Knowledge Base

Walkway Setup

Place the Noldus Calibration Card on the glass plate of the CatWalk. In the software, select Set up the Walkway.

Indicate what you would like to set up. If you have installed the camera for the first time, or have moved the camera position, start with Focus Assist.

Ensure proper lighting and make sure the camera is properly focused for your experimental conditions.

Acquisition

Turn off the room lights to create the same light conditions you will be using for acquisition of your actual experiments. Also don't forget to lower the corridor walls and close the CatWalk ceiling.

Replicate your actual experiment conditions as closely as possible during setup for optimal results. This includes room lighting, walkway position, and ceiling state.

Click the Show Instructions button to display the required steps for focusing the camera. Check that the aperture on the camera lens is completely open to get the brightest image possible.

Using the focus ring on the lens, turn the lens fully out of focus. Once the lens is out of focus, click the Reset button.

Focusing the Camera

Refocus the camera by using the focus ring on the lens. You don't have to focus on the calibration card in the camera view, simply keep an eye on the sharpness indication bar.

Once it turns green, the focusing process is finished. The bar doesn't need to be full; green is enough.

Calibrating the Walkway

Proceed with the walkway calibration step by pressing Calibrate the Walkway. Then click the Auto Calibration button. The calibration rectangle automatically moves to the calibration card, which finishes the calibration step.

Important: Ensure the calibration card is fully visible in the camera view and positioned flat on the glass plate for accurate calibration results.

Defining the Walkway Layout

Proceed to Define the Layout of the Walkway. The CatWalk software checks whether both corridor walls are straight and aligned after clicking the Detect Walkway button. If the walls are not properly aligned, you will receive a notification.

In this case, straighten and align the walls and click the Detect Walkway button again.

• Tip: You can optionally enlarge the walkway to increase the captured area. This may be useful for studies that require a wider field of view.

Your setup is now complete. Click OK and then Close to return to the CatWalk overview window. Your walkway is now set up and ready for data acquisition.

Source: CatWalk XT 11.0 Walkway Setup Guide, Noldus Information Technology