r e ment

eas u
n s i onal m
e o dime
Vid
MICROVISION Instruments
CE 1750 - Petite Montagne Sud
8, rue du Forez - 91047 Evry - France
Tél : (33) (0) 1 69 11 15 50
Fax : (33) (0) 1 69 11 15 51
Courriel : info@microvision.fr
 9th edition
S.A.S. au capital de 135 000 euros
 Videomet 7.0
R.C.S. Corbeil - Essonnes : B 388 570 046
 July 2008
 Table of Contents

1. Overview of Videomet 5
Starting up Videomet 5
The Videomet work sheet 5
The menus 6
The toolbar 6
The tabs, pages and documents 7
The status bar 8
The structure of a work session 8
Preparing the equipment 8
Preparing the study 9
Analysis of the pieces 9
Conclusion of the study 9
Protecting the settings 9
2. Preparing the equipment 11
List of sources 11
Image acquisition 11
Setting the microscope 12
The image processor 12
Equipment calibration 13
Pre-defined calibrations 14
Defining a new calibration 14
Setting the autofocus 15
3. Preparing the study 17
Creation of a new study 17
List of characteristic positions 18
Opening an existing study 18
Saving a study 18
Saved templates and files 19
4. Analysis of the pieces 21
Selection of the measurement 21
Use of the plotting tools 22
Automatic alignment of the profiles 23
Correction of the profiles and Selection tool 23
Control of the values 24
Movement between the characteristic positions 25
Grid and Reference marks 25
Change of origin 25
5. Overview of the measured piece 26
Exportation 26

Videomet - Manuel d’utilisation page 3 / 35

6. Measurements table 26
Exportation 26
7. Statistics 26
Exportation 26
8. Page layout and Report printout 26
9. Secure operating modes 26

Videomet - Manuel d’utilisation page 4 / 35

 1. Overview of Videomet

Starting up Videomet
The Videomet shortcut is normally accessible in the “Microvision Instruments” program group, si-
tuated in the “Programs” menu within the Windows “Start” menu.

The Videomet work sheet

The work sheet is the window displayed when Videomet starts up. It contains the standard elements
of the Windows environment: the title bar (1) which includes the system menu box (on the left), and
the window enlargement/reduction boxes (on the right); the menu bar (2) provides access to all of
the software's functions. When the sheet does not occupy the entire screen, it can be moved (by
clicking on the title bar) or deformed (by clicking within the frame).
The toolbar (3) contains some buttons for quickly accessing the software's most used functions.
On the left of the sheet, some tabs (4) allow you to display either the video image or various docu-
ments representative of the work in hand: a mapping of the fields measured, a table of the mea-
surements taken, the statistics table, the printed report.
The video image or the document occupies most of the sheet (5). They are bordered by rules (6),
graduated in real units, and by scroll bars (7) that are active when the document or image is larger
than the window itself.
In the lower part of the work sheet, the status bar (8) contains information relating to the work in
hand.

Videomet - Manuel d’utilisation page 5 / 35

1
2

The Videomet work sheet

The menus
They provide access to all Videomet functions. Here is a quick overview of them:
• The “File” menu is dedicated to the studies: start of a study, saving and re-opening a study, ex-
porting and printing the results. It also allows you to archive, load and print images.
• The “Edit” menu contains classic “copy/paste” functions that allow you to exchange images or
documents between several software programs. You can also cancel an action and access the
image annotation module.
• The “Image” menu is dedicated to video image management: choice of sources, acquisition and
improvement of the images.
• The “Measure” menu contains the functions used during a study: system calibration, study cha-
racteristics, focusing, definition of the characteristic positions, addition of fields and choice of
measurements.
• The “Results” menu concerns the documents shown in the “Table”, “Statistics” and “Report” pa-
ges. It also provides access to dialog boxes for defining the contents of these documents and
items allowing you to display certain of them in windows that remain visible at all times.
• The “Presentation” menu contains various more general options: customization of the envi-
ronment and options for plotting the readings.
• The “?” menu: Information about the Videomet software and secure operating modes.

