Leica DFC Camera
Software
Release Notes V 7.3.0
Leica DFC Camera
Release Notes V7.3.0
Abstract
This document describes the V7.3.0 release of the Leica Digital Camera Software for the Leica DFC range of
cameras. You should read this document before installing your copy of this software.
Leica DFC cameras use the FireWire interface and the Leica DFC Camera software package includes
software and user guides for setting up and using these cameras.
All reasonable steps have been taken to ensure that this publication is correct and complete, but should any
user be in doubt about any detail, clarification may be sought from Leica Microsystems (Switzerland) Ltd, or
their accredited representative. The information in this document is subject to change without notice and
should not be construed as a commitment by Leica Microsystems (Switzerland) Ltd. Leica Microsystems
(Switzerland) Ltd accepts no responsibility for any errors that may appear in this document.
© Leica Microsystems (Switzerland) Ltd, 2010.
All rights reserved. The contents of this publication may not be reproduced in any form, or communicated to
a third party without prior written permission of Leica Microsystems (Switzerland) Ltd.
Due to a policy of continuous development, we reserve the right to change specifications without notice.
Microsoft and Windows are trademarks of the Microsoft Corporation.
Apple, Mac, Macintosh and FireWire are trademarks of Apple Computer Inc.
Part Number: 12879039
Date: October 2010
Issue: 29
Table of Contents
1 Introduction 4
2 Installation 4
3 Reason for this Release 5
4 System Requirements 5
5 Changes in This Release 6
5.1 Features in V 7.3.0 .............................................................................................6
5.2 Fixes in V 7.3.0....................................................................................................6
6 Changes in Previous Releases 7
6.1 Features in V 7.2.0 .............................................................................................7
6.2 Fixes in V 7.2.0....................................................................................................7
6.3 Features in V 7.1.1 .............................................................................................7
6.4 Fixes in V 7.1.1....................................................................................................7
6.5 Features in V 7.1.0 .............................................................................................7
6.6 Fixes in V 7.1.0....................................................................................................7
6.7 Fixes in V 7.0.1....................................................................................................7
6.8 Features in V 7.0.0 .............................................................................................8
6.9 Fixes in V 7.0.0....................................................................................................8
6.10 Features in V 6.12.1 ...........................................................................................8
6.11 Fixes in V 6.12.1..................................................................................................8
6.12 Features in V 6.12.0 ...........................................................................................8
6.13 Fixes in V 6.12.0..................................................................................................8
6.14 Features in V 6.11.0 ...........................................................................................9
6.15 Fixes in V 6.11.0..................................................................................................9
6.16 Features in V 6.10.1 ...........................................................................................9
6.17 Features in V 6.10.0 ...........................................................................................9
6.18 Fixes in V 6.10.0..................................................................................................9
6.19 Versions V 6.9.0 and earlier...........................................................................10
7 Known Limitations 11
7.1 Windows 7, Vista and 1394a cameras.........................................................11
7.2 FireWire controllers........................................................................................12
7.3 Leica DFC500....................................................................................................13
7.4 Windows XP SP2 or SP3 + 1394b .................................................................16
7.5 Leica IC 3D & Leica Stereo Explorer ...........................................................16
1 Introduction
The following software versions are included on this CD:
This release supports the following Leica DFC Cameras on a Windows PC:
Leica DFC Twain – V7.3.0
Leica DFC500 Twain – V7.3.0
FireWire A (1394a) FireWire B (1394b)
DFC280 DFC295
DFC290 DFC290 HD
DFC320 DFC310 FX
DFC300 FX DFC345 FX
DFC340 FX DFC360 FX
DFC350 FX DFC400
DFC420 DFC425
DFC420 C DFC425 C
DFC480 DFC495
DFC490 DVM2000
IC D
IC 3D
DFC500
2 Installation
Please identify the type of camera that you are using before installing the software
from this release.
If in doubt, check for the software specific to your camera at the Leica Microsystems
website, www.leica-microsystems.com
Uninstall any previous version of Leica DFC Twain before installing a new version.
Installation and operation of the software is detailed in your Quick Start Guide and
Image Acquisition Guide and can be found in Start>Programs>Leica DFC Twain after
installation. (Requires pdf reader to open files, eg Acrobat Reader.)
Upon inserting the CD or DVD disk into your computer you should be presented with
your options to install the software or browse the disk.
However, if auto-run is disabled in your computer or the disk fails to run, open
Windows Explorer for the disk and double-click “LeicaApplicationSuite.exe”
(AutoPlay).
Leica DFC Camera Release Notes Part Number 12879039 Page 4 of 17
3 Reason for this Release
This version releases new functionality and maintenance that has taken place since
the release of version V7.2.0.
