GC IMAGE - User Guide 2024R2

New Features and Improvements in Version 2020

GC Image 2020 has many new features and improvements. See the GC Image User Guide for full documentation.

What's New in Version 2020 Release 3 (June 2021)

Improved Support of MS Background Subtraction

Version 2020R3 has the following improvements for subtracting multiple background spectra from a chromatogram:

Subtract Spectrum from Image has improved handling of negative normalization ratios. Negative normalization ratios are usually caused by previous subtraction operations. By skipping subtraction on these data points, the user can subtract multiple spectra of different background interferences from a chromatogram more conveniently.
The MS View > Copy to Clipboard menu now has new options for copying spectra with absolute intensities, making it easier to specify a spectrum for the Subtract Spectrum from Image step when editing a method.

New Improvements for Project Workspace

Version 2020R3 has new improvements for using a project as a workspace, including:

Register, Review, and Investigate Images actions under the Project > Run menu now support all images inside a project without requiring associated runs.
Summary, Filter, and Comparison reports under the Project > Reports menu now support all images inside a project without requiring associated runs.
When saving a new image within an instance of the Image program launched from a project, the save destination will now default to the project's Images folder.
The Run Details and Images Details panes now display more complete source file path information for more convenient data validation.

New Improvements for Batch Processing with Command Line and Methods

Version 2020R3 adds further improvements for batch processing for the Command Line interface:

The Command Line interface now supports processing images with a method using the new '-method [Path to method file]' option. The user no longer needs to copy and edit a method in a command file.
Using the command line has been simplified with the new Cli.bat interface. The new interface supports relative paths for arguments and can be called from any file location. Calling the interface no longer requires the use of output redirection operators.
The Command Line interface now exits with an error message if provided an invalid method or command file path instead of silently skipping processing steps.

Additionally, the Save Summary Report, Export Image as CSV, and Export Image as Text Format steps of a method now support specifying the destination folder within the method editor, which makes it easier to use a method with the Command Line interface.

Other New Improvements

Version 2020R3 has other improved operations, including:

The software now supports importing ChemStation data channels from an Agilent OpenLab .dx raw data file.
The default system settings can now be set within Investigator through the new Tools > Configure Settings menu.
Investigator validates the source image file for file existence and software association before opening externally to avoid unnecessary errors.
Investigator now shows the source file path of the selected image.
The software now hides disabled image-specific options if no image is open when Export Configuration.

What's New in Version 2020 Release 2 (April 2021)

New and Improved Support of Background Subtraction for Batch Processing

Version 2020R2 introduces three new method commands providing new options for subtracting background noise from chromatograms during batch processing:

Subtract an Image allows the user to subtract an image (for example, a background image) from the image processed by the method.
Subtract Spectrum from Image allows the user to subtract a specific spectrum from the image processed by the method. For example, this command can be used to remove noise with a known spectrum from the chromatogram.
Apply Arithmetic Operation with an Image allows the user to perform an arithmetic operation (addition, subtraction, multiplication, division) between a specified image and the image processed by the method. For example, addition of multiple chromatograms can be used to obtain an average chromatogram.

In addition, Version 2020R2 has other related improvements, including:

A new shortcut Processing > Subtract an Image operation for subtracting an image from the open image. The operation performs point-wise subtraction between the two images.
Processing > Arithmetic Op > Browse now remembers recently used file paths and includes buttons for selecting these paths. There are buttons for selecting both the Recent Location (last used during import) and the Image Location (the workspace images folder).

New Improvements for Method Usage

Version 2020R2 has the following improvements for method usage, including:

Method file parameter browsers now default to an appropriate workspace folder, if available, making it easier to find the files needed.
The Use Method file browser from the Automated Actions tab of the Import Options dialog now remembers recently used file paths and includes buttons for selecting these paths. There are buttons for selecting both the Recent Location (last used during import) and the Method Location (the workspace method folder).
Unsupported method commands (such as those introduced in future versions of the software) are now identified as such and handled gracefully without causing errors.

