Viewing Deconvoluted Spectra in ProMass DecView

ProMass DecView is a windows application that allows you to view results files obtained from ProMass Deconvolution results (.dec) files.  ProMass normally produces HTML web pages with embedded static graphic files (mass spectra and chromatograms).  These static web page images cannot be zoomed or reconfigured.  ProMass DecView allows you to download the deconvoluted spectra directly from your browser into ProMass DecView, where you can zoom, print or export the images in a number of high quality formats.  DecView supports viewing of the deconvoluted mass spectra and associated ESI mass spectra.   The deconvolution results can be interactively validated by clicking a mass in the deconvoluted spectrum pane to highlight the location of related charge states in the ESI spectrum pane.

Opening ProMass Deconvolution Results Files

There are 4 ways to open deconvolution results files with ProMass DecView.

1. From the ProMass summary report, you can double-click a spectrum and it will open in ProMass DecView if the file is present in its original location when it was created with ProMass.  Opening of spectra with this method is only supported by web browsers that support Active X controls (e.g., Internet Explorer).  Your browser security settings must also be configured to allow Active X controls to run.  If you cannot open spectra upon double-clicking, use one of the other methods listed below.
2. Open a .dec file by clicking the [View Data] hyperlink in the ProMass summary report when viewing a spectrum.
3. Launch ProMass DecView from the ProMass Home Page | Tools menu.  Then, open a .dec file directly with the File | Open Decon Spectrum menu or toolbar button  within ProMass DecView .
4. Double-click the .dec file from its location in the Windows file system.

An example ProMass report showing a deconvoluted spectrum is shown below.  The spectrum can be opened either by double-clicking the graphic, or by clicking on the [View Data] link.

The first time you click the [View Data] link within your browser, you will see a dialog similar to the one shown below:

The dialog indicates that Internet Explorer has recognized the .dec file type and is asking you what you want to do with the file.  Click the Open button.  If you want Internet Explorer to automatically open this file type from now on without showing this dialog, you should uncheck the Always ask before opening this type of file option.

The deconvoluted spectrum shown above opened in DecView.

For more information about using ProMass DecView, access the ProMass DecView online help.