4 System Requirements
Supported Operating Systems
Windows Vista (Business/Ultimate)
Windows XP Professional (minimum SP2) – 32bit - see
Windows 7 (Business/Ultimate) – see
Please use the latest Service Packs
Please Note:
We recommend a firmware update of older 1394a DFC cameras for use in Vista 64
and Windows 7 systems.
An upgrade software tool is included in this release - see
You will need Power User or Administrative rights for installation.
In addition, Vista & Windows 7 security requires you to start the installer by rightclick and selecting “Run as administrator” even if you are logged on with
administrator privileges, or User Account Control (UAC) is disabled.
Computer
The recommended PC specification is as follows:
Processor: Pentium 4 + 3GHz or Intel Core-Duo + 2 GHz
Memory: 1GB RAM (2GB for Vista & Windows 7) - see
Known limitations
Known Limitations
Known Limitations
Known Limitations
Graphics: 256Mb RAM supporting 32 bit
(shared memory is not recommended)
Display Monitor: 19in @ 1280 x 1024
4-pin or 6-pin or 9-pin FireWire OHCI port - see
or free PCI slot (for addition of FireWire interface)
Note: 4-pin FireWire ports require the Leica Laptop Power Kit to power Leica
DFC cameras (12730188)
FireWire B cameras can be connected to FireWire A ports using a bilingual
A->B cable. For high-speed applications, a dedicated FireWire B->B
connection is recommended.
DVD drive, or internet connection for download.
Leica DFC Camera Release Notes Part Number 12879039 Page 5 of 17
Known Limitations
5 Changes in This Release
5.1 Features in V 7.3.0
Leica DFC Cameras: FireWire speed displayed in the camera info box.
5.2 Fixes in V 7.3.0
Leica DFC480: Multiple captures sometimes made LAS hang. This is fixed.
Leica DFC360 FX: Shading at some high exposure times caused the application to
hang. This is fixed.
Chinese & Japanese characters: These texts now display correctly in other
language Windows OS.
Leica DFC500: The image type was not remembered at close. This is fixed.
Leica DFC cameras: When the active camera is disconnected when more than two
cameras are connected in LAS, the remaining camera did not always start. This is
fixed.
Leica DFC Camera Release Notes Part Number 12879039 Page 6 of 17
6 Changes in Previous Releases
6.1 Features in V 7.2.0
Windows 7: Support for Windows 7 Operating System for Leica DFC cameras.
6.2 Fixes in V 7.2.0
Leica DFC425/495: Drawing the ROI for spot exposure in the lower half of the image
sometimes produced no change in brightness. This is fixed.
Leica DFC500: Multi-shot acquisition sometimes failed in LAS with an out of memory
error. This is fixed.
6.3 Features in V 7.1.1
New Leica camera: Supports a new color camera Leica DVM2000.
6.4 Fixes in V 7.1.1
Leica DFC290 HD: Adjustment of auto brightness value did not affect the image. This
is fixed.
Leica IC D: Image brightness using HSB in 4x4 binning was incorrect. This is fixed.
6.5 Features in V 7.1.0
New Leica DFC cameras: Supports three new color cameras DFC425, 425 C, 495, and
a new monochrome camera DFC345 FX.
Language: The DFC500 Twain User Interface can now be switched between
languages while it is running.
Leica Demo camera is always installed by default.
6.6 Fixes in V 7.1.0
DFC295: Sometimes occasional images were lost when making a series of rapid
captures (eg in LAS Multi-Step or Power Mosaic). This is fixed.
Japanese installer: The last screen of the installer in Japanese produced incorrect
text, and is now fixed.
Japanese and Chinese text was not always displayed correctly in the Twain UI. This
is fixed.
6.7 Fixes in V 7.0.1
Shading references: Shading references sometimes failed or produced incorrect
images especially in binning formats. This is fixed.
Swedish: Start-up of Leica DFCTwain on Swedish Windows produced an error
message. This is fixed.
Leica DFC Camera Release Notes Part Number 12879039 Page 7 of 17
6.8 Features in V 7.0.0
Language: The DFCTwain User Interface can be switched between languages while
it is running. This applies to all DFC cameras except the DFC500.
Task bar icon: There is a new Windows task bar icon while DFCTwain is running.
This is in addition to the icon for the host application.
Captured Image: For DFC cameras with binning formats, the image is now captured
at the same brightness as the live image, and applies if High Sensitivity Binning is on
or off.
Image Exposure: The displayed exposure time is now the real value applied to the
captured image. The exposure applied to the live may be different to the displayed
exposure, depending on binning format and High Sensitivity Binning.
Black and White Levels: In common with Leica Application Suite, black and white
levels are now displayed in the range 0 – 255 (and no longer 0 – 100).
The maximum value of 100 in previous versions is the same level applied in the latest
version with the new maximum of 255.
