WinCAM NDVI Analysis System
Image Analysis for Plant Science
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Regent Instruments Inc. since 1991

 

 

WinCAM NDVI

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WinCAM, NDVI, color analysis, measurement, CAM, color area meter  
WinCAM is regularly updated. Owners are invited to visit this web page regularly for news about updates with the features list. For questions, please contact our sales department at sales@regentinstruments.com
Most recent version: WinCAM NDVI 2024a
WinCAM NDVI 2024a

Release date: 10 February 2024

All versions:

  • WinCAM 64-bit can now acquire images from the STD4800 scanner.
  • Supports the LA 5th generation (13).
  • Analysis/Object & Background Detection split in two commands: Objects Detection and Background Detection. It is more responsive and faster.
  • 48 bits color & 16 bits grey image support added:
    • Color analysis can now be done on 48 bits color images for greater precision and accuracy (12 to 16 bits of color information per channel [Red, Green and Blue]).
    • Can now load, scan, edit, analyse and save tiff 48 bits color and 16 bits grey levels images.
  • The Command Area data are more detailed, better displayed and handle larger font sizes. Information and data colors has been harmonised with other Regent's products. User has more control over which data are displayed. Average and Total data can be displayed/hidden as a group.
  • Color Analysis can now be turned on or off also in Analysis/Measurements (in addition to Analysis/Objects Detection as before).
  • Analysis/Parameters: Speed, Memory & Feedback has been removed (Maximum Feedbacks is always used).
  • Undo Edition has moved to the Image Menu.
  • Image edition done in the Detected Objects image can also be applied to the Original image.
  • The Original image can now also be edited after the analysis. The Analysis is redone with pixels reclassification after edition. Note: If the Detected Objects image is edited, pixels reclassification is not redone.
  • Long Tooltips (temporary text displayed in yellow box when the mouse cursor is held without moving over a window item) are displayed on more than one line
  • A new Calibration function so that user can calibrate a scanner (and produce a Scanner.cal file).
  • WinCAM is now bilingual (French and English). The language choice is made in the Misc. menu or in the Welcome screen at start-up.

Bugs fixes:

Pro Version

  • Color /New Class won't do a reanalysis if the new class is cancelled.
  • Color /New Class will ask if user wants to reanalyse existing analyses (of current and/or all documents) or not if a class was added.

All Versions

  • Recreate Last analysed region crash if activated after an analysed image was loaded.
  • A problem with Undo Edition when editing the Detected Seedles image.
WinCAM NDVI 2022a

Release date: 01 June 2022

All versions:

  • Multiple documents are now supported, which means the user can work on more than one image at a time. Each document window contains its own image, graphic and data file.
  • Can now open TIFF "compressed" and JPEG 2000 image files.
  • Can now open PNG image files.
  • Analysed Regions defined close to or at the limits of the image boundary are no longer rejected, they are truncated to the image boundary and the error message is no longer displayed.
  • Color classes can be edited, loaded and created after the analysis (the latter is updated).
  • 3 more images can be saved in batch analysis mode. These are: The Color Classes, the Color Groups and the Objects' Color Classification Group images.
  • Modifications to the Simple Scanning Interface (in Image/Acquisition Parameters):
    • LA2400 Scanner 3rd Generation: Now works with TWAIN driver versions 6.5 (previous versions required 6.2).
    • LA2400 Scanners: The focus position can be modified (on the glass or above it).
    • The light source can be manually selected (when the scanner has more than one).
    • The image brightness can be increased or decreased.
    • The image contrasts can be increased or decreased.
    • Scanning can be done in portrait (vertical image as before) or landscape (horizontal image).
    • STD Scanner: An alternative light type can be selected. It enhances object's texture and 3D details.
    • No longer supports for the 4990 scanner model.
  • Right mouse click slider now shows by default the ActiveZone threshold value instead of 128.
  • Dialog Windows with entry fields: All entry fields are auto-scroll to allow for larger text or numbers to be entered.
  • Each menu has now its own Hotkey.

Bugs fixes:

  • A crash occurring after Importing a set of analysed regions and activating Recreate Last Analysed Region.
  • The window that asks for the Scan Area length and width was not displayed when Regent's Positioning System was not used.

32-bit version:

  • • ijl15.lib no longer required.

64-bit version:

  • Can load, save uncompressed tiff images larger than 4GBytes (BigTIFF).
  • Can read more BigTIFF large files (over 1GB).
  • Can scan larger images, up to limit of Regent's LA scanners TWAIN drivers.
  • Can read Exif and GPS tags in JPEG files
WinCAM NDVI 2020b
Release date: 15 February 2022

  • Color scanning is selected by default instead of grey levels (in Image/Acquisition Parameters).
  • Regent Positioning System is no more active by default (in Image/Acquisition Parameters).

