Re: use of imageJ for herbivory assessment

Posted by Kenneth Sloan-2 on Jan 15, 2007; 5:22pm
URL: http://imagej.273.s1.nabble.com/use-of-imageJ-for-herbivory-assessment-tp3700587p3700589.html

On Jan 15, 2007, at 12:49 AM, Jonathan Rosenthal wrote:

> Hello all,
>    I'm attempting to use ImageJ to analyze scanned images of leaves  
> in order to assess percentage of leaf area lost to herbivory.  In  
> so doing, I've encountered two problems already (and I've just  
> started): 1) The "wand" tool, selected from the toolbar, will, at  
> most outline only one hole per leaf, will not outline the leaf  
> perimeter, and, more generally, is often completely non-responsive;  
> and 2) in trying to use a mouse or trackpoint to control the  
> "freehand" tool from the toolbar to outline the leaf perimeter (or  
> reconstruct an eaten leaf perimeter), my hand clearly is not steady  
> enough to closely follow the path that I desire.     I would  
> greatly appreciate it if anyone would suggest either alternatives  
> to these 2 tools, or ways that I can use them more effectively.  
> Also, if you know of a standard protocol for herbivory assessment  
> that's compatible with the current version of ImageJ, that would  
> probably solve all of my problems.
>          Thanks very much,
>          Jonathan Rosenthal

Sometimes, the right solution requires moving sideways.  Let me ask  
what might be a silly question:

Are you using a mouse?

If so, consider getting a tablet.

That will not solve the software problems you are having - but it  
will definitely fix the "unsteady hand" problem.

--
Kenneth Sloan                                          
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Computer and Information Sciences                        [phone]
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Birmingham, AL 35294-1170                http://www.cis.uab.edu/sloan/