diff --git a/csaxs_bec/bec_ipython_client/plugins/LamNI/x_ray_eye_align.py b/csaxs_bec/bec_ipython_client/plugins/LamNI/x_ray_eye_align.py
index 1f26e5a..35c58bd 100644
--- a/csaxs_bec/bec_ipython_client/plugins/LamNI/x_ray_eye_align.py
+++ b/csaxs_bec/bec_ipython_client/plugins/LamNI/x_ray_eye_align.py
@@ -665,7 +665,9 @@ class XrayEyeAlign:
     # Operator-visual only -- no automatic circle fitting. See
     # find_rotation_center_smear_experimental() below for the entry point.
 
-    def _push_smear_composite(self, composite: np.ndarray, hold_display_s: float):
+    def _push_smear_composite(
+        self, composite: np.ndarray, hold_display_s: float, resume_live: bool = True
+    ):
         """Briefly freeze the GUI's live view on the current composite.
 
         live_mode_enabled.put(False) synchronously joins IDSCamera's
@@ -680,15 +682,22 @@ class XrayEyeAlign:
         subclasses from the client-side device RPC proxy) -- push via the
         push_preview_image() device method instead, which runs
         device-server side where self.image is a normal ophyd attribute.
+
+        resume_live: if False, live mode is left off after the push --
+        used for the final push at the end of a sweep, so the composite
+        stays frozen on screen (for the operator to click on) instead of
+        being immediately overwritten by the next raw live frame.
         """
         dev.cam_xeye.live_mode_enabled.put(False)
         dev.cam_xeye.push_preview_image(composite)
         time.sleep(hold_display_s)
-        dev.cam_xeye.live_mode_enabled.put(True)
+        if resume_live:
+            dev.cam_xeye.live_mode_enabled.put(True)
 
     def _smear_sweep(
         self,
         sweep_deg: float = 360.0,
+        keep_shutter_open: bool = False,
         display_update_interval_s: float = 1.0,
         hold_display_s: float = 0.4,
         poll_interval_s: float = 0.15,
@@ -708,6 +717,11 @@ class XrayEyeAlign:
         is still in progress on the server -- ScanReport.status is polled
         directly, exactly what ScanReport.wait() does internally, so no
         background thread is needed here.
+
+        On return, the composite (not a fresh live frame) stays frozen on
+        the GUI's live view -- live mode is left off, and the shutter is
+        closed unless keep_shutter_open -- so the operator clicks on the
+        exact same image the whole time, with no regrab/flicker.
         """
         print(
             f"[rotation-center][smear] EXPERIMENTAL feature: max-projection composite aid, "
@@ -757,7 +771,9 @@ class XrayEyeAlign:
                 dev.cam_xeye.live_mode_enabled.put(True)
             raise
 
-        self._push_smear_composite(composite, hold_display_s)
+        self._push_smear_composite(composite, hold_display_s, resume_live=False)
+        if not keep_shutter_open:
+            dev.fsh.fshclose()
         print(
             f"[rotation-center][smear] sweep done -- {frames_seen} distinct frames over "
             f"{sweep_deg:.1f} deg, now at {self.get_tomo_angle():.1f} deg"
@@ -826,8 +842,7 @@ class XrayEyeAlign:
             self.send_message(
                 "Watch the sample rotate and locate the stationary rotation centre..."
             )
-            self._smear_sweep(sweep_deg=sweep_deg)
-            self.update_frame(keep_shutter_open)
+            self._smear_sweep(sweep_deg=sweep_deg, keep_shutter_open=keep_shutter_open)
             self.movement_buttons_enabled(True, True)
             center_x, center_y = self._collect_click(
                 1,
diff --git a/csaxs_bec/devices/ids_cameras/ids_camera.py b/csaxs_bec/devices/ids_cameras/ids_camera.py
index c853818..e77768f 100644
--- a/csaxs_bec/devices/ids_cameras/ids_camera.py
+++ b/csaxs_bec/devices/ids_cameras/ids_camera.py
@@ -203,7 +203,9 @@ class IDSCamera(PSIDeviceBase):
             return image.data
 
     def push_preview_image(self, data: np.ndarray) -> None:
-        """Push an arbitrary array to this camera's own preview signal.
+        """Push an arbitrary array (already display-oriented, e.g. built
+        from frames returned by get_last_image()) to this camera's own
+        preview signal.
 
         self.image is a PreviewSignal, which is deliberately excluded from
         the client-side device RPC/signal proxy (rpc_access defaults to
@@ -213,7 +215,20 @@ class IDSCamera(PSIDeviceBase):
         attribute, and is the supported way for a client to publish a
         custom (e.g. composite/processed) image through the same
         device_preview channel the GUI already subscribes to.
+
+        get_last_image() frames already have num_rotation_90/transpose
+        applied (PreviewSignal.put() applies that transform to whatever it
+        stores), so publishing data built from those frames straight
+        through self.image.put() would apply the same transform a second
+        time. Undo it here first -- in reverse order, since transpose is
+        applied last in PreviewSignal._process_data() so it must be undone
+        first -- so the net effect after put() is a single transform,
+        matching what a live frame looks like.
         """
+        if self.image.transpose:
+            data = np.swapaxes(data, 0, 1)
+        if self.image.num_rotation_90:
+            data = np.rot90(data, k=-self.image.num_rotation_90, axes=(0, 1))
         self.image.put(data)
 
