Talk:ANAT2241 The Virtual Microscope
UNSWTV
Transcript - Virtual Slide Tutorial
Back to Practical support page
Hi There
Welcome to the support tutorial for UNSW courses using "The Virtual Microscope".
In particular ANAT2241 Histology - Practical 1 An introduction to the virtual microscope.
This current tutorial does not go through practical class content but will help you both use and understand "The Virtual Microscope" controls.
Begin by following the H&S Information for correct ergonomic set up and use of class computers.
Have your practical manual ready with pens and pencils to make both notes and drawings as you work through the class materials. You may also choose to keep notes on your own computer as you work through the class.
If you are using the Virtual Microscope in a practical class computer you will be able to open your Virtual Microscope start page directly from the desktop menu.
For any other computer (as I am demonstrating) begin by opening the online course support page.
From the Practicals table select practical 1 "The Virtual Microscope"
If you are on your own computer or outside UNSW a log in message will appear
"To access the Virtual Slides from outside UNSW, please log in."
Click OK
The log in screen will appear. Enter your student number and zpass.
The first time you log in, then the the default Virtual Slides welcome will open. You can then go through your course portal to each practical class.
Alternatively, now go back on your browser now and reselect practical 1 "The Virtual Microscope"
This time you should go directly to your practical page.
This current tutorial ail not go through practical class content but will introduce the "The Virtual Microscope" controls.
In practical classes, ensure you
Begin by taking an overview look at all the slides in your class.
You will need to allocate sufficient time to looking through all these slides during the practical class, unless the demonstrator advises otherwise.
You will also see from the whole slide thumbnail:
- the overall staining appearance and tissue structure. This is often close to the overall anatomy of that tissue.
- Any major tissue artefacts or processing modification of the tissue (breaks or cuts, shrinkage)
- Note the slide title and organ (often similar)
- Note the species (including age) and staining technique.
Note that the slide sequence will usually match that in your practical manual and may also be the order that they will be demonstrated. Other histological resources and materials outside virtual slides may also be used in your classes.
The practical class demonstrator may discuss all slides as thumbnails before opening the first class slide.
Lets now open a slide to see the basic layout and controls of the Virtual Microscope.
Note - This tutorial will not discuss this tissue, only the controls used to change its viewing.
Click a slide thumbnail.
Please read note about Computer Requirements
A new browser page will open with the slide tissue visible in 2 windows.
All Virtual slides will have this same initial layout, but tissues may open at different initial magnifications.
- A larger lefthand main window which will be used to observe the tissue histology.
- A smaller righthand thumbnail window with a thumbnail view of the whole tissue under this are a series of controls and icons. This smaller window will be the focus of todays tutorial.
Larger lefthand window (main)
Always observe the whole section before making any changes to the magnification.
For your own reference purposes, it may be useful to either take a screenshot or drawing of this initial view and any useful future view. Screenshots can be imported into a number of programs that allow you to add your own annotations (labels, notes, arrows or boxes).
Smaller righthand window (thumbnail)
Under the thumbnail image are a number of image controls (contrast and magnification) initially visible, and a location control not visible.
Contrast
The black and white box relates to image contrast and the slider located beside it.
Dragging the black triangle to the left, decreases contrast. Making the image darker.
Dragging the black triangle to the right, increases contrast. Making the image lighter.
You can change the contrast on any virtual slide, the demonstrator will often suggest if this is required for optimal viewing.
Magnification
Under the contrast controls are 2 magnifying glass icons and a drop-down window with a number shown.
There are several ways of changing magnification, lets look at the magnifying glass icons first.
- The "+" (green plus) icon increases magnification (zooms in).
- The "-" (orange minus) icon deceases magnification (zooms out).
When you click the "+" (green plus) icon:
- The lefthand main window will change magnification.
- The righthand thumbnail window will highlight (yellow and black box) the region of the whole slide that is currently being viewed. This is useful to later identify your location within the whole tissue.
Now the drop-down window with a number shown.
When you click on this window the menu opens and a range of magnification values are now available to be selected. The overall magnification range may vary for different slides but the maximum available for any slide 40x, some only reaching 20x.
When a magnification is selected it will automatically zoom centred on the current view.
Location
The location of your view can be changed in both the main and thumbnail windows. This control is not immediately visible and requires you to "click and drag" over the image.
Main window - when you left click the mouse, a hand will appear and you can now drag the slide image to a different location. Note the righthand thumbnail yellow and black box will also change to match the viewed location.
Thumbnail window - when you left click the mouse, a arrows appear over the yellow and black box and you can now drag the slide image to a different location.
Note that by now using the magnification controls (+ or -) will remain centred over the current view location.
When finished with the slide, close this virtual slide window and the original practical class set will be available to select the next slide.
Important note
The demonstrator will be using the same virtual slides displayed on the class projectors and monitors.
Follow the demonstrators descriptions closely (they know the material).
- Initially by watching the displays and the associated description.
- If this is not easy or clear, by noting the demonstrators thumbnail image position and magnification to find the same region on your own computer's virtual slide.
- Do not immediately zoom to the highest magnification (unless directed to) but gradually zoom in to note tissue structure and relationships.
- If you get lost in the tissue, zoom back out and start again.
- If you miss a specific point or description, ask a tutor in the break between slides. Do not interrupt the demonstrator's presentation unless they have suggested that you can ask questions.
This ends the second help tutorial, using the virtual microscope.
thank you.
Back to Practical support page
Computer Requirements
Flash Player will not function on any Apple iPad (iPad or mini-iPad). It can function on their laptop and desktop computers.
Virtual slides requires a Flash Player (Adobe) plug-in to be installed in the browser application and will not function without this player.
All practical class computers have this player installed.
If you are using your own desktop or laptop computer this plug-in may need to be installed before virtual slides will display. Ensure that you are downloading and installing the latest player and only from the official Adobe website.
