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Vx Capture

Vx Capture™ is a software program for converting between the file formats of different instrument vendors. Vx Capture supports GC/MS and LC/MS file formats.  Vx Capture allows:

  • Batch conversion of existing data files.
  • Automated conversion of GC/MS & LC/MS data files as acquired.

For laboratories with automated sampling equipment, automated conversion is a big time saver for the analyst.  As data acquisition completes for each sample, Vx Capture kicks in, generating the data file in the desired target format.

Vx Capture is typically used for data interchange between Varian WorkStation (SMS, XMS), Agilent MSD ChemStation (.D\Data.MS) and Andi (CDF) GC/MS file formats. Adron Systems works closely with Varian to support the SMS and XMS data forms in Vx Capture.

Adron Systems also works closely with Thermo Fisher Scientific to support the conversion of their Xcalibur (RAW) data files.

Vx Capture allows your laboratory to standardize on a single processing package; streamlining your lab routines and operator training.

Vx Capture works on networked systems. Bring data in from multiple sources and convert the data to specified target locations.

Our evaluation version of Vx Capture supports the file formats shown below. Get your own copy today by filling out the Vx Capture Request form.

Need help “Getting Started” with Vx Capture? Get a copy of the document Vx Capture™ - A GC/MS and LC/MS File Conversion Utility.

Vx Capture converts to:

  • Adron Systems Text File (ASC)
  • Agilent ChemStation (.D\Data.MS)
  • Agilent ChemStation NetCDF (.D\Data.CDF)
  • AIA Andi NetCDF (CDF)
  • Finnigan Incos (MI,MX)
  • Finnigan ITS40, Magnum, and Tracker (MS)
  • Triton Analytics CSV File (T3)
  • Varian Workstation 2000 (SMS)
  • Varian Saturn I, II and III (MS)

Vx Capture converts from:

  • Adron Systems Vector/2 and Vx (TKF)
  • Adron Systems Text File (ASC)
  • Agilent&HP ChemStation (.D)
  • AIA Andi NetCDF (CDF)
  • Finnigan Incos (MI,MX)
  • Finnigan Incos (TI,TX,CT)
  • Finnigan ITS40, Magnum and Tracker (MS)
  • PerkinElmer TurboMass (RAW)
  • Thermo Fisher Scientific Xcalibur (RAW)
  • Varian Workstation 2000/2100/2200/4000 (SMS)
  • Varian Workstation 1200 (XMS)
  • Varian Saturn I, II, and III (MS)

Send Adron Systems one (or two) of your data files, and we'll convert them over to your desired target format. Please send your GC/MS & LC/MS data as a “zipped” file.

Vx Extract Information Extraction

Looking for a highly configurable, customizable means of accessing your GC/MS & LC/MS data? Need to generate comma separated value files (CSV), or other text files based on your GC/MS & LC/MS data?

If so, consider this “sister” product to Vx Capture. Vx Extract™ is a programmable solution for accessing your GC/MS & LC/MS data files. Easily extract spectra, ion chromatograms, and header information to CSV and other textual formats, independent of the original MS source format.

Excel, Maple, MatLab, Mathematica, MZmine & TagFinder

Looking for ways to access your GC/MS & LC/MS data from Excel, MatLab, or another data analysis package? Vx Capture has several mechanisms available for accessing your data.

The Adron Systems' ASC text file provides a simple mechanism for accessing your GC/MS and LC/MS data. Each scan is introduced with its scan interval, and then a listing of mass, intensity pairs. The ASC format is described in the document Vx Capture™ - A GC/MS and LC/MS File Conversion Utility.

Several data analysis packages, including MatLab and Mathematica, support access to the NetCDF data format. Through the scripting languages of these programs, you have access to your GC/MS & LC/MS data.

Note: Common Data Format (CDF) is a completely separate, incompatible format to NetCDF.  When working with MatLab or Mathematica, be sure to use the NetCDF API.

Note: When working with TagFinder profiling software, or the MZmine metabolomics framework, be sure to generate NetCDF files with nominal, integer mass resolution.  For AIA Andi NetCDF files, this is: 

mass_values: scale_factor=1.

Vx Capture also supports the Triton Analytics CSV file format (T3). In the T3 file, GC/MS data is presented as a large matrix. Each row contains the data from a single scan. The initial column contains the scan interval in seconds. The second column contains the ion summation value, i.e., the TIC or RIC. Subsequent columns contain intensity values for the specified mass range. This data form can be imported into Excel or other packages that support comma separated value (CSV) files or tab separated value files (TSV).

Addendum: NetCDF and AIA Andi

NetCDF (Network Common Data Form) is a set of software libraries and machine-independent data formats that support the creation, access, and sharing of array-oriented scientific data. NetCDF is maintained by Unidata. For further information, go to the NetCDF home page.

NetCDF was chosen by the Analytical Instrument Association (AIA) to implement the Analytical Data Interchange protocols (Andi) for mass spectrometry in 1993.

The AIA Andi NetCDF format remains popular due to its vendor independent nature.  Many processing packages utilize AIA Andi for access to GC/MS & LC/MS data.  Thermo-Fisher Xcalibur, Agilent MSD ChemStation, NIST AMDIS, and many more, allow the opening or import of AIA Andi files.

Vx Capture has a flexible output mechanism for AIA Andi files.  Output can be:

  • Mass values as nominal, integer masses.
  • Mass values as floating point values.
  • Mass values as scaled integer values.

These output options are important because many packages do not properly handle the flexible nature of the NetCDF format.  Vx Capture overcomes this obstacle by providing output options for AIA Andi files.