     ############## User Interface Methods ##############
diff --git a/csaxs_bec/devices/sim/sim_cameras.py b/csaxs_bec/devices/sim/sim_cameras.py
index ca9fc7a..3776386 100644
--- a/csaxs_bec/devices/sim/sim_cameras.py
+++ b/csaxs_bec/devices/sim/sim_cameras.py
@@ -12,6 +12,11 @@ The synthetic frame is a test pattern (dark background, centered gaussian blob a
 crosshair). Per-frame gaussian noise can be enabled via sim_noise_std (counts, default 0
 = static frames; noisy frames make live views visibly live but cost bandwidth e.g. over
 remote desktop).
+
+Optionally (sim_rotation_coupling), the frame instead tracks another simulated axis'
+(e.g. lsamrot's) live angle: a field of speckle "grains" (generate_speckle_grains /
+make_speckle_test_pattern) orbits image center rigidly, for testing rotation-dependent
+features such as the LamNI smear/composite rotation-center calibration aid.
 """
 
 from __future__ import annotations
@@ -79,6 +84,69 @@ def make_rotating_test_pattern(
     return frame
 
 
+def generate_speckle_grains(
+    n_speckles: int,
+    radius_range: tuple[float, float],
+    sigma_range: tuple[float, float],
+    amplitude_range: tuple[float, float],
+    seed: int,
+) -> list[tuple[float, float, float, float]]:
+    """Generate a fixed, reproducible set of speckle "grains".
+
+    Each grain is (radius_px, base_angle_deg, sigma, amplitude) -- a small
+    gaussian dot at a random eccentricity/angle/size/brightness, meant to be
+    generated ONCE and reused across many frames (only the live rotation
+    angle changes where each grain is drawn -- see make_speckle_test_pattern
+    -- so the speckle field rotates rigidly rather than jittering).
+    """
+    rng = np.random.default_rng(seed)
+    radii = rng.uniform(radius_range[0], radius_range[1], n_speckles)
+    angles = rng.uniform(0.0, 360.0, n_speckles)
+    sigmas = rng.uniform(sigma_range[0], sigma_range[1], n_speckles)
+    amplitudes = rng.uniform(amplitude_range[0], amplitude_range[1], n_speckles)
+    return list(zip(radii, angles, sigmas, amplitudes))
+
+
+def make_speckle_test_pattern(
+    height: int,
+    width: int,
+    rgb: bool,
+    angle_deg: float,
+    grains: list[tuple[float, float, float, float]],
+    background: float = 20.0,
+) -> np.ndarray:
+    """Create a synthetic camera frame (uint8) with a field of speckle
+    "grains" rigidly orbiting the image center, for testing rotation-
+    dependent features (e.g. the smear/composite rotation-center
+    calibration aid) against a more realistic, textured/extended-sample-like
+    pattern than a single gaussian blob.
+
+    Each grain's displayed angular position is its fixed base_angle_deg
+    (from `grains`, see generate_speckle_grains) plus the live angle_deg --
+    i.e. the whole speckle field rotates together as one rigid body, the
+    same way a real extended sample's texture orbits the true rotation axis.
+    Grains at different radii trace concentric arcs when composited across
+    a sweep. Sign convention for angle_deg matches make_rotating_test_pattern
+    (0 = +x/right, increasing counter-clockwise; y negated since image rows
+    grow downward). The fixed crosshair marks image center (the FZP/beam
+    reference), distinct from the orbiting speckle field.
+    """
+    yy, xx = np.mgrid[0:height, 0:width]
+    cy, cx = height / 2.0, width / 2.0
+    frame = np.full((height, width), background, dtype=np.float64)
+    for radius_px, base_angle_deg, sigma, amplitude in grains:
+        angle_rad = np.deg2rad(base_angle_deg + angle_deg)
+        fy = cy - radius_px * np.sin(angle_rad)
+        fx = cx + radius_px * np.cos(angle_rad)
+        frame += amplitude * np.exp(-(((yy - fy) ** 2) + ((xx - fx) ** 2)) / (2.0 * sigma**2))
+    frame[int(cy) - 1 : int(cy) + 2, :] = 230.0  # horizontal crosshair line
+    frame[:, int(cx) - 1 : int(cx) + 2] = 230.0  # vertical crosshair line
+    frame = frame.clip(0, 255).astype(np.uint8)
+    if rgb:
+        frame = np.repeat(frame[:, :, np.newaxis], 3, axis=2)
+    return frame
+
+
 def add_frame_noise(frame: np.ndarray, noise_std: float) -> np.ndarray:
     """Return a copy of the frame with gaussian noise, clipped to uint8."""
     if noise_std <= 0:
@@ -148,6 +216,8 @@ class _SimIDSBackend:
         noise_std: float = 0.0,
         rotation_coupling: dict | None = None,
         feature_radius_px: float | None = None,
+        speckle_count: int = 60,
+        speckle_seed: int = 42,
     ):
         self.cam = _SimIDSSensor(width, height)
         self.force_monochrome = False
@@ -162,9 +232,18 @@ class _SimIDSBackend:
             if feature_radius_px is not None
             else min(width, height) / 4.0
         )
-        self._frame = None if rotation_coupling is not None else make_test_pattern(
-            height, width, rgb=rgb
-        )
+        if rotation_coupling is None:
+            self._frame = make_test_pattern(height, width, rgb=rgb)
+            self._speckle_grains = None
+        else:
+            self._frame = None
+            self._speckle_grains = generate_speckle_grains(
+                n_speckles=speckle_count,
+                radius_range=(0.3 * self._feature_radius_px, self._feature_radius_px),
+                sigma_range=(2.0, 5.0),
+                amplitude_range=(120.0, 200.0),
+                seed=speckle_seed,
+            )
 
