LAS EZ User Manual

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From Eye to Insight

LAS EZ
3.4.0

User Manual
LAS EZ User Manual

All reasonable steps have been taken to ensure that this publication is correct and complete, but should
any user be in doubt about any detail, clarification may be sought from Leica Microsystems, or their
accredited representative. The information in this document is subject to change without notice and
should not be construed as a commitment by Leica Microsystems. Leica Microsystems accepts no
responsibility for any errors that may appear in this document.

© 2017 Leica Microsystems

No part of this publication may be reproduced, transmitted, transcribed, stored in any retrieval system or
translated into any human or computer language by any means or in any form, without the prior written
permission of Leica Microsystems.

Microsoft and Windows are trademarks of the Microsoft Corporation.

Date: December 2017

Software Version: 3.4.0

Leica Microsystems (Switzerland) Ltd.


Stereo and Macroscope Systems
CH 9435 Heerbrugg
Switzerland

www.leica-microsystems.com/contact/service/

www.leica-microsystems.com/education
Table of Contents

What is LAS EZ? .........................................................................................................................5


What You Need .........................................................................................................................6
To Know
Feedback .........................................................................................................................6
Installation .........................................................................................................................7
Before Installing.........................................................................................................................8
Software Installation
.........................................................................................................................8
Installing LAS EZ
.....................................................................................................................................................................................9
Hardware Installation
.........................................................................................................................10
Which.....................................................................................................................................................................................11
USB version
Connections to the com puter
.....................................................................................................................................................................................12
Using LAS EZ .........................................................................................................................13
Overview .........................................................................................................................14
Menu.....................................................................................................................................................................................15
Bar
Workflow s
.....................................................................................................................................................................................16
Control Panels
.....................................................................................................................................................................................17
Im age.....................................................................................................................................................................................18
View er & Gallery
Menu Bar .........................................................................................................................19
Exit &.....................................................................................................................................................................................20
Options
About, Help & Cam era Inform ation
.....................................................................................................................................................................................21
Output Options.........................................................................................................................22
Im age.....................................................................................................................................................................................23
Output Settings
Save Im ages
.....................................................................................................................................................................................24
After .....................................................................................................................................................................................25
Capture
Shutdow n & Standalone
.....................................................................................................................................................................................26
Magnification
.....................................................................................................................................................................................27
Measured Settings .................................................................................................................................................. 28
Calculated Settings .................................................................................................................................................. 29
Controlling the .........................................................................................................................30
Live Image
Cam era Toolbox
.....................................................................................................................................................................................31
Adjusting Brightness
.....................................................................................................................................................................................32
Exposure Adjust .................................................................................................................................................. 33
White.....................................................................................................................................................................................34
Balance
EZ4 D .................................................................................................................................................. 35
Saving and Recalling Configurations
.....................................................................................................................................................................................36
Calibrating the Im age
.....................................................................................................................................................................................37
EZ4 D/ HD/ W .................................................................................................................................................. 38
Live Im age Processing
.....................................................................................................................................................................................39
Annotation
.....................................................................................................................................................................................40
Draw ing a Line .................................................................................................................................................. 41
Acquiring Im ages
.....................................................................................................................................................................................42
Recording Movies .................................................................................................................................................. 43
Viewing Captured
.........................................................................................................................44
Images and Movies
File Inform ation
.....................................................................................................................................................................................45
Directory Brow ser
.....................................................................................................................................................................................46
Folder Options .................................................................................................................................................. 47
Im age.....................................................................................................................................................................................48
View er
Image View er Tools .................................................................................................................................................. 49
Image Menu Options .................................................................................................................................................. 50
Pan Window & Magnifier.................................................................................................................................................. 51
Expanding the Image .................................................................................................................................................. 52
Movie Playback .................................................................................................................................................. 53
Im age.....................................................................................................................................................................................54
Gallery
Im porting Im ages
.....................................................................................................................................................................................55
Exporting Im ages
.....................................................................................................................................................................................56
Processing Captured
.........................................................................................................................57
Images
Annotation
.....................................................................................................................................................................................58
Information .................................................................................................................................................. 59
Scale Bar .................................................................................................................................................. 60
Line .................................................................................................................................................. 61
Edit ........................................................................................................................................... 62
Fonts .................................................................................................................................................. 63
Actions .................................................................................................................................................. 64
Updating the Calibration .................................................................................................................................................. 65
Enhancem ent
.....................................................................................................................................................................................66
Brightness .................................................................................................................................................. 67
Color .................................................................................................................................................. 68
Orientation .................................................................................................................................................. 69
Crop .................................................................................................................................................. 70
Confirm .................................................................................................................................................. 71
Troubleshooting .........................................................................................................................72
Hints & Tips .........................................................................................................................73
Index 74
What is LAS EZ?
LAS EZ (Leica Application Suite) is a software environment which
allows the acquisition, analysis and processing of high quality digital
images using Leica microscopes and cameras on a Windows PC.

LAS EZ comes with the latest Leica educational cameras and


microscopes , and provides the basic software for camera
configuration and control, as well as image acquisition.

Captured images can be viewed in a gallery, saved to specified file


locations and can have additional processing applied to them.

5
LAS EZ User Manual

What You Need to Know

SUPPORTED LEICA CAMERAS: OPERATING SYSTEM:


§ EC3, ICC50 / HD/ W, IC80 HD,IC90 E, MC120 HD, § Microsoft Windows 7 Professional or Ultimate
MC170 HD. 32 & 64 bit.
§ DMS300 & DMS1000 Digital Microscope Systems § Microsoft Windows 8 & 8.1 (for desktops PCs)
(with integral digital camera). 32 & 64 bit.
§ EZ4 D/ HD/ W stereo-microscopes (with § Microsoft Windows 10 (for desktops PCs) 32 &
integral digital camera). 64 bit.

COMPUTER SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS: § Always use the latest Service Packs.


