Data Preprocessing

In some cases, you may have to reorient your data so that the input bone specimen is in the correct anatomical orientation. The Translate/Move panel provides the tools necessary to quickly re-orientate data (see Translating and Rotating Objects). You can then derive a new dataset from the re-oriented view.

1. Display the data in a multiple MPR layout, recommended.

   See Scene Layouts and Views for information about changing the layout of the views in a scene.

2. Adjust window leveling with the W/L tool or in the histogram on the Window Leveling panel, as required (see Window Leveling).

   You should note that it is often easiest to use the Area tool on the Window Leveling panel to adjust window leveling automatically in 2D views. Do the following to automatically optimize window leveling in 2D views:

   • Click the Area tool on the Window Leveling panel.
   • Drag to define a rectangular area over the tissue of interest.

     

   • Release the mouse button to apply the leveling values computed within the selected area.

     

   • De-select the Area tool.
3. Select the view you plan to align.
4. Click the Displace tool on the Translate/Rotate panel.

   The Translate and Rotate tools appear in the selected view.

5. Drag the Rotate tool, as shown below, to align the selected view with the anatomical axes.

   

   Note You can use the Rotate tool in any MPR view of the selected dataset to make your adjustments.

6. Do the following when you are satisfied with the reorientation:
   • Make sure that the reoriented view is selected. A view is selected when its border is highlighted.

     

   • Right-click the dataset in the Data Properties and Settings panel and then choose Derive New from Current View in the pop-up menu.

     After processing is complete, the derived dataset appears in the Data Properties and Settings panel, as shown below.

     

Cropping image data is an optional pre-processing step. However, cropping your data to the bone of interest will reduce the total size of the volume and should decrease processing time. In cases in which multiple bones are present, you can also use the Crop tool to isolate the bone of interest. The result of cropping can be either a new dataset that is a subset of the original or a cropped original (see Cropping Datasets).

1. Display the original or derived dataset in a layout that includes multiple 2D views and/or a 3D view, recommended.

   See Scene Layouts and Views for information about changing layouts.

2. Right-click the dataset you want to crop in the top section of the Data Properties and Settings panel and then choose Crop in the pop-up menu.

   The Dataset Cropper panel appears on the Dataset Tools tab on the right sidebar.

   

   In addition, a clip box appears in the views of the dataset.

3. Do the following, as required:
   • Adjust the clip box in the 2D views of the dataset, as shown below. You should note that you can also translate the clip box, if required.

     

   • Adjust the planes of the clip box in the 3D view of the dataset.

     

   • Enter the required ranges for the X, Y, and Z axes in Min and Max edit boxes on the Dataset Cropper panel.
4. Check the Create new dataset option on the Dataset Cropper panel, if required.

   If checked, a new dataset will be created with the selected cropping. If not checked, the input data will be modified.

5. Click the Apply button.

In some cases, you may need to filter your data to reduce noise or to enhance edges. You can also apply other operations to facilitate initial bone segmentations.

Side-by-side comparison of original versus preview of filtered image data