Bug fix:

  • The window that asks for scan area size was not displayed (but should) when: Regent Positioning System and Scanner Manufacturer TWAIN Interface were not active in Image/Acquisition Parameters.

 

WinCAM NDVI 2020a

Release date: 10 March 2020

  • WinCAM is 1.2 to 4.1 times faster thanks to its Multi-Threaded support (which does tasks in parallel). The speed increase varies in function of the complexity of the analysis (the processing done) and the number of processors/core/threads in the computer. Faster speed gain can be obtained by using higher end computers than those used by Regent in September 2019 to make the speed tests.
  • Objects filtered out or rejected by the automatic analysis can now be revalidated (not all of them but most).
  • It is now possible to create rectangular or circular Analysed Regions of a specified size.
  • It is now possible to create a Vertical tile of regions of a specified size and gap between them.
  • Analysis/Measurements can get the analysis settings of an active Analysed Region for review or to apply them to others.
  • A manual and interactive object counter has been added (objects must be clicked in the image).
  • Image Edition of the Objects’ Classification image (while an analysed region exists) are now cropped to the Active Analysed Region during drawing (they were cropped when edition ended - now they are before).

64-bit version:

  • Can read some BigTIFF files

Bugs fixes:

  • Row ordering works in more situations.
  • Export/Import Analysed Regions were not working when there was a space in their name.
  • Batch analysis now handles correctly images containing exclusion regions.
WinCAM NDVI 2019a

Release date: 20 August 2018

  • New driverless protection keys (no more need to install protection key drivers). The key also now contains the WinCAM programs for distribution (not for execution).
  • Individual objects analysis of Huge images (with a large number of objects) is approximately 2 times faster.
  • Objects identification numbers can be attributed by rows of seedles (in increasing row and column order from top to bottom and left to right).
  • Lines drawn over the image can be drawn thicker (user selectable thickness). These are the lines used to identify: Objects’ Length, Width and Perimeter, Analysed and Exclusion Regions boundaries, Interactive measurements (Paths), Regent’s Calibration Target detected and size Scale.
  • Keyboard shortcuts have been added:
    • Ctrl + T to switch to Path Tracing working mode.
    • Ctrl + E to switch to image Edition working mode.
    • Ctrl + R to switch to Region creation mode.
    • Ctrl O to Open a new document (Acquire an image from disk or scanner).
    • Ctrl S to Save the image (with its analysis if it is done).
    • Ctrl I to activate the Display/Image Area menu command.
  • When loading an analysed image, the operator can choose to load or not 9 groups of settings (those not loaded are overridden by WinCAM’s current’s settings):
    • Individual measurements settings (to change the length and width method,...),
    • Object & Background Distinction parameters,
    • Path type,
    • Calibration,
    • Objects distribution graphic,
    • Image and Debris Filtering,
    • Data Saving options,
    • Color Classes and Groups definitions.
    • Objects Color Group Classification.
  • The image will automatically scroll when the mouse cursor is moved toward its edge when defining an analysed or exclusion region or tracing paths.
  • It now starts in Maximize state as a single window (instead of a window inside a window).
  • Windows menu is gone.

64-bit version:

  • Can now load images larger than 3GBytes

Bugs fixes:

  • Bug batch img acq, window ask for size is not displayed.
  • A crash when the Objects Distribution Graphic Vertical scale was set to Log while there was no analysed regions.
  • Useless reanalysis done when switching to image edition, path tracing and Region creation mode and no image edition had been done.
WinCAM NDVI 2018a

Release date: 07 November 2017

  • Four new spectral indices (NDVI surrogates) have been added (EVI, MSAVI, Green Chlorophyl, WDRVI).
  • Total Index value is now available in addition to average, minimum and maximum index value.
  • Some items have been renamed (spectral index instead of color index).
  • In the Welcome Screen, the NDVI analysis default settings can also be applied to images from scanners.

