Stage Map File Sharing (Please provide examples from your lab!)

[Probeman]

All,
The StageMap window in PFE and other PS apps, can contain a large number of alternative stage map images for navigating your sample stage. Depending on your sample block you might want to use one image that shows your standard positions, such as this one in use in my lab:



On the other hand, some labs prefer a high resolution scan such as this image from Cal Tech:



On the other hand some labs require some customized holders such as this one our machine shop made for us:



To facilitate the sharing of these StageMap images, because other labs might find them useful, I've zipped them up and linked to them here:

http://probesoftware.com/download/StageMaps.zip

If your lab has created any other images that might be worth sharing with other labs, please post them as attachments in this topic.

Currently one must edit the Probewin.ini file to add a new StageMap file and calibrate it. This editing and calibration process is roughly documented documented in the User Reference manual, but we will post a simple tutorial on this process soon... but the stage map calibration is easily performed using the "@" button in the StageMap window as seen here:



In the meantime it will be helpful to mention that because one must use a Microsoft vector image format (*.WMF) for this stage map images.  This image format is still supported by Microsoft PowerPoint, but not by many other imaging applications. One "freeware" exception is IrfanView, which has a number of other useful features such as the ability to capture the mouse cursor in screen shots. This application is available on your PFE Installation DVD in the Installation_add-ons folder under Imaging Utilities and also linked here:

http://www.irfanview.com/

In general a good color scan using flat bed scanner works great...

[John Donovan]

I've improved the StageMap calibration feature so the software can now automatically save your calibrations to the Probewin.ini file using the new "Save StageMap Calibration" button see here:



Works for both JEOL and Cameca stage maps images.

[John Donovan]

This is an old topic, but while I'm thinking about image calibrations, I should also point out that the StageMap calibration process is very similar to the image calibration process. Both require two points and are automatically saved by clicking the Save... buttons in their respective windows as seen here:



This window has been slightly modified recently:

[John Donovan]

I also modified the StageMap calibration window to display the calibration for the currently selected StageMap as seen here:



Again, this is a comfort to me when tuning the calibration of the StageMap image...