GC IMAGE - GC Image LCxLC Edition - User Guide 2026R1

New Features and Improvements in Version 2026

GC Image LCxLC Edition 2026 has many new features and improvements. See the GC Image LCxLC Edition User Guide for full documentation.

What's New in Version 2026 Release 1 (July 2026)

New Data Import Support for Variable Modulation Tables

Version 2026R1 adds support for extracting the variable modulation table from a CSV or Excel file during data import. The enhanced import function can generate the table by parsing Start Time or Duration columns together with a Modulation Period column, and performing all required time-unit conversions. This improvement allows modulation periods produced by other software to be brought in without manual re-entry, greatly streamlining setup for variable modulation workflows.

Support for NIST 2026 Mass Spectral Library and Search Software

Version 2026R1 introduces support for the latest NIST 2026 Mass Spectral Library and Search software, along with improvements that make library search operations with NIST work more reliably and smoothly.

NIST26 Demo Support: The software now supports NIST26 demonstration versions in addition to the full NIST26 versions.
More Reliable Spectrum Retrieval: When retrieving spectra for identified NIST compounds, the software now checks both main and replicate libraries. This ensures spectra can still be found even when compound entries have moved between these libraries across NIST versions.

Automatic Phase Shift Using Computer Vision

Version 2026R1 introduces a new Processing > Shift Phase to Reference action that uses computer vision to automatically determine the phase shift needed to align the image with a reference image. This eliminates the repetitive manual adjustments sometimes required when aligning large sets of images.

Full Image or Specified Regions: Match against the entire reference image, or restrict the comparison to regions defined by retention-time ranges or named graphical regions.
Guided Comparison: If a reliable shift cannot be determined automatically, the software offers to compare the image against the reference.
Automated Workflows: The operation is available as a method command that can be included in automated workflows.

Automated Peak Matching with Computer Vision

Version 2026R1 introduces a new computer-vision-based peak matching algorithm that aligns template peaks with the current chromatogram based on peak patterns in a reference image. This provides more reliable matching in chromatograms affected by significant retention time drift or complex matrices, reducing the manual effort typically required.

Interactive Match Support: A Match Using Reference action is now available in the Interactive Match and Transform dialog. This action matches template peaks to the current chromatogram using a selected reference image.
Automated Method Support: A new Match Template Using Reference method command is now available, including an option to match remaining peaks using guidance from the initial reference-based match, for automated workflows.

Enhanced Interactive Multi-Projections View

Version 2026R1 now includes a reworked Multi-Projections view that is more interactive and easier to use.

Non-Blocking View: Like the 1D view, Multi-Projections now stays open while work continues in the Image View. It follows the active image and updates automatically as that linked image view is zoomed or navigated.
Refined Blob Outline Display: Blob outlines now use a thin, precise stroke for improved clarity.
Improved Status Display: The status bar now shows the center location or selection range of the projection lines for clearer feedback.
Updated Toolbar: A new toolbar has the refresh button, save controls, and display settings for easy access.
Improved Saving: Saving a projection now uses the current viewport region by default, with options to save the full image range or to include the axis values.

New Light and Dark UI Themes

Version 2026R1 introduces new Solarized light and dark themes, replacing the older Nimbus theme and providing a cleaner, more comfortable visual experience, especially in night-time or low-light environments. Themes can be selected from the System - Look and Feel setting through Configure > Settings.

Light and Dark Themes: Choose between Solarized light and dark themes to suit different working environments.
Consistent Appearance: Controls throughout the software, including the color selectors, property dialogs, image axes, tables, and color legends, were updated to display correctly with the selected theme. Additional refinements will be released in future updates.

Other New Improvements

Version 2026R1 has other improved operations, including:

Internal Standard Name Validation: A warning now appears when an internal standard (ISTD) quantifier name is empty or collides with the compound name of the owner blob or area, helping prevent naming issues before building a calibration table.
Import Steps from Another Method: A new Import button in the Method Editor tool bar imports all, or only the selected, operation steps from an existing method, allowing complex steps to be reused across methods.
Apply Template As-Is Command: A new Apply Template As-Is method command applies the template without modification and can be combined with other template matching commands to support more complex workflows.
Redesigned Incident Report Submission: The Incident Report submission has been updated with a new interface that allows selecting from any available log file. Reports are now submitted through an online webpage opened directly by the software.

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