§ Processor: 2.5 GHz Intel Core i-series / Core- § You must have Administrator privileges to
Duo. install this software. Normal LAS EZ operation
§ Memory: 2 GB RAM. can be at any level except 'Guest'.
§ Graphics: 256MB RAM supporting 32 bit.
LANGUAGE:
§ USB 2.0 / USB 3.0 port, or available space to § LAS EZ is available in English, French, German,
insert a USB card in a desktop or laptop. Italian, Spanish, Chinese (Simplified),
§ DVD drive, or internet connection for Japanese.
download.

§ The graphics adapter must support the use of


DirectX 9. (DirectX 9 is supplied with LAS EZ.)
§ Approximately 150 Mb of disk space for a full
installation. Further space is required for data
and image storage. Check free disk space
regularly.

Feedback

For help with any problems refer, firstly, to the Please describe the exact configuration you are
TROUBLESHOOTING section or to the section on working with and your software version,
HINTS AND TIPS. including:
§ Software Version number.
Also check the latest FAQ pages at:
www.leica-microsystems.com/education § Computer description (brand name,
operating system, RAM, language, etc).
If you still encounter problems, report any issues
or feedback concerning this software to: § Microscope or camera description.
ez.support@leica-microsystems.com § Description of the exact steps that produce
the error.
§ Screenshot of any error message.

6
Installation

OVERVIEW
§ Check your computer for a High-Speed USB / USB 2.0
port, or available space to add a High-Speed USB
card.
§ If necessary, add a USB card to your computer (PCI
card in a Desktop or PCMCIA card in a laptop).
§ If you already have a Leica microscope or camera
connected to your computer, you will be asked to
disconnect it before software installation.
§ Otherwise make sure the microscope or camera is
not connected.•
§ Install the LAS EZ software.
§ Connect or reconnect your microscope or camera to
your computer with the appropriate USB cables
provided.’
§ Windows will detect the microscope (or camera) and
install the drivers for it.
§ After the driver has been successfully installed, the
microscope or camera should be ready to use.

7
LAS EZ User Manual

Before Installing

PREPARATION SOFTWARE COMPONENTS


You must have ‘Administrator’ privileges in order LAS EZ installs a number of components that are
to install LAS EZ. necessary to run the LAS EZ application
Ensure your computer is correctly configured successfully. These are:
according to the recommended specification. § Leica camera and microscope drivers.
Make a ‘system restore point’, if necessary. § Microsoft .NET Framework.
LAS EZ generally will display in the language § DirectX Runtime.
currently running in Windows. If LAS EZ does not § DirectX Managed. (requires .NET and DirectX
support this language, LAS EZ will be displayed in Runtime to be already installed)
English. Once installed, DirectX Runtime becomes an
While the installation is in progress, do not integral part of Windows and cannot be
interrupt the installation or take the DVD out of uninstalled without reinstalling Windows.
the DVD-drive. The version on the DVD is the minimum required
for LAS EZ to work correctly. All other
components can be uninstalled or reinstalled
separately.
The LAS EZ installation process will install some
or all of these components, depending on what is
already on your computer.

LAS EZ DVD

§ Make sure you read the preparation notes before


installing.
§ Do not connect the microscope or camera to the
computer before the LAS EZ installation has finished.
§ Close any other running programs before starting to
install LAS EZ.
§ Insert the LAS EZ DVD into your DVD-ROM drive, and
the installation window should automatically display
as shown below. If this window does not appear,
open the DVD in Windows Explorer and double-click
"LASEZ.exe" .
§ For Computer System Requirements, Release Notes
and this How to.. page, click About LAS EZ (...).
§ For LAS EZ Manuals click LAS Manuals.
§ For feedback and hotline details click Customer
feedback and Hotline details.
§ To install LAS EZ click Install LAS EZ.
>>

8
Software Installation

Installing LAS EZ

§ You must first accept the Software License


Agreement.

§ Click Next and follow the instructions that


appear.

§ When LAS EZ has finished installing, you can


select the other options on the DVD or click
Exit to close the DVD menu.

9
LAS EZ User Manual

Connections on the Computer

Leica educational microscopes


and cameras use a High-Speed
USB (USB 2.0) connection to the
computer.
Please make sure both your
computer and Windows
operating system support High-
Speed USB (USB 2.0).
If your computer only supports A USB socket or port on your computer looks like this:
standard USB ( USB 1 or 1.1 )
please update your hardware.
In addition, if you are using
Windows XP, you will need at
least Service Pack 1 in order use
USB 2.0. often with a USB symbol

Does your computer support


USB?
The first step for proper USB
connectivity is to make sure your
computer supports USB and is
enabled.
In Windows systems this is
generally the case, but
sometimes disabled in the
computer startup BIOS.
If in doubt consult your computer
system administrator or
computer supplier.

10
Hardware Installation

Which version of USB do you have?

If your computer and Windows already


supports USB but you are not sure if it is High
Speed USB, you can check which version you
have in the following way:
§ Open the Windows Control Panel from the
Start menu and click System.
This will display your computer System
Properties. Note if the Windows version shows
any Service Packs. It must be at least Service
Pack 1 for Windows XP.
§ Click Device Manager.
§ Click and expand Universal Serial Bus
controllers (USB).
If one of the USB items displays the key word
Enhanced (typically "...PCI to USB Enhanced
Host Controller" or "...Enhanced PCI to USB
Host Controller" ) your system has High Speed
USB (USB 2.0) capability.
On some computers all the USB ports will be
High Speed. In other computers only certain
ports are High Speed USB.

If you connect the Leica microscope or camera


to a non-High Speed USB port you will get this
message on the Windows Taskbar:

Follow the instructions to find the correct USB


port. If a High Speed port is used the message
will not appear.

11
LAS EZ User Manual

Connecting the Leica microscope or camera to the computer

If you are connecting a Leica microscope


or camera for the first time on your
computer make sure you have installed
the software driver before connecting
the microscope or camera to the
computer.
Familiarise yourself with the USB cable
provided and the connections on the mini USB plug standard USB plug
microscope or camera.
§ Connect the power lead to the rear of
the base of the microscope. Do not
switch on the power. (EZ4 D)
§ Connect the mini USB plug of the USB
cable to the rear of the microscope
head or camera as shown.
§ Connect the standard USB plug to a
free High Speed USB port on the
computer.
§ Switch on the power to the
microscope. (EZ4 D)
§ Windows will now detect the newly
installed and connected Leica
microscope or camera and run the
Found New Hardware Wizard. Click
Next >.
§ During progress you will see another
Windows Logo message. It is safe to
click Continue Anyway.
§ At the end of the process Click Finish.

