MetaMorph® NX Software Module from Molecular Devices Sheds New Light on Multidimensional Datasets from the Inside Out

Molecular Devices, LLC, a prominent source of powerful software for the bioresearch imaging industry, today announced the release of its state-of-the-art module for transforming images into an interactive three-dimensional display within the MetaMorph ® NX Software.

The new module, now available for purchase, will be showcased at the 51st
annual meeting of the American Society for Cell Biology in Denver, Colorado, December 3-7, 2011.

The MetaMorph NX Software 4D Viewer offers an extraordinary perspective of images, allowing researchers to thoroughly examine datasets in not just three dimensions, but in the fourth dimension that shows how the dataset changes over time.

By combining volumetric and isosurface displays of channels with configurable levels of transparency, intensity thresholds, and color, the 4D Viewer presents the a holistic visualization of a multi-dimensional dataset.

“This newest addition to the lineup of capabilities offered with MetaMorph NX Software is an essential tool for researchers who need to visualize the entirety of their data in one integrated display,” said Mark Verheyden, President of Molecular Devices. “With one button click, researchers can now explore their datasets from the inside out, delving into objects and peering between layers, all while never leaving the MetaMorph NX Software workspace. The 4D Viewer
will undoubtedly become an indispensible component of the bioresearcher’s image analysis tool set.”

Gain new insight without additional work
The 4D Viewer is seamlessly and fully integrated into the MetaMorph NX Software user interface – there is no need to open a separate application, interrupt work in progress, or require pre-requisite processing to investigate the myriad relationships between objects in a three-dimensional display. Simply click the Open in 4D Viewer option to instantly reveal the threedimensional display and watch how the data changes over time.

Inspect images from all angles
Spin, rock, rotate, stretch, zoom, and pan across images by simply clicking a button or moving a mouse. The 4D View tab keeps display settings at hand, providing, for example, options for adjusting the viewing angle and Z distance between planes.

Interactively “cut” through orthogonal planes in the X, Y, and Z dimensions using the unique Slice Mode to provide compelling views of the interior composition of a multidimensional dataset. Channels, or illumination conditions, can be displayed with similar or different attributes, helping the researcher to fine-tune the images to expose even the most subtle of objects and identify
variations in shapes or intensities. Show the isosurface or volume of some or all channels as either fluorescence or brightfield. Move sliders to set the level of detail, smoothness, and transparency.

Create, save, and share in a variety of formats
Use the 4D Viewer to play a movie of the display and save it to share with others. Prepare images for journals by simply specifying publication-specific settings. Effortlessly create a presentation by exporting the display directly into Microsoft Office PowerPoint presentation software.