In addition to the formatting options common to all Objects, and some of those common to all Plots (i.e. Axis, Titles, and Legends), Spectrum Plots have other properties, which can be formatted:

 

•Overlays are defined in FCS Express as a data set that is displayed on a plot. A data set for a spectrum plot consists the individual spectrum from every event. A Spectrum Plot must contain one or more overlays. Overlays can be added or deleted from a Spectrum Plot, but the first overlay, also known as the base overlay, cannot be removed, only reformatted or changed. Furthermore, spectra for all events may be displayed individually (i.e. All Spectrums) or as an average (i.e. Average with or without Showing Standard Deviation).

 

•Spectrum Plot Specific Options allow you to change Resolution, Display Mode (Color on Gated/Overlays vs. Color on Density), Shade Based on Density, and whether or not to Interpolate Values with desired number of Interpolation points. For example, with the Display Mode option you may automatically match the color of the spectrum line for each event to the color of the gate/overlay to which it belongs (i.e. Color on Gated/Overlays). These option allow for "backgating" of spectral flow cytometry data files. Alternatively, you may choose to display the spectral line colors on Density (i.e. Density).

 

•Color Levels options allows to customize the color levels when Density is selected as Display Mode in the Spectrum Plot Specific Options.

 

•Display Gates Options allow to define which gate to use to color spectrum. This applies when Color on Gated/Overlays is selected as Display Mode in the Spectrum Plot Specific Options and All Spectrums is selected as Overlay to Show in the Overlays options.

 

You can always format a Spectrum Plot by right-clicking on the plot, selecting Format from the pop-up menu, and choosing a category. Alternatively, once the Spectrum Plot is selected, you can choose the desired category from the Format tab of the Ribbon.

NOTE: Certain aspects of Spectrum Plots are managed via Cytek and Sony Instrument Specific Settings, for instance, the Parameter Labels, Parameters that are removed after a spectra merge, and more.