Making measurements

In most cases, the reason for identifying image features is to make measurements on them. CellProfiler has a number of modules dedicated to calculating measurements of various types, on both images and objects; these are accessible by clicking the  button (located underneath the pipeline panel)

Below is a list of measurement categories; these is not meant to be comprehensive, but are sufficient for most assays:

Measurement Description Relevant modules
Count The number of objects in an image. All modules which produce a new set of objects, such as IdentifyPrimaryObjects
Location The (x,y) coordinates of each object, which can be of interest in time-lapse imaging. All modules which produce a new set of objects
Morphology Quantities defining the geometry of the object, as defined by its external boundary. This includes quantities like area, perimeter, etc. MeasureImageAreaOccupied,MeasureObjectSizeShape
Intensity In fluorescence assays, the intensity of a pixel is related to the substance labeled with a fluorescence marker at that location. The maximal, minimal, mean, and integrated (total) intensity of each marker can be measured as well as correlations in intensity between channels. MeasureObjectIntensity, MeasureImageIntensity, MeasureObjectRadialDistribution, MeasureColocalization
Texture These quantities characterize spatial smoothness and regularity across an object, and are often useful for characterizing the fine patterns of localization. MeasureTexture
Clustering Spatial relationships can be characterized by adjacency descriptors, such as the number of neighboring objects, the percent of the perimeter touching neighbor objects, etc. MeasureObjectNeighbors

For more information on these modules and how to configure them for best performance, please see the detailed help by selecting the module and clicking the   button at the bottom of the pipeline panel. You can also find details on measurement nomenclature when exporting under Help > Using Your Output > How Measurements are Named

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