The toolbar
The toolbar provides quick access to certain frequently used functions and information:

Videomet - Manuel d’utilisation page 6 / 35

 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

The Videomet toolbar

1. Commonly used video functions (from left to right): continuous acquisition of the camera image
(or, for a scanner, acquisition of an image), acquisition setting for a camera (or contrast impro-
vement for a frozen image), control of the microscope’s motorized elements, stopping conti-
nuous acquisition.
2. Activation/Deactivation of position tracking, when the system is equipped with an indexed or
motorized displacement stage.
3. Definition of the home position, and movement towards the previous or next characteristic posi-
tion (for systems equipped with a motorized displacement stage)
4. Name of the measurement being taken. The arrow reveals the list of the defined measurements
and allows you to change the type of measurement.
5. Selection tool
6. Measuring tools (from left to right and from top to bottom): point, segment (horizontal, vertical or
free), angle, cross, curved line, arc of circle, circle (based on two or several points), ellipse (ba-
sed on three or five points), rectangle, outline.
7. Display of the image annotation module.
8. Display of the number of readings or a measurement associated with the readings.
9. Setting the properties for displayed documents: measurements displayed in the tables, page
layout for the report.

The tabs, pages and documents

The tabs located on the left of the window allow you to display five pages representative of the cur-
rent study:
• The real-time video image is, of course, the most important page as it allows you to observe the
sample and take the measurements.
The video image and the possibly superposed profiles can be saved or printed using the corres-
ponding options in the “File” menu. A part of the image can be boxed and then transferred to
another software program, using the “Copy” option in the “Edit” menu.
• The “Scanning” page presents a background history of the fields measured: it represents all of
the plotted readings, superposed on the image that is under the camera when the measurement
was taken.
When the system is equipped with an indexed displacement stage, the background history is re-
placed by a mapping of the sample in which the images and measurements are plotted in their
real positions.
The overview (background history or mapping) can also be displayed in a separate window and
included in the printed report. A part of the overview can be boxed, copied and then transferred
to another software program.
• The “Table” shows all of the readings plotted during the study (one reading per line) and a cer-
tain number of measurements chosen by the operator for each one.
The measurements table can be inserted into the report. A part of the table can be selected, co-
pied, and transferred to a spreadsheet program.

Videomet - Manuel d’utilisation page 7 / 35

• The “Statistics” page contains a table of statistical values calculated for each measurement. It
can be displayed in a separate window, included in the report, or copied to external software.
• The “Report” is a true copy of the document that is likely to be printed. It always follows the pro-
gress of the work in hand.
The report page layout can be customized: size and contents of the header and footer, title and
order of the printed documents.

The status bar

The status bar is situated at the very bottom of the sheet. It contains information relating to the work
in hand:

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

The Videomet status bar

1. System date.
2. System time.
3. Scale in which the video image or overview is displayed.
4. Name of the currently applied calibration.
5. Reference of the sample being analyzed (or name of the “study” file in which the measurements
are saved)
6. Name of the image file, if loaded.
7. Position of the crosshairs when you click on one of the graduated rules. When you use the fra-
ming tool, the size of the selected area is displayed here.
8. Indicator of memory occupied on the microcomputer.

The structure of a work session

The objective of Videomet is to note a certain number of measurements on one or several pieces
successively presented under the camera. Each measurement can be taken several times, possibly
with different tools, by plotting geometrical figures with the mouse. All of the results are collected in
a study.
A work session includes four main stages: Equipment preparation then, for each study, the start of
the study, the noting of measurements and the conclusion of the study.

Preparing the equipment

Preparing the equipment essentially consists in checking the material aspects of the system:
• Image acquisition: the aim is to obtain an image of the pieces that is as faithful as possible using
the items in the “Image” menu.
• Framing of the pieces: it involves choosing the correct optical magnification for the measure-
ments to be taken and the required precision. The pieces can be observed partly if the system is
equipped with metrology stages. Otherwise, they must be completely visible in the video field.

Videomet - Manuel d’utilisation page 8 / 35

• System calibration: this operation consists in establishing the equivalence between a real dis-
tance and its representation on the screen. This stage is fundamental and must be carried out
carefully, particularly when the system is equipped with stages.

Preparing the study

Preparing the study consists in establishing the list of measurements to be taken. When the system
is equipped with motorized metrology stages, you can also define a list of characteristic positions
where the measurements must be taken (see Chapter 3).