The Leica microscope or camera should


now be ready for you to start LAS EZ.

-- connect the mini USB plug -->

12
Starting LAS EZ

LAS EZ can be started from the


START menu or the LAS EZ icon
on the Windows desktop.

You can also open the LAS EZ


HELP from here. Select LAS EZ
HELP to open the help system
outside LAS.

LAS EZ has a context sensitive


Help system. By pressing the
F1 key you can go straight to
the relevant help page from
any part of the LAS EZ
Desktop.

13
LAS EZ User Manual

Overview

The DESKTOP shows program and microscope


controls on the left, and the IMAGE VIEWER
on the right, as shown below.

The DESKTOP is divided into 5 main areas:

§ 1: MENU BAR.
§ 2: WORKFLOWS.
§ 3: CONTROL PANELS.
§ 4: VIEWER.
§ 5: THE GALLERY.

14
Overview

Menu Bar

You can select overall application


user options, help and version
information.
Go to the MENU BAR.

15
LAS EZ User Manual

Workflows

The WORKFLOWS indicates one of the 3


different stages in the LAS EZ operation
and each workflow stage displays a
different view and a different set of
controls:

§ In the ACQUIRE view display and capture


the live image.

§ You can see the captured image in the


BROWSE view.

§ Further image processing can be applied


to the captured in the PROCESS view.

16
Overview

Control Panels

Program controls are contained


on tabbed panels within each
WORKFLOW.

§ In the ACQUIRE view there are


controls for setting up and
adjusting the live image. When
ready, you can capture the
image.

§ In the BROWSE View there are


panels for displaying
information about the selected
captured image. You can also
browse image folder locations
on your computer.

§ In the PROCESS view there are


panels for creating and
displaying annotation, manual
calibration and controls for
enhancing the captured image.

17
LAS EZ User Manual

Image Viewer & Gallery

§ The right-side and largest part of the § In the BROWSE and PROCESS views, the captured
Desktop shows the IMAGE VIEWER and image is displayed in the upper part and thumbnail
GALLERY. images in the GALLERY appear along the lower part.

§ In the ACQUIRE view the live image fills


the IMAGE VIEWER, as above.

18
Menu Bar

Menu Bar

The Menu Bar allows you to:

§ CLOSE THE APPLICATION.


§ ACQUIRE AN IMAGE.
§ SHOW FULL SCREEN MODE.
§ SET OUTPUT OPTIONS.
§ READ THIS HELP FILE.
§ VIEW LAS EZ VERSION DETAILS.
§ CAMERA DETAILS.

19
LAS EZ User Manual

Exit & Options

Click FILE > EXIT.


or click the [X] on the right-
side of the Menu Bar.
or press ALT+F keys and then
press ENTER (or then press ALT
+X keys),
or press ALT+F4.

Click OPTIONS > ACQUIRE IMAGE.


or press F3 key to acquire an
image.
This option is only available
when the Acquire View is
active.

Click OPTIONS > FULL SCREEN.


or press F5 key.
Press ESC to return to normal
viewing mode.

Click OPTIONS > PREFERENCES.


or press CTRL+O keys.
Before you start capturing
images, select your Output
Options. These options
determine the captured
image file format (eg. jpeg or
tiff), how you order the
images in the gallery and
whether you want to see the
captured image immediately
either in the gallery or to
apply further processing.
You can change these options
at any time, but they are not
applied to images already
captured.

20
Menu Bar

About, Help & Camera Information

Click HELP > ABOUT LEICA


APPLICATION SUITE...
or press ALT + H keys.

Click HELP > LAS HELP


or press ALT + H keys.

§ LAS EZ also has a context


sensitive Help system.
Press F1 key to open the
help file page relating to
the View and Control you
are currently in.

Click HELP > CAMERA


INFORMATION...
or press ALT + H keys.

21
LAS EZ User Manual

Output Options

Set preferences for the following:

§ IMAGE OUTPUT SETTINGS

§ SHUTDOWN
(EZ4 D, ICC50 & HD Cameras).

§ MAGNIFICATION

22
Output Options

Image Output Settings

AUTO SAVE: Check to


automatically save captured
images to the folder
specified in IN THIS FOLDER...

IN THIS FOLDER ... Specify the


location of saved images or
browse by clicking.

The default location is \My


Documents \ My pictures.

WITH THIS NAME: The saved


image file name with an
automatically incremented
number added to the end of
the name.

By default (and if the name is


blank) this name is "image".
Creating a new name restarts
the numbering from 1.

23
LAS EZ User Manual

Save Images

ZERO PADDING: Adds the


number of zeros to the
beginning of the file name,
eg. image01, image02,
image001, image002. Padding
is useful for sorting images
where, for example, image2
otherwise appears after
image19. In this case use
image02 and image19.
The default is 2.

WITH THIS BITDEPTH: Select the


bit-depth of the saved file.
16-bit (Tiff only) will provide
more detail in the image
compared to 8-bit. However
16-bit will also make the file
size larger. Use IMAGE
BITDEPTH will take the bit-
depth automatically from the
microscope.
The default is 8-bit.

IN THIS FORMAT: Select the file


format from Tiff (.tif), Bitmap
(.bmp) or Jpeg (.jpg) file
types. A Jpeg is the smallest
file size.
The default is Jpeg.

24
Output Options

After Capture

After capture it is possible to


switch to any of the workflow
views.

DO NOTHING: You can remain in


the ACQUIRE view.

OPEN IN: You can switch to the


BROWSE view to add image
information, or the PROCESS
view to modify the captured
image.

OPEN IMAGE USING: You can


open your captured image in
another program.

