The Segmentation+ workroom evolves in Amira Software and Avizo Software
The goal of segmentation is to simplify and/or change the representation of an image into something that is more meaningful and easier to analyze. More precisely, image segmentation is the process of assigning a label to every pixel in an image in a way that pixels with the same label share certain characteristics. To this end, Avizo Software contains a segmentation workroom, and since 2021.2 we have introduced a new version called Segmentation+ workroom. We are continuing to add tools and new features to enrich it.
Superpixel
The new Superpixel tool allows you to brush and select “superpixels” (groups of smart pixels) and create a voxel selection out of them. It will dramatically increase the speed and accuracy of your selection. Compared with the former tool, the Superpixel brush lets you “paint” much faster without having to precisely follow the contours of your selection.
Threshold
Threshold tool has been available in our Classic workroom for some time and is now ready to use in our new Segmentation+ workroom. This tool allows you to create a voxel selection from a threshold range, either in the current slice or in 3D.
Interpolate slices
The Interpolate tool allows you to interpolate the selection between parallel slices. You can segment only a fraction of the slices within your dataset. This new implementation in the Segmentation+ workroom is based on the same algorithm used in the Classic Segmentation workroom and has been enhanced to affect both Segmentation workrooms. This tool allows increased productivity of highly manual segmentation cases, handled with tools such as brush, Superpixels or Threshold. Thanks to the new acceleration, the tool performs significantly faster than before (3 to 4 times faster on a 12-core CPU).
New deep learning modules for segmentation in 2D and 3D in Amira Software, Avizo Software and PerGeos Software
Faster segmentation in 2D through single large 2D data slice tiling.
A new module called “DL Training - Segmentation 2D” is now available for 2D image-based deep learning model training. With it, tiling is now possible.
The tiling functionality allows you to automatically split a single large 2D data slice (input data) into tiles (multiple sub-slices of the same size), each tile being considered as an independent training sample. In addition, it is now possible to randomize the order of the training samples before assigning samples in training and validation sets.
Increase quality of your segmentation in 3D
A new module called “DL Training - Segmentation 3D” is now available for 3D image-based deep learning model training. As with “DL Training - Segmentation 2D,” this new module relies on 3D convolutions rather than 2D for ResNet and VGG-backboned U-Nets and generic U-Nets.
The tiling functionality splits the input volume into independent training samples.This new module allows training 3D models that better account for 3D object shapes, and better prediction results quality can be expected.
Better segmentation of 3D non-spherical objects in Amira Software, Avizo Software and PerGeos Software
The new Random-Walk Distance Map module computes a distance map from binary segmentation, reflecting for each foreground voxel the average time it takes to do a random walk from this voxel to a background voxel. Compared with Euclidean or Chamfer distance maps, this module is less affected by noise in the segmentation or objects of anisotropic shapes. It is therefore particularly well-suited for object separation workflows in the case of non-spherical objects and/or noisy segmentation data.
Xplore5D extension evolves in Amira Software
Enhanced user experience for large data conversion to SMS format
The SMS Converter is a tool embedded in the Amira Software Xplore5D extension, designed to easily and rapidly convert customer datasets into Thermo Fisher Scientific custom Out Of Core file format: SMS. The conversion step of your data is now guided and interactive.
New file formats supported
For users' convenience, the Xplore5D SMS Converter now supports a wide variety of file formats such as .tif, .tiff, .cif, and many others, thanks to the Bio-Formats third party library that provides more than 150 different formats. Using Bio-Formats, the SMS Converter supports single file multichannel datasets, single file time-series datasets, and single multichannel time-series datasets.
Quantitative analysis in ISP and IVP recipes
The following modules can now be used within the ISP and IVP workrooms and recipes:
- Label Analysis
- Global Analysis
- Sieve Analysis
- Analysis Filter
When you select a spreadsheet associated with one of these modules, the viewer will display the contents of the spreadsheet. Thanks to the addition of analysis modules directly in your recipes, you will be able to further automate your analysis and create more comprehensive recipes. You are now able to create recipes that embed all steps from image processing to quantification of individual objects and export the resulting spreadsheet.
Camera Bookmark, a new visualization module in Amira Software and Avizo Software
The versatility of the Camera Bookmark allows you to easily design your visual inspection scenarios, and with the ability to use them in animations, you will maximize the impact of the features you want to highlight through visual exploration of your data.
Amira-Avizo Software release notes
The Release Notes allow you to gather a deeper knowledge about this new version of Amira-Avizo Software. They include more technical explanations, compatibility notes, operating systems Amira-Avizo Software runs on, and a list of solved issues.
PerGeos Software release notes
The Release Notes allow you to gather a deeper knowledge about this new version of PerGeos Software. They include more technical explanations, compatibility notes, operating systems PerGeos Software runs on, and a list of solved issues.
Amira-Avizo2D Software release notes
The Release Notes allow you to gather a deeper knowledge about this new version of Amira-Avizo2D Software. They include more technical explanations, compatibility notes, operating systems Amira-Avizo2D Software runs on, and a list of solved issues.