- CFG Files ('Configuration' files) are one of the three file types containing predefined subsets of the ScanImage State Variables.
- A Configuration refers to a CFG file and/or the values of the ScanImage state variables which are stored in a CFG file
- The 'current ScanImage Configuration' – or simply the 'current Configuration' – refers to the current state of those ScanImage state variables which are stored in CFG files.
Several groups of state variables comprising a/the Configuration can be identified, all of which are adjustable via controls on one of ScanImage's panels and dialogs:
- Scan Configuration settings, including all settings on the Configuration panel; most settings on the Main Controls, and Power Controls panels; stack configuration settings on the Motor Controls panel
- Channel configuration settings (most settings on the Channels dialog)
- Trigger configuration settings (all settings on the Triggers dialog)
- User Function configuration settings – function bindings on the User Function panel made in 'CFG View'
- Various other ScanImage settings specified on other panels/dialogs
During ScanImage operation, any change to a control affecting one of these ScanImage state variables implies that the current ScanImage Configuration is updated.
The state variables comprising a/the Configuration are settings whose various combinations pertain to different experiments or parts of experiments that a user may undertake in their work. Unlike User Settings, it is expected/encouraged that Configurations will be changed/switched frequently during typical ScanImage operation.
Saving and Loading Configurations
ScanImage allows the current Configuration to be saved to a CFG file, so that one can collect several Configurations which may be loaded at a later time.
ScanImage displays the filename last-loaded or last-saved CFG file, if any, as the on the Main Controls and Configuration panels
ScanImage stores, but doesn't display, the full path of the last-loaded/saved CFG file
Saving the current Configuration to a CFG file can be done by:
- Pressing
on the Main Controls or Configuration panel
- Selecting
- Selecting
Loading stored settings from a CFG file occurs in a few ways:
- Any time a User Settings (USR) file is loaded – if the User Settings includes a specified Configuration (CFG filename).
This includes the USR file typically loaded at ScanImage startup
- Selecting
- Loading a Fast Configuration, as described in greater detail below.
Fast Configurations
Because Configurations are expected/encouraged to be changed frequently during ScanImage operation, the possibility to specifying several Configurations for rapid toggling is supported by ScanImage.
ScanImage terms these Fast Configurations and supports up to 6. To save a Fast Configuration:
- Select
- Choose which of the 6 numbered Fast Configurations is to be assigned
- When prompted, select a CFG file to associate with this Fast Configuration number
This can be repeated until all Fast Configuration 'slots' are filled.
Note the names of the specified Fast Configurations can be seen both in two places:
- The Main Controls panel
- As tooltips on the
Once specified, the Fast Configurations can be readily loaded in two ways:
- Pressing one of the
- Hitting <F1-F6> on the keyboard to select the particular numbered Fast Configuration
By default, the <F1-F6> key alone is sufficient for Fast Configuration loading. However, the
Save User Settings!
Note the specified Fast Configurations are not stored in any way beyond the current ScanImage session until/unless the User Settings are stored. The User Settings include the (up to) 6 full filenames of the selected Fast Configurations.