BUG FIX

• Crash when using the Area or Length/Width ratio filter.
• Problem with STD1600 scanner. Cannot select the maximum scan area when Regent positioning system is used. Bug was present in version 2007a, b.

FEATURES

• Support for new scanners (STD4800, STD600 Rapido, VSA600), some ultra fast, some with dual lenses and other ultra-portable.
• Information about the Scanner.cal file (if it is effective or not) and the scanner which calibration it contains (Manufacturer, Model and Serial number) is now displayed in Calibration/Method.
• There are now two commands to save an image, one with the analysis and one without it. The one which saves the image with the analysis only saves the original image while the other can save any displayed image (Pixels classification, Skeleton, Color classes or Color groups).
• Image/Ask to Save Images After Acquisition has been moved from the Image menu to Analysis/Parameters.
• Misc./Print Displayed Image has been renamed Print Image Area.
• 4 more colors can be changed in Display/Text & Analysis Colors.
• The default color group names are now Background, Healthy and Disease (Pro version).
• Image/Origin window minor redesign.

• The analysis can be saved with the image (in standard tiff files). It can automatically be recreated when an image previously analysed and saved to a tiff file from WinRHIZO is loaded. This includes exclusion regions and image edition before the analysis but not modifications done to link analysis or image edition after analysis. All the programs settings can be retrieved from the analysed image or discarded. A new command named Analysis/Preferences has been added to store that setting.

• A manual nodules counter has been added (Basic, Reg and Pro).

• The Pixels classification command has been improved. It now displays a histogram of the grey levels and color channels distribution to help select a threshold. It will also display the result of pixels classification from any method, including the Lagarde and the Based on color. The Lagarde method has a new option. It can also be used to modify the classification of an analysed region after or before the analysis.

Link analysis (Pro version)
• There is one more method to classify links (a reverse direction ordering similar to developmental).
• The number and length of main root, laterals and other orders are saved in the global data line and are written in the command area (when a developmental analysis is done).
• You can choose the information displayed close to links (link number, order, magnitude and altitude).
• Altitude and External path length are written in the command area data.
• There is one more criterion (descending length) for order continuation in developmental analysis.
• In the developmental analysis, WinRHIZO can apply up to 4 criteria of order continuation and switch among them in the order you specify when one comparison test is equal for descending links.
• Broken links can be merged.
• EE and EI links shorter than a specified length can be filtered out.
• The selected link (which information is displayed in command area) is drawn in bold line. Activation of the next link is done by pressing shift and tab.
• When link analysis is activated, WinRHIZO will turn on the display of links rather than the skeleton. If developmental analysis is activated, the display of developmental order will be turned on. It will revert to display skeleton if link or developmental analysis is turned off.
• Link information number display is on by default.
• The name of some commands of the Developmental menu have been shortened.

• Bug fix:
  • In Analysis/Measurements, the diameter setting used was always Reg.

• Supports the new LC4800-II scanner.
• Image colors can be inverted (like a negative film).
• The Help/About and Image/Acquisition Parameters windows style have been redesigned.

• Bug fix:
  • Top and bottom additional margins (Image/Acquisition Parameters) works as they should (the problem occurred only with some LC scanners).

Release date: January 10, 2005

Features:

• Pixels classification (into root and background) can be modified or specified interactively for regions of any shape or the whole image, after the analysis. The process is very interactive and easy to use (more than the previous Pixel Classifier). Pixels that falls into the root group are drawn a different color over the original image as the pixel classification criteria is modified by moving a slider bar. This function replaces the interactive threshold adjustment that was possible before by making an image selection while the "Alt" key was pressed (followed by - or + key presses to change the threshold) and the Pixel Classifier (both have been removed).
  
• Root diameter measurement precision has been increased. User can choose between three different precision settings (the precision has an effect on the analysis time).
  
• Analysed regions can be moved in the image.
  
• Analysed regions made with the lasso tool can be resized.
  
• Sets of analysed regions can be saved to a file for later retrieving and application to other images.
  
• The area of the analysed region (of any shape) is now saved in the data. Excluded regions are not counted in that area.
  
• Calibration of images from a camera can be done with a single mouse click when Regent's new calibration targets are included in the image.
  
• Calibration of images from a camera. More options are available as to how and when calibration is done (manually or automatically after load). Targets used for calibration can be in same image as object to analyse or in separate image.
  
• Flickering when resizing the main window has been removed.
• Scrollbar thumb now works with larger images.
  
• When recreating a set of analysed regions, each analysed region of an image will have a sample identification name consisting of the image name plus a suffix made of an underscore "_" and a number starting at 1 and incremented for each region (Ex: Image01.tif_1, Image01.tif_2, Image01.tif_3...).
  
• When analysing a set of analysed regions in batch analysis mode, each analysed region of an image will have a sample identification name consisting of the image name plus a suffix made of an underscore "_" and a number starting at 1 and incremented for each region (Ex: Image01.tif_1, Image01.tif_2, Image01.tif_3...).
  
• Camera has been merged with Scanner in Image/Origin.
  