Bugs fixes:

  • HISTO data lines, the data saved to files were not correct if 1) Normalised (in Data/Saving Options) was active and 2) Some objects were filtered out during the analysis.
WinCAM NDVI 2017a

Release date: 26 April 2017

  • Supports NDVI cameras with Vis in Red channel and NIR in blue or green channel.
  • Supports the new LA2400 scanner third generation (introduced in March 2017).
  • Free style Analysed and Exclusion Regions (made with lasso) are faster.
    • Analysed regions without exclusion regions are 1.3 times faster than version 2016 and 13.4 than version 2013.
    • Analysed regions with exclusion regions are 1.4 times faster than version 2016 and 20.9 than version 2013.
    • The coarsiness (resolution) of lasso style regions’ boundary is user selectable, allowing a trade-off between spatial precision and analysis speed.
  • Rectangular analysed regions are 1.2 to 1.7 times faster than 2016 and 2013.
  • Some commands can retrieve settings of the Active Analysed region for viewing how it was analysed or to apply them to other regions (Object & Background Detection, Debris Filtering, Color Object Classification).
  • The NDVI-Color Index image can also be displayed by pressing shift before clicking the Original image selector in the Command area.

Modifications to calibration commands:

  • Calibration/Pixel Size Method has new features:        
    • It no more has the option of loading 1 or 2 images for calibration, it is always 1.
  • New Calibration won’t load an image, it will use the image displayed in the Image area.
  • If an analysed image is displayed while Load Calibration is activated, it will be reanalysed with the calibration loaded.
  • Regent’s target can be automatically detected and the image automatically calibrated.
  • Object & Background Detection has new features:
    • It can retrieve settings of the Active Analysed region for viewing and/or applying them to other Analysed regions.
    • Its histogram is for the whole image if no Analysed region exists otherwise it is for the active Analysed region.

Interface modifications:

  • Speed/Memory/Feedbacks names shortened (in Analysis/Parameters).
  • Pixels Classification Image renamed Detected Objects image.

Bugs fixes:

  • Misc/Print Whole Image when zoom was not 1.0, region boundary was not drawn correctly.
  • “Zoom to fit” used to display horizontal lines at some magnifications.
WinCAM NDVI 2016a

Release date: 15 March 2016

  • This is the first WinCAM version made and tested under Windows 10. It was also tested on Tablets with a pen interface under Windows 10.

Measurements modifications:

  • A new measurement, Color aggregation has been added.
  • Perimeter measurement is more precise.
  • Intersect Paths can now begin and end in an object or background.

Regions modifications:

  • Analysed and Exclusion Regions are much faster. Below are the functions/commands affected and some examples of speed increase.
  • Analysed regions without exlcusion regions are 1.07 to 1.76 times faster than version 2013. Larger gains are for free style (lasso) regions.
  • Analysed regions with exclusion regions are 1.23 to 13.03 times faster than version 2013. Larger gains are for free style (lasso) regions.
    • The right mouse click slider is faster (more responsive).
    • Activating, Moving, Resizing an Analysed region is faster.
    • Color analysis is faster.
    • The Object & Background Distinction command can consider or not exclusion regions (it is much faster in the latter case).
    Note that whole image analysis is 10% slower when no exclusion regions exists and can be up to 4.16 times faster when they do.
  • Analysed regions exported to a file then imported back will retain their name (instead of having numbers).
  • Analysed regions are reanalysed just once when deleting all Exclusion regions.
  • Existing exclusion regions are no more deleted when importing a set of exclusion regions.
  • Analysis/Measurements has been separated in two commands (Analysis/Parameters and Analysis/Measurements).
  • Calibration/Pixel Size Method has been redesigned and has new features:
    • Regent's target can be automatically detected and the image automatically calibrated.
  • Object & Background Distinction was renamed Object & Background Detection, has been redesigned and has new features:
    • Regent's blue or white background can be detected automatically.
    • An analysed region can be created automatically around the background.
    • Its Histogram displays pixels intensity distribution for the whole image if no Analysed region exists, otherwise it is for the active Analysed region.
  • Ask to save image after acquisition (in Analysis/Parameters) has been replaced by Save image before acquiring another and has those three differences from the former:
    • it will save the analysed image wether it comes from a file or scanner,
    • it will be saved after the analysis rather than before,
    • it won't ask for a name but simply append "An" to the existing name.

New features:

  • The coarsiness (resolution) of lasso style regions' boundary is user selectable, allowing a trade-off between spatial precision and analysis speed.
  • A Scale can be drawn in the Image area to show the relative size of the image content.
  • Images can be zoomed to fit the screen after acquisition.
  • Settings are no more saved in tiff file when image is saved before analysis.
  • Modifications to the objects distribution histogram above the image:
    • It can diplay the pixels intensity distribution.
    • Its data can be saved in a new separate data type lines.
    • It can set the horizontal scale automatically.
    • Is no more limited to 200 classes (now up to a thousand).
    • Its settings are saved in configuration files.

