New imaging and data handling engines : MBF Bioscience software includes new image acquisition and image/data display technologies that maximize efficiency and speed throughout Neurolucida. Compile, save, load, display, and process your files much faster than before. These new imaging and data-handling engines employ intelligent image loading, concurrent usage of CPU cores, and multiple levels of data caching for efficient use of RAM and GPU resources. The speed and capabilities of Neurolucida software are now limited only by the resources of the computer on which it’s installed.
You will see major improvements in overall function and performance; highlights include:
Acquire much, much larger images than was previously possible—in the multiple terabyte range
Load very large image and data files noticeably faster than before—no lagging, no crashing
Handle millions of data points simultaneously—faster software response than ever before
Combine multiple data files, each containing massive numbers of markers and/or traced structures
Display image adjustments immediately in both the 2D and 3D windows—without clicking any buttons
Improved slide scanning workflow: The new imaging engine dramatically increases the size of images that can be acquired. The speed of image acquisition and assembly in the slide scanning workflow has also been improved. Benefits include:
Create larger slide-scans—at higher magnification and/or from larger specimens than possible in previous releases
Preview images before finalizing your large-image compilation settings
Include optional XY stitching for better image-tile alignment and cleaner compiled images
Mitigate uneven illumination artifacts in fluorescence imaging using (optional) intelligent, image-data based flatfield correction
View the amount of disk space needed for the slide scan before starting the image acquisition
Compile large images faster
Compile partial scans in the event an acquisition fails partway through
Software authorization and options: Easier software authorization—Neurolucida has a new, easier to use, licensing mechanism. License can be updated for renewal, or trial without having to connect to MBF staff.
Floating licenses are now available—share one Neurolucida license on more than one computer
More options for opening images
Indicate how you want Neurolucida software to handle and display your images
Open all images in container files such as Leica .lif and Zeiss .czi formats
Choose to display in a grid, stack images, or display on top of each other without stacking
Drag and drop to open files—the new Image Opener window makes it easier and more powerful
Neuron Tracing
Classify segments of trees in tree-editing mode to facilitate later analysis using Neurolucida Explorer analysis software
New End Tree choice when tracing trees enables you to continue tracing from any node, rather than automatically continuing tracing from the previous node
New Freehand Selection tools provide more options for selecting markers, contours, or traced structures
An additional option in the right-click menu for selecting objects in Trace mode: Select everything of this contour type
3D visualization window: The highly versatile 3D visualization environment includes a full suite of image optimization tools with state-of-the-art features that support your analysis and publication needs. Improvements include:
A new subvolume function in the 3D window enables you to easily and systematically focus on portions of images/image stacks
Color channel selection in the 3D window via a new Channel panel enables you to select one or more color channels to view and hide
New tool that clips tracings to a partial projection view
Other improvements
Updates to the Image Montage tool that support automatic z-alignment and the option to consider image names in the 2D image-alignment process
The default image-save format is now .xml
Research Resource Identifier (RRID) is now recorded in every xml data file
Simpler automatic exposure (in the camera settings) to achieve the target luminance for each image acquisition
Updated the Illumination Correction tool
Updated tool tips that display when hovering on buttons and tools throughout the software
New hardware support for the following:
Zeiss Apotome 3
Luminera CMOS camera
Basler cameras
New support for the following image formats
Big tiff
Hdf5
Custom Z offset is now available for use in Device command sequences
Neurolucida® Version 2021.1.1
Released May 2021
New Features and Enhancements:
Add ability to rotate individual points on a contour/tree
Added the ability to end tree tracing early, with a right click option. Added the ability to resume tracing by clicking on a node
Support for new Lumenera Lt-3200 CMOS color camera
Support for Zeiss MTB version 2.17.0.15
Support for Nikon RDK 1.4.0.115
Neurolucida® Version 2020.2.1
Released September 2020
New Features and Enhancements:
Basler cameras are now supported
Checkbox to “Use local help system” added to Preferences
PC serial nuber is now available in the About menu
Neurolucida® Version 2020.1.1
Released February 2020
New Features and Enhancements
Enables imporating of CSV or TXT files of regions or contour names.
Enables ability to search for names in the list of contours.
Added controls in the export tracing dialog for exporting images at a specific resolution.
Added an option in the Select Options to “select everything of this contour type”.
Added a new, fast cursor option in preferences. Selecting this option addresses potential issues with cursor delay.
New montage option ‘Order and align using image name’.
Neurolucida® Version 2019.1.3
Released July 2019
New Features and Enhancements
Cell detection workflow -step3: Added input text box to filtering slider under Parameters
Added font options and thickness to scalebar
Neurolucida® Version 2019.1.2
Released March 2019
New Features and Enhancements
Slide Scan workflow – step 1: fluorescent scan automatically selected when multichannel is enabled
Slide Scan workflow – step 10: users no longer prompted to save background correction image (brightfield only)
File>Preferences: “show lens in Quick Access toolbar” added
Neurolucida® Version 2019.1.1
Released January 2019
New Features and Enhancements
Automatic cell detection workflow added to speed up detection process.
Slide scan workflow added to simplify slide scanning
Completely redesigned Preferences panels with a handy search functionality
Export: New “Set neuron colors” button and button to launch neuron preferences (#159494231); scalebar color and placement controls; new EMF detail slider.
Huron support: Huron jpeg files, definition for Huron file extension, support for Huron TIFF images
Markers: Ability to set multiple markers as locus simultaneously, either by right-clicking marker in the marker bar, or by selecting multiple markers and changing locus status from right-click menu.
3D contour editing: Added button to reset all selected contours/shells back to Line mode display.
Slide scanning assembly operation: added notification about missing tiles or partial assembly; enabled assembly with missing tiles for partial acquisitions.
Sections: Display warning message when user attempts to change sections while moving to the next section.
Neurolucida® Version 2018.1.2
Released June 2018
New Features and Enhancements
Movie production in 3D: Redesigned and expanded functionality.
Mouse wheel: Function toggles between zooming and focusing depending on cursor location.
Tracing: Tracing commands in ribbon bar now disabled during Joy Track mode.