6.9 Fixes in V 7.0.0
Auto White Level: If HQ mode was selected, the auto-white level jumped to a low
value. This is fixed.
6.10 Features in V 6.12.1
Leica DFC Cameras: New capture software signal to enable earlier movement of
automated microscope hardware. Applies to all DFC cameras except the DFC500.
Camera configurations: A new option to save the current configuration without
having to specify a new configuration name.
6.11 Fixes in V 6.12.1
Auto Exposure: Some cameras defaulted to a maximum 300 ms and this is fixed.
The default maximum is 1 second, except for the DFC290 HD which is 300ms.
Leica DFC310 FX: When making a shading reference on a colour image, the image
switched to monochrome. This is fixed.
Acquire button: Sometimes if the button was clicked more than once, this resulted in
the application freezing. This is fixed
6.12 Features in V 6.12.0
New Leica DFC Cameras: Support for Leica DFC295 and DFC310 FX cameras. These
cameras have a 1394b connector, and require a 1349b cable connected to a 1394b
FireWire port, or an A->B cable connected to a 1394a port.
Leica IC 3D: F7 key captures a pair of stereo images labelled “L” & “R”.
Leica DFCTwain “Extra” tree is now available by a mouse Right-Click alone.
6.13 Fixes in V 6.12.0
Leica DFC Twain: Some installations did not update the camera software correctly.
This is fixed.
Leica DFC Camera Release Notes Part Number 12879039 Page 8 of 17
Leica DFC500: Auto exposure at start-up was not always applied correctly. This is
fixed.
Shading files are now created and loaded for each serial number-specific camera.
Long exposures over 3.9 seconds in 1394b cameras were captured as black. This is
fixed.
White Balance produced some erratic results especially in dark areas. This is fixed.
6.14 Features in V 6.11.0
New Leica DFC Cameras: Support for Leica DFC400 and DFC290 HD cameras. These
cameras have a 1394b connector, and require a 1349b cable connected to a 1394b
FireWire port, or an A->B cable connected to a 1394a port.
New Demo Camera: Ability to show Leica DFC Twain without specific camera
hardware.
6.15 Fixes in V 6.11.0
Leica DFC500: With a shading reference active, changing the color balance caused
the shading to become inactive. This is fixed - but see
Leica DFC290: Calibration in UXGA format was incorrect. This is fixed.
Known Limitations
.
Leica DFC Twain: Some installations did not update the camera software correctly.
This is fixed.
6.16 Features in V 6.10.1
Image Capture: Improved image capture progress feedback.
6.17 Features in V 6.10.0
Leica DFC360 FX: This version introduces the Leica DFC360 FX.
This camera has a 1394b (800 Mb/s) FireWire connector, but can run on an existing
1394a port with an A->B cable.
Vista: This version fully supports Windows Vista (32-bit and 64-bit Operating
Systems).
64-bit Operating Systems: Existing DFC cameras require a minimum firmware 1.9.0 to
be recognised on any Vista or XP 64-bit operating systems. (The current firmware
version for existing DFC cameras is 1.8.0.)
An upgrade tool is included. The upgrade must be done on a 32-bit operating system
before attempting to connect the camera to a 64-bit system.
See
Known Limitations.
Version information: Camera library and firmware versions are displayed in the
Twain version information.
6.18 Fixes in V 6.10.0
Shading: Creating shading references caused random unexpected behaviour in DFC
cameras. This is fixed.
High Sensitivity Binning: In Leica DFC FX cameras, by default this is now set to off, so
that binned and non-binned modes appear as the same brightness.
Leica DFC Camera Release Notes Part Number 12879039 Page 9 of 17
6.19 Versions V 6.9.0 and earlier
These versions did not fully support Vista or 64 bit operating systems. Please ask
Leica support for any further information.
Leica DFC Camera Release Notes Part Number 12879039 Page 10 of 17
7 Known Limitations
7.1 Windows 7, Vista and 1394a cameras
Window 7 and Vista have security levels which are different to Windows XP.
Installing drivers for older 1394a cameras may display a Windows Security message:
It is safe to install drivers for these cameras. However in order to avoid this security
message in future it is recommended to update the camera firmware to version 1.9.
This applies to the following Leica DFC cameras only:
280, 290, 300 FX, 340 FX, 350 FX, 320, 420, 480, 490, IC D, IC 3D.
Please note:
It is not necessary to update the firmware for continued use on Windows XP.
It is not necessary for 1394b cameras.
After updating the camera firmware, the camera will only work with Leica
DFC Twain v6.10.0 or later, for both 32-bit and 64-bit operating systems.
Update procedure
A method is provided in the Leica DFCTwain installation package, and the firmware
update can be done in the following way:
After installing Leica DFCTwain, connect the camera you wish to update, to the
computer.