25
LAS EZ User Manual

Shutdown & Standalone

The EZ4 D, ICC50 and HD cameras


can be used without LAS EZ, in
standalone mode.
This option allows you to adjust
the camera/microscope settings
before closing LAS EZ.

§ IF ADJUST CAMERA SETTINGS


BEFORE CLOSING THE APPLICATION
is not checked the camera will
start again with the current
settings.

§ If it is checked, LAS EZ will


always display a STANDALONE
CAMERA SETTINGS window
where you can change the
camera settings before closing.

Choose from:
§ FACTORY SETTINGS: Resets
the camera to the default
settings.

§ CURRENT SETTINGS: The


camera closes with the
current settings.

§ ADJUST BRIGHTNESS: You can


modify the BRIGHTNESS
level, but SATURATION will
be set to 100%.

Click OK. This will set the


camera settings and close LAS
EZ.

26
Output Options

Magnification

These settings determine how the captured image At least one magnification must be entered for
is calibrated in LAS EZ. You can only edit them in a calibration to be possible, but any number up
the ACQUIRE workflow. to a maximum of 12 magnifications is allowed.

When you connect a camera, it is recognised by its


model and serial number.

LAS EZ automatically creates a list of default CALIBRATION UNITS: Select the type of calibration
calibration (magnification) settings for that camera. units used at the time of capture from:
You can edit these default settings in Preferences > § Nanometers (nm).
Magnification. § Microns (µm).
§ Millimeters (mm).
§ Centimeters (cm).
There are two ways to edit the default § Meters (m).
magnification settings for a camera: § Inches (in).
§ Mils (mil).
Measured settings
The default units are millimeters.
Calculated settings

27
LAS EZ User Manual

Measured Settings

Each row represents a different magnification.

1. Enter a NAME for the magnification.

2. Double-click inside the LENGTH column to


display a Scale Bar on the live image.

3. Enter a LENGTH for the measurement, e.g. 4.

4. Select a UNIT for the magnification, e.g.


Microns.

5. Each change you make will automatically


update the label on the Scale Bar and the
value in MAGNIFICATION column.

6. The cursor will change to a cross-hair when


you hover over the ends of the Scale Bar.

7. Drag the ends of the Scale Bar on the live


image so they coincide with your known
measurement.

8. Press OK to save the Magnification


Preferences for this camera.

28
Output Options

Calculated Settings

Enter a NAME for the magnification, eg. 1x, 2x,


30x, 50x or Position A, Position B, etc.

Make sure you can easily recognise the


magnification on your instrument as soon as
you capture an image.
If you are using a Stereozoom, set the correct
zoom position.

Calculate the MAGNIFICATION for the camera:

Usually you should multiply together:


§ The magnification of the main objective (eg
1.0).
§ The attached C-Mount (eg 0.5 for EC3).
§ The zoom position (If a Stereozoom is used
eg 5.0).
§ Eg: Position A = 1.0 x 0.5 x 5.0 = 2.5.

§ Do not use the magnification of the


eyepieces since they do not contribute to the
magnification of the camera.

29
LAS EZ User Manual

Controlling the Live Image

The live image can be viewed


and adjusted in the Acquire view.

Use these to set up the optimum


image prior to acquisition.

§ CAMERA TOOLBOX:
Tools for image adjustment.

§ EXPOSURE ADJUST:
Manual controls for
optimising the image.

§ WHITE BALANCE:
Controls for optimising the
image White Balance.

§ INPUT OPTIONS:
Microscope settings.

§ CALIBRATION SETTINGS:
Calibration settings.

§ PROCESSING:
Additional processing
applied to the live image.

§ ANNOTATION:
Draw lines on the live image

30
Controlling the Live Image

Camera Toolbox

Click to enable MANUAL CONTROL .


Adjust exposure, gain, gamma and
color saturation manually.

Click to enable AUTO BRIGHTNESS.


This automatically sets gain and
exposure to the optimum as a value
of brightness. You can adjust the
brightness.

Click for default camera settings for


INCIDENT LIGHT.
Optimised camera settings for
viewing with incident light.

Click for default camera settings for


TRANSMITTED LIGHT.
Optimised camera settings for
viewing with transmitted light.

Selecting or does not


change the illumination, but only the
settings on the camera.

Click for default camera settings for


BRIGHT FIELD.

Click for default camera settings for


DARK FIELD.

Click to enable a manual WHITE


BALANCE on the whole image.

Click to enable/disable a ROI WHITE


BALANCE.

White Balance for the EZ4 D.

Click to enable MOVIE recording.

31
LAS EZ User Manual

Adjusting Brightness

Adjust the image using sliders to


control manually Exposure, Gain,
Gamma and Saturation.

EXPOSURE: Increasing Exposure


time will make the image
lighter. However as the
exposure increases the live
image refresh (frame) rates
will get slower. Minimum of
2ms on the left to 2 seconds
maximum.

GAIN : Increasing Gain brightens


the image without increasing
the exposure time. High gain
values can reduce image
quality. Minimum of 1x on
the left to 20x maximum.

GAMMA: Gamma adjusts the


'contrast' range of an image.
Moving the slider to the left
makes the image lighter and
with less contrast. Moving
the slider to the right
increases the contrast but
makes the image darker. The
default is 1.00.

SATURATION : Color saturation


can be adjusted to the left so
that the image appears as a
monochrome (black & white)
and to the right for a falsely
bright colors. The default is
100. Any other value will
slow the live image refresh
rate.

Continued >>>

32
Controlling the Live Image

Exposure Adjust

CALIBRATE: If checked, this


option enables the captured
image to be calibrated using
the Magnification setting
defined on the microscope
and in the Units defined in
the LAS EZ output settings.

Set the Magnification of the


captured image to be the
same as the setting on the
microscope dial.

RESET: This option will set:


Auto Brightness = On,
Brightness = 75%,
Gamma = 1.00,
Colour Saturation = 100,
Sharpening = Off,
...and resets the white
balance.

§ If AUTO BRIGHTNESS is
enabled, the panel will show
Brightness instead of
Exposure.
§ In this mode both Exposure
and Gain are automatically
adjusted to maintain the
specified Brightness level.

