diff --git a/src/xradio/_utils/_casacore/casatools_to_casacore.py b/src/xradio/_utils/_casacore/casacore_from_casatools.py
similarity index 55%
rename from src/xradio/_utils/_casacore/casatools_to_casacore.py
rename to src/xradio/_utils/_casacore/casacore_from_casatools.py
index c9fcc00d..d6cd0e46 100644
--- a/src/xradio/_utils/_casacore/casatools_to_casacore.py
+++ b/src/xradio/_utils/_casacore/casacore_from_casatools.py
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@
 import inspect
 import shutil
 from functools import wraps
-from typing import Any, Dict, List, Union
+from typing import Any, Dict, List, Union, Sequence
 import os
 
 import casatools
@@ -248,8 +248,62 @@ def getcolshapestring(self, *args, **kwargs):
         ret = super().getcolshapestring(*args, **kwargs)
         return [str(list(reversed(ast.literal_eval(shape)))) for shape in ret]
 
+    def getcellslice(self, columnname, rownr, blc, trc, incr=1):
+        """Retrieve a sliced portion of a cell from a specified column.
 
+        This method extracts a subarray from a cell within a table column, 
+        given the bottom-left corner (BLC) and top-right corner (TRC) indices.
+        It also supports an optional increment (`incr`) to control step size.
+
+        Parameters
+        ----------
+        columnname : str
+            The name of the column from which to extract data.
+        rownr : int or Sequence[int]
+            The row number(s) from which to extract data. If a sequence is provided, 
+            it is reversed before processing.
+        blc : Sequence[int]
+            The bottom-left corner indices of the slice.
+        trc : Sequence[int]
+            The top-right corner indices of the slice.
+        incr : int or Sequence[int], optional
+            Step size for slicing. If a sequence is provided, it is reversed. 
+            If a single integer is given, it is expanded to match `blc` dimensions. 
+            Defaults to 1.
+
+        Returns
+        -------
+        Any
+            The extracted slice from the specified column and row(s).
+
+        Notes
+        -----
+        - If `rownr` is a sequence, it is reversed before processing.
+        - The `blc`, `trc`, and `incr` parameters are converted to lists of integers.
+        - Calls the superclass method `getcellslice` for actual data retrieval.
+        """
+
+        if isinstance(rownr, Sequence):
+            rownr = rownr[::-1]
+        else:
+            rownr = [rownr]*len(blc)
+        rownr = 0
+        if isinstance(blc, Sequence):
+            blc = list(map(int, blc[::-1]))
+        if isinstance(trc, Sequence):
+            trc = list(map(int, trc[::-1]))
+        if isinstance(incr, Sequence):
+            incr = incr[::-1]
+        else:
+            incr = [incr]*len(blc)
+        ret = super().getcellslice(columnname=columnname, rownr=rownr, blc=blc, trc=trc)
+        return ret
+
+
+@wrap_class_methods
 class image(casatools.image):
+    """A Wrapper class around `casatools.image` that provides python-casacore-like methods."""
+
     def __init__(
         self,
         imagename,
@@ -265,7 +319,224 @@ def __init__(
         tileshape=(),
     ):
         super().__init__()
-        self.open(*arg, **kwargs)
+        self._imagename = imagename
+        if shape is None:
+            # self.open(*arg, **kwargs)
+            self.open(imagename)
+        else:
+            if value is None:
+                self.newimagefromshape(outfile, shape=shape)
+            else:
+                self.newimagefromarray(outfile, pixels=self.makearray(value, shape))
+
+    def getdata(self, blc=None, trc=None, inc=None):
+        """Retrieve image data as a chunk.
+
+        Parameters
+        ----------
+        blc : list of int, optional
+            Bottom-left corner of the region to extract. Defaults to `[-1]` (entire image).
+        trc : list of int, optional
+            Top-right corner of the region to extract. Defaults to `[-1]` (entire image).
+        inc : list of int, optional
+            Step size for slicing. Defaults to `[1]`.
+
+        Returns
+        -------
+        numpy.ndarray
+            The extracted data chunk.
+        """
+
+        if blc is None:
+            blc = [-1]
+        if trc is None:
+            trc = [-1]
+        if inc is None:
+            inc = [1]
+        return super().getchunk(blc, trc, inc)
+
+    def shape(self):
+        """Get the shape of the image.
+
+        Returns
+        -------
+        list of int
+            The shape of the image, with axes reversed for consistency.
+        """
+        return list(map(int, super().shape()[::-1]))
+
+    def coordinates(self):
+        """Get the coordinate system of the image.
+
+        Returns
+        -------
+        casatools.coordinatesystem
+            The coordinate system associated with the image.
+        """
+        return coordinatesystem(self)
+
+    def unit(self):
