ACT-1 Main Window
Upon initialization, the ACT-1 software main window appears on the computer monitor. This window presents a variety of on-screen elements including menu bars and Windows-style tool bars that facilitate capture, annotation, analysis, and correction of digital images. There are two image display areas, a larger window occupying the upper left portion and a smaller window positioned on the right.
The tutorial operates in a manner that is similar to the native Nikon software. A pop-up window will alert the user when a feature of the ACT-1 software is not implemented in the tutorial.
In the default configuration of the tutorial, the Live image is displayed in the large main window, with a captured image appearing in the smaller right-hand window. Visitors can explore the features available through the toolbars and menu bar, which largely duplicate the performance of the ACT-1 software. The Focus mark can be displayed and repositioned (the focus rating is not displayed), and the Histogram and Line Profile analysis features are fully functional. Most of the image-capture settings accessible through the five settings panels can be explored, and their effects are reflected in the image observed in the Live window.
In the Photo panel, Exposure mode and Gain settings may be adjusted, and the exposure compensation setting arrows (CMP) are active in any of the automatic metering modes. When the Manual mode is chosen, the Exposure Time control slider becomes functional. The Options panel controls allow the visitor to make adjustments to individual color channels (RGB), to select Shading Correction and Sharpness adjustment features, and to choose various image display modes. Brightness, Contrast, and Gamma adjustments to the live image can be made utilizing sliders available in the Live settings panel. Radio buttons provide options to rotate the image to various orientations, and a Mirror checkbox can be selected to flip the image.
A different captured image can be displayed by double-clicking the desired small index image in the Thumbnail display area. The live and captured images can be switched between the two display windows by clicking the Change Live Window button on the left-hand toolbar. With the captured image positioned in the larger window, the floating Annotation toolbar can be launched from the main toolbar or from the Image menu options list. A variety of graphical and text elements, as well as a superimposed scale, can be added to the captured image by utilizing the annotation tools provided by the ACT-1 software. Additionally, the tutorial allows the visitor to adjust the properties of each tool by clicking the Set button in the Annotation toolbar.
BACK TO DIGITAL SIGHT ACT-1 SOFTWARE
Contributing Authors
Matthew J. Parry-Hill and Michael W. Davidson - National High Magnetic Field Laboratory, 1800 East Paul Dirac Dr., The Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida, 32310.
