SPOT 4.1 Basic and Advanced Software Manual for SPOT Insight ...

Ch. 17 – Using Other Mac Imaging Application in Basic ModeAuto-Brightness (Auto, Live Images)Available only when you are using Auto exposure and viewing a live image, the Auto-Brightness optionenables you to maintain a consistent brightness level for changing specimens.Faster Readout (Live Images)Faster Readout enables you to “speed up” the live image display (higher frame rates) in cases where youare willing to sacrifice some resolution for a higher frame rate.Flatfield (Captured Images)The Flatfield Correct option is used to correct for display problems associated with uneven intensity orcoloration in illumination, or to correct for artifacts (e.g., dust) in the optical system.Note: Flatfield correction with the SPOT camera refers only to the correction of unevenlighting. It should not be confused with the correction of optical field flatness.To use the Flatfield option, follow these steps:1. Ensure that the specimen is under the desired objective and in focus.2. Control-click on the Flatfield drop-down list and click on the Add option. The Get Flatfield dialogappears.3. Choose a number of frames to average. Larger numbers of frames will increase the accuracy of theflatfield correction, but will also increase the length of time it takes to create the flatfield image. Thedefault number of frames to average is 3.4. Remove the slide from the field of view.5. Click on Begin. The program will acquire the number of frames that you specified.6. When the program finishes acquiring the frames, it will prompt you to block all of the light to thecamera. This can be accomplished by installing the dust cap that was supplied with the camera or byadjusting the microscope’s optical path. After the light is blocked, click on OK. The programcomputes another frame.7. After the program computes this frame the Flatfield dialog prompts you to name the file:a) Enter a name. Because flatfield image files are different for each objective, you might want toname the file according to the objective's magnification (e.g., 10x).b) Click on OK. If you do not specify a location, the program automatically saves the flatfield file tothe Library\Preferences\Spot Prefs\Flatfields directory.Note: The default file location varies, depending on where you installed the SPOT program.5. Move the specimen back into the field of view, and perform the image capture, using either thePreview or the Acquire option.User Guide to the SPOT Insight Camera 309