+        """Get the brightness unit of the image.
+
+        Returns
+        -------
+        str
+            The brightness unit of the image.
+        """
+        return self.brightnessunit()
+
+    def info(self):
+        """Retrieve image metadata including coordinates, misc info, and beam information.
+
+        Returns
+        -------
+        dict
+            Dictionary containing:
+            - 'imageinfo': Flattened image summary.
+            - 'coordinates': Coordinate system as a dictionary.
+            - 'miscinfo': Miscellaneous metadata.
+        """
+        imageinfo = self.summary(list=False)
+        imageinfo = self._flatten_multibeam(imageinfo)
+        # table.getdesc()
+
+        return {'imageinfo': imageinfo,
+                'coordinates': self.coordsys().torecord(),
+                'miscinfo': self.miscinfo()}
+
+    def datatype(self):
+        return self.pixeltype()
+
+    def _flatten_multibeam(self, imageinfo):
+        """Flatten the per-plane beam information in the image metadata.
+
+        This method restructures the `perplanebeams` field in `imageinfo`
+        to make it more accessible by flattening the nested structure.
+
+        Parameters
+        ----------
+        imageinfo : dict
+            The image metadata containing per-plane beam information.
+
+        Returns
+        -------
+        dict
+            Updated `imageinfo` dictionary with flattened per-plane beam data.
+        """
+        if 'perplanebeams' in imageinfo:
+            perplanebeams = imageinfo['perplanebeams']['beams']
+            perplanebeams_flat = {}
+            nchan = imageinfo['perplanebeams']['nChannels']
+            npol = imageinfo['perplanebeams']['nStokes']
+
+            for c in range(nchan):
+                for p in range(npol):
+                    k = nchan * p + c
+                    perplanebeams_flat["*" + str(k)] = perplanebeams['*'+str(c)]['*'+str(p)]
+            imageinfo['perplanebeams'].pop('beams', None)
+            imageinfo['perplanebeams'].update(perplanebeams_flat)
+
+        return imageinfo
+
+
+class coordinatesystem(casatools.coordsys):
+    """A wrapper around `casatools.coordsys` that provides python-casacore like methods"""
+
+    def __init__(self, image=None):
+        self._image = image
+        if image is None:
+            self._cs = casatools.coordsys()
+        else:
+            self._cs = image.coordsys()
+
+    def get_axes(self):
+        """Retrieve the names of the coordinate axes.
+
+        Returns
+        -------
+        list of str or list of lists
+            A list containing the names of each axis, grouped by coordinate type.
+            Spectral axes are returned as a single string instead of a list.
+        """
+        axes = []
+        axis_names = self._cs.names()
+        for axis_type in self.get_names():
+            axis_inds = self._cs.findcoordinate(axis_type).get('pixel')
+            axes_list = [axis_names[idx] for idx in axis_inds[::-1]]
+            if axis_type == 'spectral':
+                axes_list = axes_list[0]
+            axes.append(axes_list)
+        return axes
+
+    def get_referencepixel(self):
+        """Get the reference pixel coordinates.
+
+        Returns
+        -------
+        list of float
+            The numeric reference pixel values, with axes reversed.
+        """
+        return self._cs.referencepixel()['numeric'][::-1]
+
+    def get_referencevalue(self):
+        """Get the reference value at the reference pixel.
+
+        Returns
+        -------
+        list of float
+            The numeric reference values, with axes reversed.
+        """
+        return self._cs.referencevalue()['numeric'][::-1]
+
+    def get_increment(self):
+        """Get the coordinate increments per pixel.
+
+        Returns
+        -------
+        list of float
+            The coordinate increment values, with axes reversed.
+        """
+        return self._cs.increment()['numeric'][::-1]
+
+    def get_unit(self):
+        """Get the units of the coordinate axes.
+
+        Returns
+        -------
+        list of str
+            The units of each axis, with axes reversed.
+        """
+        return self._cs.units()[::-1]
+
+    def get_names(self):
+        """Get the coordinate type names in lowercase.
+
+        Returns
+        -------
+        list of str
+            The coordinate type names, with axes reversed.
+        """
+        return list(map(str.lower, self._cs.coordinatetype()[::-1]))
+
+    def dict(self):
+        """Convert the coordinate system to a dictionary representation.
+
+        Returns
+        -------
+        dict
+            The coordinate system in CASA's dictionary format.
+        """
+        return self._cs.torecord()
+
+
+class directioncoordinate(coordinatesystem):
+
+    def __init__(self, rec):
+        super().__init__()
+        self._rec = rec
+
+    def get_projection(self):
+        return self._rec['projection']
 
