Microscopes for Schools

DinoLite Instructions

DinoLite Instructions

A. Setting up

  1. Turn on the laptop.
  2. Log on by using the passwords provided by your regional hub.
  3. Place the DinoLite digital microscope in the stand.
  4. 4Plug in the DinoLite into the laptop using the USB port on the left side of the computer.

B. Viewing a sample

  1. Open the DinoCapture icon.
  2. Double-click the DinoCapture icon on the desktop to open the application.
  3. Place a sample (the object you wish to image) on the base of the stand and position under the DinoLite’s lights. The light will automatically come on when the Dinolite is plugged in the USB and the software is opened.
  4. To focus, move the position of the DinoLite by raising and lowering the position of the holder on the stand.
  5. You can raise and lower the holder using the large focus wheel on the side where the holder is fixed on the stand. Be careful to support the stand piece where the Dinolite sits when adjusting it as it could slide down quite fast.

C. Capturing a still image

  1. Once you have a sample in focus, click on the camera icon to the top left of the image window in the Dinolite software. An artificial camera sound should be audible. The full-size images have been automatically saved in .bmp format in a folder on the desktop with your school’s name.
  2. Place your mouse over the thumbnail on the left-hand side to name the image. Please name the file after the identity of the sample (e.g. flower, snail…), and if you wish include the initials of the pupil(s) who collected the sample. This will help with identifying who took the image, if it is judged to be a winning image.
  3. To take a new image, place your mouse over anything other than an existing thumbnail. This will take you back to the live image view, where you can again capture an image and label.
  4. To delete unwanted images, highlight their thumbnails and click the trash bin icon within the software.

D. Saving the images for the competition

  1. Once you have chosen your 10 favourite images to enter the image competition, please copy the original files to your schools top 10 images folder on the desktop.
  2. Please check that the images are named correctly.
  • Please store DinoLite and the computer safely.
  • Do not get DinoLite lens near liquids or dirt.
  • Do not let children handle the DinoLite roughly.
  • Please wipe the base of the stand after use.

For technical problems and questions about the M4S competition and logistics, please contact your regional hub.

Download PDF