33
LAS EZ User Manual

White Balance

The WHITE BALANCE function performs a color correction in


the image source in order to display all neutral-colored
components of the image (all gray tones, from black to
white) without any color bias.

Click to enable a manual WHITE BALANCE on the


whole image.

Click to enable/disable a ROI WHITE BALANCE.


The mouse cursor will change to a over the live
image while ROI White Balance is enabled.

Left-click inside the live image to obtain a White


Balance at the mouse point.

White Balance for EZ4 D.

RESET THE WHITE BALANCE: Exposure Adjust >> Reset resets


the White Balance.

It also sets:
Auto Brightness = 75%,
Gamma = 1 and...
Saturation = 100.

§ It can also be done by selecting Restore Default in Input


Options >> Configuration. This will reset all camera
controls to the factory default settings.

34
Controlling the Live Image

White Balance - EZ4 D

The WHITE BALANCE of the EZ4 D by default, is


optimised for the LED illumination (color
temperature of 6000'K). In most situations this will
provide the best color in the live image. However in
some cases, this will not apply and the EZ4 D's built-
in auto white balance may provide a closer match.

You can switch between the two options while


viewing the live image.

AUTO WHITE BALANCE to use the EZ4 D's automatic


method.

LED OPTIMISED (Standard) for the default white


balance.
RESET THE WHITE BALANCE: Exposure Adjust >> Reset
sets the White Balance to LED settings.

It also sets:
Auto Brightness = 75%,
Gamma = 1 and...
Saturation = 100.

§ It can also be done by selecting Restore Default


in Input Options >> Configuration. This will reset
all camera controls to the factory default
settings.

35
LAS EZ User Manual

Input Options

CAMERA: You can select which camera is active when more than
one camera is connected.
Only one camera can be active at a time.

CONFIGURATION : This option saves or recalls the settings for


exposure, gain, format etc.

LAST USED: These are the settings that were in use when LAS
EZ was last used.

SAVE CURRENT: Saves the current settings to a named file of


your choice.

DELETE CURRENT: To delete a saved configuration, first apply


the configuration to the live image. Then either:
1: Select Delete Current, or:
2: Highlight the current selection in the list and press the
Delete or Del key.
Confirm to Delete or Cancel.

RESTORE DEFAULT: Resets the camera to its factory settings.

You can set the LIVE FORMAT independently from the CAPTURED
FORMAT.

36
Controlling the Live Image

Calibrating the Image

The MAGNIFICATION displayed in


this panel should correspond to
the magnifications created in the
Preferences.
The settings are specific to the
active camera.

In order to calibrate the captured


image, the Calibrate option must
be checked prior to pressing the
Acquire button.

1: Select the Magnification


from the list (eg any one of 6
are possible here).

Calibrating the EZ4 D/HD/W.

2: Click OK

3: Click Cancel to stop the


capture.

Calibration and magnification


values are stored in Browse > File
Information.

If a captured image has no


calibration, or you want to make
the calibration in an image more
accurate, you can do this in
Process > Annotation >Update
Calibration.

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LAS EZ User Manual

Calibrating the Image - EZ4 D/ HD/ W

1: Then in the following


Magnification Panel select
the Magnification from 8x to
35x.

2: Click OK.

3. Click Cancel to stop the


capture.

Please note - this is a


manual selection.

The Magnification selected in


this panel should correspond
to the value set on the
magnification dial on the
microscope otherwise any
calibration will be incorrect.

38
Controlling the Live Image

Live Image Processing

The PROCESSING panel allows:


§ Creation of a Shading Reference file.
§ Setting image Sharpening.
§ Image Flipping.
All of these can be applied to the live
image if required.

SHADING (not EZ4 D):


Ensure a suitable image is being
displayed.
Select Create a Shading Reference...
from the drop down box.
Enter a name for the file and click OK.

DELETE A SHADING REFERENCE:


To delete a saved Shading Reference,
first apply the configuration to the live
image and then select Delete Current.

SHARPENING:
Select a level (Low, Medium, Hard,
Robust or Off) to apply sharpening to
the live and captured images.

FLIP (not EZ4 D):


Check Flip Horizontal and/or Flip Vertical
to flip the live and captured image.

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LAS EZ User Manual

Annotation

Live Image ANNOTATION allows the


user to draw simple lines directly
onto the live image.

ANNOTATIONS IN CAPTURED IMAGES


All annotations drawn on the
live image are saved with a
captured image, even if they
are not visible (Show
unchecked).
The annotations can be viewed
and edited in Process >
Annotate after capture.

You can adjust the line thickness


and color before or after drawing a
line.

Check Show.

CHANGE THE LINE COLOR:


Click on the Line Color patch.

On the Select Color menu, click


on a Basic Color or drag the
target on the Wheel to the
desired color and intensity.
Click OK.

CHANGE THE LINE THICKNESS:


Click the up/down arrows to
change the line thickness.

The Line Thickness range is 1 to


25.

40
Controlling the Live Image

Drawing a Line

Check Show.

Left-click and drag the mouse


on the image to draw a line.
Up to 5 separate lines can be
drawn.
Attempting to draw more
lines will result in a warning
message.
Delete a line before drawing
another.

SELECT AND DELETE A LINE:

Where the mouse passes over


a line, the pointer will
change to a target icon.
Left-click to select the line, and
press the DELETE ( DEL ) key to
delete it.

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LAS EZ User Manual

Acquiring an Image

You can acquire a still image or record a


movie.

Adjust the live image for brightness


and white balance.

In order to calibrate the captured


image, the Calibrate option must be
checked prior to pressing the
Acquire button.

To capture a still image, click


Acquire Image.

To record a movie see Recording


Movies.

42
Controlling the Live Image

Recording a Movie

In the Toolbox, click to enable


movie recording.

Click RECORD MOVIE.

The maximum recording time for


each movie is 30 seconds.
Recording will stop automatically
after this time or you can click STOP
at any time.

Movies are saved in AVI format and


are identified in the Gallery with a
movie icon and duration.

See also Movie Playback.

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LAS EZ User Manual

Image Browser

Click on the BROWSE workflow tab


to open the Image Browser and
viewer panel.

