Raspbian-OpenFlexure

Download Raspbian-OpenFlexure

For your microscope you will need to download our custom operating system for the Raspberry Pi. It comes with all necessary software pre-installed.

There are two versions of the OpenFlexure operating system:

Raspbian OpenFlexure

If you aren't sure, use this one!

Full desktop OS.

Includes full graphical microscope control software.

Required:

Raspberry Pi 2 Model B (1GB RAM)
(or better)
We do not yet support the Raspberry Pi 5

Recommended:

Raspberry Pi 4 Model B (2GB RAM)
(or better*)

Raspbian OpenFlexure Lite

Minimal OS without desktop - requires remote control over the network.

You will need another computer to control the microscope.

Required:

Raspberry Pi 1 Model B+ (512mb RAM)
(or better)
We do not yet support the Raspberry Pi 5

Recommended:

Raspberry Pi 2 Model B (1GB RAM)
(or better*)

*The maximum RAM in Raspbian-OpenFlexure is 4GB. 8GB Rasberry Pis will work, but will only use 4GB of RAM

Write your SD card

Once you have downloaded your choice of the OpenFlexure operating system image from the links above, you need to install it on the Raspberry Pi.

The is quite a bit of guidance on the Raspberry Pi website for installing operating systems.

For the OpenFlexure operating system the recommended install method is:

  • Unzip the downloaded file to get a .img file
  • Install the Raspberry Pi Imager software, if you have not already got it.
  • Plug your [micro SD card] into your computer, using a compatible adapter if required.
  • Open the Raspberry Pi Imager software.
  • You do not need to select anything in the ‘CHOOSE DEVICE’ section.
  • In the ‘CHOOSE OS’ section, scroll down through the many software options to the bottom and select ‘Use custom’, then find the .img file that you just unzipped.
  • In the ‘CHOOSE STORAGE’ section select the SD card that you have plugged in.
  • Click ‘NEXT’
  • Click ‘EDIT Settings’ when given an option to ‘Use OS Customisation’.
  • Set a new username and password. You can also set up WiFi settings.
  • Click ‘YES’ to install the OpenFlexure software with your edited settings.
  • When the install process is complete, remove the SD card from your computer.

OpenFlexure Connect

OpenFlexure Connect is the software we recommend for accessing your microscope.

You can install it on your own computer to control the microscope over your local network, or you can use OpenFlexure directly on the Raspberry Pi inside your microscope.

When you start OpenFlexure Connect it will list any microscopes you have access to. You can then connect to a microscope to use it. Each microscope opens in a new window, so you can use multiple microscopes at a time.

If you don’t want to use OpenFlexure Connect use a web browser instead.

Download OpenFlexure Connect

There is no need to download OpenFlexure Connect onto your Raspberry Pi. It’s already included with Raspbian-OpenFlexure.

Windows

Get it from the Chocolatey package manager

Linux

Get it from the Snap Store

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 control your microscope from any web browser on a computer connected to the same network as your microscope.

By default you should be able to access your microscope from the address:
http://microscope.local:5000 Some networks strip the .local, leaving the address as http://microscope:5000

If that doesn’t work you’ll need to know your microscope’s IP address. You can then access the microscope from:
http://{your microscope's IP address}:5000
inserting your IP address, for example
http://192.168.1.60:5000

Next steps

Use your Microscope