• Added support for latest scanners sold by Regent (LA2400).
  
• Bugs solved
  
  • In AXIS data lines some segments appeared more than once. The total data per axis was correct.
    
  • A crash which occurred when pressing the backspace key then clicking to edit the image.
    
  • A crash when doing a topology analysis on an image with no roots in it (which can happen when a strong filter is applied).
    
  • A crash which occurred when creating an analysed region close to the top of the image.
    
• Compatible with XLRHIZO 2005a.
  

Availability: June 30, 2004.

Availability: July 31, 2003. Will be sent for free (August 15) to those who still have a valid free update period and to those who purchased a WinRHIZO software in 2003. All other WinRHIZO owners who want to get that new WinRHIZO 2003 update, please contact us to find out about our special price.

Version 2003b (includes all modifications of version 2003a)

Version 2003a

Default scanning parameters for the LC3200 scanner are now compatible with Regent's positioning system.

Pro version: Color analysis now calculates the root length per link (segment), order and axis in each color class and group (in LINK, DEV and AXIS data lines).

The smoothing filter (that minimize rough bark effects on the analysis) has been redesigned. It is now stronger and the user has control over the intensity.

Batch analysis can now analyse a region or a set of regions in addition to the whole image.

Reg & Pro versions: The pixel classifier has been added. It allows to:
• Simultaneously view (side by side) at different magnifications the original image, the pixels classified image (in whole or in part) used for the analysis.
• To modify the analysis pixels classification in specific regions or for the whole image. The modified classification is also visible in a third image that is displayed for comparison.
• Update the analysis after modifications have been done to the pixels classified image.

The difference in percentage between total root length measured with the Tennant and the WinRHIZO method is written in the command area.

Diameter classes are specified with three decimal digits (instead of two).

Measurements made on images acquired in dots per cm (rather than dots per inch) from programs not made by Regent Instruments are now more precise.

The maximum number of analysed regions has been increased by a factor of ten.

The mouse wheel can be used to scroll the image.

Modifications have been brought to bmp files created with the Misc/Print commands so that they can be opened by more programs.

XLRHIZO compatibility: Use XLRHIZO version 2003a. You can also use version 2001a. If you do so, don't care about the warning message when you open the first data file.

Bugs solved

Root length compensation at root tips where half the root diameter is added to the skeleton (to recover length lost during the skeletonisation process) was added to the first diameter class rather than the real root diameter at the tip. The wrong classification was hardly noticeable for the following reasons:

compared to total root length, little length is added at tips (there are not so many tips and the sum of total half diameters is a small value).

very often (as is by default) the first diameter class is large enough to encompass most tips diameter. The effect was noticeable mostly when the first class was smaller than one or two pixels.

Shipped: 27 March 2002

• Support for the LC1600 scanner
• It can analyse objects with a larger diameter.
• In order to accommodate new features coming in next versions, some parts of the analysis have been revised (measurements produces the same data). The analysis consume slightly (10%) more memory however.
• Manual developmental analysis modifications are saved in the data file after each modification.
• Minor bugs corrected
  • Edit sample identification can now edit the volume of soil. As the volume is changed, the length per volume of soil is updated.
  • Recreate last region now works even if regions are deleted before the last one created.
  • Two wrongs instruction messages have been removed in interactive analysis mode.
  • A warning message introduced in version 2002b has been removed. This message prevented from scanning with the TWAIN interface hidden.
• XLRHIZO compatibility: Use XLRHIZO version 2001a (don't care about the warning message when you open the first data file).

Shipped: 01 March 2002 (this version has been sent to a very limited group). Version 2002c released a few days after has been sent to everyone eligible.

WinRHIZO 2002b FEATURES

• This version solves two minor bugs present in 2002a.
  • During batch analysis, the sample identification window is no more displayed. In version 2002a that window was inappropriately displayed and waited for the operator to click OK to analyse the images.
  • The custom dpi item in Image/Acquisition Parameters is now working properly.
• The programs informs you when a scanner does not support some functions when its TWAIN interface is hidden (when you use Regent's simple interface).
• The four suggested dpi buttons in Image/Acquisition Parameters are better adapted to new higher resolution scanners (1600 or more optical dpi).
• XLRHIZO compatibility: Use XLRHIZO version 2001a (don't care about the warning message when you open the first data file).

Shipped: 21 January 2002.

WinRHIZO 2002a FEATURES

• Better debris filtering. It can reject objects based on area and shape. For example it can reject round objects but not elongated objects (root segments) that meet your criteria.
  
• Images can be printed or saved to a bmp file with or without the analysis marks over them. The graphic above the image can also be included.
• You can edit an image after it has been analysed to add roots manually. You can choose into which diameter class they are added by clicking the corresponding class in the root distribution graphic above the image. Roots added manually will be the color of its diameter class in the graphic (same as the skeleton image). Note: Added roots by this method will modify the morphology analysis but not the link, topology and fractal analysis. To modify these analyses, the edition must be done before the analysis.
  
• The edition brushes are round instead of rectangular.
  