Analysis of the pieces

This is, of course, the main stage during which you successively present all of the pieces to be mea-
sured under the camera.
One or several readings are taken with the mouse on each of the pieces for each of the measure-
ments. It is possible to work measurement by measurement or in a different order, for example by
following the previously defined characteristic positions.
A mapping of the readings taken is available at any moment during observation of a piece. The
measurements corresponding to each reading can be displayed in a results palette, essentially for
controlling the operation. The main measurement can be displayed directly on the profile.
Use of measuring tools is detailed in Chapter 4. The overview of the analyzed piece is presented in
Chapter 5.

Conclusion of the study

The complete list of the readings, kept in the order in which they were taken, is presented in a table.
A second table presents the statistical calculations grouped together by measurement.
The table of the measurements taken can be transferred to data processing software via the Copy-
Paste function.
The options associated with using the results are presented in Chapters 6 and 7. The page layout for
the report is described in Chapter 8.

Protecting the settings

The settings made during the first two stages are fundamental and determine the validity of the
measurement results. It is possible to restrict access to these settings by setting the software to a
secure operating mode.
The secure operating modes are described in Chapter 9.

Videomet - Manuel d’utilisation page 9 / 35

 2. Preparing the equipment

List of sources
The “Sources” sub-menu in the “Image” menu lists the installed hardware configurations. Each con-
figuration consists of a camera, an optical device (compound microscope, magnifying glass or ma-
crolens), certain elements of which may be motorized: object stage or focus axis.
The source(s) are defined using the Nazca configuration software which is also used to define the
hardware settings and the various calibrations required.
Videomet can work with all of the proposed sources, but only those equipped with an indexed or
motorized stage allow us to measure pieces larger than the camera’s field. Choose the appropriate
configuration.

Image acquisition
The main image acquisition functions available in the “Image” menu are:
• “Continuous acquisition” allows you to display the image of the sample on the screen, if the ca-
mera so allows.

This toolbar button is equivalent to the “Continuous acquisition” item.

• “Set acquisition…” displays a dialog box allowing you to adjust the camera parameters. Al-
though this dialog box is specific to each camera, it always contains certain routine parameters:
exposition time, white balance, etc.
When the image is continuously acquired, this button is equivalent to the “Set acquisition”
item. The standard setting is applied to the image if the <Shift> key on the keyboard is
held down. Finally, if the image is frozen, this button displays a dialog box allowing you to
adjust the image contrast and brightness.
• “Freeze image” stops continuous acquisition; this may improve visual comfort.

This toolbar button is equivalent to the “Freeze image” item.

Videomet - User Manual page 11 / 35

Depending on the camera installed, other items may be available in the “Image” menu for specific
uses.

Setting the microscope

This toolbar button, or the “Set microscope” item in the “Image” menu opens the following
dialog box allowing you to pilot certain of the optical system’s functions: filter wheel, lens
turret, diaphragm, etc.

The elements mentioned in black are the elements that can be piloted by the microscope and have
been defined as such in the Nazca configuration software.
The filter wheel, the lens turret and the diaphragm can be controlled by clicking on the arrows to the
left and right of the indicated position.
The displacement and focusing axes can be changed using the arrows or by defining a specific va-
lue: click on the position, enter the value with the keyboard and confirm by pressing the <Enter> or
<Return> key.

The image processor

When the active source contains a digital camera, certain processes can be applied to the conti-
nuously acquired and displayed images. They are defined with the “Set processor” item in the
“Image” menu, which opens the following dialog box:

Videomet - User Manual page 12 / 35

The first process proposed converts the camera image into black and white.
Background correction is a particularly interesting process when you perform a motorized scanning
using a microscope with light background lighting. It allows you to get rid of any lighting disparities.
In order to implement it:
• At the start of the study, move the stage to an area with no objects
• Click on the “Acquire background” button
• Bring the stage back to an area to be analyzed: the objects to be measured must be visible, as
the background is now uniform in color over the entire image. The “Apply correction” button can
be used to estimate the correction quality.
Background image acquisition must be performed each time the source is started, therefore ge-
nerally each time the software is started.

Background image, to be ac- One of the continuously acqui- The same image, with correc-
quired at the start of the study red images, without correction: tion: the background is uni-
the objects are visible, but the form, facilitating object detec-
background is not uniform tion

The “mirrors” functions apply symmetries to the image, or a 180° rotation when both are activated.
They can be used without restriction with non-motorized sources. When the source is equipped with
a motorized or indexed stage, the choice should be made once and for all in the Nazca configuration
software before performing the alignment adjustment.