 
 @wrap_class_methods
diff --git a/src/xradio/_utils/_casacore/tables.py b/src/xradio/_utils/_casacore/tables.py
index edd1a236..fda90237 100644
--- a/src/xradio/_utils/_casacore/tables.py
+++ b/src/xradio/_utils/_casacore/tables.py
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 try:
     from casacore import tables
 except ImportError:
-    from . import casatools_to_casacore as tables
+    from . import casacore_from_casatools as tables
 
 from contextlib import contextmanager
 from typing import Dict, Generator
diff --git a/src/xradio/image/_util/_casacore/common.py b/src/xradio/image/_util/_casacore/common.py
index e9763860..691ee256 100644
--- a/src/xradio/image/_util/_casacore/common.py
+++ b/src/xradio/image/_util/_casacore/common.py
@@ -1,4 +1,8 @@
-from casacore import images
+try:
+    from casacore import images
+except ImportError:
+    from ...._utils._casacore import casacore_from_casatools as images
+
 from contextlib import contextmanager
 import numpy as np
 from typing import Dict, Generator, List, Union
diff --git a/src/xradio/image/_util/_casacore/xds_from_casacore.py b/src/xradio/image/_util/_casacore/xds_from_casacore.py
index 83dca34d..ee5ed437 100644
--- a/src/xradio/image/_util/_casacore/xds_from_casacore.py
+++ b/src/xradio/image/_util/_casacore/xds_from_casacore.py
@@ -11,9 +11,10 @@
 from astropy import units as u
 try:
     from casacore import tables
+    from casacore.images import coordinates
 except ImportError:
-    from ...._utils._casacore import casatools_to_casacore as tables
-from casacore.images import coordinates
+    from ...._utils._casacore import casacore_from_casatools as tables
+    from ...._utils._casacore import casacore_from_casatools as coordinates
 
 from .common import (
     _active_mask,
@@ -312,6 +313,9 @@ def _casa_image_to_xds_coords(
                 "note": attr_note[c],
             }
         if do_sky_coords:
+            #from pprint import pprint
+            #print('--->',coord_dict)
+            #pprint(coord_dict)
             for k in coord_dict.keys():
                 if k.startswith("direction"):
                     dc = coordinates.directioncoordinate(coord_dict[k])
diff --git a/src/xradio/image/_util/_casacore/xds_to_casacore.py b/src/xradio/image/_util/_casacore/xds_to_casacore.py
index fa194d96..618c626c 100644
--- a/src/xradio/image/_util/_casacore/xds_to_casacore.py
+++ b/src/xradio/image/_util/_casacore/xds_to_casacore.py
@@ -8,7 +8,7 @@
 try:
     from casacore import tables
 except ImportError:
-    from ...._utils._casacore import casatools_to_casacore as tables
+    from ...._utils._casacore import casacore_from_casatools as tables
 
 from .common import _active_mask, _create_new_image, _object_name, _pointing_center
 from ..common import _aperture_or_sky, _compute_sky_reference_pixel, _doppler_types
diff --git a/src/xradio/image/_util/_fits/xds_from_fits.py b/src/xradio/image/_util/_fits/xds_from_fits.py
index edf638bd..27786ca1 100644
--- a/src/xradio/image/_util/_fits/xds_from_fits.py
+++ b/src/xradio/image/_util/_fits/xds_from_fits.py
@@ -1,29 +1,25 @@
+import copy
+import re
+from typing import Union
+
 import astropy as ap
+import dask
+import dask.array as da
+import numpy as np
+import xarray as xr
 from astropy import units as u
 from astropy.io import fits
 from astropy.time import Time
-from ..common import (
-    _compute_linear_world_values,
-    _compute_velocity_values,
-    _compute_world_sph_dims,
-    _convert_beam_to_rad,
-    _default_freq_info,
-    _doppler_types,
-    _freq_from_vel,
-    _get_unit,
-    _get_xds_dim_order,
-    _image_type,
-    _l_m_attr_notes,
-)
+
 from xradio._utils.coord_math import _deg_to_rad
 from xradio._utils.dict_helpers import make_quantity
-import copy
-import dask
-import dask.array as da
-import numpy as np
-import re
-from typing import Union
-import xarray as xr
+
+from ....measurement_set._utils._utils.stokes_types import stokes_types
+from ..common import (_compute_linear_world_values, _compute_velocity_values,
+                      _compute_world_sph_dims, _convert_beam_to_rad,
+                      _default_freq_info, _doppler_types, _freq_from_vel,
+                      _get_unit, _get_xds_dim_order, _image_type,
+                      _l_m_attr_notes)
 
