WinSEEDLE Analysis System for seeds and needles
Image Analysis for Plant Science
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Regent Instruments Inc. since 1991

 

 

WinSEEDLE

 


For sales informations,
contact us by email

sales@regentinstruments.com


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WinSEEDLE 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 release: WinSEEDLE V.2024

WinSEEDLE 2024a

Release date: 10 February 2024

  • WinSEEDLE 64-bit can now acquire images from the STD4800 scanner.
  • Supports the LA 5th generation (13).
  • Will display a message if a wrong TWAIN source (e.g. a WIA source) is selected at start-up.
  • Analysis/Seedles & Background Detection has been split in two commands: Seedles 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/Seedles 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 Seedles 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 Seedles image is edited, pixels reclassification is not redone.
  • Long Tooltips (temporary text displayed in yellow box when the mouse cursor is held 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).
  • WinSEEDLE and XLSeedle are 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.
WinSEEDLE 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.
  • Right mouse click slider now shows by default the ActiveZone threshold value instead of 128.
  • 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.
  • 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 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.
  • 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).

Pro version:

  • Color classes specifications can now be saved in RGB (in addition to HSI) in data files.
  • 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.

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.
WinSEEDLE 2020b
Release date: 15 February 2022

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.
WinSEEDLE 2020a

Release date: 10 March 2020

  • WinSEEDLE is 1.7 to 4.7 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 (except those rejected based on area).
  • 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).
  • Total Seedle Surface Area (for the 5 methods) are now calculated, displayed in the Command Area and saved in GLOBAL data lines.
  • Display/Command Area has been redesigned. It has more options.
  • “Huge Image” option is safer but slightly slower.

64-bit version

  • Can read some BigTIFF files

Bug 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.
WinSEEDLE 2019a

Release date: 20 August 2018

  • New driverless protection keys (no more need to install protection key drivers). The key also now contains the WinSEEDLE programs for distribution (not for execution).
  • Seedles too small to be analysed are now measured the best they can be instead of being rejected. Measurements not possible (curved length, width, surface area, volume) are not made but those who can (projected area, straight length and width) are made.
  • Individual seedles analysis of Huges images (with a large number of objects) is between 1.1 to 3.6 times faster.
  • Seedles 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: Seedles’ 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 + R to switch to Region creation mode.
    • Ctrl + T to switch to Path Tracing working mode.
    • Ctrl + E to switch to image Edition working 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 overriden by WinSEEDLE’s current’s settings):
    • Measurements,
    • Seedle & Background Detection,
    • Path type,
    • Calibration,
    • Seedles distribution graphic,
    • Image and Debris Filtering,
    • Data Saving options,
    • Color Classes and Groups definitions,
    • Seedles 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 menue is gone.

64-bit version

  • Can now load images larger than 3GBytes

Bug fixes:

  • Bug batch img acq, window ask for size is not displayed.
  • 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.
  • A crash when the Seedle 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.
WinSEEDLE 2017a

Release date: 26 April 2017

  • 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 1.25 times faster than version 2016 and 14 than version 2013.
    • Analysed regions with exclusion regions are 1.33 times faster than version 2016 and 14.25 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 1.33 times faster (than 2013 and 2016).
  • Some commands can retrieve settings of the Active Analysed region for viewing how it was analysed or to apply them to other regions (Seedle & Background Detection, Debris Filtering, Color Object Classification).

Modifications to Calibration commands

  • Calibration/Pixel Size Method has been redesigned and 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.
  • The Object of known dimensions calibration method was renamed Scale in Image.
  • Regent’s target can be automatically detected and the image automatically calibrated.
  • Seedle & Background Distinction was renamed Seedle & Background Detection, has been redesigned and has new features:
    • It can retrieve settings of the Active Analysed region for viewing and/or applying them to other Analysed regions.
    • Regent’s blue or white background can be detected automatically.
    • An analysed region can be created automatically around the background.
    • Its histogram is 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 weather 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.
  • Images can be automatically zoomed to fit the screen after acquisition.
  • Settings are no more saved in tiff image files when these are saved before the analysis.
  • Modifications to the Seedle Distribution histogram above the image:
    • 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 few thousands).
    • Its settings are saved in configuration files.

Interface modifications:

  • Analysis/Measurements has been separated in two commands (Analysis/Parameters and Analysis/Measurements).
  • The Command area is wider at startup to allow the display of more information and data.
  • The Command area’s Icons are larger (to select them more easily on tablets or small screens).
  • Save Original Image (With Analysis...) was renamed Save Image (With Analysis...).
  • Image/Save Displayed Image was renamed Misc/Export Displayed Image For Other Programs.
  • Image/Save Image Region has been removed.
  • Speed/Memory/Feedbacks names shortened.

