What's new

New features and improvements in version 2022

See the current Release Notes or all Release Notes for Neurolucida 360.

  • New Batch Pipeline enables easy-to-use batch processing for image filtering and detection of neuronal structures

  • New Pipelines ribbon now houses features previously located in the Automatic section of the Trace Ribbon

  • Improved & expanded image support

  • New automatic, smart image-optimization preference for low-signal images available

  • Improvements to puncta detections, including recognition of manually traced soma for proximity-based puncta detection.

  • New display adjustment for visualizing varicosities

  • The Subvolume tool is now restricted by the bounds of the image

  • In the Cell detection workflow, the image source is automatically updated based on the image modality selected

  • Image montage can now assemble images of varying x/y sizes

SPARC Users

The Stimulating Peripheral Activity to Relieve Conditions (SPARC) program seeks to accelerate development of therapeutic devices that modulate electrical activity in nerves to improve organ function.

  • SPARC vocabulary term lists displayed as ontological trees

  • New Import 3D Model tool for displaying generic SPARC organ scaffolds in the 3D environment

  • Generate parametric models of neural tree tracings

  • New Reduce points slider makes it even easier to minimize the number of points used in tree reconstructions

Recent improvements

  • Faster image and data handling: Neurolucida 360 software uses a new approach to image and data handling based on intelligent image loading, maximized concurrent usage of CPU cores, multiple levels of data caching, and efficient use of RAM and GPU resources. Overall software function and performance is improved, highlights include:

    • Image- and data-files load noticeably faster than in previous releases

    • You'll notice that Neurolucida 360 software responds more quickly as you work; it handles hundreds of thousands of data points simultaneously.

    • Image adjustments are immediately displayed in both the 2D and 3D windows—without clicking any buttons.

  • Simpler software authorization: Neurolucida 360 autofills the online Authorization Request Form with information about your computer system. Just fill in your name and contact information, plus the name of your PI to submit the form.

  • More powerful Drag and drop file opening: Load your image files by dragging and dropping onto the Neurolucida 360 window. The new Image Opener makes it easy to specify how you want the software to handle your image files.

  • New Puncta detection tool in the 3D environment replaces the synapse detection feature in previous releases.

  • New subvolume tool in the 3D environment enables you to easily and systematically divide images/image stacks for analysis. It replaces the large volume reconstruction feature present in previous releases.

  • New Channel panel enables you to select one or more color channels to view, hide, and associate with structures in your images.
  • More options for selecting markers, contours, or vessels with the new Freehand Selection tools.
  • Classify segments of trees in tree-editing mode to facilitate later analysis using Neurolucida Explorer software.
  • Updates to the Image Montage tool that support automatic z-alignment and the option to consider image names in the 2D image-alignment process.
  • An additional option in the right-click menu for selecting objects in Trace mode: Select everything of this contour type

  • Updated the Illumination Correction tool.

  • You can now clip tracings to partial projection view in the 3D environment. In addition, tracing with partial projection will automove the image in the Z orientation.

  • The default image-save format is now .xml.

Recent enhancements for SPARC users

  • Network licensing is now available for SPARC researchers.
  • New Quick surface tool partially automates the process of creating contours to map interior and exterior surfaces.
  • SPARC Vocabulary Services launch when opening a file, rather than when starting Neurolucida 360 software.
  • Updates to how Neurolucida 360 software links to and interacts with the SciCrunch database to use SPARC vocabulary, including: