Difference between revisions of "Measurements and Imaging with Amscope Camera - Quickstart Usage Guide"

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The software has already been calibrated for measurements on each microscope, users should not perform ''any'' calibrations without consulting [[Demis D. John|Staff]] first.
 
The software has already been calibrated for measurements on each microscope, users should not perform ''any'' calibrations without consulting [[Demis D. John|Staff]] first.
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==Start Imaging Session==
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#Open the "AmScope" software, via Desktop icon or Start-Bar icon: [[File:AmScope 01 AmScope Icon.png|frameless]]
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#Set the microscope shutter to use the camera: [[File:Microscope 4 Nikon - camera shutter - IMG 6249 - right side knobs - camera shutter - 800px.png|alt=photo of camera shutter on Nikon microscope|none|thumb|170x170px|Camera shutter on Microscope 4 Nikon LS200, showing to pull slider OUT for camera imaging.]]<br />
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#Click the Camera in the software to begin acquiring images in the software:[[File:Amscope 02 annot camera link.png|alt=screenshot of software showing camera in Camera List|none|thumb|Click the link in the ''Camera List'']]
   
 
==Choosing the Calibration==
 
==Choosing the Calibration==
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===During live imaging===
 
===During live imaging===
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BEFORE snapping the image:
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On the bar right above the image window, use the drop-down menu called '''Magnification''', which is used for measuring <u>live</u> images. (This is also available from the top "Options" pull down menu). Choose the calibration from this list ''during'' live imaging, '''before''' clicking "Snap".
 
On the bar right above the image window, use the drop-down menu called '''Magnification''', which is used for measuring <u>live</u> images. (This is also available from the top "Options" pull down menu). Choose the calibration from this list ''during'' live imaging, '''before''' clicking "Snap".
 
[[File:AmScope - 02 annot.png|alt=screenshot of top menu bar|none|thumb|The Magnification dropdown menu.]]
 
[[File:AmScope - 02 annot.png|alt=screenshot of top menu bar|none|thumb|The Magnification dropdown menu.]]
   
====Capture the Image:====
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===Capture the Image===
Then, when the live image is ready, click '''[Snap]''' to capture an image. This image retains internal knowledge of which calibration was used during the capture.
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Then, when the live image is ready, click '''[Snap]''' to capture an image. This image retains internal knowledge of which calibration was used during the capture, and is loaded into a new Tab.
   
 
===After Image Capture===
 
===After Image Capture===
 
To change the calibration applied on an image that has already been captured, use the top menu bar item:
 
To change the calibration applied on an image that has already been captured, use the top menu bar item:
   
Menu "'''Image'''" > select "'''Resolution'''".  Choose the correct calibration setting for the objective lens you were using and you will now have calibrated measurements for the still image.
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Menu "'''Image'''" > "'''Resolution'''".  Choose the correct calibration setting for the objective lens you were using and you will now have calibrated measurements for the still image.
 
[[File:AmScope - 06 chose mic2-150x annot.png|alt=screenshot of popup window|none|thumb|434x434px|Menu item '''Image > Resolution''' popup window with scope calibrations dropdown.]]
 
[[File:AmScope - 06 chose mic2-150x annot.png|alt=screenshot of popup window|none|thumb|434x434px|Menu item '''Image > Resolution''' popup window with scope calibrations dropdown.]]
   
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Perform measurements as desired using the various measurement tools (scale bars, line lengths etc.).
 
Perform measurements as desired using the various measurement tools (scale bars, line lengths etc.).
   
If you want the measurements saved onto the still image, use the menu item
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If you want the measurements saved onto the still image, use the menu item:
   
 
'''''Layers''' > '''Merge to Image...''''' to merge the annotation layer onto the image. This will create a new image tab that has your measurements burned into it, the original editable tab is also still open.
 
'''''Layers''' > '''Merge to Image...''''' to merge the annotation layer onto the image. This will create a new image tab that has your measurements burned into it, the original editable tab is also still open.
 
