# Define zones

Aim

To define specific regions of the arena to be used in analysis or to start and stop tracking.

note Any area falling outside the arena is not considered as a zone.

Prerequisite

▪You have defined the arena.

Procedure for one zone

1.Click 3. Select Shape and draw Zones (Optional) in the Arenas and Zones section.

If multiple zone groups are defined, in the Arenas and Zones section, click the zone group where you want to insert the zone. This group is highlighted in the background image.

2.Select a shape from the toolbar. See also Draw simple shapes

3.Create a shape that covers the area of interest within the arena. Do so at the height of the animal, not, for example, at the top of the cage.

If you choose one of the subdivided options, select the number of sectors or rows x columns and click OK. See also Draw subdivided shapes

4.In the Add Zone Label window that appears, enter the name of the zone or accept the suggested name, then click OK.

tip When you have multiple arenas and want to give the same name to a zone defined in each arena (for example, the Feeder in multiple PhenoTypers), select Use existing zone and choose the zone name.

Notes

▪The zone shape is filled with the color visible next to the zone name in the Arenas and Zones section. Click the color next to the name to change it.

▪To create quadrants in an existing arena, draw two perpendicular lines over the arena. Click the Add zone Label button and drag the label to one quadrant. Repeat this step for each quadrant.

Auto-label zone

By default the option Auto-label zones is turned on (the Auto-Label Zone button on the toolbar is highlighted in orange). This means that every time you draw a closed shape, the zone label is added automatically.

To switch the auto-label option off, click the Auto-Label Zone button on the toolbar or press A.

If the auto-label option is off (the button is not highlighted in orange) and the zone has no name, click the Add Zone Label button on the toolbar, drag the label to the zone, then click the mouse button. Name the zone and click OK.

To edit the zone

You can resize and re-shape the zone. See Work with shapes