Interface modifications:

  • The Command area :
    • is wider at startup to allow the display of more information and data.
    • its Icons are larger (which makes their use more easy on tablet or small screens).
    • When paths are traced, their name, length and number of objects are displayed.
  • The analysis progress bar and message is displayed in the center of WinCAMÕs main window (to avoid hiding the title bar).
  • Save Original Image (With Analysis...) renamed Save Image (With Analysis...).
  • Image/Save Displayed Image renamed Misc/Export Displayed Image For Other Programs
  • Image/Save Image Region has been removed.
  • The Color index or NDVI value at the mouse cursor position is displayed instead of RGB color data when the mouse is moved over the image while the Pixels Classification Image is displayed.
  • Some Color/Display menu items have been renamed:
    • NDVI renamed NDVI-Index Grey Levels
    • NDVI Red Green renamed NDVI-Index Red Green
    • NDVI Red Green Blue renamed NDVI-Index Red Green Blue
    • NDVI Green Blue renamed NDVI-Index Green Blue

Bugs fixes:

  • WinCAM's MainWindow not visible at startup in very rare situations (easy to overcome by using default settings at startup).
  • A situation in which changing the histogram's horizontal axis was very slow when there was very large numbers in its vertical axis.
  • Objects filtered out from the analysis (using Analysis/Debris Filtering) are no more drawn (bounding box, number, length, width...).
  • Settings can be changed after an analysed region exists and will affect only regions created after the change.
WinCAM NDVI 2015a

Release date: 09 June 2015

32-bit & 64-bit versions

  • Compatible with Regent's STD scanner of third generation.
  • Color analysis is faster by approximatively 7 to 10% when no exclusion regions are used.
  • The Pixels Classification image can now be saved in batch analysis (in addition to the analysed image available in previous versions).
  • Displayed Images (but not analysed images) can now be saved as jpg.
  • Bug fix:
    • Color/Edit Classes is disabled as soon as one analysed region exists.

64-bit version

  • It can now load and save jpg image files.
  • It can now acquire images from 64-bit TWAIN sources (not from 32-bit TWAIN sources).
WinCAM NDVI 2013a

Release date: April 10, 2013

  • It can now scan at maximum TPU width with Regent's simple scanning interface (STD4800 scanner).
  • Analyses are faster than version 2012 (11.8 % to 62 % faster depending upon if whole image or analysed and exclusions regions are used and their shape).
  • Free style (Lasso) Analysed and Exclusion Rgns created interactively are done faster (does not apply to those loaded from files).
  • A new 64-bit version is now available (as an option at an extra cost). It can analyse larger images and is faster by 1.5 to 13 % compared to the new 2013a 32-bit version. It also has some limitations compared to the latter (inquire for details).
  • Drawing of analysed cells (identification number, length, width, boundary...) is faster (more noticeable with large images).
  • There is now a setting that allows to choose a trade-off between analysis speed and memory consumption.
  • Image/Acquisition Parameters has new options for Regent's simple scanning interface:
    • Dust/Particle removal filter
    • Choice of speed vs. higher quality scans (for very thin or pale roots)
    • Sharpen filter
    • Use TWAIN Interface has been renamed Use Scanner Manufacturer Interface (TWAIN).

  • Modifications to the interface (to make it easier for new user).
  • In the welcome screen at startup, the user is offered to choose between two settings, those used the last time and the defaults.
  • Analysis menu has been simplified and now contain the most important commands to the analysis.
  • Edit Sample Identification was moved from the Analysis to the Regions menu.
  • Pixels classification was moved up in the Analysis menu just below Measurements (to highlight the fact they are closely related) and renamed Objects & Background Distinction (to highlight what this command do in less technical terms).
  • Data/Data Save Options was renamed Data/Saving Options.
  • Calibration/Method was renamed Calibration/Pixel Size Method minor modifications have been done to its design.

Miscellaneous:

  • New App, Acquisition and Image selectors icons.
  • Image edition can only be done in the active Analysed Region. This accelerates the analysis updating when editing just one region.
  • After importing a set of Analysed Regions, they are automatically recreated (if an image is loaded before), there is no more need to activate Recreate.
  • The TWAIN code has been revised to support new scanners and improve existing ones.
  • Calibration with the Object of known size method can be done with a single object in one axis only (instead of requiring 2, one for the horizontal and one for the vertical axis).
  • Analysis/Filters renamed Analysis/Debris Filtering.

