Cell detection workflow

Purpose: Use the cell detection workflow to automatically detect, count and map cells in images.

Before you start

Open an image

Click Detect cells from the Automatic section of the Trace ribbon in the main Neurolucida 360 window.

The Cell Detection workflow window opens; follow the instructions to detect cells in the image.

Procedure overview and links

There are four steps in the cell-detection workflow: click a step to jump to detailed instructions.

  1. Image Geometry

  2. Setup

  3. Preview

  4. Filter and Finalize

Commands present in all steps of the workflow

Prev Step and Next Step buttons: click to move to the previous or next step in the workflow.

New workflow button: Click to start over; the settings will revert to those specified in the previous completed workflow.

Presets button: Click to select a preset and apply those saved settings to the current workflow. If there are no presets, you can save your settings as a preset in step 4.
 
  • Loading an existing preset: Click Presets and select a preset from the list.

  • Saving or deleting presets: Click Presets and select Edit Presets; the Save/Update dialog box opens. Do one of the following:

    • Type a name for the preset, and click Save.
    • Select an existing preset and click Delete to remove it.

Procedure

The numbered steps below reference the steps shown in the Cell Detection workflow window.

  1. Image geometry

    Click the radio button to indicate whether you want to detect cells in 2D or 3D and click the Next Step button:

    • Choose Detect cells in plane(s) for 2D images or to detect cells in a single plane of an image volume.

    • Choose Detect cells in a volume to detect cells in all planes of a 3D image volume.

      Note that you will jump to step 3 if you choose this option.

  2. Setup

    Select portions of an image plane or an entire image plane for cell detection (this step is not applicable for automatic cell detection in image volumes, selected in the previous step):

    Detect in image planes (available for image stacks)—choose one of the following:

    • Click the checkbox to detect cells in the Current plane only
    • Type plane numbers into the boxes or use the arrows to select multiple image planes for cell detection.

    Use image regions (available for 2D images)—choose one of the following:

    • Full image: cells are detected in the entire image

    • Use Region(s) of Interest: cells are detected in regions of interest

      • Click Draw ROIs to define regions of interest in which you want to detect cells;

        1. Trace contours in the main window.

          If the cursor is difficult to see, increase its size by rolling your mouse wheel.

        2. Click Continue in the left panel when all contours have been traced.

      • Click Select ROIs to select existing contours for automatic cell detection

        1. Click contours to select them. Each contour selected is displayed within a white box.

        2. Click continue in the left panel when complete.

  3. Preview

    In the preview step, you define and fine-tune the settings used for cell detection.

    Click here to go to detailed instructions.

  4. Filter and finalize

    In the Filter and Finalize step, you refine filter settings, choose a marker, and conduct the final cell detection.

    Click here to go to detailed instructions.

  5. Close the workflow.