Montaris-X
A cross-platform desktop ROI editor for scientific microscopy workflows. Built with PySide6 and published on PyPI, it gives researchers a fast local tool for annotation, ROI editing, and ImageJ-compatible interoperability without relying on heavyweight proprietary software.
Researchers needed a fast local ROI tool they could install and use without depending on heavyweight or proprietary microscopy software.
Built a native desktop application for ROI drawing, editing, layering, import/export, and high-resolution microscopy image handling.
Montaris-X became a distributable local tool for microscopy annotation workflows, with PyPI distribution and institutional interest.
Solo Developer
4 months
Reader-first case study
This case study focuses on problem framing, implementation choices, technical constraints, and outcome.
Solo Developer
4 months
Research project
2025
Where parts of the system are internal or institutional, this case study focuses on engineering scope, workflow design, and technical decisions rather than trying to simulate missing public artifacts.
Cross-platform Python desktop app built with PySide6
Supports 16/32-bit TIFF, ImageJ ROI import/export, layering, and undo/redo
Published on PyPI and designed for real lab workflows rather than demo use
Overview
Montaris-X is a pip-installable desktop ROI editor for scientific microscopy. It is designed for researchers who need local, responsive annotation workflows without relying on large proprietary applications or a fragile chain of manual steps.
Currently under review for listing at the University of Edinburgh's Software Centre for institutional distribution.
Problem
Microscopy annotation is often trapped between two bad options: heavyweight vendor tooling or improvised research workflows that are hard to standardise. The goal here was to build a local tool that:
- works well on large scientific images
- supports the ROI formats researchers already use
- feels responsive enough for real annotation work
- is easy to install and distribute
What I Built
Montaris-X includes:
- ROI drawing and editing tools for practical image annotation
- multi-layer ROI management
- ImageJ ROI and ZIP import/export
- 16/32-bit TIFF handling and multi-channel image support
- undo/redo and transform operations
- an install path simple enough for researchers to adopt
Technical Decisions
Native desktop instead of browser
For this tool, a desktop application was the right choice. The workflow is local, image-heavy, and interaction-intensive. PySide6 provided a reliable base for building something distributable and responsive across platforms.
Interoperability first
ImageJ compatibility was non-negotiable. The point was not to create another isolated editor. It was to fit into the tools researchers already trust while giving them a better interface for day-to-day work.
Distribution
Publishing on PyPI mattered because it turned the tool into something that could actually be installed, versioned, and shared, rather than staying as a one-off internal script.
Constraints
The challenge was to balance a real microscopy feature set with a tool that remained fast enough and simple enough to use in practice. It had to handle scientific image formats and ROI workflows without becoming a bloated desktop application.
Outcome
Montaris-X gives researchers a practical local tool for ROI work and reduces dependence on proprietary software for a key part of the microscopy workflow. It also shows a different side of the portfolio: packaged desktop software, not just web applications.
Installation
pip install montaris-x