The Planes tab as illustrated in Figure 2.7 contains all of the controls regarding the slice, slab and MIP planes. Depending on the mode selected in each of the slice panes, the corresponding slice, slab, or MIP will be shown in the volume pane. To turn these objects on or off in the volume pane, click the corresponding Plane Toggle (labeled 2). In addition to the views from the slice panes, MIP views may be shown at the borders of the volume. To turn these on or off, use the MIP Toggles (labeled 3).

The "window width" and "level" controls can be used to emphasize data values in all four viewer windows. The default "level" (or center value) is the center value of the dataset, and the "range" (range of displayed values) is the whole dataset. With the default window and level, all values in the dataset are visible in the viewer. Changing the "window width" and "level" may allow us to view certain features of the dataset. Users can change the window width and level in three ways: use the slider shown in label 4 of Figure 2.7, type in a numerical value for the window with and level in the entry boxes next to the sliders and hit the Enter key, or using the mouse buttons in the slice panes. Left cicking and dragging the mouse up and down inside of the slice pane changes the level. Left clicking and dragging the mouse side to side inside of the slice pane changes the window width.

By default, the window width and level controls for the Planes tab are linked to the window width and level controls in the Volume Rendering tab. For more information regarding the controls on the Volume Rendering tab, see “Volume Rendering Tab”.

The Background Threshold slider (labeled 5) corresponds to the range of data values and indicates a threshold of values to be displayed in all of the viewing panes. Dragging the slider will essentially clip out any points in the volume less than or equal to the threshold.

The Font Controls (labeled 6) control the text in the 2D slice panes. Turn the text on/off using the Show 2D Window Text toggle and ajust the text size using the corresponding slider. Users can also change the text color using the color selection widget in the Font Controls frame.

The Show Guidelines checkbox allows the user to toggle the slice panes guidelines on or off. When on, guidelines will appear in the current 2D slice pane.

The Filter 2D Textures checkbox forces BioImage to linearally interpolate the textures for a smoother appearance when zooming in. With this option off, when the user zooms in on a slice either the volume or slice panes then each pixel is represented as a little square, with it on, each pixel is linearally interpolated for a smoother appearance.

The Anatomical Coordinates checkbox (labeled 9) changes between using anatomical labels such as superior, anterior, etc. with a standard X, Y, Z coordinate system.

The Color Planes By frame allows the user to change the planes colormaps to use other ranges of colors. Select the radiobutton for the desired colormap and the planes should be re-colored immediately.