Tracing contours

Tracing contours (or mapping contours) is necessary for many of the analyses in Neurolucida.

A specimen is in view, and a reference point has been placed.
Click Trace>Contour Mapping.
Select a contour from the Contour drop-down menu .

To change the name and/or color of a contour, use the Options>Display Preferences>Contours tab.

To select a tracing method, right-click in the tracing window and select Simple Click Tracing, Rubber Line Tracing, or Continuous Tracing . The method chosen is strictly a matter of preference. General Preferences: Tracing

The tracing method can be changed at any time during the tracing by right-clicking in the tracing window

Trace the contour of choice.
- If the contour is larger than the field of view, it is easiest to trace if Move>AutoMove is turned on.
- If you make a mistake, click Edit>Undo to erase the last drawn points one by one back to the beginning of the contour.

Focusing while tracing

Control the focus via the use of the joystick or the Page Up | Page Down keys on your keyboard.
When using a microscope with a built-in Z motor system, focus using the microscope's focus knobs and the focal depth changes are reported to Neurolucida.