 

Bug 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.
WinSEEDLE 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).
XLSeedle, a new (optional) software program to help classify and visualize data produced by WinSEEDLE. It is made as a set of macros that runs in Excel (2007, 2010 or 2013). These macros add a new menu (named XLSeedle) to Excel's menu. The latter contains commands to process data and create graphics very easily. Excel's standard commands remain available allowing you to do your own processings and graphics.
WinSEEDLE 2013b
  • Added support for the new LA 2400 (11000). Without this modification, a wrong offset was used when scanning with the TPU light (it was scanning partly outside the trays).
WinSEEDLE 2013a
  • 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 objects (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/Parameters renamed Measurements.
  • 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 Seedles & 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 and Acquisition 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.
Commands removed:
  • Display/Channels and sub menu items.
  • Allow analysis regions overlap (they always can).
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.
  • Number of objects in Disease (third) color group now displayed correctly in the Command area.
WinSEEDLE 2012a
  • 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).
  • Units of the Intrinsic calib method (for images from scanners) can be selected among um (micrometers) mm (millimeters) or cm (centimeters)
  • The display of Color classes, Color groups or Objects color classification is now done by clicking the Color image selector in the Command Area (the displayed image is changed each time you click it).
  • 48 bits color images can be read (tiff uncompressed), analysed (as 24 bit) and saved.
  • The mouse cursor color (in the Image Area) can be changed.
  • 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.
  • Minor bug fixes
  • Revised manual and new pdf manual.
WinSEEDLE 2011a

Release date: 5 October 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.
  • Paths can have more than one segment (Multi-segment paths).
  • A new type of path to measure objects semi-automatically (Intersect paths).
  • There are more interactive path commands (end, continue...)
Warning of a limitation:
This version cannot read analyses saved in tiff image made with previous versions of WinSEEDLE.
WinSEEDLE 2010a

Release date: 10 March 2010

  • One more method for objects color classification (Pro).
  • Exclusion regions are now available in the Reg version.
  • Regions of Analysis (selections) are now available in the Reg version.
  • Rejected objects are no more visible in the Pixels classification image and their area is now included in the background area (instead of invalid objects which is now gone).
  • Minor changes to some command’s interface.
  • Minor bugs fix.
WinSEEDLE 2009a

Release date: 10 March 2009

  • The standard error and median data values are saved in data files (they were available in Command Area only).
  • 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.

  • Bug fix:
    • When no individual analysis was done no data were produced for the global analysis.
WinSEEDLE 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).
  • Filters settings are saved with data in data files.
  • Enhanced scanner calibration files. Allow WinSEEDLE 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.
WinSEEDLE 2007c

Release date: January 22, 2007

  • More filers are available to filter debris.
  • One more information is saved with color data (color classes' group owner).
  • Median and standard deviation values are calculated for the global data and are written in the Command area.

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.
WinSEEDLE 2007b

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 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.

Modifications to the interface

  • 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. Total projected area only has been replaced by Individual seedle analysis (and means the opposite).
  • 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.
  • Display/Analysed Image is gone. This image is always displayed.
  • 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.
  • Image/Background unevenness compensation is gone
  • Some commands names have been shortened.
  • Updated manual with better instructions.
  • 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...).
WinSEEDLE 2007a

Release date: September 2006

  • The an alysis 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 WinSEEDLE 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.
  • Global data are always saved (required to store the color classes definitions). It cannot be disabled.

Bugs fix:

  • Color analysis data in individual SEEDLE data lines were offset by 2 columns when Analysis/Calculate projected perimeter and form coefficient was active
  • WinSEEDLE 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.
WinSEEDLE 2006a

Release date: January 2006

Calibration with Regent's targets (for images from cameras)

  • It is now simpler and faster to calibrate and analyse an image with Seedles and a calibration target in the same image. WinSEEDLE will make the calibration on the displayed image (rather than loading another image) and it will automatically create an exclusion region around the calibration target. The region remains if the analysis is canceled but can be manually destroyed with Exclusions/Delete Last Exclusion Region.

Other modifications

  • Exclusion regions content has no more influence on the automatic threshold selection.
  • Objects' boundaries are drawn over the image when the perimeter measurement is activated.
  • The analysis can be interrupted at more places (while the progress bar is displayed).
  • Regent's target calibration method is selected by default when the Object of known dimensions calibration method is active (in Calibration/Method).
  • Calibration can be canceled from more situations.
  • Display/Information Content has been redesigned.
  • There are more image zoom magnifications and a fit to screen option.
  • When creating a circular analysed or exclusion region, you must move it or resize it otherwise the whole image is selected (similar to when the rectangular and lasso tools regions are made). Also valid for right mouse click threshold adjustment (slider).
  • There are now 14 display information colors that can be changed instead of 12
  • You can specify the RGB value of display information colors in numbers from 0 to 255 (in addition to moving the scrollbars).
  • White balance calibration is now possible for color analysis.
WinSEEDLE 2005a

Pre-Release date: 01 November 2004.
Final Release date: 01 January 2005.

