Knowledge Base

Visualizations

• 3D Footprint Intensities — Plots paw print intensity values (0–255) per video frame as a rotating 3D chart. Uses the same false-colour scale as the Classification Print View.
• 2D Footprint Intensities — Plots maximum and mean intensity for each paw print over time in a 2D chart. A vertical hairline marks the current video position.
• Footfall Patterns Diagram — Graphical representation of the order in which paws were placed. Dots are colour-coded: blue = start of pattern, green = within pattern, orange = not counted, purple = not part of a recognised pattern.

Export Types

• Run Data — Format: Excel (.xlsx). Raw print data per video frame (100 frames/s): X/Y position, print dimensions, min/max/mean intensity — per paw, per frame.
• Run Statistics — Format: Excel (.xlsx). Summary statistics per run (one row per run). Selectable parameter categories and statistics (mean, SD).
• Trial Statistics — Format: Excel (.xlsx). Combined statistics across all runs in a trial (one row per trial). Weighted averages.
• Group Statistics — Format: Excel (.xlsx). Statistics per treatment group × time point combination (one sheet per parameter group).
• Group Charts — Format: PDF. All charts in Graphical Results exported to a single PDF file. Individual charts: PNG.
• Run Visualizations — Format: AVI (uncompressed). 3D/2D Footprint Intensities and Footfall Patterns exported as video at selectable playback speed. No codec required.
• Run Video — Format: AVI (uncompressed). Raw run video with optional overlay of labels, rectangles, and time/frame information.

Output and Export

Export Formats

All exports include metadata columns: Experiment, Group, Group Type, Group Description, Animal ID, Time Point, Trial, Run, walkway dimensions, pixel calibration values, Camera Gain, and Green Intensity Threshold. Units are included in all parameter labels as of CatWalk 11.

Hardware and System Requirements

Minimum Set-Up

• CatWalk 11 software with valid license
• CatWalk system hardware (walkway, glass plate, green LED illumination, illuminated ceiling with red LEDs, CatWalk Control Unit)
• Basler high-speed camera (1920 × 1216 pixels, pre-configured)
• Computer with USB-C port (for Control Unit connection) and 10 Gb Ethernet PCIe card (for camera connection)

Optional Components

• Goal box (to motivate the animal to cross the walkway)
• Noldus goal box with sliding door
• Diffusion plate (fits on top of corridor walls to prevent rearing)
• Calibration card (included with CatWalk 11)

Camera Specifications

• Type: GigE
• Brand / Model: Basler (10 GigE)
• Interface: Basler Pylon Runtime
• Connection: 10 Gb Ethernet PCIe card
• Frame Rate: 100 fps

CatWalk Control Unit

• Connected to the walkway, camera, and illuminated ceiling.
• Connected to the CatWalk computer via USB-C cable (requires a USB-C port on the computer).
• Controls green walkway LED light (adjustable voltage) and red ceiling LED light (adjustable voltage).
• Firmware upgradeable from within CatWalk software.

System Requirements

Operating System

• Windows 10 Pro, version 22H2 or later
• Windows 11 Pro

Administrator rights required for installation. Do not run CatWalk for the first time as an administrator on a multi-user computer.

Recommended Computer Configuration

• Tested System: Dell Precision T3660
• Processor (CPU): Intel Core i7-11700, 8-core, 2.5–4.9 GHz, 16 MB cache
• Memory (RAM): 16 GB DDR5 (minimum requirement)
• Primary Hard Disk: M.2 256 GB PCIe NVMe SSD
• Secondary Hard Disk: 3.5-inch 1 TB SATA (7200 rpm) for experiment storage
• Graphics Card (GPU): NVIDIA Quadro T1000, 4 GB
• USB Port: USB-C (required for Control Unit connection)
• Network Interface: 10 Gb Ethernet PCIe card (required for camera connection; included if ordering computer from Noldus)

Camera Connection

• A dedicated 10 Gb (gigabit) Ethernet PCIe network interface card is required for connecting the digital camera.
• Driver installation is included in the CatWalk 11 installer.
• Basler Pylon Runtime is included in the CatWalk 11 installer (replaces the legacy Pleora eBUS driver of previous versions).
• After starting the computer and turning on the Control Unit, allow approximately 1–2 minutes for the camera to be detected.

Help Features

• PDF Reference Manual — The complete CatWalk 11.0 Reference Manual is accessible from the Help menu (F1).
• Tutorial Videos — Video tutorials are installed on the computer and accessible from the Help menu.
• Quick Start Guide — Step-by-step guide for setting up, acquiring, and analysing a first experiment.
• Assembly Instructions — Separate document for assembling the CatWalk hardware and goal box.
• Sample Experiments — Three sample experiments (with mouse and rat data) are provided. Accessible via File > Restore Backup.
• Noldus Help Desk — 24-hour support across multiple time zones. Contact via my.noldus.com. PC report utility available on request.
• Online Knowledge Base — Searchable database of customer questions and support answers at my.noldus.com. Supported by an online chatbot to help answer frequently asked questions.

Source: CatWalk XT 11.0 Technical Specifications, Noldus Information Technology