 
 def _fits_image_to_xds(
@@ -506,32 +502,7 @@ def _get_time_values(helpers):
 
 
 def _get_pol_values(helpers):
-    # as mapped in casacore Stokes.h
-    stokes_map = [
-        "Undefined",
-        "I",
-        "Q",
-        "U",
-        "V",
-        "RR",
-        "RL",
-        "LR",
-        "LL",
-        "XX",
-        "XY",
-        "YX",
-        "YY",
-        "RX",
-        "RY",
-        "LX",
-        "LY",
-        "XR",
-        "XL",
-        "YR",
-        "YL",
-        "PP",
-        "PQ",
-    ]
+
     idx = helpers["ctype"].index("STOKES")
     if idx >= 0:
         vals = []
@@ -541,7 +512,7 @@ def _get_pol_values(helpers):
         stokes_start_idx = crval - cdelt * crpix
         for i in range(helpers["shape"][idx]):
             stokes_idx = (stokes_start_idx + i) * cdelt
-            vals.append(stokes_map[stokes_idx])
+            vals.append(stokes_types[stokes_idx])
         return vals
     else:
         return ["I"]
diff --git a/src/xradio/image/_util/casacore.py b/src/xradio/image/_util/casacore.py
index 33d4a042..8358102a 100644
--- a/src/xradio/image/_util/casacore.py
+++ b/src/xradio/image/_util/casacore.py
@@ -13,7 +13,7 @@
 try:
     from casacore import tables
 except ImportError:
-    from ..._utils._casacore import casatools_to_casacore as tables
+    from ..._utils._casacore import casacore_from_casatools as tables
 
 from ._casacore.common import _open_image_ro
 from ._casacore.xds_from_casacore import (
diff --git a/src/xradio/measurement_set/_utils/_msv2/_tables/load.py b/src/xradio/measurement_set/_utils/_msv2/_tables/load.py
index 57fa2404..42d080c7 100644
--- a/src/xradio/measurement_set/_utils/_msv2/_tables/load.py
+++ b/src/xradio/measurement_set/_utils/_msv2/_tables/load.py
@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@
 try:
     from casacore import tables
 except ImportError:
-    from ....._utils._casacore.casatools_to_casacore import tables
+    from ....._utils._casacore.casacore_from_casatools import tables
 from ....._utils.common import get_pad_value
 
 
diff --git a/src/xradio/measurement_set/_utils/_msv2/_tables/load_main_table.py b/src/xradio/measurement_set/_utils/_msv2/_tables/load_main_table.py
index fb06d8c3..5feba217 100644
--- a/src/xradio/measurement_set/_utils/_msv2/_tables/load_main_table.py
+++ b/src/xradio/measurement_set/_utils/_msv2/_tables/load_main_table.py
@@ -8,7 +8,7 @@
 try:
     from casacore import tables
 except ImportError:
-    from ....._utils._casacore import casatools_to_casacore as tables
+    from ....._utils._casacore import casacore_from_casatools as tables
     
 
 from .load import load_col_chunk
diff --git a/src/xradio/measurement_set/_utils/_msv2/_tables/read.py b/src/xradio/measurement_set/_utils/_msv2/_tables/read.py
index a56dcc52..892c53b7 100644
--- a/src/xradio/measurement_set/_utils/_msv2/_tables/read.py
+++ b/src/xradio/measurement_set/_utils/_msv2/_tables/read.py
@@ -12,7 +12,7 @@
 try:
     from casacore import tables
 except ImportError:
-    from ....._utils._casacore import casatools_to_casacore as tables
+    from ....._utils._casacore import casacore_from_casatools as tables
 
 from .table_query import open_query, open_table_ro
 from xradio._utils.list_and_array import get_pad_value
diff --git a/src/xradio/measurement_set/_utils/_msv2/_tables/read_main_table.py b/src/xradio/measurement_set/_utils/_msv2/_tables/read_main_table.py
index ce6283a8..0656a72c 100644
--- a/src/xradio/measurement_set/_utils/_msv2/_tables/read_main_table.py
+++ b/src/xradio/measurement_set/_utils/_msv2/_tables/read_main_table.py
@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@
 try:
     from casacore import tables
 except ImportError:
-    from ....._utils._casacore import casatools_to_casacore as tables
+    from ....._utils._casacore import casacore_from_casatools as tables
 