Features of the Pro version

  • You can analyse whole images or sub-regions of any shape. Circular and rectangular shapes are predefined or you can outline irregular shape regions to analyse with a lasso tool.
  • Analysed regions can be resized at any time (the analysis is automatically updated).
  • An analysis done with a sub-region (of any shape) can be recreated after (useful to analyse the same region in more than one image).
  • Regions of the image can be excluded from the analysis. You can create practically an unlimited number of such exclusion regions and of any shape. Excluded regions content have no effect on the analysis (It's as if these regions didn't exist in the image).
  • Batch analysis can be done on the whole image or a sub-region of it (of any shape).
  • The histogram above the image can display area per color classes or groups.
  • You can display a single color channel (Red, Green or Blue) of an RGB color image and analyse only that channel. You can also analyse the image in color as before or in true grey levels (calculated from the color components).
  • Information about the dominant color class (area, hue, saturation intensity, and class name) is saved with the data.
  • Color analysis global area data are available separately for the image or for the total areas inside valid objects of the analysis.
  • New functions have been added to remove background light variations for images that come from cameras.
  • Flickering when resizing the main window has been removed.
  • The custom selected color for image edition can be modified by clicking its rectangle in the command area.
  • WinSEEDLE will ask to save color classes before quitting if they have been created or modified but not saved during the working session.
  • A warning asking you to confirm your intention is displayed when deleting all paths or all exclusion regions. The display of this warning can be turned off.

Features of the Reg and Pro versions

  • Pixels classification (into seedles and background) can be modified or specified interactively for regions of any shape or the whole image, before or after the analysis. The process is very interactive and easy (more than the previous Pixel Classifier). Pixels that falls into the seedle 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 seedles and background. The analysis is automatically updated when the edition is complete.
  • The seedles frequency distribution histogram above image has been redesigned and improved. The classes boundaries can be set more easily and more than 12 different data types can be displayed and save to data files.
  • Calibration of images from a camera can be done with a single mouse click when Regent's new calibration targets are included in the image.
  • More options are available as to how and when calibration of images from a camera are done (manually or automatically after load). Targets used for calibration can be in the same image as the object to analyse or in separate image(s).
  • You can choose to reject or not seedles truncated by image boundary.
  • The analysed image has more color encoded information (the color used to indicate if an object is analysed, a debris, cut by image boundary, rejected manually...).
  • Form coefficient measurement has been added.
  • Global area data are more specific about rejected objects (area is available for background, valid objects and rejected objects).
  • The area of the analysed image (or region for the Pro version) is saved with the data and displayed on screen.
  • Image edition is more precise and a few minor annoyances have been removed (white brush, small brush, image zoom...).
  • New and improved manual.
  • Paths related commands
    • The last deleted path can be recreated.
    • More paths can be created.
    • Interactive menu renamed Path (and the word Path removed from its items).
  • Misc. modifications
    • Units are displayed close to the mouse position coordinates.
    • The data file format stores more information (like about the image acquisition device) and more data.
    • Image selection working mode has been removed.
    • Sample identification can be edited during or after the analysis.
    • Rejected cells area and some additional measurement data is displayed in the command area when these cells are clicked.
    • Color group names (Group1, Group2...) are no more saved in the data file title line when no color classes are loaded or defined.
    • Camera has been merged with Scanner in Image/Origin.
    • TWAIN compatibility with recent cameras and scanners has been added (LA2400, 6MP).
    • Text size is medium size by default instead of small.
    • Scrollbar thumb works with larger images.
    • The appearance of some windows (dialogs to enter settings) have been redesigned.
    • Local data renamed Individual data.
    • Analysis/Reanalyse Image renamed Analysis/Restart Analysis.
    • Color/Display Groups Rather Than Classes has been renamed Color/Display Groups.
  • Bug(s) solved
    • A crash situation removed when editing while pressing the backspace key.
    • Sample identification is no more asked during calibration.
WinSEEDLE 2004a

Release date: April 2004.

  • Any image used in the analysis can be saved (Pixels Classification Image, Color Classes Image and Color Groups Image).
  • Analysis/Seedle Background & Color Analysis has been renamed Analysis/Pixels Classification and has been redesigned and simplified
  • TWAIN compatibility with recent cameras and scanners (LC4800) has been added.
  • About command has been moved to Help menu.
  • DPI suggested by default (in Image/Acquisition Parameters) have changed for some scanners.
  • Two minor scanning bugs removed.
  • New and improved manual.
  • New protection key.
WinSEEDLE 2003b

Release date: May 2003.

