Panorama
This module enables you to acquire an overview image (or panorama image) exceeding the image size of a single image. This is the case when the field of view of your microscope is too small for the sample area you wish to acquire. Acquire a set of connected, overlapping images (tiles) manually to stitch the tiles together to a single large image.
Acquiring a Panorama Image (automatic)
Using the Panorama (automatic) workbench you can automatically acquire panorama images from a sample area which is larger than the camera sensor can cover by a single snap. By moving the stage the software automatically acquires and stitches the individual images and creates a panorama image. Note that automatic panorama works also for coded and manual stages.
- You have set-up and configured your microscope system correctly.
- You have started the software and activated the module.
- You are in Free Mode.
- In the Panorama (automatic) workbench, click Live to get a live image from the microscope camera. Adjust the camera and microscope settings to see a well illuminated and sharp live image.
- Navigate to a specific area on your sample you want to image and click Start.
- After a short moment, the camera rectangle changes to green and you can move the stage. Note that when the software loses the stitching algorithm, the color of the rectangle changes to orange or red. Then you have to manually go back to the last "good" position.
- The panorama acquisition starts. You see the live image of the sensor area.
- Move the stage slowly by using the hardware or software joystick, e.g. in right direction.
- During the stage movement the software automatically acquires the panorama image.
- In our example we now move the stage a bit up and back to the starting point.
- To finish the acquisition, click Stop.
- The panorama image will be added to the Documents Area. Save the final image on your file system.
Acquiring a Panorama Image (interactive)
The Panorama (interactive) workbench enables you to acquire an image of a large sample area with a manual stage.
You acquire tiles (images of neighboring sample areas) and move the stage between two tile acquisitions manually.
- The Panorama (interactive) workbench is selected.
- The sample is sufficiently illuminated and in focus.
- Set up the camera using the Camera tool.
- Select the desired objective in the Magnification tool.
- Set up the stitching method to be applied after acquisition using the Tile Stitching tool.
- Click Start in the Workbench Area. The following elements appear in the Center Screen Area:
- The Live Navigator, a live preview image with tile overlay.
- An acquisition tool to acquire tiles.
- Move the stage until the sample area of interest is visible in the Live Navigator image.
- Click Acquire Tile Image in the acquisition tool in the Center Screen Area.
- Double-click one of the eight neighbor fields next to the acquired tile.
- The Live Navigator is placed accordingly. The preview image displayed inside the Live Navigator is identical to the last acquired tile.
- Match the Live Navigator image to the edge of the last acquired tile by moving the stage accordingly.
- Acquire the tile by clicking Acquire Tile Image.
- Repeat the previous steps until you have acquired an image of the entire sample area of interest.
- Click Stop in the Workbench Area.
The acquired image is complete. If you have selected stitching, the software finishes the acquisition by aligning the tile images along their edges.
If you click on the Live image, it gets semi-transparent.
See also
Panorama (automatic) Workbench
This workbench enables you to acquire panorama images from a sample area which is larger than the camera`s sensor can cover by a single snap. By moving the stage the software automatically acquires and stitches the individual images and creates a panorama image. Note that automatic panorama works also for coded and manual stages.
To learn how to acquire panorama images automatically, see Acquiring a Panorama Image (automatic).
See also
Panorama (interactive) Workbench
This workbench enables you to acquire a panorama image with a manual stage, for example if the total sample area to be acquired exceeds the area that can be acquired with a single acquisition. You can manually acquire multiple images (tiles) of neighboring areas on the sample, which then are stitched to a panorama image.
You can save the oversize image as tiles or you can stitch the tiles together into a single oversize image.
See also
Panorama Acquisition Options Tool
This tool can only be added to the Panorama (automatic) workbench. Note that the options should only be activated, if you have problems with the camera/live image during acquisition. It is only available for troubleshooting up and normally not needed.
The default state of the checkboxes is set to "undefined" (checkboxes are marked with a rectangle) which means the software tries to use an determined value for the current camera automatically. Meaning if you are unsure, if your camera supports the functionality, we recommend to leave the state to "undefined".
|
Parameter |
Description |
|---|---|
|
Use Camera Streaming (if possible) |
If activated, the software uses the free running/streaming mode of the camera. This option is intended for slower cameras. |
|
Stop and Go |
If activated, during acquisition you have to move the stage, e.g. about one camera frame, and the stop the movement. Then you have to move the stage for the next frame and stop again. Compared to the "default" mode, the images to be stitched are acquired only when the stage movement stops. This option is intended for cameras that produce motion artefacts (e.g. rolling shutter effect) and for exposure times greater than about 50 ms. |