LabChart v7.3 Highlights
Version 7.3 of LabChart for Windows includes several great new features to improve the way you generate, log and analyze your data. A completely new Data Pad is included in LabChart 7.3, which boasts a new look and faster data analysis. Scope View now incorporates baseline subtraction, which allows for the removal of recurring features in a signal, while Spectrum View is able to stack and overlay PSD plots in a similar way to LabChart's Zoom View. LabChart 7.3 also includes support for the new Playback File extension, which lets you stream your existing files into LabChart, simulating a PowerLab capturing and recording data in real time.
New LabChart v7.3 features:
- New Data Pad (win only) - LabChart 7.3 features a completely new Data Pad, built from the ground up and powered by the new ADInstruments Spreadsheet Engine. The Data Pad has a fresh new look and a number of feature and performance improvements.
The user interface of the Data Pad sports many enhancements, both cosmetic and functional. Frequently used Data Pad functions are easily accessible from a group of drop-down menus. Undo and Redo now exists for all operations in the Data Pad, and all settings associated with the Data Pad can now be saved.The new Data Pad also provides greater compatibility with other Windows applications. For example, there is now full Unicode support to ensure symbols are faithfully copied from other programs. OLE allows LabChart for Windows users to export data from the LabChart window or the Data Pad to Microsoft Excel or any OLE compatible software. Any changes in LabChart can be set to automatically update data in Microsoft Excel.
Many "under the hood" features have been incorporated into the completely re-written Data Pad to make use of new computing technologies. Parallel processing (multithreading and multi core support) has been widely implemented to speed up column calculation operations and to make the user interface more responsive. Previous versions of the Data Pad supported a maximum of 16000 rows. This restriction no longer applies and the number of rows available is only limited by the size of your computer's memory.
Data Pad provides a powerful and easy means of extracting experimental data:
- Users can log any raw or calculated signal from any channel into the Data Pad.
- The addition of values can be automated prior to recording using 'Timed Add to Data Pad'.
- Background Subtraction in Scope View - Scope Background subtraction is a new feature added to the Scope View which allows you to remove periodic signals, enabling further analysis. This is achieved by specifying a particular Scope view page as 'background' which is then subtracted from all pages in the file.
Background subtraction can be applied to all channels, or a subset specified by you, and can be toggled on and off without losing the current background settings. Scope's background subtraction is dynamic – whenever the background data changes (for example, a smoothing calculation is applied) all other pages are updated automatically. You can also extract the background-subtracted numbers in the Data Pad and export them to a separate data or text file.
- Stacked PSD Plots in Spectrum Window - Power Spectrum Density traces in Spectrum View can now be viewed as a stack in separate panes, as well as a single pane where the traces are overlaid. Plot stacking allows you to easily compare spectra of different magnitudes.
- Updates to the Welcome Center - The Welcome Center's Recent Files list is now searchable by filename. This makes it easy to quickly recall your recently-used files from the list. A group of quick links has been added to the Welcome Center to provide easy access to LabChart features and extensions, and explore the comprehensive help, web support and training opportunities that ADInstruments has available.
- Playback File Support - The Playback File LabChart extension in now available for LabChart 7.3. This powerful new feature allows data from existing LabChart files to be streamed in real time during recording, just as if the data were coming from an attached device. This allows you to mimic real-time recording situations using previously recorded data. Playback File makes it perfect for in-class demonstrations where you might not have all of the equipment available, but want to simulate real-time PowerLab sampling.
Playback File is installed as a virtual recording device, so can be used by itself as the only device connected to LabChart, or in combination with any other devices such as a PowerLab. Any file that is recognized by LabChart can be used as a data source. This includes imported file formats such as EDF and MATLAB, and audio formats including WAV, FLAC and OGG. Playback File sources can be streamed at their native sample rate or even resampled to rates commonly used by LabChart. Any channel calculations present within the file are generated as source data.
The Playback File extension for LabChart 7.3 is available from within the Feature Manager.