§ FILE INFORMATION.

§ DIRECTORY BROWSER.

44
Viewing Captured Images and Movies

File Information

This panel shows all the stored


information of the current
captured image or movie.

§ The file information includes


the FILE NAME and TIME
captured.

§ The BIT DEPTH is shown per


color channel for each of red,
green and blue. So if you have
set 8-bit in the OUTPUT OPTIONS,
the total bit depth is described
as 3 x 8 = 24 bits per pixel.

§ The IMAGE SIZE shown is the


selected captured image
format.

§ If CALIBRATE is selected before


capture, the calculated
Calibration is shown.

§ If Calibration shows "1 pixel = 1


pixel", this indicates that the
image has not been calibrated
at the time of capture. You
must perform a manual
CALIBRATION on the captured
image to view any meaningful
results.

§ The MAGNIFICATION shown is


the value at the time of image
capture.

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LAS EZ User Manual

Directory Browser

The DIRECTORY BROWSER allows


the selection of images from any
folder accessible from the
operating system.

§ Navigate through the directory


structure by opening folders.
Double click the folder name to
open the folder.

§ Images in each folder will be


loaded and displayed in the
GALLERY.

§ The gallery displayed by


default, will be the one
specified in the IMAGE OUTPUT
SETTINGS.

Click to make the current


selected folder the default
capture folder for saving images.

Click to go to the current capture


folder.

Click to return to the last viewed


folder. This will take you back to
the previous folder.

46
Viewing Captured Images and Movies

Folder Options

Select a folder in the list.


Right-click for further
options.

Select CREATE NEW FOLDER to


create a sub-folder of the
current highlighted folder in
the list.
The active folder displaying
images in the GALLERY may
not necessarily be the
highlighted folder in the list.
To confirm double-click the
highlighted folder to show
the images from this folder.

REFRESH the list if you have


made any changes.

RENAME a folder.

GET IMAGES FROM SUB-FOLDER.


This option will display
images in the GALLERY that
are not only in the active
folder but also in all of its
sub-folders (if it has any). By
default this is off.

Double-click the folder in the


list to refresh the thumbnail
images in the GALLERY.

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LAS EZ User Manual

Image Viewer

The IMAGE VIEWER is split into two panes, a


gallery and a main image which displays the
selected image or movie from the GALLERY.

The GALLERY shows thumbnail images of its


contents.

48
Viewing Captured Images and Movies

Image Viewer Tools

The TOOL BAR at the side of the image displays the main tools that can be used from the
VIEWER.

§ Load one or more images into the current gallery.

§ Save the displayed image.

§ Print the displayed image.

§ Copy the displayed image.

§ Paste image.

§ Pan Window.

§ Zoom In.

§ Zoom Out.

§ Click this to scale the image to fit in the available display area.

§ Show the image in its original size. It may be larger than the viewer window.

Note: For movie files, these options are only available when the first frame of the movie is
displayed in the IMAGE VIEWER.

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LAS EZ User Manual

Image Menu Options

Right-click in the image to show


further image tool options.

SEND TO... This will be similar to


Windows Explorer right-click
file options in SEND TO
including:

§ Mail Recipient (email),


§ My Documents and
§ Compressed (zipped) Folder.

50
Viewing Captured Images and Movies

Pan Window & Magnifier

PAN WINDOW: When the image is too large


to display in the main viewer, a PAN
WINDOW can help to navigate around the
image. This shows a thumbnail of the
whole image with a rectangle showing
the portion of the image that is displayed
in the main viewer.

MAGNIFIER: For detailed examination of the


image, press and hold CTRL -key while the
mouse is over the image to show a
magnified window around the mouse
position. This option is only available in
Process > Annotate and Process > Calib
tabs.

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LAS EZ User Manual

Expanding the Image

The image can also be expanded


to the maximum width and
height within the LAS desktop.

Find the arrows between the


Image and CONTROL PANEL for
adjusting the width, and
between the Image and
GALLERY for adjusting the
height.

Click the arrow to show the


expanded image as below.
Click the arrows again to
toggle back again.

§ You can do this in the ACQUIRE,


BROWSE and PROCESS views.

52
Viewing Captured Images and Movies

Playing a Movie

Use the controls at the bottom of the


Image Viewer to playback movies.

Start / Pause playback.

Move to the previous frame or next


frame.

Drag to move to a different frame.

Elapsed time.

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LAS EZ User Manual

Image Gallery

The GALLERY MENU can be


displayed by right clicking on the
GALLERY view.

SELECT ALL IMAGES: Selects all


images in the Gallery.

UNSELECT ALL IMAGES: Unselects


all images in the Gallery.

DELETE SELECTED IMAGES: Deletes


one or more highlighted
images from the Gallery
folder.

HIDE SELECTED IMAGES: Hides


selected images from view.

OPEN CURRENT IMAGE WITH...:


Opens an image in the
programme specified in the
Image OUTPUT SETTINGS
PREFERENCES.

COPY SELECTED IMAGES TO...:


Copies selected images to a
specified directory (See
Exporting Images).

IMPORT FROM FILE: Imports an


image from a specified
location into the Gallery (See
Importing Images).

RENAME CURRENT IMAGE:


Renames the currently
displayed image in the
Gallery folder.

REFRESH THUMBNAIL: Refreshes


the selected thumbnail
image.

§ You can adjust the GALLERY


THUMBNAIL size using Ctrl +
mouse wheel or Ctrl + "+" or
"-".

54
Viewing Captured Images and Movies

Importing Images

As well as defining specific


locations for the Image files in the
gallery, it is possible to import and
export images to and from other
folders.

Right-click over the Gallery.

Select an image from the OPEN


file dialog.

Click OK.

A copy of the image will be


imported into the Gallery and
displayed.

§ The image file location does not


change and it is not moved to the
current capture folder.

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LAS EZ User Manual

Exporting Images

Select images to be exported.

Right-click over the GALLERY.

Select COPY SELECTED IMAGES TO...

Specify the folder to which the files must


be copied or MAKE NEW FOLDER.