Equipment calibration
Calibration consists in determining an equivalence between a real length and the apparent length on
the screen. A correct calibration is essential for Videomet to run smoothly.

Videomet - User Manual page 13 / 35

Pre-defined calibrations
The “Calibration” sub-menu in the “Measures” menu provides a list of scales corresponding to the
various magnifications offered by the optical system: compound microscope lenses or the magni-
fier's zoom position.
These scales were defined using the Nazca configuration software. You therefore just have to select
the desired magnification for the system to be calibrated. This can be checked by placing a ruler or
a micrometer under the camera and verifying that the graduations correspond to those on the Vi-
deomet rules.

Defining a new calibration

If the optical system does not have a fixed position (e.g. continuous zoom), the “Calibration” sub-
menu displays the “Define...” item that provides access to a special set-up sheet, presented below:

A list of pre-defined distance scales (1) is displayed on the top left of this sheet. It also contains
some buttons and a text box for creating, modifying and deleting the scales. Each scale is expres-
sed in a measurement unit (3), which can be modified: conversion is automatic.
Two vertical crosshairs and two horizontal crosshairs are drawn on the screen. Proceed as follows:
• Place a ruler or a micrometer horizontally under the camera,
• Align two crosshairs with known graduations that are as distant as possible,
• Enter the indicated distance, expressed in the current unit, into the “X” text field (4).
The ratio between the entered distance and the number of points between the two crosshairs defines
the horizontal calibration factor, which is expressed as a current unit per pixel.

Videomet - User Manual page 14 / 35

In principle, this factor is identical for the vertical crosshairs, but it can be checked as follows:
• Place the ruler or the micrometer vertically,
• Align the two crosshairs,
• Enter the indicated distance into the “Y” text field (4).
This defines the calibration factor for the vertical crosshairs and the “Y/X” ratio which must remain
close to 1. This ratio essentially depends on the precision with which the camera respects the video
standard. It is therefore not always necessary to calibrate the system in both directions. If only one
direction is calibrated, the “Y/X” ratio, once defined, is used to calibrate the other direction.

Setting the autofocus

If the observations are made with a microscope equipped with a motorized focusing axis (three-axis
motorized system), it is possible to carry out automatic focusing before taking any measurements.
This operation requires a setting that depends on the lens chosen. The “Define autofocus…” item is
available in the “Measure” menu. It displays the following dialog box:

Setting the autofocus

In order to set the autofocus:

• Enter in the second text box a distance with the same order of magnitude as the field depth of the
lens used: it defines the analysis pitch.
• Click on the “Test” button: the system moves the focusing axis and takes a measurement at each
stage. A curve is plotted (in red), and the system moves to the position corresponding to the
curve’s maximum level.
• If the curve is large and flattened, the correct position is likely to be outwith the analyzed area:
increase the analysis pitch.
• If the curve is too narrow, the system is likely to miss the correct position: reduce the analysis
pitch.

Videomet - User Manual page 15 / 35

 3. Preparing the study

Creation of a new study

During this first stage, the user defines the measurements that he wishes to take and documents the
study that is starting (piece reference, operator’s name, comment(s)). This is done using the “New
study...” item in the “File” menu.

The defined measurements are used for coherently grouping together the readings, especially for
the statistical calculations: they are taken inside each measurement.
If the system is equipped with a motorized object stage, a list of positions from which the measure-
ments must be taken can be defined by checking the corresponding box.
The “Keep measured images” box at the bottom of the window allows you to associate the image of
the fields with the measurements made. These images are especially displayed in the overview.
They are integrated into the study file.

