• What operating system does MCID™ require?
• Can I run MCID™ on my existing computer?
• Do I require a special image monitor to run MCID™?
• What sort of video CCD cameras does MCID™ support?
• What types of digital CCD cameras does MCID™ support?
• Does MCID™ read different file formats?
• How do I create a publication quality image using MCID™?
• What is the maximum image resolution that MCID™ can handle?
• What microscopes is MCID™ compatible with?
• Does MCID™ support motorised stages?
• Does MCID™ support shutters and filter wheels?
• Do I have to write my own macros to use MCID™?
• Are data and image files compatible between MCID™ Core & previous versions of MCID & AIS?

What operating system does MCID™ require?
Microsoft Windows XP or Microsoft Windows 2000.
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Can I run MCID™ on my existing computer?
We recommend a minimum configuration of a Pentium IV, with 512 MB RAM and a 60GB hard drive. We recommed a graphics card with at least 128MB RAM, if using the dual screen option we recommend an NVIDIA graphics card with at least 256MB RAM. We recommend at least a minimum display resolution of 1600x1200 pixels, for dual screen display we recommend 1600x1200 x 2.
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Do I require a special image monitor to run MCID™?
For MCID™ the image display uses the host computer's graphics card, minimum resolution of 1280 x 1024 pixels is recommended. Because images are getting bigger and bigger we also recommend that where possible use a dual screen setup to enhance the MCID™ experience. For dual screen use we recommend an NVIDIA 256MB graphics card (AGP or PCIe) running at a resolution of at least 1600x1200 per screen.
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What sort of video CCD cameras does MCID™ support?
MCID™ will support any monochrome video camera that conforms to either the RS170 (North American) or CCIR (European) video standard with the optional analogue frame grabber board.. For color video based cameras, the camera has to be capable of outputting a video signal in the RGB format (separate outputs for the red, green and blue channels).
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What types of digital CCD cameras does MCID™ support?

MCID™ offers support for a range of digital CCD cameras. With the release of our new Camera Plugin system more cameras will be added over the coming months.

• Qimaging Firewire range.
• Roper Scientific CoolSNAP family of cameras (Both monochrome and color and Cascade)
• Roper Scientific Sensys and Sensys 3200
  
• Roper Scientific Quantix
  
• Roper Scientific MicroMAX
  
• Diagnostic Instruments SPOT RT series of cameras
  
• Hamamatsu ORCA ER and ORCA II ER
  
• Cooke Corporation PixelFly camera
  
• Apogee KX1E and AP2E cameras
  
• Optronics Magnafire color camera (Windows 2000 only)
  

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Does MCID™ read different file formats?
MCID™ Core is able to read the following image file formats:

• MCID™ (*.im)
  
• BRS (*.img)
  
• TIFF (*.tif)
  
• Fujix Bas Series (*.inf)
  
• Molecular Dynamics GEL (*.gel)
  
• Packard (*.tif)
  

MCID™ can also accept images from almost any device, which generates binary file formats. A file format editor is included in the program to allow you to create templates to read in any binary image.
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How do I create a publication quality image using MCID™?
MCID™ can use any printer device supported under Windows XP or Windows 2000 to print out your images. Or alternatively you can annote and export your images to TIFF format for use in other programs such as photoshop.
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What is the maximum image resolution that MCID™ can handle?
The maximum image resolution that MCID™ can handle it is limited to the size of the CCD camera chip (typically 1,390 x 1,040 pixels). As to actual digital image size, there is no limit. As digital images get bigger and bigger the system needs more and more RAM so as not to slow down significantly. Images as big as 10,000 x 10,000 pixels are handled with ease. You can create such images using the MCID™ optional Automated Image Stitching module.

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What microscopes is MCID™ compatible with?
MCID™ can be used with any make and model of microscope available. Some microscopes such as the Zeiss Axioplan have additional support for the Z-axis harmonic drive available in MCID™. MCID can also control an number of compatible motorised stages.
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Does MCID™ support motorized stages?
MCID™ supports the following motorized stages:

LEP series of Bio Precision stages
ASI MS-2000 stage
Prior Instruments ProScan Stages
Marzhauser stages are also supported using the optional OASIS4i controller.
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Does MCID™ support shutters and filter wheels?
MCID™ support the following shutters and filter wheels:

LEP series of shutters and filter wheels
Sutter 3 position and 10 position filter wheels (with integral shutters)
Sutter Lambda DG-4 fast filter changer
Prior Instruments Filter Wheels and Shutters
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Do I have to write my own macros to use MCID™?
No, MCID™ has application specific study types, in addition to general purpose image analysis features and functions; all accessible from menu options. MCID™ also contains an object oriented macro editor to allow you to automate repetitive processes.
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Are data and image files compatible between MCID™ Core & previous versions of MCID™ & AIS?
Data files and image files are all forward and backwards compatible with previous versions of MCID™ and AIS™.
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