Other recently added features:
- Sampling from Multiple Devices (Win only) - You can record a maximum of 32 channels of live data using multiple PowerLab units and a BioHarness into a single LabChart file. This has two major benefits: being able to increase the number of raw data input channels and a convenient way to analyze data from multiple subjects or recordings. The Devices and Channels dialog provides a quick and easy way to configure available devices.
The Devices and Channels dialog enables the selection and configuration of available devices.gif){kind=icon}
Watch the Multiple Devices video tutorial- Analysis Manager (Win only) - You can use Analysis Manager in conjunction with LabChart modules to save the analysis settings associated with any number of data regions. This enables analysis of separate data regions within a data file, multiple analyses of the same or different data regions, and the results of each analysis to be saved and recalled. The Analysis Manager can also be used with LabChart alone to save and recall selections of data and/or active points in both Chart and Scope View.
The Analysis Manager dialog showing 8 saved analyses.Saved analyses can be recalled, revised or deleted
Watch the Analysis Manager video tutorial- Continuous Auto Scale - LabChart can now continually re-scale the vertical display in Chart View channels online (while sampling) or offline (while scrolling). This feature dynamically adjusts the signal to the available display area.
Continuous Auto Scale ensures the signal stays viewable even after a large change in the signal magnitude, as seen on the right of the above screen capture. Watch the Continuous Auto Scale video tutorial- Integration of Export, Import and Translate Extensions (Win only) - All Export, Import and Translate extensions (with the exception of Export QuickTime) are now available in LabChart as a standard feature. These include:
- Export IGOR, Export MATLAB, Export WAV
- Read AcqKnowledge
- Read WAV, Read WinDAQ
- Translate Axon, Translate Binary, Translate EDF
- New Read Wav and Read WinDAQ Extensions (Win only) - Part of the newly integrated Export, Import and Translate extensions, WAV and WinDAQ files can now be imported into LabChart. These file types are available from the Open dialog in the File drop down menu.
The Open dialog listing available file formats.- Event markers now able to be exported separately from comments (Win only) - You now have the choice of exporting event markers separately in the Export as settings dialogs.
The Save as Spectrogram Text File option in the Save As dialog.- New Data Pad Calculation (Win only) - End Value - Start Value calculation provides the difference between the start and end values of a selection.
- Welcome Center - Centralized access to LabChart related files for quick and easy access. ADIPak mechanism (Windows only) allows packaging and installation of LabChart files and supporting documents into Welcome Center Gallery to be shared with colleagues, collaborators or students. An ever-increasing number of Help Tutorials are available in the Welcome Center (Windows only).
- Scope View (Win only) - An additional software oscilloscope view of LabChart data. Averaging and sampling settings can be easily configured from the Scope View. Pages or sweeps can be generated using data blocks, events or comments in LabChart View. Recording of data occurs simultaneously into the Scope and Chart Views. Scope View provides a number of powerful tools to enhance analysis and display, and improve trace contrast. These include the 3D Depth Overlay feature, Scope Overlay Options dialog box and Black Background toggle.
- Spectrum View (Win only) - Allows analysis of frequency distribution of component sine waves with Power Spectral Density (PSD) and Spectrogram plots. Plots can be viewed in online or offline modes. The spectrum parameters can be continuously displayed in LabChart channels and exported to Data Pad.
- total power
- percentage total power
- maximum power
- minimum power
- maximum power frequency
- minimum power frequency
- mean power frequency
- median power frequency
- standard deviation frequency
- spectral edge frequency
- New Stimulator (Win only) - Provides complete control over stimulation patterns, frequency, duration and triggering options. Two independent stimulus outputs can be generated simultaneously. Preconfigured stimulus waveforms available include Arithmetic, Pulse, Step Pulse, Biphasic Pulse, Double Pulse, Ramp, Sine and Triangle. You can also generate and save custom stimulus waveforms.
- Feature Manager - Browse and obtain any of ADInstruments software from one interface. Software updates can be manually or automatically performed to alert you about new versions of LabChart, LabChart Extensions and LabChart Modules.