Videomet - User Manual page 17 / 35

List of characteristic positions
When the system is equipped with motorized displacement stages, it is possible to define a list of
positions where the measurements must be taken. In order to do so, you should use the “Characte-
ristic positions” item in the “Measure” menu. The palette shown below is then displayed:
The upper part of the palette displays the list of already existing positions, identi-
fied by a sequence number and an optional legend. An overview of all of the po-
sitions is plotted at the bottom of the palette. One of these positions is selected,
both in the list and in the overview. The video area that is currently visible is indi-
cated in white.
Below the list, text boxes allow you to define the co-ordinates of the selected
point and to possibly associate a legend to it.
In order to add a point, you can either click on the “New” button (the selected
point is then duplicated) or click in a free area of the overview. The exact posi-
tions are then defined in the text boxes.
In order to move a point roughly, click and move the point in the overview. Then
define the precise positions in the text boxes.
The characteristic points are systematically saved onto the microcomputer's hard
disk and remain valid from one study to another. Only the relative position with
regard to the piece must be redefined. In order to do that, move the first position
to the center of the video, then use the “Define home position” item in the “Mea-
sure” menu (or the equivalent toolbar button): all of the characteristic positions
are then translated in order to be superimposed on the piece.

Opening an existing study

It is possible to resume a saved and uncompleted study via the “Open a study…” item in the "File"
menu.
All of the study parameters are saved in the study file, including the list of pre-defined positions.
Nevertheless, it is probable that the displacement stages have been moved. In this case, even if you
replace the piece under the camera, the video image and the plotted images will no longer coincide.
In order to solve that, you should dissociate the stage from the software using the “Disengage sta-
ges” option in the “Measure” menu; it is then possible to move the piece without modifying the posi-
tion of the profiles on the screen. Once the alignment is completed, click on the “Engage stages”
item in the same menu.

This toolbar button also allows you to disengage and engage the stages. It has an indicator
that is red when the stages are disengaged and green when they are engaged.

Saving a study
While the measurements are being taken, it is recommended to save the measured values on a re-
gular basis. The “Save study” item in the “File” menu is used for that purpose.
The first time, this item displays the standard Windows dialogue box in which you should indicate a
directory and a file name to identify the study (the suffix ".vm" is added automatically). This name
then appears in the Videomet status bar.
The same file is used for the following recordings unless it is changed explicitly via the “Save as...”
item.

Videomet - User Manual page 18 / 35

Saved templates and files
It may be useful to define study templates that conserve in particular the definition of the measure-
ments. In order to do that, the information prepared in a file is saved using the “Save study” item.
In order to make use of this template:
• Open the file with the “Open a study...” item (“File” menu). This restores the defined measure-
ments.
• Enter the characteristics specific to the new study with the corresponding item in the “Measure”
menu.
• Define a new file with the “Save study as...” item in the “File” menu.
Note: The template files can be protected from any accidental changes: from within the Windows
Explorer, display the properties of the file, and check the “Read only” box.

Videomet - User Manual page 19 / 35

 4. Analysis of the pieces

On each of the pieces presented under the objective of the camera, you should indicate a mea-
surement to be taken and superimpose a more or less regular geometrical form using the mouse.
The measurements are then deduced from this. The operation is repeated for each measurement in
the list that has been defined.
All of the measurement readings are in general plotted measurement by measurement as this sim-
plifies the operations but there is no fixed order. All of the readings for the same measurement are
most often represented by the same geometrical figure due to the need for statistical coherence, but
then again, this is not obligatory.
The tool for selecting readings allows you to correct imperfect profiles or even to delete them as
long as they are visible on the screen. All of the readings taken can be deleted a posteriori from the
measurements table.
When a piece is completely measured, the “Next piece” item in the “Measure” menu is used to clear
the screen. The image of the next piece can then be prepared using the various functions provided
in the “Image” menu, and measuring can continue.
It is also possible to add fields without taking any measurements by using the “Add a field” menu
item in the “Measure” menu or its keyboard shortcut <F5> and measuring the field later.

Selection of the measurement

There are three methods for selecting the measurement:
• The “Measurements” item in the “Measure” menu opens a sub-menu containing the names of the
defined measurements: you just have to select the required measurement, which is then
checked.
• The name of the currently selected measurement is displayed in the toolbar. This is a pull-down
menu: clicking on it reveals the other measurements.
• While the measurements are being taken, there is a quick means of moving from one measure-
ment to the next: the “Next measurement” item in the “Measure” menu and in particular its
keyboard equivalent, the <F4> key.
A color in which the readings are plotted is associated with each measurement. This color appears
in particular in the toolbar, in the pull-down menu. The “Measurement colors…” item in the “Presen-
tation” menu is used to change the color of a measurement.

