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Macro Environment

The acronym OAD for Open Application Development is a term describing both the OAD platform on ZEN as well as the process of developing applications on it. The platform has been made available for our customers to enhance the functionality of ZEN in a flexible way. With OAD typical microscopy workflows can be integrated into the ZEN software. A short list of OAD highlights: Macro Interface to access the major functionality of ZEN and its objects and the access to external libraries like the .Net Framework to significantly enlarge the field of application. OAD uses IronPython 3.4.

This module offers the following components which we regard as main parts for Open Application Development (OAD):

  • Macro Runtime Environment (integrated)
  • Macro Recorder
  • Macro Editor
  • Macro Debugger
  • Macro Interface (Object Library)
  • ImageJ Extension

Basic functionality

All ZEN products (ZEN lite excluded) come with a basic macro functionality which allows to play existing macros within the software (using the Macro tool).

Within the software you can only run .czmac macro files which are recorded or saved in the ZEN macro environment. To run your own macros later on they must be located in the folder:
…/User/Documents/Carl Zeiss/ZEN/Documents/Macros.

Licensed functionality

When you have licensed the Macro Environment functionality you will get the:

  • Macro Recorder,
  • Macro Editor and
  • Macro Debugger.

In the Right Tool Area you find the Macro tool. The Macro Editor dialog allows you to generate and work with macros similar to Excel/Word macros. The macro interface is part of ZEN software and therefore not a separate product. The ImageJ Extension is the first extension for ZEN and will be free of charge.

Additional resources

Running an Existing Macro

  1. You run a licensed version of ZEN software. Note that the macro environment is not available for the free of charge version ZEN lite.
  2. You have a macro file available that you want to run in the software.
  1. Copy your macro file in the following folder:
    .../User/My Documents/Carl Zeiss/ZEN/Documents/Macros.
  2. Start the software.
  3. In the Right Tool Area open the Macro tool.
  4. You see your macro in the list under User Documents.
  5. Select your macro.
  6. Click on the Run button.
  1. Your macro is executed. You have successfully played a macro in ZEN.

Recording a Macro

This guide shows how to record a macro of a simple processing workflow.

  1. You have licensed the Macro Environment module.
  2. You are in the Right Tool Area in the Macro tool.
  1. Click on the Record button.
  2. Load a color image via the menu File > Open…
  3. Go to the Processing tab.
  4. Under Method select Edges > Sobel.
  5. Under Method Parameters > Normalization select the entry Clip.
  6. Under Image Parameters set your color image as Input Image.
  7. At the top of the Processing tab, click on the Apply button.
  8. The Sobel method will be applied to your image. The output image will be generated and opened in a new image container.
  9. In the Macro tool click on the Stop button.
  1. You have successfully recorded a macro for a simple processing workflow. The workflow can now be repeated automatically just by playing the recorded macro file.

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