Microscope navigation becomes a matter of Zen

Edited by the Laboratorytalk editorial team Aug 6, 2007

Combination of software programming and design tools with traditional Zeiss optical and mechanical precision creates an optimal fusion between state-of-the-art technology and intuitive user guidance

With Zen 2007, Carl Zeiss MicroImaging says it is setting new standards in application-friendly software for laser scanning microscopy.

The Zen user interface is clearly structured and flexible, allowing it to be individually tailored to each experiment and user.

At the same time, the Professional-Basic concept of Zen reduces the complexity of the interface without, however, decreasing the range of functions - the users themselves decide at what point they require full functionality.

This allows them to focus their full attention on what really counts - their research work.

Any settings made can be saved and re-accessed at any time or sent to other users.

The colour and brightness of Zen's input fields and buttons are carefully adapted to the typical lighting conditions encountered in a laboratory environment.

The resulting improvement in contrast makes it possible to recognise details in fluorescence images that were not visible before.

The optimisation of the screen display for the 30inch widescreen format creates additional space which is useful in particular for complex experiments in which a large number of tool palettes and view windows are simultaneously open.

Extensive studies have confirmed that Zen offers intuitive user guidance and a short learning curve.

All laser scanning microscopes in the LSM 5 Family from release 2.8 onwards can be upgraded with Zen 2007.

The user interface of Zen is organised into three zones, following the typical workflow of the experiments performed: the tools for image acquisition and microscope control on the left, the worktable for image viewing in the center and file management on the right.

The layout of the left toolbar can be adapted to the personal requirements of the user.

Its clear structure allows reliable, easy operation of the microscope system.

If required, all tools can be decoupled and freely positioned on the screen.

The central area of Zen is optimised for the display and interaction with the acquired image data.

The tools required for this purpose are clearly arranged under the image and can also be activated and deactivated as required.

Navigation through the captured images and data is considerably easier with Zen: as many as three areas of the software are designed for this purpose.

The Zen file browser allows convenient management of saved image data.

In the "Expose" mode, all opened images in the image containers can be displayed like slides next to each other.

Up to three image containers can be opened simultaneously, hence allowing a comparison of several images.

The right column of ZEN shows all opened images with brief information on size, image type, etc.

and therefore provides a fast overview of experiments.

Totally new, carefully thought-out functions of ZEN make the operation of the hardware easier than ever before.

For example, the setting of the scanning module is supported by clearly laid out, colored displays.

The software joystick for the focus drive and motorized stages allow the settings on the microscope to be made quickly and conveniently from the software.