Open data files into serial sections
Purpose
Combine multiple data files into one file that includes serial sections.
Context
-
To perform serial section reconstruction, our recommendation is to create one data file per specimen, containing multiple sections. If, instead, you have separate data files for each section in a specimen (i.e., multiple data files per specimen, each containing one section), use this command to combine the files into a single file with serial sections.
-
The command can be used to create serial sections from other types of data files, but the resulting files require further manipulation in the :
-
Multiple data files from a single specimen, each containing some, but not all of the sections for the specimen.
-
Multiple data files for a specimen, each containing sections from different specimens.
-
Procedure
-
Go to File > Open and click Data files into Serial Sections.
-
In the Open File window, use the SHIFT and CTRL keys to select all files to be opened into sections and click OK.
-
The Step 1: File Import Order dialog opens. The selected files are listed in the order that will be used for serial sections.
-
Arrange the files in the list if needed by selecting a file and clicking Move Up or Move Down.
-
Click OK to continue to the next step.
-
-
The Step 2: Section Mapping dialog opens.
-
Enter the information shown in Section Information.
-
Indicate whether The section cut thickness should be Added or Subtracted to the Z-position of subsequent sections.
-
Flatten All: Click to set the Z-position of all tracings in each file to the same Z-position. Alternatively, you can flatten tracings in the individual files you're opening by using the Z Level Change drop-down menu in the mapping table.
-
Mapping table controls: The bottom half of the window contains a mapping table, with a line corresponding to each file you selected to open.
-
File Name: The original filename
-
Section Name (file): For files without defined sections, Stereo Investigator generates a section called None. You can double-click the word None and type a name if desired.
-
In New Section: To assign multiple objects containing data to a single section; select a section number from the drop-down list.
-
Z Level Change: The default, Relative (default) preserve the Z location of tracings within a section.
Use the drop-down menu to select Flatten objects to set the Z-position of all tracings in the file to the same Z-position. This may be useful if you need to generate a map for visualization purposes; all objects within the section are mapped at the same Z depth.
-
-
Stereo Investigator merges previously existing sections with the same Z value into a single section. But newly generated sections are not merged with other sections, even if they have the same Z value.