Traditional laboratory equipment, including microscopes, frequently involves large and expensive setups. This work concerns the development of the software for a modular, cost-effective microscope meant for inspecting electronics and 3D-printed structures. The foundation of this setup is based on open-source electronics, specifically a Raspberry Pi board and its corresponding high-quality camera module. Manual inspection of samples frequently lacks the clarity needed for detailed analysis, highlighting the necessity for advanced software techniques. Therefore, the software aims to improve image clarity through the dynamic adjustment of various image attributes, such as contrast or saturation.
Additionally, the microscope includes extra functionality beyond manual inspection, specifically the integration of a technique called Reflectance Transformation Imaging (RTI) to provide detailed surface information. Lastly, the software prioritizes user-friendliness through a clear graphical user interface designed for the control of the microscope. This approach ensures an enhanced and detailed examination process by addressing the limitations of manual optical inspection. Through the use of open-source development and public availability, this work supports and contributes to the maker movement.