 from .read import (
     read_flat_col_chunk,
diff --git a/src/xradio/measurement_set/_utils/_msv2/_tables/read_subtables.py b/src/xradio/measurement_set/_utils/_msv2/_tables/read_subtables.py
index 08e321f6..dd60795a 100644
--- a/src/xradio/measurement_set/_utils/_msv2/_tables/read_subtables.py
+++ b/src/xradio/measurement_set/_utils/_msv2/_tables/read_subtables.py
@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@
 try:
     from casacore import tables
 except ImportError:
-    from ....._utils._casacore import casatools_to_casacore as tables
+    from ....._utils._casacore import casacore_from_casatools as tables
 
 from .table_query import open_query, open_table_ro
 from .read import (
diff --git a/src/xradio/measurement_set/_utils/_msv2/_tables/table_query.py b/src/xradio/measurement_set/_utils/_msv2/_tables/table_query.py
index 9d3002df..ae2390ee 100644
--- a/src/xradio/measurement_set/_utils/_msv2/_tables/table_query.py
+++ b/src/xradio/measurement_set/_utils/_msv2/_tables/table_query.py
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@
 try:
     from casacore import tables
 except ImportError:
-    from ....._utils._casacore import casatools_to_casacore as tables
+    from ....._utils._casacore import casacore_from_casatools as tables
 
 @contextmanager
 def open_table_ro(infile: str) -> Generator[tables.table, None, None]:
diff --git a/src/xradio/measurement_set/_utils/_msv2/_tables/write.py b/src/xradio/measurement_set/_utils/_msv2/_tables/write.py
index bea76d20..cc0464d8 100644
--- a/src/xradio/measurement_set/_utils/_msv2/_tables/write.py
+++ b/src/xradio/measurement_set/_utils/_msv2/_tables/write.py
@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@
 try:
     from casacore import tables
 except ImportError:
-    from ....._utils._casacore import casatools_to_casacore as tables
+    from ....._utils._casacore import casacore_from_casatools as tables
     
 def revert_time(datetimes: np.ndarray) -> np.ndarray:
     """
diff --git a/src/xradio/measurement_set/_utils/_msv2/_tables/write_exp_api.py b/src/xradio/measurement_set/_utils/_msv2/_tables/write_exp_api.py
index 9345b234..a35bcfe2 100644
--- a/src/xradio/measurement_set/_utils/_msv2/_tables/write_exp_api.py
+++ b/src/xradio/measurement_set/_utils/_msv2/_tables/write_exp_api.py
@@ -12,7 +12,7 @@
 try:
     from casacore import tables
 except ImportError:
-    from ....._utils._casacore import casatools_to_casacore as tables
+    from ....._utils._casacore import casacore_from_casatools as tables
 
 
 # TODO: this should be consolidated with the equivalent in read_main_table,
diff --git a/src/xradio/measurement_set/_utils/_msv2/conversion.py b/src/xradio/measurement_set/_utils/_msv2/conversion.py
index cb0e5646..34286c5c 100644
--- a/src/xradio/measurement_set/_utils/_msv2/conversion.py
+++ b/src/xradio/measurement_set/_utils/_msv2/conversion.py
@@ -14,7 +14,7 @@
 try:
     from casacore import tables
 except ImportError:
-    from ...._utils._casacore import casatools_to_casacore as tables
+    from ...._utils._casacore import casacore_from_casatools as tables
 
 from xradio.measurement_set._utils._msv2.msv4_sub_xdss import (
     create_pointing_xds,
diff --git a/src/xradio/measurement_set/_utils/_msv2/msv4_info_dicts.py b/src/xradio/measurement_set/_utils/_msv2/msv4_info_dicts.py
index f6e3b9be..7dfe2ec6 100644
--- a/src/xradio/measurement_set/_utils/_msv2/msv4_info_dicts.py
+++ b/src/xradio/measurement_set/_utils/_msv2/msv4_info_dicts.py
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@
 try:
     from casacore import tables
 except ImportError:
-    from ...._utils._casacore import casatools_to_casacore as tables
+    from ...._utils._casacore import casacore_from_casatools as tables
 
 import toolviper.utils.logger as logger
 
diff --git a/src/xradio/measurement_set/_utils/_msv2/partition_queries.py b/src/xradio/measurement_set/_utils/_msv2/partition_queries.py
index 23e323eb..ce9955a9 100644
--- a/src/xradio/measurement_set/_utils/_msv2/partition_queries.py
+++ b/src/xradio/measurement_set/_utils/_msv2/partition_queries.py
@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@
 try:
     from casacore import tables
 except ImportError:
-    from ...._utils._casacore import casatools_to_casacore as tables
+    from ...._utils._casacore import casacore_from_casatools as tables
 
 from ._tables.table_query import open_table_ro, open_query
 from ._tables.read import table_exists