This method allows you create an image pyramid and to create a pixel mask for valid pixels in multi scene tile images, especially pyramid tiles. The pixel mask provides information (per sub-block) for each pixel whether it contains real data or not. If pyramid tiles cover areas which do not overlay with the acquisition tiles, the pixels of these areas are classified as invalid. The creation of such a pixel mask can prevent potentially false results for operations done to/with the tile images. As an example, visual artifacts when viewing the tiles could be reduced or eliminated (invalid pixels rendered transparent in the image view) and the calculation of the histogram could be improved. The pyramid calculation never changes the values of the acquisition tiles, so raw data remains untouched.

Option

Description

Background

Specifies which value is assigned to invalid pixels. Note that this background color is not visible in the viewer such as the 2D view, it is merely a value for the invalid pixels.

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Auto

Sets the value for the invalid pixels automatically based on the document type, i.e. white for brightfield images and black for fluorescence images.

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Black

Sets the value for the invalid pixels to black.

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White

Sets the value for the invalid pixels to white.

Create Mask

Activated: Creates a pixel mask for valid pixels.
Deactivated: Creates no pixel mask and there is no way to distinguish between valid and invalid pixels, i.e. pixels which contain real data or not. Operations using the (pyramid) tiles could deliver erroneous results (such as visual artifacts in the viewer).

Downsampling Filter

Selects a filter which is applied when generating the pyramid steps.

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None

No filtering is applied.

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Blur

Applies a 2x2 blur kernel before decimation (i.e. an average is calculated).

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Binomial 3x3

Applies a binomial 3x3 filter before decimation.

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Binomial 5x5

Applies a binomial 5x5 filter before decimation.