-	@magick identify -format "%h" $(OUTPUT)/initial.svg > __H.txt 
-	@magick identify -format "%w" $(OUTPUT)/initial.svg > __W.txt 
-	@expr 2 \* \( $$(grep . __H.txt) / 2 \) > __H1.txt 
-	@expr 2 \* \( $$(grep . __W.txt) / 2 \) > __W1.txt 
-	@echo "$$(grep . __W1.txt)!x$$(grep . __H1.txt)!" > __resize.txt 
-	@magick mogrify -format jpg -resize $$(grep . __resize.txt) $(OUTPUT)/s*.svg
-	rm -f __H*.txt __W*.txt __resize.txt 
+	magick mogrify -density $(MAGICK_DENSITY) -format jpg -resize $(MAGICK_RESIZE) $(OUTPUT)/s*.svg
 	
 gif: 
-	magick convert $(OUTPUT)/s*.svg $(OUTPUT)/out.gif 
+	magick -density $(MAGICK_DENSITY) $(OUTPUT)/s*.svg -resize $(MAGICK_RESIZE) $(OUTPUT)/out.gif 
 	 
 movie:
 	ffmpeg -r $(FRAMERATE) -f image2 -i $(OUTPUT)/snapshot%08d.jpg -vcodec libx264 -pix_fmt yuv420p -strict -2 -tune animation -crf 15 -acodec none $(OUTPUT)/out.mp4
diff --git a/sample_projects/heterogeneity/Makefile b/sample_projects/heterogeneity/Makefile
index 93d055ea9..aadc4b88d 100644
--- a/sample_projects/heterogeneity/Makefile
+++ b/sample_projects/heterogeneity/Makefile
@@ -224,17 +224,16 @@ untar:
 FRAMERATE := 24
 OUTPUT := output
 
+MAGICK_DENSITY := 96
+MAGICK_RESIZE_X := 1024
+MAGICK_RESIZE_Y := 1024
+MAGICK_RESIZE := $(MAGICK_RESIZE_X)x$(MAGICK_RESIZE_Y)
+
 jpeg: 
-	@magick identify -format "%h" $(OUTPUT)/initial.svg > __H.txt 
-	@magick identify -format "%w" $(OUTPUT)/initial.svg > __W.txt 
-	@expr 2 \* \( $$(grep . __H.txt) / 2 \) > __H1.txt 
-	@expr 2 \* \( $$(grep . __W.txt) / 2 \) > __W1.txt 
-	@echo "$$(grep . __W1.txt)!x$$(grep . __H1.txt)!" > __resize.txt 
-	@magick mogrify -format jpg -resize $$(grep . __resize.txt) $(OUTPUT)/s*.svg
-	rm -f __H*.txt __W*.txt __resize.txt 
+	magick mogrify -density $(MAGICK_DENSITY) -format jpg -resize $(MAGICK_RESIZE) $(OUTPUT)/s*.svg
 	
 gif: 
-	magick convert $(OUTPUT)/s*.svg $(OUTPUT)/out.gif 
+	magick -density $(MAGICK_DENSITY) $(OUTPUT)/s*.svg -resize $(MAGICK_RESIZE) $(OUTPUT)/out.gif 
 	 
 movie:
 	ffmpeg -r $(FRAMERATE) -f image2 -i $(OUTPUT)/snapshot%08d.jpg -vcodec libx264 -pix_fmt yuv420p -strict -2 -tune animation -crf 15 -acodec none $(OUTPUT)/out.mp4
diff --git a/sample_projects/immune_function/Makefile b/sample_projects/immune_function/Makefile
index 8cfe66c8c..988b19a7b 100644
--- a/sample_projects/immune_function/Makefile
+++ b/sample_projects/immune_function/Makefile
@@ -224,17 +224,16 @@ untar:
 FRAMERATE := 24
 OUTPUT := output
 