Videomet - User Manual page 21 / 35

Use of the plotting tools
A measuring tool is selected by one of the following means:
• The “Tools” item in the “Measure” menu opens a sub-menu containing the list of tools. The se-
lected tool is checked.
• Each tool is symbolized by a button in the toolbar. The button corresponding to the selected tool
appears depressed (sometimes, none of the buttons may be depressed at the start of a study).
All of the tools are used for superimposing a geometrical figure onto the video image. They are used
by carrying out a sequence of actions such as <click>, <move> and <release> with the mouse; each
action is used to read a particular point in the plotted figure. The mouse buttons can be used indif-
ferently.

Points
• Measurements taken: none. The pointed objects are counted.
• Profile: click on the location of the point to be marked.

Segments
• Measurements taken: length: projections on the axes, direction.
• Profile: click on the first end, move the mouse, release at the second end.

Lines
• Measurements taken: length, projections on the axes.
• Profile: click successively on several points in the profile to be followed (they are linked by a cur-
ved line). End with a double-click.

Angles
• Measurement taken: angle.
• Profile: plot the first segment, release, plot the second segment (the apex of the angle is calcula-
ted automatically).

Cross
• Measurements taken: length, width, projections on the axes, direction.
• Profile: plot the first segment, release, plot the second segment (the two segments remain per-
pendicular).

Rectangles
• Measurements taken: length, width, projections on the axes, direction, equivalent diameter, pe-
rimeter, surface, form factor.
• Profile: plot a side of the rectangle (if possible, the longest side), release, click on the third apex.

Ellipses
• Measurements taken: length, width, projections on the axes, direction, equivalent diameter, pe-
rimeter, surface, form factor.

Videomet - User Manual page 22 / 35

• Axis plotting tool: plot the large axis, release, click on a third point of the ellipse.
• Five-point plotting tool: click successively on five points of the outline.

Circles
• Measurements taken: length, width, projections on the axes, direction, diameter, perimeter, sur-
face, form factor. The redundant measurements are provided to allow comparison with other
forms.
• Diameter plotting tool: click on a point on the outline, move the mouse, release on the other end
of the diameter.
• Several-point plotting tool: click successively on several points of the outline, and end with a
double-click.

Arcs of circles
• Measurements taken: length, projections on the axes, direction, equivalent diameter.
• Profile: click on an end of the arc, plot a diameter, release, click on the second end.

Outlines
• Measurements taken: projections on the axes, equivalent diameter, perimeter, surface, form fac-
tor.
• Profile: click successively on several points on the reading outline (they are linked by a curved
line). End with a double-click.

Automatic alignment of the profiles

This option (to be activated in the “Measure” menu) consists in allowing Videomet to adjust the po-
sition of the pointing carried out using the mouse. This removes the arbitrary aspect inherent to the
operator. It is in fact detection of the edges of the pieces (white/black transitions) carried out by
image processing in a rectangular area of a fixed size that is displayed on the screen. This alignment
is applied a posteriori once all of the points on the profile have been designated by the operator. It is
also applied if any modification(s) are made to one of points using the mouse.
Note: This option can be deactivated as need be by pressing the <Alt> key when clicking with the
mouse.

Correction of the profiles and Selection tool

In the event of an error while plotting a reading, there are several solutions:
• The last profile plotted can be simply cancelled using the corresponding function in the “Edit”
menu.
• The readings for the piece being analyzed can be modified or deleted using the selection tool
described below.
• The readings for the piece being analyzed or previous pieces can be deleted by deleting the cor-
responding lines in the results table.
It is recommended to save the current study on a regular basis. In the event of any wrong manipula-
tions that are not seen at once and that cannot be cancelled afterwards, re-opening the file thus re-
mains possible.

Videomet - User Manual page 23 / 35

 Tool for selecting and modifying objects. When this tool is activated, click on the figure plot-
ted on the screen. The reading is “selected”: a number of small circles appear on these cha-
racteristic points. These circles are called “handles” as they allow you to deform the reading.
The possible deformations depend on the type of reading. Simple movements allow you to lengthen
or shorten the readings without changing their general direction. Rotations are authorized when you
press the <Ctrl> key on the keyboard.
Clicking on the outline of a reading outwith the handles allows you to move it without causing any
deformation(s)
Finally, a selected reading can be deleted with the corresponding item in the “Measure” menu or by
pressing the <Del> key.
Note: When the “automatic selection” item in the “Measure” menu is checked, the objects are selec-
ted as soon as the corresponding profile has been plotted.

