New Features in Imaris 6.2

Performance
Statistics
FilamentTracer
 
Summary
Color tab
ImarisBatch
Basics

 

• Performance

Imaris 6.2 features significant increases in performance for most image processing filters and object creation steps when utilizing a single processor. Imaris 6.2 also has the ability to use multiple processor cores or multiple processors for most image processing functions.

Preferences Window - Edit, Preference, Calculation – Change the number of enabled Processors

 

Multithreaded image processing results in typical increases in speed that approximately equal the number of processors minus one. For example increasing from 1 process to 4 processors results in a average 3X increase in performance.  In special circumstances users can receive up to a 64x increase in performance with certain tasks.

Time taken to perform image processing functions.Speed comparision between Imaris 6.1 and Imaris 6.2.

 

 

• Statistics

Imaris 6.2 adds additional statistical measurements and selection methods based on statistics.

For objects that have values that change over time, a plot is now created in Imaris to show this change over time for each selected object. Users can spot points of interest in the plot, select those time points on plot (the black line in the graph shows the position selected) and the visual view within Surpass will change accordingly!

Statistics Tab with plot when a statistical value for a selected object changes over time

 

For objects that are tracked, instantaneous velocity is now calculated for each object in X, Y, and Z at each time point. Displacement is now shown in X, Y, and Z as well as total displacement. Both parameters can be used for filtering, classification, and selection.

Left: Statistics Tab showing the total displacement and displacement in X,Y, and Z; Right: Statistics Tab showing the new Velocity value in X, Y, and Z

 

For images that contain multiple objects, the average of each statistical parameter for all objects in the image is now calculated. These averages are calculated for spots objects, surface objects, and filament objects.

Statistics Tab showing the average values for all objects in the image

 

• FilamentTracer

Imaris 6.2 adds many new features to FilamentTracer.

One of the most significant features is iterative creation of tracings. Automatically or manually trace a small region, using the new region of interest (ROI), then use this traced area as a starting point to continue automatic, semi-automatic or manual tracing. The combination of these new features allows for tracing of only specified areas, tracing of images that have no easy starting point, and tracing of images that are extremely large.

Left: Region of Interest Selection Window; Right: Region of Interest Addition Window

 

 

Filament before and after iterative tracing

 

 

Left: Final creation step for ROI tracing; Right: New possibility to use the existing tracing as a starting point for automatic tracings

 

Having problems with the automatic generation of starting points are ending points? With Imaris 6.2, while in the threshold selection step to include or exclude starting and ending points for filament tracing, it is now possible to manually add or delete starting or ending points in the 3D view. Simply shift and left click to add / remove ending points or shift and right click to add / remove starting points. No longer will finding a starting point be a problem for images where the filamentous structure is similar in size or doesn’t have a real starting point. No longer will you have problems with missed spines. No longer will background points ruin your tracing. The ability to add and remove points to the automatic creation of the filament saves you lots of time and prevents unnecessary manual editing after the creation of the tracing is complete.

Small blue spheres are manually added end points, box shows addition point

 

Another useful addition is the option to rebuild a filament tracing after completion but while keeping existing data. You will be able to you go through the Creation Wizard using your previous parameter settings as initial values. However, you can easily change just a few parameters without going in detail through all parameters again. This major advantage of this feature is that you don’t lose data that may have been manually added when a modification of the automatic parameters is needed.

A further improvement is the possibility to join two unconnected filament points or segments. A new filament segment will be created structurally joining previously unconnected points or segments.

Left: The rebuild tab now with the possibility to keep the existing data; Right: The edit tab now with the “Join” button”

 

• Color tab

Imaris 6.2 adds new features to the color tab.

The addition of transparency adjustment for statistics color-coded objects now allows you to display spots within a color-coded surface for better illustration.

Surface Objects that have been color coded based on Sphericity and made transparent to visualize the center points

 

The new material palette option creates and adds a new system of pre-defined colors into the color scheme for selection and use. Multiple colors are labeled and grouped together.

Example of the “Sheen” color Palette in the new Color Tab

Another feature is, that you will now be able to create and store your own favorite color. The newly created color is stored in the custom palette section, to use it for surfaces, spots and any other feature you wish or with other data sets.

Left - Color Tab with new add to Palette button to save custom colors. Right – Palette with custom saved color

 

• ImarisBatch

To integrate ImarisBatch, we have included Batch buttons for all batchable operations. For all the details on Imaris Batch please visit the ImarisBatch Product Page.

 

• Basics

Snapshot creation will be more flexible in Imaris 6.2. You will now be able to adjust the Dots Per Inch (DPI) modification for tiff images.

 

New File Formats - Imaris will now be able to read OpenLab LIFF / Raw files.

The 'old' tif reader dialog is back in Imaris 6.2. The tif Reader Dialog now has now two tabs where one can switch between the new and old dialog for configuring a series of TIF files. This gives the user lots of flexibility in reading a TIF or TIFF series into Imaris.

Imaris now provides a thumbnail preview for multi-image files (LIF, LEI).