+MAGICK_DENSITY := 96
+MAGICK_RESIZE_X := 1024
+MAGICK_RESIZE_Y := 1024
+MAGICK_RESIZE := $(MAGICK_RESIZE_X)x$(MAGICK_RESIZE_Y)
+
 jpeg: 
-	@magick identify -format "%h" $(OUTPUT)/initial.svg > __H.txt 
-	@magick identify -format "%w" $(OUTPUT)/initial.svg > __W.txt 
-	@expr 2 \* \( $$(grep . __H.txt) / 2 \) > __H1.txt 
-	@expr 2 \* \( $$(grep . __W.txt) / 2 \) > __W1.txt 
-	@echo "$$(grep . __W1.txt)!x$$(grep . __H1.txt)!" > __resize.txt 
-	@magick mogrify -format jpg -resize $$(grep . __resize.txt) $(OUTPUT)/s*.svg
-	rm -f __H*.txt __W*.txt __resize.txt 
+	magick mogrify -density $(MAGICK_DENSITY) -format jpg -resize $(MAGICK_RESIZE) $(OUTPUT)/s*.svg
 	
 gif: 
-	magick convert $(OUTPUT)/s*.svg $(OUTPUT)/out.gif 
+	magick -density $(MAGICK_DENSITY) $(OUTPUT)/s*.svg -resize $(MAGICK_RESIZE) $(OUTPUT)/out.gif 
 	 
 movie:
 	ffmpeg -r $(FRAMERATE) -f image2 -i $(OUTPUT)/snapshot%08d.jpg -vcodec libx264 -pix_fmt yuv420p -strict -2 -tune animation -crf 15 -acodec none $(OUTPUT)/out.mp4
diff --git a/sample_projects/interactions/Makefile b/sample_projects/interactions/Makefile
index 44db81996..c19dbfa94 100644
--- a/sample_projects/interactions/Makefile
+++ b/sample_projects/interactions/Makefile
@@ -233,17 +233,16 @@ untar:
 FRAMERATE := 24
 OUTPUT := output
 
+MAGICK_DENSITY := 96
+MAGICK_RESIZE_X := 1024
+MAGICK_RESIZE_Y := 1024
+MAGICK_RESIZE := $(MAGICK_RESIZE_X)x$(MAGICK_RESIZE_Y)
+
 jpeg: 
-	@magick identify -format "%h" $(OUTPUT)/initial.svg > __H.txt 
-	@magick identify -format "%w" $(OUTPUT)/initial.svg > __W.txt 
-	@expr 2 \* \( $$(grep . __H.txt) / 2 \) > __H1.txt 
-	@expr 2 \* \( $$(grep . __W.txt) / 2 \) > __W1.txt 
-	@echo "$$(grep . __W1.txt)!x$$(grep . __H1.txt)!" > __resize.txt 
-	@magick mogrify -format jpg -resize $$(grep . __resize.txt) $(OUTPUT)/s*.svg
-	rm -f __H*.txt __W*.txt __resize.txt 
+	magick mogrify -density $(MAGICK_DENSITY) -format jpg -resize $(MAGICK_RESIZE) $(OUTPUT)/s*.svg
 	
 gif: 
-	magick convert $(OUTPUT)/s*.svg $(OUTPUT)/out.gif 
+	magick -density $(MAGICK_DENSITY) $(OUTPUT)/s*.svg -resize $(MAGICK_RESIZE) $(OUTPUT)/out.gif 
 	 
 movie:
 	ffmpeg -r $(FRAMERATE) -f image2 -i $(OUTPUT)/snapshot%08d.jpg -vcodec libx264 -pix_fmt yuv420p -strict -2 -tune animation -crf 15 -acodec none $(OUTPUT)/out.mp4
diff --git a/sample_projects/mechano/Makefile b/sample_projects/mechano/Makefile
index e90a9966f..64fd45150 100644
--- a/sample_projects/mechano/Makefile
+++ b/sample_projects/mechano/Makefile
@@ -224,17 +224,16 @@ untar:
 FRAMERATE := 24
 OUTPUT := output
 