Close any application that may be using the camera.
Start the updater program
~:\WINDOWS\twain_32\Leica DC\DFC6:
You will be presented with the following window:
DFCfwupdate.exe,
located in
If
Existing DSP Firmware
“Click Update to update firmware…”.
instructions. Otherwise click [x] to abort the updating process.
Leica DFC Camera Release Notes Part Number 12879039 Page 11 of 17
version shows less than 1.9.0, the status message will show
Click the
Update
button and follow the
Do not interrupt and do not unplug the camera during the updating process until you
are asked to do so.
It is part of the process to unplug the camera briefly. After reconnecting the camera,
you will be presented with a new Found New Hardware Wizard. Click
install the software automatically.
If successful, you can check that the new firmware version 1.9.0 is displayed, by
clicking
At the end of the process, click [x] to exit. You can now use the camera.
If the update fails in some way please contact Leica support with details at:
di.support@leica-microsystems.com
Check Camera
7.2 FireWire controllers
Depending on the type of camera, a powered 1394a 6-pin or 1394b 9-pin FireWire
OHCI port is required for use with Leica DFC cameras. As FireWire interface boards
from some manufacturers have issues with non-Leica drivers, we recommend the
use of the FireWire boards in the list below.
Please note that you will also need the FireWire-b-b cable 12730186, if both camera
and PC have a 1394b (FireWire-b) connector.
Next
and
.
The following cards are recommended:
Manufacturer Model Ports Chipset Leica Art Nr
LaCie 130822 2-port 1394a&b PCI-32 Texas Instruments 12 730 183
IOI FWB-PCIE 1X21B 3-port 1394b PCI Express Agere 12 730 210
IOI FWB-PCI 02 2-port 1394b PCI-64 Texas Instruments 11 600 274
Zenkuman PFW-85 2-port 1394b PCI-32 Texas Instruments 36 000 191
All DFC cameras are supplied with a suitable FireWire cable
For non-powered 4-pin (iLink) or 6-pin FireWire ports, the Laptop power kit 12730188
is needed.
Leica DFC Camera Release Notes Part Number 12879039 Page 12 of 17
7.3 Leica DFC500
Windows 7
Some FireWire controller cards may not work correctly with the Leica DFC500
camera in Windows 7. If you are experiencing problems, please modify the FireWire
controller driver in your computer in the following steps:
Open Device Manager. Select and expand
Select the controller that is connected to the Leica DFC500 camera.
IEEE 1394 Bus Host Controllers
.
If you have more than one controller card (as above), you can update all cards if you
wish or only the controller that is connected to the camera. You can only update one
controller at a time, but you can repeat the steps for the other cards as necessary.
Leica DFC Camera Release Notes Part Number 12879039 Page 13 of 17
Right-click and select
Update Driver Software
.
Select
Select
Browse my computer for driver software…
Let me pick from a list of device drivers on my computer…
.
Leica DFC Camera Release Notes Part Number 12879039 Page 14 of 17
Select
The new FireWire controller driver has been successfully installed.
1394 OHCI Compliant Host Controller (Legacy)
. This is important.
Click
Close
to finish.
The FireWire controller now appears as
(Legacy)
. Close Device Manager.
1394 OHCI Compliant Host Controller
Leica DFC Camera Release Notes Part Number 12879039 Page 15 of 17
Other issues
It is advised to use the Leica Camera Power kit (p/n 12730188) with Leica
DFC500 cameras.
Firmware for the Leica DFC500 should be at least version 2.1.
Shading now incorporates a White Balance. While a shading reference is
active, it is not possible to make a separate White Balance or change the
color balance.
The Leica DFC500 will not work correctly on systems with 4 GB RAM or larger.
7.4 Windows XP SP2 or SP3 + 1394b
Windows XP Service Pack 2 introduced some problems with FireWire transmission,
which affected live and captured images when using 1394b controllers (800Mb/s).
As a result Microsoft has acknowledged a bug in the following communication:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/885222 A patch download is available from this
page.
If you installed the above patch and have upgraded from Windows XP SP2 to SP3,
you may also need to install a further patch from Microsoft:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/955408
7.5 Leica IC 3D & Leica Stereo Explorer
This camera will not work with Leica Stereo Explorer using Leica DFCTwain v7.0 or
newer. Please use earlier versions of Leica DFCTwain.
Leica DFC Camera Release Notes Part Number 12879039 Page 16 of 17
Leica Microsystems (Switzerland) Ltd
Customer Support Tel: +44 1223 401824
Stereo and Macroscope Systems Fax: +44 1223 210692
CH 9435 Heerbrugg di.support@leica-microsystems.com
Switzerland www.leica-microsystems.com
Leica DFC Camera Release Notes Part Number 12879039 Page 17 of 17
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