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Open data files into serial sections

Use to combine multiple data files into one file that includes serial sections.

Before you start

To perform serial section reconstruction, our recommendation is 1 specimen=1 data file.

• But if you created a data file for each section in a specimen (i.e., 1 section=1 data file), use this command to combine the different files associated with the sections of your specimen into a single file.

You can use two types of data files:

• Files without defined sections: The program generates one section per file.
• Files with previously defined sections: The program identifies the existing sections and generates one new section per existing section.

Opening files into serial sections

1. Click File>Open> Data files into Serial Sections.
2. In the Open File window, use the SHIFT and CTRL keys to select all files to be opened into sections, and then click OK.
3. In the File Import Order window: To arrange the files in the desired order, select a file in the list and click Move Up or Move Down.
4. When complete, click OK. The program displays the Section Mapping dialog box.
   • Section Name (file): For files without defined sections: The program generates a section called None; double-click None to name the new section.
   • In New Section: To assign multiple objects containing data to a single section; select a section number from the drop-down list.
   • Z Level Change:
     • Relative: Use to preserve the precise Z location of objects within a section.
     • Flatten objects: Use if you need to generate a map for visualization purposes; all objects within the section are mapped at the same Z depth.

Tissue Mapper merges previously existing sections with the same Z value into a single section. But newly generated sections are not merged with other sections, even if they have the same Z value.