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Modifying Visual Characteristics

To modify the appearance of an object (i.e., structure) in the tracing:

  1. Select the object(s) -- See "Selecting Objects"
  2. Right-click while the cursor is positioned over the object(s) you want to modify.

The options available from the right-click menu are context-sensitive; they vary depending on the type of object selected.

ClosedHide

Sometimes you need to hide objects that obscure other objects. You can hide objects without removing them from the display.

To hide an object or group of objects:

  1. Select the desired objects.
  2. From the right-click menu, select one either Hide Object / Hide Objects / Hide Selected Contour / Hide Selected Trees.
    The objects are no longer visible in the Neurolucida Explorer window.

To restore hidden objects:

You can also selectively restore hidden objects.

To selectively restore hidden objects:

  1. Select Display>Reveal Hidden Objects. Neurolucida Explorer displays all the hidden objects in the display.
  2. Select the objects you want to reveal in the Data List or use the Selection tool to select objects.
  3. Right-click and select Restore Hidden Objects.
ClosedChange Color
  1. Select an object or group of objects.
  2. Right-click and select Change Object Color / Change Tree Color / Change Color. Neurolucida Explorer displays the Color dialog box.
  3. Choose a color, and click OK.


The contour or process type of an object does not change, only the color; if there are objects of this type (such as "outline contour") that were not selected, this type of contour now exists in more than one color. If multiple objects are selected, they are all changed to the same color, regardless of type.

ClosedModify Thickness

If the Neurolucida circular color option was used to trace objects of varying thickness, you can display this thickness.

To display lines with thickness:

To change line thickness:

  1. Select the lines or contours you want to change.
  2. Right-click and select Modify Thickness / Modify Thickness of Selected Contours / Modify Thickness of Selected Trees. Neurolucida Explorer displays the Modify Thickness dialog box .
  3. Type a new thickness in the Set text box. This sets all selected lines to the same thickness.
    -or-
    Type a new scaling factor in the Scale text box. This scales all selected line proportionally.

You can also use the Slider Bar in the Modify Thickness dialog box to view changes dynamically.

  1. Click OK.


Line thickness changes cannot be undone, except by resetting the line thickness manually.

ClosedChange Intrinsic Marker Size

If your image includes markers, you can change the marker size. Marker size can be set or scaled like line thickness.

Use the slider bar to view the size changes dynamically before they are implemented.

To change marker thickness:

  1. Select the markers you want to change.
  2. Right-click and select Change Intrinsic Size of Selected Markers. Neurolucida Explorer displays the Modify Marker Size dialog box Closed .
  3. Type a new thickness in the Set text box. This sets all markers to the same size.
    -or-
    Type a new scaling factor in the Scale text box. This scales all selected markers proportionally.

You can also use the Slider Bar in the Modify Marker Size dialog box to view changes dynamically.

  1. Click OK.


Marker size changes cannot be undone, except by resetting the marker size manually.

ClosedChange Line Type

You can change the visual appearance of a tree line or contour line

To change a line type:

  1. Select a tree line or contour line.
  2. Right-click and select Change Selected Contours to Line Type / Change Tree Line Type. Neurolucida Explorer displays the Change Line Style dialog box .
  3. Select a new style and click OK.
ClosedModify Z Position

If a section in a 3D reconstruction is out of order, you can change the Z position of a structure (or set of structures).

To change Z position:

  1. Select a structure or structures.
  2. Right-click and select Modify Z Position of Tree / Modify Z Position of Selected Contours. Neurolucida Explorer displays the Modify Z Position dialog box .
  3. Redefine the Z values.
    • Select Shift Z Values to shift all objects the same amount along the Z-axis.
    • Select Set Z Values to set all selected objects to the same Z value.
  1. Type a value in the text box.
  2. Click OK.

 

If you select Shift Z Values, you can undo the result. Choose Undo from the right-click menu. If you select Set Z Values, you cannot undo the changes.

 

ClosedSmooth trees

Available for dendrites and axons.

Use the slider to decrease the bends in the branches.

ClosedSet rotation angle

Use for entire tracing or a single object.

 

 

Neurolucida Explorer 11 | MBF Science Support Center | Downloads