+MAGICK_DENSITY := 96
+MAGICK_RESIZE_X := 1024
+MAGICK_RESIZE_Y := 1024
+MAGICK_RESIZE := $(MAGICK_RESIZE_X)x$(MAGICK_RESIZE_Y)
+
 jpeg: 
-	@magick identify -format "%h" $(OUTPUT)/initial.svg > __H.txt 
-	@magick identify -format "%w" $(OUTPUT)/initial.svg > __W.txt 
-	@expr 2 \* \( $$(grep . __H.txt) / 2 \) > __H1.txt 
-	@expr 2 \* \( $$(grep . __W.txt) / 2 \) > __W1.txt 
-	@echo "$$(grep . __W1.txt)!x$$(grep . __H1.txt)!" > __resize.txt 
-	@magick mogrify -format jpg -resize $$(grep . __resize.txt) $(OUTPUT)/s*.svg
-	rm -f __H*.txt __W*.txt __resize.txt 
+	magick mogrify -density $(MAGICK_DENSITY) -format jpg -resize $(MAGICK_RESIZE) $(OUTPUT)/s*.svg
 	
 gif: 
-	magick convert $(OUTPUT)/s*.svg $(OUTPUT)/out.gif 
+	magick -density $(MAGICK_DENSITY) $(OUTPUT)/s*.svg -resize $(MAGICK_RESIZE) $(OUTPUT)/out.gif 
 	 
 movie:
 	ffmpeg -r $(FRAMERATE) -f image2 -i $(OUTPUT)/snapshot%08d.jpg -vcodec libx264 -pix_fmt yuv420p -strict -2 -tune animation -crf 15 -acodec none $(OUTPUT)/out.mp4
diff --git a/sample_projects/physimess/Makefile b/sample_projects/physimess/Makefile
index ed12022cb..673eed6be 100644
--- a/sample_projects/physimess/Makefile
+++ b/sample_projects/physimess/Makefile
@@ -249,17 +249,16 @@ untar:
 FRAMERATE := 24
 OUTPUT := output
 
+MAGICK_DENSITY := 96
+MAGICK_RESIZE_X := 1024
+MAGICK_RESIZE_Y := 1024
+MAGICK_RESIZE := $(MAGICK_RESIZE_X)x$(MAGICK_RESIZE_Y)
+
 jpeg: 
-	@magick identify -format "%h" $(OUTPUT)/initial.svg > __H.txt 
-	@magick identify -format "%w" $(OUTPUT)/initial.svg > __W.txt 
-	@expr 2 \* \( $$(grep . __H.txt) / 2 \) > __H1.txt 
-	@expr 2 \* \( $$(grep . __W.txt) / 2 \) > __W1.txt 
-	@echo "$$(grep . __W1.txt)!x$$(grep . __H1.txt)!" > __resize.txt 
-	@magick mogrify -format jpg -resize $$(grep . __resize.txt) $(OUTPUT)/s*.svg
-	rm -f __H*.txt __W*.txt __resize.txt 
+	magick mogrify -density $(MAGICK_DENSITY) -format jpg -resize $(MAGICK_RESIZE) $(OUTPUT)/s*.svg
 	
 gif: 
-	magick convert $(OUTPUT)/s*.svg $(OUTPUT)/out.gif 
+	magick -density $(MAGICK_DENSITY) $(OUTPUT)/s*.svg -resize $(MAGICK_RESIZE) $(OUTPUT)/out.gif 
 	 
 movie:
 	ffmpeg -r $(FRAMERATE) -f image2 -i $(OUTPUT)/snapshot%08d.jpg -vcodec libx264 -pix_fmt yuv420p -strict -2 -tune animation -crf 15 -acodec none $(OUTPUT)/out.mp4
diff --git a/sample_projects/pred_prey_farmer/Makefile b/sample_projects/pred_prey_farmer/Makefile
index 06ec2705e..2593773c3 100644
--- a/sample_projects/pred_prey_farmer/Makefile
+++ b/sample_projects/pred_prey_farmer/Makefile
@@ -224,17 +224,16 @@ untar:
 FRAMERATE := 24
 OUTPUT := output
 
+MAGICK_DENSITY := 96
+MAGICK_RESIZE_X := 1024
+MAGICK_RESIZE_Y := 1024
+MAGICK_RESIZE := $(MAGICK_RESIZE_X)x$(MAGICK_RESIZE_Y)
+
 jpeg: 
-	@magick identify -format "%h" $(OUTPUT)/initial.svg > __H.txt 
-	@magick identify -format "%w" $(OUTPUT)/initial.svg > __W.txt 
-	@expr 2 \* \( $$(grep . __H.txt) / 2 \) > __H1.txt 
-	@expr 2 \* \( $$(grep . __W.txt) / 2 \) > __W1.txt 
-	@echo "$$(grep . __W1.txt)!x$$(grep . __H1.txt)!" > __resize.txt 
-	@magick mogrify -format jpg -resize $$(grep . __resize.txt) $(OUTPUT)/s*.svg
-	rm -f __H*.txt __W*.txt __resize.txt 
+	magick mogrify -density $(MAGICK_DENSITY) -format jpg -resize $(MAGICK_RESIZE) $(OUTPUT)/s*.svg
 	
 gif: 
-	magick convert $(OUTPUT)/s*.svg $(OUTPUT)/out.gif 
+	magick -density $(MAGICK_DENSITY) $(OUTPUT)/s*.svg -resize $(MAGICK_RESIZE) $(OUTPUT)/out.gif 
 	 
 movie:
 	ffmpeg -r $(FRAMERATE) -f image2 -i $(OUTPUT)/snapshot%08d.jpg -vcodec libx264 -pix_fmt yuv420p -strict -2 -tune animation -crf 15 -acodec none $(OUTPUT)/out.mp4
diff --git a/sample_projects/rules_sample/Makefile b/sample_projects/rules_sample/Makefile
index d9493e2df..111f0c02c 100644
--- a/sample_projects/rules_sample/Makefile
+++ b/sample_projects/rules_sample/Makefile
@@ -233,17 +233,16 @@ untar:
 FRAMERATE := 24
 OUTPUT := output
 
+MAGICK_DENSITY := 96
+MAGICK_RESIZE_X := 1024
+MAGICK_RESIZE_Y := 1024
+MAGICK_RESIZE := $(MAGICK_RESIZE_X)x$(MAGICK_RESIZE_Y)
+
 jpeg: 
-	@magick identify -format "%h" $(OUTPUT)/initial.svg > __H.txt 
-	@magick identify -format "%w" $(OUTPUT)/initial.svg > __W.txt 
-	@expr 2 \* \( $$(grep . __H.txt) / 2 \) > __H1.txt 
-	@expr 2 \* \( $$(grep . __W.txt) / 2 \) > __W1.txt 
-	@echo "$$(grep . __W1.txt)!x$$(grep . __H1.txt)!" > __resize.txt 
-	@magick mogrify -format jpg -resize $$(grep . __resize.txt) $(OUTPUT)/s*.svg
-	rm -f __H*.txt __W*.txt __resize.txt 
+	magick mogrify -density $(MAGICK_DENSITY) -format jpg -resize $(MAGICK_RESIZE) $(OUTPUT)/s*.svg
 	
 gif: 
-	magick convert $(OUTPUT)/s*.svg $(OUTPUT)/out.gif 
+	magick -density $(MAGICK_DENSITY) $(OUTPUT)/s*.svg -resize $(MAGICK_RESIZE) $(OUTPUT)/out.gif 
 	 
 movie:
 	ffmpeg -r $(FRAMERATE) -f image2 -i $(OUTPUT)/snapshot%08d.jpg -vcodec libx264 -pix_fmt yuv420p -strict -2 -tune animation -crf 15 -acodec none $(OUTPUT)/out.mp4
diff --git a/sample_projects/template/Makefile b/sample_projects/template/Makefile
index 7aa7d18d2..d723d637d 100644
--- a/sample_projects/template/Makefile
+++ b/sample_projects/template/Makefile
@@ -233,17 +233,16 @@ untar:
 FRAMERATE := 24
 OUTPUT := output
 