Bug fixes:

  • In Batch/Acquisition Parameters the directory where images are saved now works. Minor modifications to its design.
  • Image/Save Original Image was active only after an analysis was done, now it is as soon an an images is scanned or loaded (analysed or not).
  • Color analysis: Won't allow for more than 12 color classes per group.
WinCAM NDVI 2012a

Release date: August 10, 2011

Modifications to NDVI/Color index Analysis

  • The display of color index images is much faster. Switching the display back and forth between them and other images is also faster.
  • A new pre-defined NDVI formula called ENDVI (Enhanced NDVI).
  • Support for a new NDVI camera which has 2 visible color channels (instead of 1) and 1 NIR channel.
  • A new display option for NDVI data.
  • Analysis of NDVI images in two files is no more supported. NIR and visible channels should be stored in the same image in different channels.

The display of Color classes, Color groups, Objects color classification, Color index and NDVI images can be done from menu items or by clicking the Color image selector in the Command Area (the displayed image is changed each time you click it).

It is now possible to define a few exclusion regions and have the analysis updated only at the end of the last one (rather than after each one).

Analysis/Pixels Classification will no more modify the analysed region. It is provided to be used before the analysis. After an analysis, the slider (right mouse click) command should be used instead.

The mouse cursor color in the Image Area can be changed.

Bug Fixes:

Crash when saving the color classes, groups or objects classification image.

Display of a wrong color index image after an analysis.

WinCAM NDVI 2011

Release date: December 2010

• There can be more than one analysed region per image.

• A set of analysed regions defined on one image can be saved for later recreation on other images.

Warning of a limitation:
This version cannot read analyses saved in tiff image made with previous versions of WinCAM.

WinCAM NDVI 2010

Release date: November 19, 2009

• New measurements have been added:

  • The NDVI (Normalized Difference Vegetation Index) which is widely used in agriculture and forestry healthiness/stress assessment. It requires two images of a scene, one in the NIR (near-infrared) wavelengths and one in the Red. NDVI images and data can be created interactively or in batch (without operator supervision) from NIR and R images stored in a folder.
  • Color indexes can be computed on color images. The user can define its own index as a mix of an image RGB (Red, Green or Blue) channels or the ratio of two such mixes. One frequently used index, the Greenness also used in agriculture and forestry healthiness/stress assessment, is pre-defined. Color indexes images and data can be created interactively or in batch (without operator supervision).
  • WinCAM NDVI can use the NDVI or Color index images as input for the pixels classification and for area or morphology analysis.
  • Functions that turns WinCAM NDVI into a Profilometer, to analyse the grey levels (light intensities) or color variations along paths drawn by the operator over images. Grey levels profiles can be saved in data files while color profiles’ data are saved as a summary of their color content (length [in mm or other units] and percentage of total path length per color).

• There are two more methods to classify objects in function of color.

  • Objects can be classified in function of two color groups ratio (smaller or larger than a specified value).
  • Objects can be classified in function of their Color index or NDVI (see above) value which can be: 1) smaller than a specified value, 2) larger than a specified value or 3) in a specified range (between two given value).

• Reflectance calibration can be done using multi-steps targets to get reflectance measurements data and image.

• Miscellaneous modifications to allow larger image analysis.

WinCAM NDVI will automatically extract GPS data (Latitude, Longitude, Altitude, Direction, Date, Time) when they are present in tiff or jpeg files. These data will also be saved with the measurements data.

• Color classes specifications can be saved in RGB (Red, Green, Blue) or as before in HSI (Hue, Saturation, Intensity).

WinCAM NDVI now displays in the Information area (above the image) the pixel value at the mouse cursor position in the image. The data written depends on the image displayed. It can be; the RGB, Grey levels, Hue, Saturation, Intensity or Color index/NDVI value.

• Rejected objects are no more visible in the pixels classification image and their area is now included in the background area.

• Improvements to color calibration.

• Minor bugs fixed.

WinCAM 2009a

Release date: March 10, 2009

Image loading and saving in tiff files is much faster (±10X). This is most noticeable on large images (50MB and over).

It can load one more color tiff file format.

It can load wider images in old tiff format.

Image display at low zoom magnifications (1/16, 1/32, Fit) is done much faster (±4X).

The “Fit” zoom magnification will display larger images.

Right Click Slider (interactive pixels classification adjustment) is faster and work with larger images.

All functions of the program have been revised/modified to ensure they work with very large images produced by high-end very high resolution scanners and digital cameras.

Object color group classification % criteria is now precise up to 2 decimal digits.

It can scan a new image format: bi-level black and white (equivalent to a pixels classified image). The pixels classification is done by the scanner at the scanning stage. Note that this format is not suited for color analysis.