Click OK.

§ Image Files will be copied to the folder


together with the supporting data files:

§ .LAN annotation files.


§ .xml other image data.

56
Processing Captured Images

Processing Captured Images

Click on the PROCESS workflow tab to


open the Image Processing panels.

§ ANNOTATE: Basic annotation.

§ ENHANCE: Basic image enhancement.

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LAS EZ User Manual

Annotation

Select annotation page by


clicking on the ANNOTATE tab.

LAS EZ is provided with basic


annotation facilities.

§ INFORMATION.

§ SCALE BAR,

§ LINE,

§ FONTS,

§ ACTIONS,

§ CALIBRATION.

58
Processing Captured Images

Information

Enter NAME and DESCRIPTION


into the fields and check the
desired boxes.
The annotations will be
placed in fixed locations on
the displayed image.

Check IMAGE NAME to display


the filename of the image

Check DESCRIPTION to display a


user defined description and
enter the description in the
text box.

Check DATE and TIME to display


the date and time of the
image capture.

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LAS EZ User Manual

Scale Bar

This displays a SCALE BAR.

Check SHOW to display the


scale bar. By default the bar
line is determined by the
Calibration and Units
selected at the time of
capture.

If no Calibration is selected
the Units show as
"pp" (pixels).
Select the END STYLE of the
scale bar:

§ None,
§ Short,
§ Medium or
§ Long.
Alternatively choose a defined
length with USER LENGTH and
set the value.

The default USER LENGTH is


relative to the size of the
displayed image

60
Processing Captured Images

Line

Up to 5 lines of variable thickness


and color may be drawn on the
image.

They can be any mixture of Line,


Arrow, Distance or Freehand.

Check SHOW and select the


TYPE of line:
§ Line Only
§ Arrow
§ Distance Line
§ Freehand

Left-click and drag the mouse


on the image to draw a line.

Up to 5 separate lines can be


drawn.

Attempting to draw more


lines will result in a warning
message.

Delete a line before drawing


another.

If the image has been


calibrated, the DISTANCE LINE
will be annotated with the
length in the chosen units.

To change COLOR of the LINE,


click the LINE color patch and
select the desired color.

Adjust the WIDTH by clicking


the up/down arrows.

Type a LABEL if ARROW is


selected.

To change the LABEL select EDIT

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LAS EZ User Manual

Edit Line

Select EDIT from the menu:


§ Where the mouse passes
over a line, the pointer will
change to a target icon.

§ Left-click to select the line.

§ If it is a freehand line, click


and drag a node to edit the
line.

§ Click on an end node and


when the cursor changes to a
double-ended arrow, click
and drag the line to a new
position.

§ Rotate the line by clicking an


end node, press and hold
the SHIFT key and drag the
mouse.

§ Select a line and press the


DELETE key to delete it.

62
Processing Captured Images

Fonts

To change FONT of the text


click SELECT.

The colour of the TEXT and


BACKGROUND may be chosen
by clicking on the color
patches.

Text may be placed on a


transparent background by
checking TRANSPARENT.

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LAS EZ User Manual

Actions

The annotation will be saved


with the image and also printed.

However, it will not be visible if


exported to a different
application unless it is MERGED
into the image.

Check HIDE to remove


annotation temporarily from
display.

Click the CLEAR button to


delete the annotation from
the image.

Click MERGE to merge the


annotation into the image.

64
Processing Captured Images

Updating the Calibration

If the magnification is not set


correctly the calibration will be
inaccurate, however small the
difference.(manual draw line)
Therefore, the calibration may be
done manually if a calculated
calibration is not available or not
quite accurate enough.

1. Open Process > Annotate.

2. Select the image in the


Gallery.

3. If required, display the


scale bar on the image.

4. In Update Calibration, click


inside the Length box to
display the calibration line
on the image.

5. Click on the line on the


captured image and use the
handles to reposition each
end to known points in the
image. Use a micrometer or
scale ruler for accurate
results.

6. Enter the known Length


and choose the Units from
the list.

7. Click Calibrate. These


manual values will now be
applied to all lines drawn in
this captured image.

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LAS EZ User Manual

Enhancement

Select the IMAGE ENHANCEMENT


page by clicking on the ENHANCE
tab

There are 5 collapsible panels to


change:

§ BRIGHTNESS, CONTRAST AND

GAMMA.

§ HUE, SATURATION AND INTENSITY.

§ COLOUR.

§ ORIENTATION.

§ CROP AND...

§ CONFIRM CHANGES.

66
Processing Captured Images

Brightness

§ Use the sliders to adjust the


appearance of the image.

Each parameter is varied


independently of the others so it
is possible to change them in any
order to get the same effect.

You can make as many changes as


you wish and then save or discard
the changes to the image with
CONFIRM.

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LAS EZ User Manual

Color

GRAYSCALE converts a color


image to a grayscale
monochrome (black and
white) image. Toggle back
again.

INVERT COLORS creates a


"negative" picture from the
image. Toggle back again.

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Processing Captured Images

Orientation

§ Click buttons to flip the image


or enter a value for the
rotation angle.

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LAS EZ User Manual

Crop

Click START, and draw a


rectangle on the image with
the mouse.

The rectangle size and


position will appear in the
panel.

Click FINISH to crop the image,


or CANCEL to start again.

70
Processing Captured Images

Confirm

Click APPLY to save any change


to the image.

REPLACE the existing image, or


SAVE AS a different image.

Click DISCARD at any time to


restore the image to its
original appearance.

