What is Chrom View?

ChromView imports GC and GC-MS data into other Windows applications such as MS Word, Excel, or Powerpoint as high resolution images. Supported gas chromatographic data file types include Hewlett Packard GC Chemstation, EzChrom and related formats (e.g. Beckman PACE), Beckman Gold, and netCDF AIA GC formats. Recognized mass spectral formats include Hewlett Packard MS Chemstation, Finnigan Saturn, GCQ, Incos and Ion Trap ITDS formats, Shimadzu GCMS files, Inficon Hap files, and netCDF GCMS files written according to the ANDI-MS protocol. These types are automatically recognized and displayed by the program.

Program Features

Chrom View displays time vs. signal graphs for GC files and total ion currents (TICs), selected ion traces (SELs) and mass spectra for GC-MS data files. Up to three selected ion traces can be displayed simultaneously, including the total ion current and any masses or mass ranges of your choice. You have the option of graphic zooming and partial unzooming (using your mouse), numeric specification of the graph axis ranges, individual trace scaling and coloring. GC-MS data files can be scanned rapidly for spectral information by using a fast toggle option between spectral and chromatographic data. Edited images may be saved and retrieved at a later date. For files containing integration data, peak names, areas, heights and retention times may be displayed and copied to the clipboard as text files. This information may be filtered to include only peaks within a specific retention time window or only named peaks. Mass spectra may be retrieved from GC-MS files based on retention times or scan numbers. Mass spectral displays may be scaled to absolute or relative (percent) abundances.

OLE Embedding vs Stand-Alone Operation

Chrom View is a full OLE server: it can be operated as a stand-alone application with multiple document interface (MDI) capabilities, or you may embed Chrom View objects into OLE aware applications: Once you have opened Chrom View for the first time, it registers with your computer as an OLE server. OLE embedding can provide significant time savings by offering you the choice of re-activating graphs for further editing. For very large data files, information which is not displayed may be excluded during document saves which contain embedded images.

Clipboard Transfer of Images

If you operate Chrom View as a stand-alone application, you will typically transfer images trough the clipboard to other applications. All images are generated in the metafile format and can be sized/rescaled without loss of resolution. This feature offers the advantage of small image file sizes, the robustness of metafile images, and the option of combining graphs generated by Chrom View with graphics generated by other applications (e.g. chemical structures) - ideal for preparing slides! Specific export options are available, including the export of graph lines only for the generation of professional images on gradient backgrounds and the optional export of a bounding box. Chrom View graphs can be imported into CS ChemDraw and annotated with chemical formulas.

The appearances of displayed chromatograms and spectra can be modified extensively, including full color control for all graph elements, editing capabilities for all displayed fonts and font colors, pen colors and sizes, "dragging" capabilities for text and other graphic elements, a sizing option for the graph pane, and numeric format control for axis labels. Retention times may be displayed in milliseconds, seconds, minutes, or scan numbers. Right-clicking on any text will allow you to override its default settings. New, user defined horizontal or vertical text labels can be created and "dragged" into position as peak labels, legends etc. These features will enable you to adjust the appearance of your graphs to your specific needs. Cursor coordinates are continuously displayed in the chosen numeric axis formats to facilitate zooming and the retrieval of mass spectra.

Integration Data Export

Integration data contained in netCDF AIA files may be viewed as Notepad text files or transferred to the clipboard for import into word processing programs or spread sheets. This includes peak names, retention times, areas, and heights. A filter can be applied to restrict export to named peaks only, or to peaks within a specified retention time window. Several options exist for the format and style of exported integration data to accommodate your individual needs for spreadsheet imports and the generation of reports.

System Requirements

This application requires a minimum of 2 MB of free disk space, 4 MB RAM, and Windows 3.1 with OLE 2.0 compliant drivers. Highly recommended are a Pentium processor and the Windows 95 operating system. Chrom View has been tested and found to work flawlessly with Windows NT.