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Preview Datasets and Multi-Sample Sessions

CartoScope provides preview dialogs to inspect dataset metadata, verify available spatial layers, and configure multi-tile session layouts prior to launching the main workspace.

When will I see a preview?

  • Session Links:

    • When you launch a session via a shared session link, CartoScope will open a preview dialog to let you confirm the session information.

  • Load External Data via URL:

    • Single Dataset Mode: Check the Preview checkbox before clicking Load to open the single dataset preview dialog.
    • Multiple Datasets Mode: It will not launch a preview dialog as it automatically triggers the multi-sample setup dialog, which provides a similar preview capability to inspect sample metadata and grid layouts before launching.

Preview Data Requirements

To display complete metadata, summary metrics, and thumbnail image previews, CartoScope relies on dataset asset files generated by CartoMint:

  • Thumbnail Image (thumbnail.png or thumbnail.jpg): Used for the visual preview card.
  • Metainfo JSON (metainfo.json): Pre-calculated dataset summary metrics and structural metadata generated during CartoMint data preparation.

Interface

CartoScope provides preview modes tailored for individual datasets and multi-sample cohort sessions:

1. Single Dataset Preview

Single Dataset Preview Features

  • Thumbnail & Summary Metadata: Displays dataset title, species, tissue, disease, technology platform, and data source.
  • Layer Verification: Inspect available spatial visualization layers including gene expression density maps, FICTURE factor weights, and histology staining background images.
  • Raw Catalog Viewer: Expand raw catalog.yaml and metainfo.json key-value fields.
  • Launch Action: Click Load to launch the dataset in the single-dataset Map View.

2. Multi-Sample Session Setup & Preview

When assembling or previewing a multi-sample session (via a multi-sample collection, YAML file, or multi-sample URL), the Multi-Sample Setup Dialog allows you to configure the session:

Input Source Tabs

  • Collections Tab: Select pre-grouped multi-sample collections and filter slides by metadata attributes (Organism, Tissue, Disease, Platform).
  • Gallery Tab: Batch-select individual slides or slide groups directly from the visual thumbnail gallery.
  • URL Tab: Input multiple external PMTILES or dataset catalog URLs (catalog.yaml) to build a custom multi-sample session.
  • Shared Factors Tab: Select datasets that share pre-computed multi-sample FICTURE spatial factor set models.
  • YAML Tab: View, edit, paste, import, or export multi-sample session layout configurations in YAML format.

Session & Layout Controls

  • Session Title: Enter a custom title for your multi-sample study.
  • Grid Dimensions (N × M): Set the number of Rows and Columns for the multi-tile map layout grid.
  • Layout Direction: Choose between Row-first or Column-first ordering for sample slot placement.
  • Load Background ROI Layers: Toggle preloading background histology staining images and ROI annotations across all grid viewports.

Sample Metadata Table View

  • Metadata Inspection: Review resolved dataset names, organism, tissue, disease, platform, and assigned grid slot indices prior to launching.

Launch Session

Click Load (for single datasets) or Launch Multi-Sample Session (for multi-sample studies) to open the interactive canvas.

Related Pages

Concepts

Manual Pages