ScanImage 2016 : How to Run a ScanImage Simulation

Overview

Evaluating, testing, and developing ScanImage can be done without any scanning hardware. This is done by using Simulated Mode. Running in Simulated Mode allows you to start up ScanImage as if it were hooked up to Resonant Scanning hardware. Some hardware specific functions do not operate (for example, pockels cell control), but the user can interact with all basic ScanImage functionality, Focus, Grab, Loop, and framelogging.

Software Requirements

  • MATLAB 2013b (minimum)
  • National Instruments NI DAQMX 9.8 or greater. 15.5 recommended.

Hardware Requirements

  • A PC with a processor and enough memory to run ScanImage

Simulated NI devices 

To use Simulated Mode, you must also create a simulated NI-DAQ devices.

  1. Start up NI MAX. Under "My System", right click on "Devices and Interfaces", then select "Create New...".

  2. In the "Create New..." dialog window, select "Simulated NI-DAQmx Device or Modular Instrument", then click the "Finish" button.

  3. In the "Create Simulated NI-DAQmx Device" dialog window, type "6356" and select PXIe-6356.
  4. Set "PXI Slot" to 3 and click the "OK" button
  5. You should now be able to start MATLAB and run Scanimage 5.0.

Machine Data File Configuration

After starting ScanImage, you will be asked to create a Machine Data File, if none is a available. Please set up the MDF according to the guidelines for Simulated Mode.