To analyse a new sighting select 'new sighting' from the File menu, or click on the small camera icon in the left margin. You may then load a tail image. The image can have any file name and may be located anywhere. You can also load images directly from the flash disk of an attached digital camera connected via a USB cable.

The default directory where the program searches for images can be selected by clicking on the settings tab and entering or browsing for the required folder.

After selecting the image the system will take a few seconds to analyse it. If the analysis is successful a standardised picture of the tail pattern will appear immediately below the original image, and if any matching individuals have been found these will appear at the bottom. Up to five search results may be shown, ordered with the best match on the left hand side.

If the system cannot detect the tail within the image you may wish to click on the 'analysis' tab to view the program's progress. This may give useful clues as to why the image couldn't be processed by the system. For example in the thresholded image there may be too many shadowed waves or other dark objects in the background. To improve the detection you can also manually specify some key points on the tail.