WinCAM 2008a
Release date: October 2008

This is the first version designed for and tested under Windows Vista (but it also works under XP). It has been produced by a different compiler (the latest available) and thus has inherited some enhancements of modern tools built-in (increased capacity or limits of some functions related to maximum image size).

Analysis is updated when the calibration method or its parameters are changed (while an analysis is displayed on screen).

Enhanced scanner calibration files. Allow WinCAM to support new scanners (with their positioning system with regard to our simple scanning interface) without modifications to it (no need to release a new version to support a new scanner).

Modifications to the interface

The mouse wheel can also be used to scroll the image horizontally (it was working before only in the vertical direction). Press ctrl and roll the mouse wheel to scroll horizontally. Press shift to scroll faster in both directions.

Modifications to the Command Area

  • Its width can be changed interactively.
  • You can right click the mouse in the Command area to set the information displayed there.

The graphic above the image display status (set with the ShowHide graphic button) is saved and restored at start up.

Will zoom closer to the mouse cursor location if it is in image area when pressing the “-” or “+” keys.

The Information area above the image will display more accurate information about the active calibration (scanner.cal, file, or none) when it is changed or canceled.

Misc. minor changes to the window interface of a few menu commands.

WinCAM 2007c
Release date: 22 January 2007

  • One more information is saved with color data (color classes' group owner).

Bug(s) fix:

  • Problem with STD1600 scanner. Cannot select the maximum scan area when Regent positioning system is used. Bug was present in version 2007a, b.
WinCAM 2007b
Release date: 2007

Color analysis (Pro version)

  • Objects can now be classified into color groups (Disease vs. Healthy) based on selectable criteria. One of them is the group with the largest area (Ex: if for an object the area of the Healthy color group is larger than the Disease group it will be classified as Healthy). Another criterion is to assign it to a specific group if its area exceeds a percentage of the object area that you specify (Ex: an object is classified as Diseased if the color of this group is larger than 10% of its area). The objects color group classification can now be displayed on screen (in earlier versions only the pixels classification into color classes and groups could be displayed). The objects' color classification can be changed with simple mouse clicks (to override the automatic classification in case of errors). Changes made by the operator to the default classification are traceable in data files.
  • An object color group classification can be seen over the image (object filled with or boundary drawn with the color of the group) and in the command area data when clicking an object.
  • Color/Display Groups has been replaced by a hierarchical menu with three items (to accommodate the new color group classification).

Color analysis (Reg & Pro version)

  • Color analysis produces and saves more data. For example, in addition to give each color class and group area per object and for the analysed region, its also saves the percentage of object and analysed region area in each class and group. More data are also saved for the dominant color class and group.
  • The default color group names are now Background, Healthy and Disease.
  • White balance can be done independently of pixels size calibration.

Morphology analysis (Pro version)

  • Objects can be manually grouped and analysed as a whole (number of groups, number of objects per group, total and average area, length, width, perimeter...).
  • Objects can be manually splitted in two or more parts (for touching objects).

Other Modifications

  • The sample identification window is now displayed at the beginning of the analysis (when clicking the image or defining the region to analyse) instead of at image acquisition. This allows to review or re-enter the sample identification information if the analysis is canceled and redone. During scanning, only the image size is asked if the scanner TWAIN interface or Regent Positioning system are not used.
  • There are now two commands to save an image, one with the analysis and one without it. The one which saves the image with the analysis only saves the original image while the other can save any displayed image (pixels classification, color classes, color groups or color objects).
  • The Analysis/Preferences items have been moved to Analysis/Parameters which has been redesigned.
  • Calculate projected perimeter and form coefficient in Analysis/Parameters has been removed (it is now always active).
  • Analysis/Restart Analysis is gone. Simply click the image or make a selection to restart the analysis.
  • Image/Save Images After Acquisition has been moved from the Image menu to Analysis/Parameters.
  • Display/Information Content has been splitted in two commands, one for Command area and one for the Image area. The text size can be set differently for each area.
  • The sample identification name (entered in the sample identification window) is now written in the upper left corner of the analysed region.
  • A plus "+" sign is drawn by default in objects center instead of a bounding box.
  • Global data are always saved (their saving cannot be turned off).
  • There is one more title line for grouped (merged) objects.
  • You can choose among three sample identification naming schemes. One of them is an automatic naming scheme optimised for field image acquisition (it requires less or no keyboard typing).
  • Updated manual with better instructions and more information for field image acquisition and analysis.
  • You can choose measurements units (mm, or cm) for the Intrinsic calibration method (used with scanners).
  • Support for new scanners, some ultra fast, some with dual lenses and other ultra-portable.
  • Information about the Scanner.cal file (if it is effective or not) and the scanner which calibration it contains (Manufacturer, Model and Serial number) is now displayed in Calibration/Method.

