Time-lapse

The Time Scan allows images to be captured for display, archiving or processing, while incrementing a Time Lapse delay before each image. This can provide the ability to collect temporal information on static objects in the field of view. To run a Time Scan, go to the Sequence pane and select Time Scan from the Select Scan Type drop-menu. Click the Save Scan icon to save scan settings for repeated use. Use the Open icon to load a saved scan.

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 Advanced Camera Properties 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.

Hint: Use Frame Bundle to optimize performance in both speed and timing when using a sub-array while streaming an image sequence. The maximum number of frames available for bundling is relative to the size of the sub-array. Choosing the maximum number of frames to bundle doesn't necessarily mean maximum performance.

Progress

Event MarkersAllows the user to annotate the time at which a significant event occurred in an experiment. - Can be added to the data document file during acquisition as notable events occur in the experiment. Both the numbered buttons above and keyboard numbers may be used.
Time Elapsed - The time from the start of the first scan.
Delay Remaining - A reference to delay time. The right arrow button may be clicked to exit the delay.
Frame Count - Total number of frames captured.
FPS - Frames per second captured

Scan Settings

The Scan Settings panel is easy-to-use, simply set the speed, define the capture interval, enter the number of images to capture and where to save the data.

Storage and Display

Use AutoSave to define where and how to store acquired data.

CXD: Image data is organized and saved as a data document
TIFF: Captured data is saved as individual image files
MPTIFF: Captured data is saved as multipage tiffs

Note: MPTIFF files have a 65,000 image limit and 4 GB size limit. For image sequences having more than 65,000 images or larger than 4 GB, multiple MPTIFF files will be saved and numbered sequentially.

Determines if a live view is displayed in the image display or if acquired images may be reviewed during the acquisition.

Update Image Display: During a sequence captured images are displayed in the image display
Review Images: During a sequence captured images may be reviewed as newly captured images are added.

Speed

Select the maximum speed or a capture interval.

Enable Maximum: Capture to memory at maximum speed. During maximum speed, items which slow down acquisition will be ignored (exposure protection and Z auto-focus).
0 Delay: The scans runs at full speed without any scheduled time delays and may be saved to disk or memory.
Field Delay: A pause between each frame of the scan. Enter a numerical value followed by units. (e.g., 5 seconds = 5s)

Select whether write directly to disk or to memory for high-speed streaming.

Disk: Stream data directly to disk
Memory: High speed acquisition stream to memory
Temporary Buffer: High speed acquisition, images are stored in memory and then may be saved as tiffs or a data document, or may be deleted.
RAM: Sets the limits for the amount of RAM available for streaming

Control

Continuous: The scan runs according settings without a preset endpoint. The scan will be stopped when resources run out or can be interrupted using the Finish button.
End Frame: Defines a specific frame to stop the current scan.
End Time: Defines a specific time point to stop the current scan. Enter a numerical value followed by units. (e.g., 5 seconds = 5s)
- Hours = h
- Minutes = t
- Seconds = s
- Milliseconds = m
- Microseconds = u