Using the 3D environment for the first time

Basic steps

Before you start working in the 3D environment, follow these steps in the 2D window (this is only required the first time you start Neurolucida 360 software).

1. Create a profile.
   1. Select File>User Profiles.
   2. Click New Profile to create the profile.
2. Set up your workspace: Click (Image) Adjustment, (Image) Organizer, and Macro View from the Workspace ribbon.
3. If the 3D environment is not already open, click the 3D environment button on the Workspace ribbon to open it.

Start exploring the 3D environment

1. Load your file(s) by dragging and dropping onto the Neurolucida 360 3D environment window. Alternatively, you can select the Open File icon or the Open Image icon to load a file.

   Fiji/ImageJ users: If your large image file, created in Fiji/ImageJ, won't open or doesn't display properly in Neurolucida 360, follow these instructions to save them in a format that Neurolucida 360 can read.

   The Image Opener and Image Scaling windows may be displayed. Use them to specify how you want Neurolucida 360 software to handle your files

2. Examine the image/ image stack in the 3D environment.
   • Drag with your mouse to rotate.
   • Scroll the mouse wheel to zoom.
   • Hold down Shift and drag to pan.
   • Use the Image Adjustment tool in the 2D window to optimize image display with gamma, white point, and black point controls.
3. Optional: To trace in one channel within a multichannel image:
   • Use the Channel panel in the 3D environment or the Image Adjustment tool in the 2D window to select a color channel.
   • When a single color channel is selected, any structures traced or detected are associated with that color channel.
4. Click the Tree or Soma button or to start tracing structures or detecting somas respectively.