+MAGICK_DENSITY := 96
+MAGICK_RESIZE_X := 1024
+MAGICK_RESIZE_Y := 1024
+MAGICK_RESIZE := $(MAGICK_RESIZE_X)x$(MAGICK_RESIZE_Y)
+
 jpeg: 
-	@magick identify -format "%h" $(OUTPUT)/initial.svg > __H.txt 
-	@magick identify -format "%w" $(OUTPUT)/initial.svg > __W.txt 
-	@expr 2 \* \( $$(grep . __H.txt) / 2 \) > __H1.txt 
-	@expr 2 \* \( $$(grep . __W.txt) / 2 \) > __W1.txt 
-	@echo "$$(grep . __W1.txt)!x$$(grep . __H1.txt)!" > __resize.txt 
-	@magick mogrify -format jpg -resize $$(grep . __resize.txt) $(OUTPUT)/s*.svg
-	rm -f __H*.txt __W*.txt __resize.txt 
+	magick mogrify -density $(MAGICK_DENSITY) -format jpg -resize $(MAGICK_RESIZE) $(OUTPUT)/s*.svg
 	
 gif: 
-	magick convert $(OUTPUT)/s*.svg $(OUTPUT)/out.gif 
+	magick -density $(MAGICK_DENSITY) $(OUTPUT)/s*.svg -resize $(MAGICK_RESIZE) $(OUTPUT)/out.gif 
 	 
 movie:
 	ffmpeg -r $(FRAMERATE) -f image2 -i $(OUTPUT)/snapshot%08d.jpg -vcodec libx264 -pix_fmt yuv420p -strict -2 -tune animation -crf 15 -acodec none $(OUTPUT)/out.mp4
diff --git a/sample_projects/virus_macrophage/Makefile b/sample_projects/virus_macrophage/Makefile
index d8c8ad4e8..9f0135352 100644
--- a/sample_projects/virus_macrophage/Makefile
+++ b/sample_projects/virus_macrophage/Makefile
@@ -224,17 +224,16 @@ untar:
 FRAMERATE := 24
 OUTPUT := output
 
+MAGICK_DENSITY := 96
+MAGICK_RESIZE_X := 1024
+MAGICK_RESIZE_Y := 1024
+MAGICK_RESIZE := $(MAGICK_RESIZE_X)x$(MAGICK_RESIZE_Y)
+
 jpeg: 
-	@magick identify -format "%h" $(OUTPUT)/initial.svg > __H.txt 
-	@magick identify -format "%w" $(OUTPUT)/initial.svg > __W.txt 
-	@expr 2 \* \( $$(grep . __H.txt) / 2 \) > __H1.txt 
-	@expr 2 \* \( $$(grep . __W.txt) / 2 \) > __W1.txt 
-	@echo "$$(grep . __W1.txt)!x$$(grep . __H1.txt)!" > __resize.txt 
-	@magick mogrify -format jpg -resize $$(grep . __resize.txt) $(OUTPUT)/s*.svg
-	rm -f __H*.txt __W*.txt __resize.txt 
+	magick mogrify -density $(MAGICK_DENSITY) -format jpg -resize $(MAGICK_RESIZE) $(OUTPUT)/s*.svg
 	
 gif: 
-	magick convert $(OUTPUT)/s*.svg $(OUTPUT)/out.gif 
+	magick -density $(MAGICK_DENSITY) $(OUTPUT)/s*.svg -resize $(MAGICK_RESIZE) $(OUTPUT)/out.gif 
 	 
 movie:
 	ffmpeg -r $(FRAMERATE) -f image2 -i $(OUTPUT)/snapshot%08d.jpg -vcodec libx264 -pix_fmt yuv420p -strict -2 -tune animation -crf 15 -acodec none $(OUTPUT)/out.mp4
diff --git a/sample_projects/worm/Makefile b/sample_projects/worm/Makefile
index e953e28ad..bb500cb0e 100644
--- a/sample_projects/worm/Makefile
+++ b/sample_projects/worm/Makefile
@@ -224,17 +224,16 @@ untar:
 FRAMERATE := 24
 OUTPUT := output
 