Control of the values

The last values measured (or those corresponding to the selected reading) can be displayed in a
small window, superimposed onto the work sheet (“Measurement results” item in the “Results” me-
nu).

Results palette

The measurements displayed in this palette are chosen via the “Displayed measurements” item in
the “Results” menu.
One of these values can also be displayed on the image near to the profile: check that the “Mea-
surements” option is selected (“Reading legends” sub-menu in the “Presentation” menu), and choo-
se the measurement by clicking on the corresponding line of the palette: it is displayed in bold cha-
racters.

This button allows you to modify the legend of the profiles: none, numbers or measurement.

This button allows you to annotate images and to define the style used to display the mea-
surements. In order to apply a new style to a measurement, select the measurement and
then change the style (color, font size, framing, …).

Videomet - User Manual page 24 / 35

Movement between the characteristic positions
When a list of characteristic positions has been defined, four items in the “Measure” menu allow you
to move the stages from one position to another. Two toolbar buttons also allow you to move to the
previous or next position. If you press the <Shift> key while clicking on these buttons, the stages
move to the first or last position in the list.
In order to take measurements between two positions, start the measurement at the first position,
move to the next position using the keyboard equivalent for the item in the menu (<F2> or <F3>),
and then end the measurement.

Grid and Reference marks

In order to facilitate alignment of the pieces in the field or alignment of the readings on the piece, a
grid can be superimposed onto the image. It is controlled via the “Grid” item in the “Presentation”
menu. The spacing of this grid corresponds to the rules and is therefore determined by the system
calibration. The color of the grid can be modified using the “Profile colors” item in the same menu.
On top of or in place of this grid, reference marks can also be superimposed onto the image. These
are vertical or horizontal lines positioned using the rules (which must therefore be displayed via the
corresponding item in the “Presentation” menu).
In order to create a vertical reference mark, you just have to click on the horizontal rule in the desi-
red position. Conversely, you should click on the vertical rule to create a horizontal reference mark.
The position of the reference marks is schematized on the rule by a small triangle. When the mouse
pointer is near to one of these triangles, it changes in form: the reference mark can then be moved
by pressing the mouse button and moving it to the desired position.
The reference marks can be temporarily masked using the “Marks” item in the “Presentation” menu.
The same article also allows you to re-display them.
To delete a reference mark, you should proceed in the same way, i.e. by releasing the mouse button
when the pointer is situated outwith the rule. All of the reference marks can be deleted at the same
time using the corresponding article in the “Measure” menu.
Note: Unlike profiles, reference marks are not deleted at the start of a study and their position is not
modified when you change the system calibration.

Change of origin
The co-ordinates of the points and profiles are expressed in relation to the top left corner of the ana-
lysis field (it is visible when the horizontal and vertical scroll bars are themselves at their origin). It is
often necessary to modify the origin of the axes.
In order to do this, the rules must be visible (the corresponding item is located in the “Presentation”
menu). The box situated at the intersection of the two rules which also contains the name of the
measurement unit is used for this.
Click in this box then move the mouse while holding down the mouse button. Release the mouse
above the desired origin point: the rules are immediately replotted, as well as the grid if display the-
reof is activated.
In order to only change the origin on a single axis, you just have to release the mouse on the hori-
zontal scale (in order to only modify the origin of the X-axis) or on the vertical rule (to modify the
origin of the Y-axis).

Videomet - User Manual page 25 / 35

 5. Overview of the measured piece

When Videomet is used with displacement stages, the analyzed pieces may jut out to a large extent
from the analysis field.

The framed field is the “active” field, the data of which is displayed in the “Video” page. To change
the active field, click on the desired field while simultaneously pressing the <Shift> and <Ctrl> keys
on the keyboard.
The profiles corresponding to the readings taken for the whole piece and for all of the defined mea-
surements are represented in a scaled-down view (the overview magnification is displayed in the
status bar at the bottom of the window).

Videomet - User Manual page 27 / 35

The images of the fields are also displayed if the “Keep measured images” option was activated
when the study was started.
The overview can be displayed in a separate window and thus remain visible even when you are
working on the other Videomet pages: for that, you can use the “Display in window” option in the
“Results” menu or the corresponding keyboard shortcut, the <F12> key.