Improved Viewing and Exporting for Spectral Data

Version 2020R2 adds a new data type for image export, MS for Library Search. This new data type will generate each exported blob or area spectrum using the library search settings set in Configure > Settings > Search Library. The MS for Library Search data type is available from the Export Image as Text Format method command as well as the following File > Export Image menu items: Export Image as Text MS, Export Image as MzXML, Export Image as Agilent CEF, and Export Image as Other Text Formats.

Additionally, Version 2020R2 improves the functionality of the OK and View Spectrum button from the Blob Properties dialog. The button now behaves the same as clicking on the blob using the Context MS cursor mode, including listing both the peak and blob MS spectra and selecting the active spectra based on the library search settings.

What's New in Version 2020 Release 1.1 (September 2020)

Support for NIST 2020 MS and MS/MS Libraries

Version 2020R1.1 has an updated batch search interface that is fully compatible with the latest NIST 2020 libraries including the updated RI library, and the new MS/MS libraries that double in coverage.

What's New in Version 2020 Release 1 (July 2020)

Improved 64-bit Performance

Version 2020R1 includes a new 64-bit framework that provides improved performance and system stability for all operations when processing data larger than 2GB. Due to the new framework, the software no longer supports the Microsoft Windows Vista or older operating systems.

Command Line Interface for Batch Processing and Advanced Workflows

Version 2020R1 introduces the Command Line interface that allows processing a single raw data file or re-processing a chromatographic image with a Method or scripting. The interface can be used to create workflows that integrate multiple tools or software for automating routine analysis or complicated processing with a large number of data files.

New Improvements for Retention Index Calibration

Version 2020R1 has new improvements on generic retention index calibration especially for batch processing, including:

A new Retention Index Method (.gcrm) file that allows the user to export and import the RI table and settings together either manually or through a Method;
Default retention index calibration settings now can be configured and exported through Configure > Settings along with other settings;
Import and Refresh an RI table now keeps current settings;
A clear error message, instead of an empty table, is displayed if a linked RI table file is empty or invalid.

In addition, the software now supports

Base 10, in addition to natural log, for the log-linear regression;
Converting other retention properties of a blob to retention indices with two new CLIC functions, LRI1() and LRI2().

Version 2020R1 has new options for molecular weight calibration with GPC, including:

Mz+1 molecular weight average property that can be added to Blob Table;
Calibration Type - GPC option that computes molecular weight averages from responses acquired by a concentration detector such as refractive index detector;
Mark-Houwink constants that can be specified for standard and sample polymers to perform universal calibration.

New and Improved Support for Extracting Ion Peaks

Version 2020R1 has two new filters for Processing > Extract Ion Peaks as Areas:

New Min Qualifier Ion Count filter that allows the user to specify the minimum number of apexing ions required;
New CLIC Filter that allows the user to specify a customized constraint using all properties computed for a targeted ion apex peak, for example, retention times or a combination of peak width and qualifier ions.

The operation now can be added to a Method, and supported by batch processing with Project or the Command Line interface.

In addition, the Context MS mode has the following improvements to make it easier to examine spectra deconvolved by the operation, including:

Reference MS, where the deconvolved spectrum are stored, is loaded to the MS View automatically;
Only the primary spectra are set to be visible by default for a less cluttered display;
A spectrum can be set to Active and Visible separately to allow fast toggling of the displayed spectra in MS Viewer.

New Improvements for Investigator

Version 2020R1 has new improvements for Investigator, including:

Spectra view in the Compounds Perspective now supports sending a selected spectrum to the NIST Library for identification search.
Compound Finder now displays the results next to the main perspectives, which allows cross examining the information of resulting compounds from the main perspectives.

Other New Improvements

Version 2020R1 has other improved operations, including:

Interactive Blob Detection now has a new Apply and Save as Defaults button that allows the user to save detection settings as the default configuration. The button replaces the old Set-to-Configuration option and question.
Interactive Blob Detection now sets only the Min threshold, instead of both Min and Max thresholds, by default when SNR or other threshold-based suggested properties are added.
The software now supports smaller font sizes (i.e. 4 - 7) than 8 for Text annotation on small chromatogram images.

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