VM Browser

January 2007: Version 2 Update for annotations

If you have installed the VM Browser before OR have JAVA already installed on your PC, then download just the VM_Browser

If you have never installed the VM Browser before OR do not know what JAVA is, then download the VM_Browser_with_JRE

A short guide to using the VM_Browser is available here.

An example image with annotations is available from here: h112

Installation Instructions

Welcome to the latest version of the Virtual Microscope (VM) Browser. To install the browser on your computer do the following:

Click on the VM Browser link below (after the release date);
Select ‘run’
Select ‘run’ again (you can trust us!)
Select ‘install’

Note: If you don’t want to install the VM browser on C:\ then select ‘browse’ and select the directory where you do want to install the VM browser.

Once the software has installed, double click on “The Virtual Microscope” shortcut on your desktop
If the VM Browser starts up then well done J BTW if it isn’t obvious what to do next let us know…
If a small window flashes up and then closes again:

Click on Start->Run...
Type in "cmd" and press return: An old fashioned DOS window should appear
Next type "C:\Virtual Microscope\Virtual Microscope" (assuming that you installed in the default location)
If the error message is: “java -cp . vm.gui.VMWindow 'java' is not recognized as an internal or external command, operable program or batch file” then:

Go to www.java.com
Select the orange button to the right which say "Java Software Download"
Select "Begin Download"
Follow the prompts to install JAVA.

Otherwise please email the error message to Andrew Bradley as this will give us some idea as to what has gone wrong!

Release Notes

This version now contains links to all the slides required for the courses ANIM2036 and VETS1003.
If you select the "test" course this contains a selection of other images we have already scanned.
The ability to update the list of “known” images has been added that also downloads the images of the actual slides.
The ability to load arbitrary JPEG 2000 files has been added for completeness, but is discouraged as it may crash the server/client if incorrect filenames are entered.
A toolbar has been added for fast easy access to common functions, e.g., view cross-hairs and annotations etc.
All images are hosted at the UQ library and are served to you over the internet, so update speed is dependent on the speed of your internet connection.
You will notice that we have added a ‘Status’ window in the bottom right hand corner of the screen. This tells you what the browser is currently doing, it says:

a. “Loading tiles…” when an image is first loaded. Note: at this point the GUI is disabled;

b. “Improving image quality…” when an initial download is complete. You are free to move around the image, but bear in mind that you are not looking at the full quality image yet;

c. “Improving image quality…Done” you are now looking at the full quality image for this area.

A cytology image with digitally extended depth of field (101EDF) is now available. Have a look at a clump of cells and see how everything is in focus compared to the original 101 slide. As we re-scan slides this feature will become standard.
Slide descriptions and annotations are now fully supported. We can display an overall description of the slide and add annotations to specific regions in an image. For example, if you load the slide annotation_demo you can have a look at slide description by selecting view->show slide description and reveal the annotated areas of the slide by selecting view->show annotations. To view the annotation text just place the cursor of the highlighted region and the annotation will appear in the annotation window to the right of the display.

Known Issues

This issue is fixed in Version 2 J

Currently, the VM Browser does not work on computers with dual displays. If your computer has a dual display and you still want to run the VM Browser then:

Right click on the Windows Desktop

Click on “properties”

Select the “settings” tab

Click on the second display and un-select the tick-box saying “Extend my Windows desktop onto this monitor.”

Apply these settings

Run the VM Browser

Thank you.

Andrew & Michael.

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