Department of Pathology: Confocal Facility

Saving Confocal Images:

Once an image is collected, it must be saved in the Lasersharp format for future use.

To save:

Select "save" from the "file" pulldown menu

You will be prompted with a box containing a filename and location

1. Enter the filename in the top box

2. Choose the appropriate folder (your lab assigned folder) from the drop down menu to the right of the "save to" box.

Once the filename and location are correct, hit "save"

Exporting Confocal Images:

Confocal images are saved in a format for use with the BioRad Lasersharp software. In order to analyze them in other programs (i.e. NIH Image J, Adobe Photoshop, LSM), the program must export the image in a compatible format.

To export:

Choose "Export" from the "File" dropdown menu (or hit control B)

1. A menu will open asking you to select the files you would like to export:

Select the files you would like to export. To select multiple files separated by other files use "control" with the mouse selector placed over the file names and click. To select multiple files in a row, use "shift" with the mouse selector placed over the first file (and click) and then "shift" with the mouse selector placed over the last file and click.

Underneath the file selection there will be a menu to choose the file type. From the drop down menu choose the file type (usually TIFF which is a more universal format with maximum image information, but JPEG and other formats are available depending on the post-analysis software to be used).

(Click Next)

2. You will then be prompted on where you would like to export the image to: Select the folder you would like to save your exported files in. (Note: To minimize file corruption, we have found it best to save these into a folder on the computers hard drive within your laboratory data folder. Exporting directly to a Zip or external drive has caused corruption of files in the past).

(Click Next)

3. The next menu will display the names of the files you are exporting and the names of the files and location you are exporting to. If this is correct, click "Export".

4. The program will not prompt you when the action has finished. However, the hourglass will disappear, indicating your files have exported.

Transferring data:

After exporting your files, all data (exported and original images) should be transferred from the confocal computer to your own laboratory computer. This can be done to Zip drive, personal hard drive, flash drive, or a CD.

To transfer data, copy your exported files and your original laser sharp files to your media of choice using Windows Explorer.