Since 8.8.5 introduced yet another transformation preference, while I still haven't grasped all the existing ones, it's time to write it up in one place.
There are six prefs, and they are so named and located:
(P1) Allow custom visualizations ("Preferences->Workspace")
(P2) Transformation settings ("Preferences->Workspace")
(P3) Enable Transformation for uncompensated area parameters ("Preferences->Workspace->Define 32 bit")
(P4) Transformation settings for Uncompensated parameters ("Preferences->Workspace->Define 32 bit")
(P5) Transform height parameters too ("Preferences->Workspace->Define 32 bit")
(P6) Transform all compensated parameters ("Preferences->Workspace")
Note: P6 is the new preference.
(A) If P1 is not set, no transformation is done on any parameters. If you motion to Platforms/comp/define biexponential.. operation, you'll first be prompted to change this preference.
For uncompensated parameters:
(B)
If incoming data is floating point (DiVa), then transform the
uncompensated parameters if P3 is set. Use Settings in P4. Do this
for all Area parameters, and if P5, all parameters.
(C) If incoming data is not floating point, then no transformation is done.
For compensated parameters.
(D)
If the uncompensated parameter was transformed then use its settings
(this is ONLY scenario (B), above). Therefore, these parameters will
be transformed using the settings in P4.
(E)
If the uncompensated parameters was not transformed, and P6 is off,
then compensated parameters will not be transformed. If P6 is on, then
the compensated parameters will be transformed using settings P2.
For manual transformation of compensated parameters:
(F) Use settings in the dialog window, which are copied from P2 (and if changed, are copied back into P2).
Final notes:
P2 does not allow specification of the width parameter. P2 uses the same
width parameter as defined in P4.
Most users will usually use either the P4 settings (DiVa)
or the P2 settings (non DiVa). Only users which analyze data from both
kinds of machines will end up using both sets of preferences.