Q1. What software is used with Bio-Rad Laser Scanning Microscope products?
Bio-Rad systems run under the following acquisition packages:
| Packages: |
| MRC-500 - MPL/SOM & COMOS |
| MRC-600 - MPL/SOM & COMOS |
| MRC-1000 - MPL/SOM & COMOS |
| MRC-1024 - LaserSharp & *LaserSharp2000* |
| Radiance - LaserSharp2000 |
The Radiance Series of LSM systems run under our 4th generation software package LaserSharp2000, which has also now been adapted so that it can also control MRC-1024 systems.
In addition to these packages Bio-Rad also provides 2 image processing/measurement and visualisation packages LaserPix and LaserVox for 2D and 3D work respectively.
Q2. How do I check which version of LaserSharp2000 is installed and how do I get the latest version?
When you are running LaserSharp2000 if you go to the help menu and select choose "About LaserSharp" to see the version number. Several new versions of LaserSharp2000 are made available each year and are installed by engineers during visits. In addition it is possible to download the latest version from our ftp site. Please contact your local service or sales representative for details on how to download and install the latest version.
Q3. Can I install other software on the computer controlling my LSM?
Bio-Rad recommends that customers try not to install other software on the acquisition computer.We recommend that user make provisions for a data station for image processing purposes and install other laboratory software on that computer. This will of course also help to free up valuable system time.
 Top
Q4. I am would like to back up my system occasionally, what LaserSharp2000 files should I back up?
| LaserSharp2000 files: |
C:\LaserSharpNT\Components\Configuration.txt
The Microscopy Specify Configuration File |
C:\LaserSharpNT\Database\LsMessages.mdb
The Methods Database, which also contains user profiles: You can and should compress this file occasionally by running. |
C:\LaserSharpNT\ConvertDBWizard.exe
This simply backs up the existing database with a file name with the day's date in the database directory and then compresses the database. |
C:\LaserSharpNT\Scripts\*.*
This folder contains text and bitmap files for Scripting. Backup of this folder is only necessary if your users have or do create their own scripts. |
C:\LaserSharpNT\MCU.ini
This file is only present on Radiance systems with Manual Control Units. The MCU.ini contains references to users and the .txt file that each users MCU configurations are contained in. It is therefore important to backup all .txt files referred to in the MCU.ini. |
C:\LaserSharpNT\LSRSHARP.HWMRC-1024 users only.
Needed to inform LaserSharp2000 of your system configuration. |
C:\LaserSharpNT\ndtable.txt MRC-1024MP user only.
Needed to set up the MP Neutral Density filters. |
Top
Q5. How can I practise using LaserSharp2000 or open my images on other computers with LaserSharp2000?
Training on LaserSharp2000 is available, please contact your local sales representative. I addition to this it is possible to set up LaserSharp2000 in emulation on any Windows NT or Windows 2000 computer for practise or data processing purposes. To do this you need to do three steps:
1. Install LaserSharp2000 on the data station. Contact your local service department if you need help to install LaserSharp2000.
2. Copy C:\LaserSharpNT\Database\LsMessages.mdb And either: C:\LaserSharpNT\RealHW.emu (Radiance Users) Or C:\LaserSharpNT\LSRSHARP.HW (Mrc-1024 Users)
3. And finally run the "LaserSharp2K No Hardware" shortcut from your desktop.
Top
Q6. What is the Bio-Rad PIC file format?
When running experiments in your laboratory you want to leave the automation to the equipment to let you get on with doing the science. One way in which Bio-Rad has made this easier is with the Bio-Rad PIC file. All image data is saved in the PIC file format automatically with either 8 or 16 bits per channel. This ensures that all of your data remains perfectly spatially calibrated from the time you collect in through to the finished measurements. In addition to simple calibration information, the exact configuration of the system at time of collection is stored in the PIC file. You can read this data back or even collect new images with the same parameters in the future. By automatically storing this information actually in the same file as the image data you don't have to spend time taking notes and there is no risk of loosing this information.
LaserSharp2000, LaserPix and LaserVox can all open and save PIC files. (Other file formats are also supported)
Like most well established file formats the PIC file can be opened by most image processing packages. If you are a software developer and would like information on the structure of the PIC file please email:
 CScustomer.support@zeiss.co.uk
Top |  CZ CellScience Ltd.
 Q1. Software
Q2. Check version
Q3. Install other software
Q4. System back up
Q5. Using LaserSharp2000
Q6. PIC file format |