The most sophisticated of the suite of products, NIS-Elements AR is optimized for advanced research applications. It features fully automated acquisition and device control through full six-dimensional image acquisition and analysis.
NIS-Elements Advanced Research provides a total imaging solution covering image capture, archiving, and analysis. It was developed by Nikon for the most advanced levels of research—giving the user complete control of all microscope and camera functions.
The software is geared to deliver power and maximize workflow. It handles multi-dimensional imaging flawlessly, with support for capture, display, peripheral device control, and data management and analysis of up to six dimensions (X,Y,Z,Lambda(wavelength),T, multipoint). It also offers sophisticated image processing features, such as an extremely powerful deconvolution module, exclusive one-click database capability, and Extended Depth of Focus function.
The system contributes to experiment efficiency with a database building feature developed to handle archiving and searching of large numbers of multi-dimensional image files.
Unified control of the entire imaging system offers significant benefits to users for cutting-edge research, such as live cell imaging.
NIS-Elements performs live cell, 6D experiments quickly and flawlessly. It can organize X, Y, Z, Lambda (wavelength) and Time within one integral platform, for easier-than-ever multi-dimensional imaging. Four types of “dimensions” of acquisition - Time, Multipoint, Z-series, Wavelength (Multichannel) - can be selected.
RAM capturing enables the recording of sequences displaying very quick acquisitions lasting tens of milliseconds, by using a part of virtual memory to store temporary data of live images.
Automated Measurement
Measurement automation takes place when repetitive measurement tasks are to be performed.
Using binary objects, NIS-Elements can automatically measure sets of length, area, density and colorimetry parameters. About 30 different object features can be measured.
Automation procedure can be executed also by running a macro. NIS-Elements contains an easy macro editor for recording a sequence of commands.
Document Structure
NIS-Elements uses a sophisticated image documentation structure making it possible to achieve non-destructive archiving of image data including annotation (arrows, lines, text notes), measurement data,binary data for storing results of threshold or classification processes, and meta-data information for recording acquisition and device conditions at the time of image acquisition.
Each document (Image window) is a three-layer structure, and is therefore ideally suited for analysis. Multiple layer save is available with JPEG2000/ND2/LIM format.
Annotation layer - In this layer, graphical objects and texts can be stored in a vector format. The results of interactive and automatic measurements, arbitrary text notes and other annotations are stored there.
Binary layer - Pixels in this layer can be found in two states only (i.e. Black/White). A binary image is usually result of thresholding. It is used mainly for performing automatic measurements of the thresholded objects. More than one binary layer can be created for one image.
Color layer - Contains image data. When you open an image from a disk, it is loaded to this layer. It can handle images with the depth of up to 16 bits per color component. The dimensions of this layer determine the view of the other layers.
NIS-Elements can work for all common file formats, such as JPEG2000, ND2, TIFF, JFF, JPG, JTF, BMP, LIM, AVI, ICS/IDS. ND2 is a special format for NIS-Elements. ND2 allows storing sequences of images acquired during ND experiments. It contains information about the hardware settings and the experiment conditions and settings.
Image Analysis and Advanced Image Processing
NIS-Elements innovative image processing capabilities give users’ further control and functionality in their experiments. Advanced visualization methods, like capturing 3D data sets, 2D/3D data set analysis, and large image stitching can all be performed with relative ease with the software.
Morphology
NIS-Elements offers a rich spectrum of mathematical morphology functions (clean, erode, dilate, open, close, smooth), morphologic separation functions, linear morphology functions, fill functions (fillholes, close holes), skeleton functions (medial axis, skeletonize, pruning) and other functions (such as: binary invert, convex hull, contour, skeletonize, homotopic marking, zones of influence, etc.)
Merge Channels
Multiple single channel images (captured with different optical filters or under different camera settings) can be merged together simply by dragging from one image to another. In addition, the combined images can be stored to a file while maintaining their original bit depths or optionally can be converted into a RGB image.
Large Image Stitching
NIS-Elements includes impressive large image stitching capabilities. Here's how it works: samples are scanned automatically using a motorized XY stage with auto-focus capability and captured images are stitched into one large image. Special algorithms ensure maximum accuracy, resulting in ultra high-resolution images.
Data Management
NIS-Elements has a powerful built-in image database. The database supports image and meta-data, allowing users to create report templates or direct printed and PDF based reports. Various databases and tables can easily be created and images can be saved to the database via one simple mouse click.
In addition, filtering, sorting and multiple grouping can all be performed through the GUI's drag and drop functionality. Detail, thumbnail, icon and grid views are available on both the database image and the images on the file system.
Data Export
Some image analysis data and measurement tasks results can be transferred out of NIS-Elements so they could be used further. This regards for example the intensity profile, histogram, measurements control windows.
It is possible to export tabular data or a graph: to the Microsoft Excel, to an external file (*.bmp or *.txt), to clipboard, to web browser or to the report.
Reports
Report Generator enables the user to create customized reports containing images, database descriptions, measured data, user texts, and graphics.
PDF format files can be created directly from NIS-Elements.
Beside a common report, you can create a template for further use. A report template is a layout of the future report(s) which is ready to be filled with data. The data can be inserted by the user "on demand" or automatically (dynamic data).
User Adjustable Layout
NIS-Elements application comes with the built-in layouts “Full Screen” and “Docked Controls.” Layouts of all windows and toolbars can be freely customized by the user and saved. Switching between layouts is achieved by a single mouse click.