1.1.2

Version 1.1.2 of MorphoTester fixes a bug that originated in version 1.1.0 that affects DNE calculation when using implicit fair smoothing.

This release also introduces a new feature: it is now possible to export and visualize implicit faired (smoothed) surface meshes. Surfaces can be smoothed prior to calculation of any topographic metric and smoothed surfaces are automatically exported. Batches of smoothed surfaces can also be made from directories of surface files. This helps users to replicate previously published DNE values that were produced using implicit fairing, and to produce new DNE values that are directly comparable to values from those studies. As in previous versions, it is still possible to use IF to smooth surfaces in the process of calculating DNE while not smoothing meshes for calculating RFI and OPCR.

A note on implicit fairing: the DNE protocol used in my dissertation research does not include implicit fairing, and in a forthcoming paper (Pampush et al., in revision) co-authors and I tentatively suggest that implicit fairing is not necessary for future analyses. Implicit fair smoothing is a redundant mesh processing step if surfaces are smoothed in Meshlab or Amira prior to analysis in MorphoTester, and not using implicit fair allows for a more uniform data analysis protocol when also calculating RFI and OPCR. At the same time, DNE values previously published using implicit fairing are not directly comparable with values produced without implicit fairing. In any case, patterns of differences between species or other groups should be consistent whether or not implicit fairing is used. Tools for implicit fairing are provided so that users have flexibility in calculating DNE and other topographic metrics.

1.1.1

This release fixes a few bugs and includes new 64-bit software versions for Windows. Color-scaling for absolute DNE visualization (for comparisons of surface curvature between surfaces) has been adjusted. It has also been noticed that 32-bit Windows versions may experience difficulty using implicit fair smoothing on some surfaces due to memory limitations. Experimental 64-bit Windows versions of the software are now provided to address this. Because one or two dependent packages are less stable in 64-bit Windows 8, this version may be slightly more unstable than the 32-bit version. Windows 8 users are encouraged to use the 32-bit version unless 64-bit is needed.

In terms of feature upgrades, OSX versions of MorphoTester are now capable of reading binary format .ply files as well as ASCII format.

1.1.0

This release adds the ability to visualize DNE (surface bending) on mesh surfaces. Visualized DNE is log-scaled and can be plotted using a relative scale for individual surfaces or an absolute scale for better comparisons between surfaces with differing amounts of curvature. It is also now possible to change the method used to calculate outliers from DNE results. In addition to allowing the user more freedom in generating results, this ensures complete compatibility with all older beta versions of this software.

1.0.1

This is the first release of MorphoTester, a scientific computing application for the quantification of topographic shape in 3D digital surface scans of anatomical elements such as molar teeth. The software should be generally stable.

Please note for Windows: If you receive an error related to MSVCP90.dll, you may need to install the Microsoft Visual C++ 2008 Redistributable Package (32 bit, 64 bit).