[[File:AmScope - Layers Merge - annot.png|alt=screenshot of menu item layers > Merge|none|thumb|Menu item '''''Layers > Merge to Image...''''' to burn the measurements into the image, before saving the image file.]]
 
[[File:AmScope - Layers Merge - annot.png|alt=screenshot of menu item layers > Merge|none|thumb|Menu item '''''Layers > Merge to Image...''''' to burn the measurements into the image, before saving the image file.]]
The subsequent "Export options" window allows you to choose the Font size for the text etc.
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The subsequent "'''''Export options'''''" window allows you to choose the Font size for the text etc. "50" is typical.
   
Save your pictures as jpegs as normal.
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Save your pictures as jpegs as normal with '''''File > Save As...'''''.
   
 
You can save all open tabs into a folder with automatic naming using '''File > Batch Save'''.
 
You can save all open tabs into a folder with automatic naming using '''File > Batch Save'''.
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==End Session==
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# Set the Camera shutter back to Eyepiece imaging (pushed IN) when done.
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# Close all your image tabs in AmScope ('''''Right-click''''' the "Live" tab and choose "'''''Close all but this'''''"), or just close the software.
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<br />
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''Demis D. John, 2022-08-26''

Revision as of 13:04, 26 August 2022

A number of our microscopes now have 14MP Amscope cameras with accompanying free Amscope software installed.

The software has already been calibrated for measurements on each microscope, users should not perform any calibrations without consulting Staff first.

Start Imaging Session

  1. Open the "AmScope" software, via Desktop icon or Start-Bar icon: AmScope 01 AmScope Icon.png
  2. Set the microscope shutter to use the camera:
    photo of camera shutter on Nikon microscope
    Camera shutter on Microscope 4 Nikon LS200, showing to pull slider OUT for camera imaging.

  3. Click the Camera in the software to begin acquiring images in the software:
    screenshot of software showing camera in Camera List
    Click the link in the Camera List

Choosing the Calibration

In order for the software to know which objective you are using, you must choose the appropriately named Calibration from the dropdown lists. (eg. "5x, 10x, 20x etc."). Staff have set the software to display the Calibration/Objective name and microscope on the scale bar in the corner of the image.

There are 2 separate ways to choose the calibration to use. 

During live imaging

BEFORE snapping the image:

On the bar right above the image window, use the drop-down menu called Magnification, which is used for measuring live images. (This is also available from the top "Options" pull down menu). Choose the calibration from this list during live imaging, before clicking "Snap".

screenshot of top menu bar
The Magnification dropdown menu.

Capture the Image

Then, when the live image is ready, click [Snap] to capture an image. This image retains internal knowledge of which calibration was used during the capture, and is loaded into a new Tab.

After Image Capture

To change the calibration applied on an image that has already been captured, use the top menu bar item:

Menu "Image" > "Resolution".  Choose the correct calibration setting for the objective lens you were using and you will now have calibrated measurements for the still image.

screenshot of popup window
Menu item Image > Resolution popup window with scope calibrations dropdown.

Saving an Image with Measurements

Perform measurements as desired using the various measurement tools (scale bars, line lengths etc.).

If you want the measurements saved onto the still image, use the menu item:

Layers > Merge to Image... to merge the annotation layer onto the image. This will create a new image tab that has your measurements burned into it, the original editable tab is also still open.

screenshot of menu item layers > Merge
Menu item Layers > Merge to Image... to burn the measurements into the image, before saving the image file.

The subsequent "Export options" window allows you to choose the Font size for the text etc. "50" is typical.

Save your pictures as jpegs as normal with File > Save As....

You can save all open tabs into a folder with automatic naming using File > Batch Save.

End Session

  1. Set the Camera shutter back to Eyepiece imaging (pushed IN) when done.
  2. Close all your image tabs in AmScope (Right-click the "Live" tab and choose "Close all but this"), or just close the software.


Demis D. John, 2022-08-26