Bug(s) fix:

  • Interactive measurements (PATHS) are preserved after the creation or deletion of exclusion regions or modifications to the pixels classification (right mouse click, edition...).
WinCAM 2007a
Release date: September 2006

  • The analysis can be saved with the image (in standard tiff files). It can automatically be recreated when an image previously analysed and saved to a tiff file from WinCAM is loaded. This includes exclusion regions and image edition. The program settings can be retrieved from the analysed image or discarded. A new command named Analysis/Preferences has been added to store that setting.
  • The display of the color classes or color groups image is much faster (10X or +).
  • Added support for the LC4800 scanner.
  • The Pixels classification command has been improved. It now displays a histogram of the grey levels and color channels distribution to help select a threshold. It will also display the result of pixels classification from any method, including Based on color. This command can also be used to modify the classification of an analysed region (or image) after or before the analysis.
  • The Calibration/Method command has been redesigned. The Calibrate after acquisition option can be activated even if no Regent's target is selected. This allows to calibrate with any target when it is present in the same image as the object to analyse. Note that when Regent's target are not used, you must manually define an exclusion region around the target or make sure it is not in the analysed region.
  • An option to save analysed images during batch analysis (all or a sub-sample of them for a random verification).
  • Grey levels images with more than 8 bits per pixels (up to 16) can be analysed (Pro version).

Exclusion regions

  • They can be exported to and imported from files to apply them on different images.
  • You can create them without activating menu commands by pressing the shift key and clicking the image.
  • They can be activated by clicking them and commands can be applied to the active one (delete it for example). The active region is draw with a continuous line instead of dotted one.
  • Exclusions/Delete Last Exclusion Region has been renamed Exclusions/Delete Exclusion Region and will delete the active region instead of the last created.

Minor modifications

  • Color classes specifications and groups name are saved on each global data line. This allows to track color classes modifications over time when analysing data files.
  • When editing the color of a color group (for display purposes), only the parameters that can be changed are now active.

Bugs fix:

  • WinCAM will not ask to restart the analysis after calibration (it will be ready to analyse the image).
  • Right click mouse selection now works. Bug was in version 2006a.
  • Exclusion regions addition/deletion will preserve user modifications to pixels classification done with the right mouse click command.
  • All modifications to display colors are now saved in the cfg files.
WinCAM 2006a
Release date: March 10, 2006

Modifications to the analysis

  • You can choose amongst four methods of measuring objects length and width.
  • There are more measurements that can be done per object (form coefficient, perimeter...).
  • Debris filtering has more available criteria to reject invalid objects (based on their morphology).
  • Pixels classification (into objects and background) can be modified interactively for regions of any shape or the whole image after the analysis. The process is very interactive and easy. Pixels that fall into the object group are drawn a different color over the original image as the pixel classification criteria is modified by moving a slider bar.
  • The pixels classification image can be edited (like it was possible for the original image before) to manually classify pixels into object and background. The analysis is automatically updated when the edition is complete.
  • You can display, analyse and save to a tiff file an HSI (hue, saturation or intensity) channel of a color image.
  • Analysed objects can be drawn over the image by three different methods. More measurements made on them are visible (length, width, perimeter...).
  • You can choose to reject or not objects truncated by image boundary.
  • More data about rejected objects is given when they are clicked on (the reason of their rejection and more measurements data when possible).
  • Exclusion regions content has no more influence on the automatic threshold selection.
  • The data file format stores more information like the dominant color class (area, hue, saturation intensity, and class name) for the analysed region and per object.
  • Analysed regions made with lasso tool can be resized.
  • Analysed regions can be moved.

Modifications to Calibration

  • White calibration can be done to minimize color differences due to lighting or camera settings between different images. This allows to use the same color classes for more images.
  • Calibration of images from a camera can now be done with a single mouse click when Regent's targets are used (or similar ones you can make). Regent's targets are part of Regent's In-Field Image Acquisition Kit. Calibration can be done on the same image as the objects to analyse when such targets are used.
  • New functions have been added to remove background light variations for images that come from cameras.

