Getting Started

JFilament3D uses an ImageJ "HyperStack" to distinguish time steps between depth slices. ImageJ allows you to open an image and convert it to a hyperstack.

The layout of JFilament3D is broken into two sections; the image section and a control section.

 

The image section is broken into 3 panels. To enlarge the 3rd panel, select the '3D sections' from the views menu (alternatively, use the "v" key to cycle through panels).

To add a snake click on "Add Snake" button then place points by left clicking on the Image. You can change the height/slice with the previous slice/next slice buttons while adding points. Snakes can also be added using the 2D image panel. To finish the snake, right click.

Once you have finished the snake you can deform the snake by clicking "Deform Snake." This will cause the snake to change shape to conform to the image and the internal energy determined by the parameters.

The above image is intended to show a snake initialized near a simulated filament that deforms to the final shape. The closer the snake is to the actual result, the faster results can be obtained. Manual editing controls have also been included.

In order to propagate the snake to the next time frame, click "Track Snake." The image will change to the next time frame; the snake will be copied to the new frame where you can continue to deform the snake.

Keyboard Shortcuts

• Arrow Keys move the planes in the 3D section view.
• ",", and "." Change the current slice. Moves the X-Y plane up and down in 3D section view.
• "f,b" Moves a timestep forward or backwards.
• "Esc" Cancels deform snake operation.
• "n" Selects the 'next' snake.
• "v" Cycles to next panel view.

3D Controls

• Rotate Scene To rotate a 3D scene hold down the left mouse button, and move the mouse.
• Move Center of Scene To move the center of the scene hold down the right mouse button and move the mouse.
• Zoom In / Out The scroll wheel will zoom the scene in and out.

Buttons

• Previous Time: Changes from the current time to the previous time. This can be an expensive operation since it requires new rendering.
• Next Time: Moves to the next time step
• Lower Slice: Lowers slice in 2D view and 3D sections view.
• Raise Slice: Raises slice
• Add Snake: Create a new snake.
• Delete Snake: Delete the selected snake
• Deform Snake: Deforms the current snake until the number of iterations has been reached or the snake becomes too short.
• Clear Current: Removes the current snake from this screen only.
• Track Snake: Copies the current snake to the next time frame and deforms the snake.
• Track Backwards: Copies the current snake to the previous time frame and deforms the snake.
• Clear Screen: Removes all of the snakes in the current time frame.
• Delete End Fix: Trims the ends of a snake. Click where you want to trim, then click near the end of the snake to be removed.
• Delete Middle Fix: Click twice on the snake to remove a segment between two selected points (2 left clicks). A third left click places a new point. A third right click removes segment without placing a new point.
• Stretch Fix: Extends the closest end of the snake to the next click location.
• Zoom In: Zoom in the original 2D image by left clicking then right clicking, on the 2D image.
• Zoom Out: Zoom out to the original 2D image.
• +MAX: Increases maximum brightness of 3D display.
• -MAX: Decreases maximum brightness of 3D display.
• +MIN: Increases minimum brightness of 3D display.
• -MIN: Decreases minimum brightness of 3D display.

Parameters

• Alpha: Alpha determines the elasticity of the snake.
• Beta: Beta determines the bending stifness of the snake. Large beta can cause a snake to grow.
• Gamma: Gamma restricts the distance by which the snake moves during a deformation step.
• Weight: Weight changes the level of influence the image has.
• Stretch Force: A factor to adjust the pulling force.
• Deform Iterations: Number of iterations per deform snake click. Esc will stop.
• Snake Point Separation: The distance between sampling points along the snake in pixels.
• Image Smoothing: The width of the Gaussian filter that is applied to the image.
• Z Spacing: Distance between z planes in x-y pixels. Changing this value will cause the 3D image to reload.
• Foreground: Intensity value of a point on the filament.
• Background: Background intensity. The snake will shrink/grow when the tip of the snake is at a point whose intensity is less/greater than the mean of the Foreground and Background intensities.

Menus

• Image: Load a different image.
• Snakes: Load and save snakes.
• Data: Save elongation data.
• View: Change the display configuration.
• Help: Version and help information.

Troubleshooting

This has yet to be completed. Some information can be found in the 2D instructions here. There is installation help at the downloads page here.