NIS-Elements being a multi-purpose imaging system can be used as a handy tool to study objects, live organisms, processes, etc. The universal ND2 (N-dimensional) file format is what makes this possible. One ND2 file can contain multiple images organized according to what type of acquisition they came from. There are the following acquisition types:
Note
Each acquisition type gives a name to the corresponding dimension of the resulting ND2 file. For example, we can speak about two-dimensional TZ ND2 file, which means the file contains the Time-lapse dimension and the Z-series dimension.
A sequence of images can be captured over a period of time and create a time-lapse image. See Time-lapse Acquisition.
Images from different coordinates of the XY stage can be acquired. See Multi-point Acquisition.
Several techniques utilize Z-stacks of images. Such Z-stack can be for example converted to a 3D model of the specimen. See Z-series Acquisition.
Fluorescence signals can be captured selectively using excitation an emission filters, each of them creating a different color channel. See Multi-channel Acquisition.
(requires: 6D)
When the area of interest exceeds the camera field of view, you can capture a large image composed of multiple image frames and let it be stitched by an automatic algorithm. See Large-image Acquisition.
Figure 250. ND Acquisition window
An ND2 file can be created (captured) either containing one dimension or combining several of them.
Single-dimensional documents can be created automatically (using motorized accessories) or manually using commands from the Acquire menu.
To create a multi-dimensional image, use the Applications > 6D > Define/Run ND Acquisition
command (ND module required).
The following options can be applied to all types of ND experiments:
You can enter a custom name of the experiment. Also name of the phase is editable.
Please see Save to File.
Browse to a folder where your ND2 images will be stored.
Specifies the name of the file to be saved and switches the file format from an ND2 file to a single or multipage TIFF. For TIFF saving settings please see General.
Check this option to add custom metadata to the image(s) being captured. Select the metadata set from the drop-down menu and the metadata items present in the set are automatically listed below.
For information about creating and editing custom metadata please see Custom Metadata.
Please see Recorded Data.
Automatic focusing can be used during the experiment. You can select the auto-focus method that best meets your needs. The Define button shows a window where you can define parameters of the selected focusing method.
The active shutter can be closed between single image acquisitions. Just select the Close active Shutter when idle / Close active shutter during filter change option in the experiment window.
You can define a command (or a macro) to be run in various stages of the experiment. Select the timing in the Advanced section of the experiment window and enter the command to be run.
(requires: 6D) and (requires: TTL/Analog IO)
An ND2 experiment can control some accessory devices and can be controlled by another accessory devices at the same time. This can be achieved by sending/receiving Analog/TTL signals through an NIDAQ card. If the NIDAQ PCI card is installed, an extra tab called I/O appears within the ND experiment window.
(requires: JOBS Editor)
If this option is checked, acquisition uses the global Z intensity correction defined within the View > Acquisition Controls > Z Intensity Correction 
window.
Loads a configuration XML file. The file with the current configuration can be created using the Save button.
Saves the current configuration of this dialog to an XML file. A standard Save As window appears.
To create or edit existing metadata, check the Custom Metadata checkbox in your ND experiment and click . The following dialog window appears.
Figure 251.
To create a new custom metadata set - click on 
New and give it a name. Click 
Add New and name your first metadata item. Add as many metadata items as you like and confirm their definition by clicking .
To edit an existing metadata set, simply change parameters of the items in the table.
You can save the whole metadata set as a .xml file by clicking 
Export. To import your saved metadata set, use 
Import. To delete the current metadata set, click 
Remove.
Note
The created metadata can be changed after acquisition in the image properties dialog (File > Image Properties).
The following options can be applied to time, multipoint and multichannel sequences in ND experiments:
(requires: Stage Incubator)
Adds a new incubation phase into the sequence (Time-lapse acquisition only). For more information please see Special Options.
Add Adds a new step into the sequence.
Select All Selects all steps in the sequence.
Clear Selection Clears the step selection.
Move Up, 
Move Down These buttons move the current step up/down in the sequence.
Remove the item This button removes the selected step from the sequence.
Remove All This button removes all steps from the sequence.