Misc. modifications

  • There are more image zoom magnifications and a fit to screen option.
  • There are now 14 information colors that can be changed instead of 12
  • When changing the information colors, you can specify the RGB value in numbers from 0 to 255 (in addition to moving the scroll bars).
  • Screen flickering at different places (like when defining new color classes or resizing the main window) and useless redrawing of the image have been removed.
  • Histogram above image can display morphological measurements data (objects distribution in function of a measurement) in addition to color data (area per color). and can also be saved to data files.
  • The custom selected color for image edition can be modified by clicking its rectangle in the command area.
  • The analysis can be interrupted at more places (while the progress bar is displayed).
  • A path measurement mode has been added. It can automatically measure the length of objects intersected when tracing a line over them.
  • TWAIN compatibility with recent cameras and scanners has been added (LA2400, LC4800-II, 6MP)
WinCAM 2004a
Release date: April 2, 2004

  • Individual objects analysis has been added (in addition to the existing global whole image analysis):
    • Area per color per object (area of object which falls into each color class or group).
    • Object length and width.
    • Interactive information about analysed objects when clicking them.
    • A new type of data in data files (in lines or columns format) for new individual measurements (one line or column per analysed object).
  • Select a color channel for viewing and analysis. A color image can be viewed and analysed:1-) in RGB (full) color space, 2-) in true gray levels (converted from the three color channels not just the green channel), 3-) in its red, green or blue channel.
  • You can save any image used by the analysis (color classes image, color groups image, pixels classification image...).
  • Debris removal filter. Debris can be excluded from the analysis based on area, color or shape.
  • A new filter to smooth out object's rough edges.
  • Totally redesigned, more complete and improved instruction manual.
  • Can acquire images from new cameras (Firewire 1MP).
  • Can acquire images from more recent scanners (LC4800).
  • Saves information about the image acquisition device into data files.
  • Asks to save color classes if not already done when quitting WinCAM.
  • Added second (was missing) and third title lines (for new individual measurements).
  • More significant digits in the mouse coordinate position.
  • Object background and color analysis command has been renamed (Pixels Classification), redesigned and simplified.
  • Can transpose image (from landscape to portrait) for images that come from a camera.
  • Scanner and camera based versions with the right default settings for analysing images from these two types of image acquisition devices.
  • The About command is now in the Help menu and it indicates if the running version is for camera or scanner.
  • A Warning message is displayed when opening some incompatible image file formats.
WinCAM 2002a
Shipped: 21 January 2002

  • Images can be printed or saved to a bmp file with or without the analysis marks over them. The graphic above the image can also be included.
  • The edition brushes are round instead of rectangular.
  • Undo Edition can also be done by pressing the Backspace keyboard key.
  • You can edit with the color of a color class or group.
  • You can scan binary images.
  • Scanned images are no more flipped vertically.
  • Text size in command area and over image can be set independently.
  • The frame around analysed regions are easier to see. When analysing whole images a frame is drawn around its boundary.
  • Sample identification can be edited after an analysis.
  • The Regions/Analysed Regions command is gone. To analyse the whole image simply click it, to analyse a sub-region of it (any shape) make a selection instead.
  • The Threshold Image has been renamed Pixels Classification image.
  • The Analysed Image has been renamed Skeleton image.
  • Interactive measurements (paths) modifications
    • Paths can be automatically or manually saved to files for later retrieving.
    • The prefix (constant part) of automatic path names can be chosen (instead of being the letter P).
    • Paths colors can be modified.
    • Paths can be modified (nodes can be moved, removed or added, diameter can be changed). To allow this, the notion of active segments and node has been added.
    • Paths position can be shifted individually or for all paths of an analysed region.
    • There are now two methods to show the path diameter in the image and it can also be deactivated (no feedback about diameter, only length is shown).
WinCAM 2.0

Shipped: April 05, 2001

  • Analyses are approximately four times as fast as with earlier versions (depending on which analyses are active).
  • You can edit images with any color of your choice. Pick up a color in an image simply by clicking it, and use it to edit the image.
  • Help information is displayed when the mouse is held over the controls (Tool-tips).
  • The Analysis/Threshold command has been redesigned and merged with Color/Color Analysis Parameters.
  • Edition buttons in the command area are now hidden when they cannot be used (they are visible only when the image edition mode is active).
  • It can open and analyze more image files (it will now accept more variations of the same formats).
  • Some image edition flaws have been eliminated (drawing strokes were temporarily lost after window resize or activation.
  • The computer CPU is no longer utilized at 100% while CELL is idle.
  • Memory leak problem solved with Analysis/Reanalyse image.
  • Minor improvements with jpeg images loading. New dll required.
  • Batch analysis directory selection has been improved.
  • Batch analysis is now done on all images stored in a folder (all supported format rather than a single one).
  • Pause before analysis is always on.