The system is used to solve a number of different motion analysis problems for applications in cell biology, anatomy, and radiology. However the system can easily be extended to record a variety of data including gestural information and other nonverbal behavioral data.
Users have the ability to write directly on the film with a digitizing stylus.
For example, the user manipulates a digitizing pen to follow a moving cell, matching the resulting animation in both time and space. One important user interface aspect of the Galatea system is the partial integration of the film functions with the control functions. Users may write directly on the data area of the work surface and their input is recorded against the film. Using the digitizing pen in any of the system control areas on this same work surface invokes the appropriate control function. Galatea allows users to enter a variety information.