Install the Software
Raspbian-OpenFlexure
Download Raspbian-OpenFlexure
The simplest way to set up the Raspberry Pi is to download the pre-built SD card image that contains a full operating system with all the necessary software (the OpenFlexure server and OpenFlexure Connect) pre-installed.
Full desktop OS.
Includes full graphical microscope control software.
Required:
Raspberry Pi 2 Model B (1GB RAM)
(or better)
Recommended:
Raspberry Pi 4 Model B (2GB RAM)
(or better. 8GB model not supported)
Minimal OS without desktop.
You will need another computer to control the microscope graphically.
Required:
Raspberry Pi 1 Model B+ (512mb RAM)
(or better)
Recommended:
Raspberry Pi 2 Model B (1GB RAM)
(or better. 8GB model not supported)
Write your SD card
A guide explaining how to install a Raspberry Pi operating system image onto an SD card can be found here on the Raspberry Pi website. You will need another computer with an SD card reader to install the image.
The default username is pi, with a default password openflexure.
First boot
Connect your Pi to a display, mouse, keyboard, and power. When the Pi first boots, you will be asked to complete a quick setup, before rebooting.
After rebooting, the OpenFlexure Microscope Server should run automatically. You no longer need to connect the microscope to a display or peripherals if you’re using the microscope from another computer. The server application will handle all communication to the microscope.
OpenFlexure Connect
OpenFlexure Connect is an electron-based client for the OpenFlexure Microscope. It allows for discovery of microscopes on the network and launches the Web App for control of the microscope and basic capture management.
Download OpenFlexure Connect
There is no need to download OpenFlexure Connect onto your Raspberry Pi. It’s already included with Raspbian-OpenFlexure.
Windows
Linux
Mac OS
Currently, OpenFlexure Connect for Mac OS must be built from source. Instructions can be found in the Readme file on GitLab.
Use a Web Browser
Alternatively, you can access the OpenFlexure graphical interface from any web browser on a computer connected to the same network as your microscope.
You’ll need to know either your microscope’s IP address, or it’s hostname (by default microscope.local).
The interface runs on port 5000, and so can be accessed from either http://microscope.local:5000 or http://{your microscope's IP address}:5000 (inserting your IP address, for example http://192.168.1.60:5000).