+MAGICK_DENSITY := 96
+MAGICK_RESIZE_X := 1024
+MAGICK_RESIZE_Y := 1024
+MAGICK_RESIZE := $(MAGICK_RESIZE_X)x$(MAGICK_RESIZE_Y)
+
 jpeg: 
-	@magick identify -format "%h" $(OUTPUT)/initial.svg > __H.txt 
-	@magick identify -format "%w" $(OUTPUT)/initial.svg > __W.txt 
-	@expr 2 \* \( $$(grep . __H.txt) / 2 \) > __H1.txt 
-	@expr 2 \* \( $$(grep . __W.txt) / 2 \) > __W1.txt 
-	@echo "$$(grep . __W1.txt)!x$$(grep . __H1.txt)!" > __resize.txt 
-	@magick mogrify -format jpg -resize $$(grep . __resize.txt) $(OUTPUT)/s*.svg
-	rm -f __H*.txt __W*.txt __resize.txt 
+	magick mogrify -density $(MAGICK_DENSITY) -format jpg -resize $(MAGICK_RESIZE) $(OUTPUT)/s*.svg
 	
 gif: 
-	magick convert $(OUTPUT)/s*.svg $(OUTPUT)/out.gif 
+	magick -density $(MAGICK_DENSITY) $(OUTPUT)/s*.svg -resize $(MAGICK_RESIZE) $(OUTPUT)/out.gif 
 	 
 movie:
 	ffmpeg -r $(FRAMERATE) -f image2 -i $(OUTPUT)/snapshot%08d.jpg -vcodec libx264 -pix_fmt yuv420p -strict -2 -tune animation -crf 15 -acodec none $(OUTPUT)/out.mp4
diff --git a/sample_projects_intracellular/boolean/template_BM/Makefile b/sample_projects_intracellular/boolean/template_BM/Makefile
index a5d3a9c68..822bf9690 100644
--- a/sample_projects_intracellular/boolean/template_BM/Makefile
+++ b/sample_projects_intracellular/boolean/template_BM/Makefile
@@ -279,17 +279,16 @@ untar:
 FRAMERATE := 24
 OUTPUT := output
 
+MAGICK_DENSITY := 96
+MAGICK_RESIZE_X := 1024
+MAGICK_RESIZE_Y := 1024
+MAGICK_RESIZE := $(MAGICK_RESIZE_X)x$(MAGICK_RESIZE_Y)
+
 jpeg: 
-	@magick identify -format "%h" $(OUTPUT)/initial.svg > __H.txt 
-	@magick identify -format "%w" $(OUTPUT)/initial.svg > __W.txt 
-	@expr 2 \* \( $$(grep . __H.txt) / 2 \) > __H1.txt 
-	@expr 2 \* \( $$(grep . __W.txt) / 2 \) > __W1.txt 
-	@echo "$$(grep . __W1.txt)!x$$(grep . __H1.txt)!" > __resize.txt 
-	@magick mogrify -format jpg -resize $$(grep . __resize.txt) $(OUTPUT)/s*.svg
-	rm -f __H*.txt __W*.txt __resize.txt 
+	magick mogrify -density $(MAGICK_DENSITY) -format jpg -resize $(MAGICK_RESIZE) $(OUTPUT)/s*.svg
 	
 gif: 
-	magick convert $(OUTPUT)/s*.svg $(OUTPUT)/out.gif 
+	magick -density $(MAGICK_DENSITY) $(OUTPUT)/s*.svg -resize $(MAGICK_RESIZE) $(OUTPUT)/out.gif 
 	 
 movie:
 	ffmpeg -r $(FRAMERATE) -f image2 -i $(OUTPUT)/snapshot%08d.jpg -vcodec libx264 -pix_fmt yuv420p -strict -2 -tune animation -crf 15 -acodec none $(OUTPUT)/out.mp4