Before Capturing an image, first make sure that all of the relevant equipment is turned on, setup and functioning in HCImage. This includes the microscope, filters, shutters, stages and especially the camera. Second, make sure the sample is ready. If you are using a microscope make sure the sample is in focus through the eyepiece. Depending on the hardware configuration this may require selecting the Capture tab and clicking Live to bring the system out of an idle state.
Note: External control mode, Hamamatsu cameras have various external control functions for applications that require the camera to synchronize with external equipment. The external control modes vary based on the camera model, please refer to the camera's instruction manual for more information on controlling the camera externally. To see the capture modes that are available for the camera, expand the Trigger Modes, Speed and Registration panel in the Capture pane and click on the Capture Mode drop-list. To enable external control of the camera, select the desired mode form the drop-list. When using an external trigger mode, HCImage will not go Live, perform a Capture1 or begin a capture sequence until the camera is triggered. 
Capture settings can be saved as presets and then loaded when needed. Create multiple capture presets to easy change between frequently used capture settings. Capture presets may be selected from a list of saved presets available in the Capture Presets panel, located at the top of the Capture pane.
To add, remove or view the settings of a preset, click the ellipses to the right of the list, to open the Capture Presets dialog. Capture presets save basic settings such as the capture mode, channels, filters, exposure times, as well as output trigger settings and advanced camera properties. For a list of the camera settings that are saved, select a capture preset from the Capture Presets dialog and click View. HCImage will load the capture settings from the previous session when launched.
Note: Capture presets are not automatically saved before changing presets or exiting the software. To make changes to a saved capture preset, select the capture preset from the list, adjust the capture settings and click Save.
When AutoSave is enabled, while Live, click Capture1 and the current live image is saved to a location and using a name setup by the user in the AutoSave Properties dialog. Click the ellipses to the right of AutoSave to open the AutoSave Properties dialog, then enter the image name, destination directory, and more as described below.
Hint: Enable Open Capture1 to automatically open the captured image in an image document when Capture1 is clicked. If AutoSave is enabled, the captured image will also be saved. If AutoSave is not enabled, the captured image will be opened but not saved. Clicking Capture1 when Open Capture1 is not enabled will update the image display with the captured image.
Enabling AutoSave will automatically save the current image every time Capture1 is selected. The captured image is saved as a TIFF based on the file name and destination directory defined in the AutoSave Properties dialog. Enable AutoSave and then click on the ellipses to open the AutoSave Properties dialog.
Capturing a color image requires filter setup, for instructions on configuring filters, please see "Filter Shutter Setup."
Hint: Exposure Lock, when the ideal combination of exposure times have been achieved, click 
to the lock exposures. This locks current exposure ratio. These ratios will be maintained as any single exposure is changed.
Capturing a color image requires filter setup, for instructions on configuring filters, please see "Filter Shutter Setup."
Note: Image alignment, the Camera Registration feature allows the users to flip and rotate the camera image while Live. Click on the Registration button in the Trigger Modes, Speed and Registration pane to open the Camera Registration dialog. The simplified controls are easy to use; see the example below. 