Installation¶

The software is written in Python, and its graphical interface is based on Dear PyGui. It is highly recommended to install Python 3.11 or 3.12. Follow the steps below to install the software.

1. Go to the project’s releases. Choose your OS version (Windows or Linux), download the proper FcsIT_(version)_(OS) file and extract it to the desired location.

2. Go to the extracted directory and run the installation script:

   1. On Linux in a terminal, run the bash script by typing:

      ./install.sh

   2. On Windows, double-click the install_win.bat executable script. The Windows installation files are distributed together with the Python Embedded Distribution for Windows. Make sure you are not using a VPN, as it may block the installation of PIP in the Python embedded distribution.

The installation script will download all required packages, create the run_FcsIT script or run_FcsIT.bat (on Windows), and create the shortcuts. Existing installations updated from a version that used readPTU_FLIM.py may display a one-time dependency migration prompt. With the user’s consent, FcsIT installs phconvert into the current application environment, verifies the import, and only then removes the obsolete reader. Choosing Later leaves fitting and time-binned analysis available; PTU/PT3 loading remains unavailable until the migration succeeds.