Description
Calculate signed physical spacing between two supplied image planes.
Developmental measurements depend on specimen identity, staging sources, coordinate registration, image scale and time-zero conventions. A section-area fraction differs from a volume, a generation-number step differs from verified lineage, and a midpoint of observations differs from an exact event time. Local scalar terms do not infer developmental mechanisms.
Calculate signed physical spacing between two supplied image planes.
When to use this tool
Use Embryo Image Zstep Physical Spacing when you already have firstPlaneIndex, secondPlaneIndex, physicalStep and need to calculate signed physical spacing between two supplied image planes.
How to use the tool and how it works
- Enter firstPlaneIndex, secondPlaneIndex, physicalStep. Use the units and conventions below.
- Run the tool. Correct any format, range, or cross-field input error before interpreting the output.
- Read signedSpacing. Use the output convention below.
Require nonnegative safe whole plane indices and physicalStep positive/finite; return (second-first)*step.1
| Input field | Meaning and units | Accepted input |
|---|---|---|
| firstPlaneIndex | First Plane Index | Required. Safe integer; minimum 0. |
| secondPlaneIndex | Second Plane Index | Required. Safe integer; minimum 0. |
| physicalStep | Physical Step | Required. Finite number; strictly above 0. |
| Output field | Interpretation | Returned shape |
|---|---|---|
| signedSpacing | (second plane-first plane)*constant physical step; may be negative. | Required. Finite number. |
{
"input": {
"firstPlaneIndex": 2,
"secondPlaneIndex": 5,
"physicalStep": 0.5
},
"output": {
"signedSpacing": 1.5
}
}Limitations and assumptions
- A reversed index pair gives negative spacing. Constant step and matching physical units are assumed; no actual stage position, image thickness or calibration is verified.
- Inputs must satisfy both the field types and the cross-field conditions above. Invalid input causes an error; a successful false flag or documented placeholder is a different result.
- Numeric calculations use binary floating point unless exact decimal-integer arithmetic is explicitly stated. No hidden measurement tolerance or decimal rounding is added; nonfinite or out-of-contract results are rejected. Numeric signed-zero results are exported as zero.
Alternative or Complementary methods
Inspect original specimens, calibrated images, acquisition timelines and staging references for biological interpretation. Use complete image, lineage and experimental analyses when needed; local ratios, source-qualified labels and supplied coordinate arithmetic do not perform those analyses.
References
Similar or alternative tools
- Developmental Image Time Zero Offset
Measure a supplied developmental image's signed time-zero offset.
- Organoid Diameter Scale
Convert an organoid's supplied pixel diameter with a linear image scale.