Overview

Exportation
• Transformation of the overview into a single image: Activate the “Frame” tool in the “Edit” menu,
and then frame the required zone. The “Copy” option allows you to transfer the framed part to
another software program.
• Saving the measured images individually: in the “File” menu, use the “Export” option, then the
“the images…” sub-menu.

Videomet - User Manual page 28 / 35

 6. Measurements table

While the objects are being plotted, Videomet creates a table that groups together the values mea-
sured. Each reading occupies a line and is described by the piece number, the name of the mea-
surement to which it belongs and then the result of the measurements taken.

The displayed measurements can be selected by pressing this button or using the corres-
ponding item in the “Results” menu.

Videomet - User Manual page 29 / 35

 Selection of the displayed measurements

It is also in this window that you can choose the precision of a measurement by clicking on the cor-
responding pull-down menu.
The legends displayed are also optional. They can be accessed via the “Results” menu:

Selection of legends in the measurements table

In addition to the piece number, the name of the measurement and the reading number, you can
also display the date and time of the measurement as well as the position of the stage axes during
the measurement (if the system is connected to an indexed displacement stage).

Exportation
Exporting the results consists in formatting the results obtained by Videomet so that they can be
used by external software (in general, spreadsheet programs). Two techniques are available:
• Via the clipboard: select the block of cells. When it is highlighted, select the “Copy” option in the
“Edit” menu. Activate the destination software application and paste in the desired position.
To select entire lines, click and drag in the legend columns. To select entire columns, click and
move in the heading lines. To select the entire table, click on the top left corner of the table.
• Via a “text” format file: in the “File” menu, use the “Export” sub-menu, then the “Measurement
table…” item.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Exportation must not be confused with saving a study. A study file contains
the measurements and their environment, but can only be read by Videomet. An exported file
only contains the values but can be read by another software program. It is always preferable to
save the study, as you can then extract the values in order to export them, whereas the reverse is
not possible.

Videomet - User Manual page 30 / 35

 7. Statistics

The statistics table contains the readings taken for each measurement:

It may remain visible at all times if the “Statistics” item of the “Display in a window” sub-menu in
the “Results” menu is checked.

Videomet - User Manual page 31 / 35

Exportation
• To presentation software via the clipboard: click on the statistics title bar on the work sheet.
When the box is highlighted, select the “Copy” option from the “Edit” menu. Activate the desti-
nation software application and paste in the desired position.
• To a spreadsheet program via a “text” format file: in the “File” menu, use the “Export” sub-me-
nu, then the “the statistics…” item.

Videomet - User Manual page 32 / 35

 8. Page layout and Report printout

The “Report” page displays the measurements report exactly as it will be printed:

The page layout of this document is entirely customizable: the size and contents of the header and
footer, the order and title of the printed documents.

You access it by pressing this button or via the “Report properties…” item in the “Results”
menu.

Videomet - User Manual page 33 / 35

The first tab proposes you three types of headers:
• A standard header not requiring to be set, which automatically includes the name of the software,
followed by the study reference.
• A customizable header, for which you can define the height, the title and a logo that you will have
already placed in the clipboard.
• A blank header for printing the report onto pre-printed paper. You then only set the height of the
space to be left blank.
The footer may include the software reference and page numbering or a given height may be left
blank for use with pre-printed paper.

Definition of the header and footer

The second tab is used for defining the contents of the report:

The list shown allows you to choose the documents to be included in the report and to determine
the order and title.
The actual printout is launched via the “Print report” item in the “File” menu.

Videomet - User Manual page 34 / 35

 9. Secure operating modes

For routine use of Videomet, it may be interesting to freeze the settings made to prevent making any
accidental changes. Videomet provides the following three operating modes:
• The “Administration” mode is the normal working mode in which all software functions can be
accessed.
• The “Operations” mode is a secure mode in which all routine operations can be performed. Ho-
wever, the settings are no longer accessible: they remain identical to those made in the “Admi-
nistration” mode.
• The “Supervision” mode is a secure mode in which the settings remain accessible but are saved
in a log file. File access is restricted and also recorded in the log file. This mode is defined by a
distinct software component, sold separately.

The operating modes shown in the “?” menu

The “Security parameters” item allows the administrator to define the software operating mode and
to protect access to the settings (“Administration” mode) with a password.

Videomet - User Manual page 35 / 35