Since the integration with multiple instruments already exists, direct image acquisition from the instrument into the Image Locator would be pretty rad, for instruments that don't auto-generate acq files.
I know, I know. It's a great idea and we want to do it. And with this latest release of PSA we are confident that the basic structure and features in PictureSnapApp are solid, so we can start looking into adding this image acquisition sort of thing. Of course if you had PFE you do do this right now!
But we think we will start with the FEI image acquisition because in many labs, a lot of users start on the SEM to plan their EPMA strategy and then move the images over to the EPMA and re-calibrate and re-locate everything using PictureSnapApp on the EPMA. Right now in our lab, the students often scan their slides with a slide scanner, or using the IPEVO document scanner and lightbox:
http://probesoftware.com/smf/index.php?topic=999.msg6635#msg6635And then they annotate the image in PictureSnapApp on the SEM, using the point and FOV annotation features. Then they move their calibrated images over to the EPMA and boom, they are then locating their SEM areas of interest quickly and easily on the EPMA (or SIMS or whatever).
But if we could acquire BSE, SE, CL images right into PictureSnapApp on the SEM instrument before moving over to the EPMA, already calibrated, that would be cool. Of course we might have to charge new customers a bit more to support all this, but we would provide the new software to existing customers like yourself for free. Hey, there's benefits to being an early adopter!
If the images could be acquired based on a list of annotations at pre-specified conditions, that would be even more helpful. Researchers often have an idea of where they want to investigate, so if they come with a sample image they can easily set up a list of areas to pre-image and build up a feature rich visual dataset to start their investigation, or alternately, could generate a list of areas to image as they go and set them to acquire while they grab lunch or etc. If the instrument generates the appropriate data, a CSV of points and comments from the instrument could also be converted into a list of annotations to image.
In fact some students do this already on their laptops. They first install the software on their laptop (after all, it's free in demo and text input modes!).
http://probesoftware.com/download/PictureSnapApp.msiThen they configure the PictureSnapApp software for the instrument stage they are planning to utilize (whatever stage orientation and units it utilizes- though it really doesn't matter since it will all get re-calibrated on the actual instrument).
Then they import an image of their sample(s) (even just a cell phone snapshot of it), then open the image in PictureSnapApp, and enter some rough stage coordinates into the Calibrate Image window (remember PSA will now warn you if you're more than 10% off!).
Then they can navigate the sample in "demonstration" mode and annotate points and FOVs as they desire.
Once they get to the actual instrument, they simply open the image up. PictureSnapApp automatically transforms the stage units and orientation if necessary and then they simply locate their two (or three) stage calibration points and click Calibrate Image and they are good to go!
Pretty cool if I do say so myself.