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LAS EZ User Manual

Troubleshooting
THE LIVE IMAGE WINDOW IS COMPLETELY GRAY: THE LIVE IMAGE IS TOO DARK:
§ Check that the USB connection from the § Exposure or Gain is too low - increase Exposure
microscope to the computer is connected or Gain or both.
securely. § Gamma is set too high - decrease Gamma.
§ Check that the microscope power cable is § Auto Brightness is selected but the brightness
connected securely and the power is on at the level is too low - increase the Brightness level.
mains and at the microscope. § Check the microscope and lighting settings.
§ Check that the microscope camera drivers (still
and video) have been installed correctly and THE LIVE IMAGE IS NOT IN FOCUS:
that they are visible in the computer Hardware § Check the microscope settings and follow the
Device Manager. instructions in the microscope operating
manual.
THE LIVE IMAGE WINDOW IS COMPLETELY BLACK: § Compare the focus through the eye-piece and
§ Check the light conditions and the microscope compare with the image within LAS. It is
light settings. Ensure that light reaches the possible that they are not identical. As a
camera. temporary work-around, focus using the live
§ The incident lights are faulty or covered by an image within LAS. Contact ez.support.
obstacle. § Check the Zoom dial on the microscope. The
§ Incident light setting has been selected on the focus is automatically adjusted when zooming
microscope or in LAS and transmitted is in or out. It is possible this may be defective.
required. Contact ez.support.
§ The transmitted light box on the microscope is
faulty or has been covered by opaque POOR IMAGE QUALITY:
materials. § Check microscope light settings.
§ Transmitted light setting has been selected on § Check Exposure and Gain settings to avoid
the microscope or in LAS and incident is under- or over-exposure.
required. § Make sure the eyepiece fits snugly around the
§ Exposure or gain is too low - increase Exposure eye so no stray light enters the eyepiece. Cover
or Gain or both. the eyepiece to external light if it is not being
§ Gamma is set too high - decrease Gamma. used.
§ Auto Brightness is selected but the brightness § Check the Gain setting. An Increase in Gain will
level is too low - increase the Brightness level. increase the electronic noise of the microscope
camera. If you reduce Gain you should increase
the Exposure to compensate.

72
Hints & Tips

Hints & Tips

NAVIGATION WITHIN LAS:


§ Navigate check-boxes & edit boxes within
the controls panels, using the Tab key.

REFRESH FRAME RATES:


§ Press Ctrl+R to see live image frame rates
per second displayed in the top right
corner above the live image.

SLOW LIVE IMAGE PERFORMANCE:


§ Set Saturation = 100 in the live image
control panel. This will improve camera
response and performance.
§ Set the image Live Format to 640 x 480 for
faster live image refreshing.

BROWSING THE IMAGES ON YOUR COMPUTER:


§ In order to speed up the navigation of
images in the folders on your computer,
uncheck Get images from sub directories.

EXPAND THE LIVE OR CAPTURED IMAGE:


§ Click here to show how to expand the live
or captured image to fit the whole of the
LAS Desktop.

73
-D-
Index
Date 59
Delete 36, 54
-1- Delete a Line 41
Delete Current 36, 39
1:1 48 Description 59

-A- Desktop
Directory
14
46
Discard 66
Actions 64 Distance Line 61
After capture 25 Do Nothing 25
Alt+F4 19
Annotate 58 -E-
Annotation 40, 58
Arrow 61 EC3 22, 31, 34, 37
Auto Brighness 31 Edit 61, 62
Auto Exposure 31 email 48
Auto Save 23 Enhancement 66
Auto White Balance 34, 35 Export 56
AWB 34, 35 Exposure 32

-B- EZ4 D
EZ4 HD
22, 31, 35, 38
34, 38

background 63 -F-
Bar 14
Bitdepth 24 F1 19
Bit-depth 24 F3 19
Brightness 66 F5 19
Browse 44, 46 Faulty 72

-C- Feedback
File 45
6

file format 24
Calculated 29 File information 45
Calibrate 32, 65 file type 24
Calibration 24, 27, 28, 29, 37, 38, 65 Fit 48
Calibration Units 24 Fit to Window 48
Camera 19 Flip 39, 66
Captured Format 36 Folder 23, 46
Centimeters (cm) 27 Font 63
Clear 64 Format 36
Close 19 Frame Rate 73
color 61 Freehand 61
Computer 6 Freehand Line 41
Configuration 36 Full Screen 19
Contrast 66
Control Panel 14, 17 -G-
Copy 48, 54
Crop 66 Gain 32
Customer support 6 Gallery 54

74
Gamma 32, 66 Menu 14, 15
Grayscale 66 Menu Bar 19
Merge 64
-H- Meters (m) 27
Microns (µm) 27
Help 19 Millimeters (mm) 27
Hide 54, 64 Mils (mil) 27
Hint 73 Mono 66
Horizontal 66
Hue 66 -N-
-I- Name 54
Nanometers (nm) 27
IC80 HD 22, 31, 34, 37 Navigate 48
ICC50 22, 31, 34, 37
Illumination 34, 35 -O-
Image Browser 44
Image Name 59 Open 54
Image Output settings 22 Open Image using 25
Image Viewer 14, 18, 48 Open in 25
Import 54, 55 Options 57
In this folder 23 Orientation 66
In this format 24 Output Options 19, 22
Inches (in) 27 overview 14
Information 45
Inicdent 31 -P-
Input options 36
Invert 66 Pan 48
Paste 48
-L- Preferences 28, 29
Print 48
label 61 Process 66
LAN 56 Processing 57
LAS 5
LAS EZ 5 -Q-
Last Used 36
LED 34, 35 Quality 72
Line 61
Line Color 40
-R-
Line Edit 62
Line Only 61 Rename 54
Line Thickness 40 Replace 66
Live Format 36 Reset 32, 34, 35
Load 48 Restore Default 36

-M- -S-
Magnification 27, 28, 29, 37, 38 Saturation 32, 66
Magnifier 48 Save 23, 36, 48
Manual 31, 32 Save Current 36
Measured 28 Save Images 24

75
Scale 60
Scale Bar 60
Send To 48
Settings 22
Shading 39
Sharpening 32, 39
Shutdown 26
Standalone 26
Switch Camera 36
System Requirements 6

-T-
text 63
Thumbnail Sizes 54
Time 59
Tip 73
Transmitted 31
Transparent 63
Troubleshoot 72

-U-
Units 24, 27
User Length 60

-V-
Version 19
Vertical 66

-W-
White Balance 34, 35
With this bitdepth 24
With this name 23
Workflow 14, 16

-X-
Xml 56

-Z-
zero padding 24
Zoom 48

76

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