Microlucida interface overview

Browse the slideshow for a brief overview of the tool ribbons and other elements in Microlucida software.

Microlucida software functions are grouped into regions in the Main window:

  • The Quick Access toolbar at the top provides easy access to the tools you use frequently.

  • The Tool Ribbon is arranged with tabs that contain most of the tools you need to use the Microlucida system. Click a tab to access the File menu or any of the task-oriented ribbons that each contain related tools and commands.

  • The Viewing window displays your specimen: choose the live image from your Microlucida system, view an image file acquired previously, or a Blend of the two.

  • Docked tool panels: Customize your workspace by setting up docked windows for tools that you use frequently. In the default setup, tool panels required to use the Microlucida system are "docked" on the right side of the viewing window. Move them around and/or dock additional tool-panel windows by clicking and dragging in the title area of the window.

  • The Status bar at the bottom of the Microlucida software window reports ongoing processes and alerts you if there are problems; cursor information is on the left, status or instructions related to the current process or task are in the center, and notification of warnings or errors appear on the right. Learn more about the Status bar.

  • Right-click on any tool in any ribbon and click Add to Quick Access Toolbar to customize the Quick Access toolbar for your research.

  • You can also use the right-click menu to remove tools or to reset the Quick Access toolbar to its default state.

  • The Quick Launch on the right side jumps you to the tool you're looking for: start typing the name of the tool or command in the box, then click the item you want from the list that appears.

Tool Ribbons

Each ribbon (Acquire, Move, Trace, Image, Workspace) includes commands typically used for a particular task (e.g., contour tracing tools in the Trace ribbon). The Workspace ribbon is an exception; it provides access to all the dockable windows available in the program (e.g., Macro View, Serial Section Manager, etc.). You can hide the ribbons to expand your working space (simply double-click the ribbon area).

Click the small "cog" or "gear" icon in the ribbon to access preferences for tools in that section of the ribbon.

 

File menu

Find commands to Open, Save and Export files, access preferences (settings for cursor, mouse wheel, markers, etc.), and conduct hardware setup, and calibration (lens, parcentric/parfocal, etc.) tasks.

Themes

You can choose between a light and a dark theme. Go to File>Preferences, select the Display panel and select a theme from the drop-down menu under Interface Theme.