• Isolated links (IL) can be rejected from link, topology and developmental analyses.
• Fractal analysis can be done from the Pixels Classification image (previously called the Threshold image) or the Skeleton image (previously called the Analysed image). Both images are used in the scientific community. The Skeleton image is often used when analysing manually traced roots.
  
• You can scan binary images (instead of grey levels or color images) and save up to 20% of scanning and analysis time.
• Scanned images are no more flipped vertically.
• The Threshold Image has been renamed Pixels Classification image.
• The Analysed Image has been renamed Skeleton image.
  
• Undo Edition can also be done by pressing the Backspace keyboard key.
• You can edit with the color of a color class or group or a diameter class color.
• Text size in command area and over image can be set independently.
• The frame around analysed regions are easier to see. When analysing whole images a frame is drawn around its boundary.
• The Regions/Analysed Regions command is gone. To analyse the whole image simply click it, to analyse a sub-region of it (any shape) make a selection instead.
• You can change the color used to draw the diameter classes (root skeleton and root distribution graphic).
• Paths are gone and are now exclusively in the RHIZO Tron and the new Tron MF versions. Manual root measurement with paths, has been totally redesigned. They are for mini-RHIZOTRON root measurement. The Tron versions now have unique features not found in any programs that will make your work more productive.
• Manuals (Introduction, Reference and Installation) have been merged into a single document which contains more illustrations and explanations.
• XLRHIZO compatibility: Use XLRHIZO version 2001a (don't care about the warning message when you open the first data file).

Shipped: January 2001.

• This version is for Windows 2000, ME and 98. It does not work under Windows 3.1 or 95.
• Analyses are approximately twice as fast as with earlier versions (depending on which analyses are active).
• You can analyze image regions of any shape. In addition to being able to analyze whole images and rectangular areas as before, you can now analyze circular regions (useful for analyzing roots or objects in petri dishes) or regions of irregular shapes made with the lasso tool. This feature is not available in the Basic version.
• You can measure root length and diameter manually in RHIZOTRON images. This is done interactively by drawing over the roots. Manual root analysis also works with images that do not come from RHIZOTRON.
• You can edit images with any color of your choice by picking up the color from image.
• Help information is displayed when the mouse is held over the controls (Tooltips).
• In addition to Surface area (used for root skin area), Projected area (useful for leaf area measurements) is now available. Both area measurements appear in the root distribution graphic and data files as a function of diameter classes or color groups and classes.
• Projected area per color group and class is now available in data files in the global data line. All previous color analysis data lines are now optional. This makes RHIZO easier to use as a color area meter.

LINK, TOPOLOGY and DEVELOPMENTAL ANALYSIS

• You can do a developmental analysis manually. As you click root segments, their order (primary, secondary, tertiary) is identified.
• A new criteria based on Magnitude, for order continuation has been added for developmental link analysis. Existing criteria have been improved slightly.
• Link number can be displayed in the image.
• Link order can be displayed in the image (when a developmental analysis has been done).
• Color keys are shown in the command area (they identify the colors used to draw links classification or dev. order).
• When topology is active, rejected links (from the topology analysis) are drawn in magenta (this is true whether the displayed link mode is the classification [EE, II, EI...] or dev. order).

MINOR MODIFICATIONS

• When recreating a set of analyzed regions, incremental numbers are used as naming convention instead of asking a name for each region (this is faster as you don't have to enter a name for each region).
• The Analysis/Threshold command has been redesigned and merged with Color/Color Analysis Parameters. It is now called Root/Background and Color analysis.
• Analysis/Reanalyse image has been renamed Analysis/Restart analysis.
• Pause before analysis is always on.
• It can analyze images stored in jpeg or windows bmp files.
• It can analyze tiff image files with a resolution in dot per centimeter.
• The computer processor is freed when WinRHIZO is idle.
• Batch analysis will analyze all images (in any supported format) in a folder (instead of just one format).
• The maximum number of regions per image has been increased.
• The quantity and quality of the instruction messages in the command area have been improved.
• Instructions manuals have been rewritten and improved.
• There is one more optional data type for color data in Data/Data Save option.
• A menu, called Interactive has been added. It contains commands for manual developmental roots analysis.
• A menu, called Path has been added. It contains commands for manual root morphology analysis.
• If only Tennant analysis is active, Tennant measured values are shown in the command area.
• Root distribution analysis has been removed. You can get the same function with the Save/Recreate Set of Analyzed Regions.
• There is one more title line and data types (for interactive manual measurements) in data files.
• In data files; LINK_AXIS has been renamed AXIS.
• Some icons and buttons in the command area are now hidden when they cannot be used (they are visible only when the corresponding analysis mode is active).
• The "About WinRHIZO" window now identifies the version model (Basic, Reg or Pro) running.
• Some image edition flaws have been eliminated (drawing strokes were temporarily lost after window resize or activation).

Shipping date: January 2003.

Features:

• There are no new features. The only difference is the suppression of the warning message if you open a file produced by WinRHIZO 2003 or 2002.

Known bugs: None

Compatibility: Can analyse files produced by WinRHIZO versions 5.0 to 2003a.

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