Using the Assay Layout Editor

See the assay layout definition to view how a layout is represented.

The Assay Layout Editor is displayed when you press the Create Layout button to create a new layout or when you edit an existing layout.

Editor Flexibility

The actual flexibility available in your custom layout depends on an assay’s requirements. Most assays require a certain number of positions of a particular type to be defined, eg. Blank or Standard groups. In most cases however, you may setup the layout as you prefer providing your layout meets an assay’s requirements.

There are two modes for specifying an assay layout:

• Erase – remove samples that you are not measuring

• Fill – freely define the layout by selecting areas to fill

Erase Edit Mode

Erase mode allows you to remove samples that you are not measuring.

In some assays Erase mode is the only way a layout can be changed.

To remove a sample:

1. Move the mouse pointer over a defined sample.

2. If the sample can be removed, the mouse pointer will change to an eraser icon. Left-click - to remove all positions containing this sample.

3. Sample numbering is adjusted to ensure that the numbering remains contiguous.

Fill Edit Mode

Fill mode is available in assays allowing you greater flexibility in layout arrangement. To enter Fill Edit mode, press the Fill button:

The Fill Settings button will appear enabling you to specify how the positions you select are filled. Also, the type and group selector can be used to select the next group to fill with your chosen setting, e.g.

To change the sample at a position, simply left-click your mouse pointer on the position. To fill an area, left-click at the first position and hold and drag to the last position. (Use the Fill Settings button to change how this fill operates.)

Undo/Redo

These buttons can be used to cancel the last change or re-apply it.

Save + Close

When you are happy with your changes, press the Save + Close button.

Your layout will now be validated against the assay requirements. If there are any problems, you will be informed of the changes required for your assay layout to work properly.

For example, a quantitative assay may require a certain number of Standard groups to be defined since without their definition the analysis will not work correctly. Thus you will be advised to add the required number of groups.

Once your new layout is created, it will be applied to future calculations using this assay. By making calculations or saving settings, your new layout is saved with your assay settings.