- Improved Help Center (Win only) - LabChart 7 ‘Help Center’ now distinguishes between online software and hardware PDF documentation. Most LabChart Modules now come with a ‘Getting Started Tutorial’ to guide you through each module’s features using either your own data file or a supplied sample data file.
- Digital Output Extension - The Digital Output Extension is now a standard feature in LabChart 7 for the management and control of digital output lines used to trigger devices such as stimulators or heating baths (eg PowerLab® 26T, /30 series, 4/SP, 8/SP, 16/SP and 4/ST series)
- ‘Save as Settings’ Option - It is now easier than ever to save the settings from a LabChart document. Settings files are easily accessible via LabChart7 Welcome Center.
- ‘Cyclic Measurements’ for Windows and Macintosh - ‘Cyclic Variables’ in Macintosh is now replaced with ‘Cyclic Measurements’. ‘Cyclic Measurements’ features a wide range of statistics and functions to analyze periodic or cyclic signals. Calculations include rate, period, frequency, mean, minimum, maximum, 1/3 maximum + 2/3 minimum, height, integral, variance, minimum derivative and maximum derivative
- Select/Every Option for ‘Time Add to Data Pad’ (Win only) - The new Select/Every option available in ‘Time Add to Data Pad’ provides greater flexibility when making selections during recording. In addition, data selections around Scope events can be made using the new Scope mode.
Welcome Center
Scope View showing the Scope Overlay Options dialog and a black background Watch the Scope View Enhancements video tutorial
The PSD and Spectrogram plots Watch the Online Spectrum video tutorial| The spectrum parameters can be continuously displayed in LabChart channels and exported to Data Pad. Spectrum parameters include: | |
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Chart View and Data Pad with exported Spectral parameters (left) and Spectrum PSD and Spectrogram plots (right)
Use preset waveforms, or customize your own Watch the Stimulator Overview video tutorial
Watch the Digital Output video tutorial
User-favourite features include:
- Variable Sampling Speeds – Integrated recordings are easier with the ability to vary sampling speeds across different channels in the same LabChart file. You can simultaneously record different signals using the appropriate sampling speed for each signal in the same data file.
- Smart Layout – LabChart 7 features user-friendly graphical toolbar, and a layout you can customize to suit your screen and analysis.
- Editable Macros in LabChart for Windows – LabChart for Windows users can now edit their existing macros, rather than creating entirely new macros for every minor change in recording protocols.
- Supported by LabChart Reader – Read and analyze LabChart data files with our LabChart Reader software. It is available as a free download, so you’ll be able to view your data files on any computer in any location and share your data more easily.
- Compatibility – LabChart features Microsoft digitally signed drivers that are compatible with Windows XP/Vista and Universal Binary software for Mac OS X (10.4 or later) that automatically runs at peak performance on both Intel and Power PC Macs. Support for PowerLab® SP, ST, 20, 25, 15, 26 and 30 series. LabChart does not support SCSI-only MacLab or PowerLab data acquisition units.
- Channel Settings dialog – This feature allows fast and easy set up.
- Flexible triggering and stimulation options:
- Use preconfigured stimulus waveforms. Generate and save custom stimulus waveforms.
- Generate two independent stimulus outputs simultaneously using PowerLab 30 series units.
- Right-clicking (Control-Clicking for Macintosh users) – Allows you to access commands for many LabChart features.
- LabChart display options include:
- Overlay
- Zoom View
- DVM Windows
- XY View
- 3D Depth Overlay feature
- The Split Bar – Allows the user to divide the display area and allow the user to review and compare previously recorded data with that being acquired.
- Disk buffering – Protects your recording even in the event of a power failure by automatically storing data in a buffer.
For more information, or an obligation-free demonstration of the PowerLab data acquisition system including LabChart software, contact your local ADInstruments representative.
Please note that software features may differ between the Windows and Mac OS versions of LabChart. See the Software Updates page for more information on the latest versions.