  • Default scanning parameters for the LC3200 scanner are now compatible with Regent's positioning system.
WinSEEDLE 2003a

Release date: March 2003.

  • The mouse wheel can be used to scroll the image.
  • Scan images from more scanner models including the new LC3200 from Regent.
  • It can analyse larger images.
  • Images are no more flipped vertically.
  • Units are displayed in the Filter command even when no image has been loaded.
  • Total seedle length (straight and curved) has been added to the global measurements data line.
WinSEEDLE 2002a

Release date: 01 August 2002.

  • This version supports the new LC1600 scanner.
  • The program informs you when a scanner does not support some functions when its TWAIN interface is hidden (when you use Regent's simple interface).
  • The four suggested dpi buttons in Image/Acquisition Parameters are better adapted to new higher resolution scanners (1600 or more optical dpi).
  • There are more "Tooltips" help information in the main window (tooltips are shown when the mouse cursor is held stationary over a window item).
  • At startup the main window does not fill the entire screen but an area slightly smaller.
  • Measurements made on images acquired in dots per cm (rather than dots per inch) from programs not made by Regent Instruments are now more precise.
WinSEEDLE 2001a

Release date: July 25, 2001. Please allow 1 to 3 weeks for delivery.
Eligibility: All users whose free update period has not ended.

  • 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.
  • 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.
  • The edition brushes are round instead of rectangular.
  • There is more help information (Tooltips) displayed when the mouse is held over window's items (buttons, check boxes, edit boxes...).
  • The sample identification window is not asked during calibration with Object of known dimension method.
  • A minor bug has been fixed when saving data with color analysis active. If Based on grey levels was selected or that the image was in grey levels the color class file name was written instead of the threshold value.
WinSEEDLE 5.1a

Release date: Shipped January 5, 2001
Eligibility: Free if your free update period has not ended.

  • Analyses are approximately four times faster than with earlier versions (it depends on which analyses are active).
  • You can edit images with any color of your choice. Pick up a color present in an image by clicking it, then edit with that color.
  • Help information is displayed when the mouse is held over the controls (Tooltips).
  • 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).
  • More image files can opened and analyzed (will accept more variations of the same formats as before).
  • The "About WinSEEDLE" window now identifies the version model (Basic, Reg or Pro) running.
  • Some image edition flaws have been eliminated (drawing strokes were temporarily lost after window resize or activation).
  • Minor improvements with jpeg images loading. New dll required.
  • Data saving is now easier. It is done automatically at the end of the analysis.
  • Pause before analysis is on by default.
  • Undo edition has been moved to the Display menu.
  • Calibration/Unit command has been removed. Units are entered during calibration.
  • A menu called Interactive has been added. Path related commands (from Analysis menu) have been moved there.
WinSEEDLE 5.0a

Release date: 21 August 2000.
Eligibility: Free if your free update period has not ended.

Pro version

  • Interactive manual length measurements have been added.

All versions

  • Data saving is now easier. It is done automatically at the end of the analysis (and updated automatically if you make changes to the analysis).
  • More information is saved in data files. The analysis settings, image file name and resolution are now stored.
  • Seedles invalidated (rejected) by the operator are shown in a darker red and can be revalidated.
  • Reason for a seedle's rejection from the analysis is now available by clicking the seedle.
  • Text size of the information displayed over the image and in the command area is now user selectable.
  • The text of the graphic above the image is larger.
  • Seedle numbers are continuous.
  • Jpeg and Windows bmp files can be analyzed.
  • Names of some measurements name have been clarified (Ex: projected area instead of area).
  • Support for new scanners (STD1600+ and LA1600) has been added.
  • Seedle perimeter measurement has been added.
  • All seedle cross-section models are active at all times (you do not have to select one, they are all calculated).
  • Two new cross-section models for volume and surface area calculation have been added. One of these methods allows measurement of needles with irregular cross-sectional shape (it can work with any shape).
  • The rectangle cross-section model now uses the Height to Width ratio. The previous versions' model was square rather than rectangular.
  • When analysis parameters are changed, a warning informs the operator if the changes are effective only after the current analysis.
  • Save Image After Analysis has been renamed Save Image After Acquisition.
  • Instructions manuals have been rewritten and improved. There are more illustrations.
  • The computer CPU is no longer utilized at 100% while SEEDLE is idle.
  • Modification to the calculations that influence the analysis results: Object widths are now one pixel larger. There was one pixel missing on width measurement in previous versions. This led to underestimation of the surface area and volume (but other measurements like projected area were not affected). One pixel is typically 1/400 of an inch or .063 mm, as most people scan needles at around 400 dpi.
  • All surface area and volume calculations have been revalidated (no modifications other than those described above were required).
  • It can analyze images with a greater number of objects. Earlier versions might crash when the number of objects is too high (several thousand). The exact number depends on the object shape complexity.