     def on_connect(self):
         self._connected = True
@@ -185,12 +264,12 @@ class _SimIDSBackend:
         if self._rotation_coupling is None:
             frame = self._frame
         else:
-            frame = make_rotating_test_pattern(
+            frame = make_speckle_test_pattern(
                 self._height,
                 self._width,
                 rgb=self._rgb,
                 angle_deg=self._current_angle_deg(),
-                radius_px=self._feature_radius_px,
+                grains=self._speckle_grains,
             )
         if self.force_monochrome and frame.ndim == 3:
             frame = frame[:, :, 0]
@@ -222,6 +301,8 @@ class SimIDSCamera(IDSCamera):
         sim_noise_std=0.0,
         sim_rotation_coupling: dict | None = None,
         sim_feature_radius_px: float | None = None,
+        sim_speckle_count: int = 60,
+        sim_speckle_seed: int = 42,
         **kwargs,
     ):
         if camera_ID is not None and not camera_id:
@@ -246,5 +327,7 @@ class SimIDSCamera(IDSCamera):
             noise_std=sim_noise_std,
             rotation_coupling=sim_rotation_coupling,
             feature_radius_px=sim_feature_radius_px,
+            speckle_count=sim_speckle_count,
+            speckle_seed=sim_speckle_seed,
         )
         self.cam.force_monochrome = self._force_monochrome
diff --git a/tests/tests_devices/test_ids_camera.py b/tests/tests_devices/test_ids_camera.py
index 66466b3..e64814f 100644
--- a/tests/tests_devices/test_ids_camera.py
+++ b/tests/tests_devices/test_ids_camera.py
@@ -86,3 +86,31 @@ def test_on_destroy(ids_camera):
     ids_camera.cam.on_disconnect = mock.Mock()
     ids_camera.on_destroy()
     ids_camera.cam.on_disconnect.assert_called_once()
+
+
+def test_push_preview_image_compensates_rotation_and_transpose():
+    """push_preview_image() is meant for data already display-oriented (e.g.
+    built from get_last_image() frames, which already have num_rotation_90/
+    transpose applied by PreviewSignal.put()). Pushing it through must undo
+    that transform first so put()'s own transform doesn't apply it twice --
+    net effect: what comes back out via .get() matches what went in.
+    """
+    camera = IDSCamera(
+        name="test_camera_rot",
+        camera_id=1,
+        prefix="test:",
+        scan_info=None,
+        m_n_colormode=1,
+        bits_per_pixel=24,
+        live_mode=False,
+        num_rotation_90=3,
+        transpose=True,
+    )
+    camera.cam = mock.Mock()
+    camera.cam._connected = True
+
+    display_oriented = np.arange(12, dtype=np.uint8).reshape(3, 4)
+    camera.push_preview_image(display_oriented)
+
+    result = camera.image.get().data
+    assert np.array_equal(result, display_oriented)
diff --git a/tests/tests_devices/test_sim_cameras.py b/tests/tests_devices/test_sim_cameras.py
index 9e7f9cc..7f5500a 100644
--- a/tests/tests_devices/test_sim_cameras.py
+++ b/tests/tests_devices/test_sim_cameras.py
@@ -1,5 +1,6 @@
 """Unit tests for the simulated IDS camera frame source (_SimIDSBackend /
-make_rotating_test_pattern / SimIDSCamera's optional rotation coupling)."""
+make_rotating_test_pattern / make_speckle_test_pattern /
+SimIDSCamera's optional rotation coupling)."""
 
 import numpy as np
 import pytest
@@ -7,7 +8,9 @@ import pytest
 from csaxs_bec.devices.sim.sim_cameras import (
     SimIDSCamera,
     _SimIDSBackend,
+    generate_speckle_grains,
     make_rotating_test_pattern,
+    make_speckle_test_pattern,
     make_test_pattern,
 )
 from csaxs_bec.devices.sim.sim_galil import SimGalilState
@@ -59,6 +62,9 @@ def test_make_rotating_test_pattern_blob_position(angle_deg):
 
 
 def test_sim_ids_backend_rotation_coupling_tracks_live_angle():
+    """_SimIDSBackend renders a speckle field (its actual default rotation-
+    coupled pattern) tracking the live simulated angle, regenerated fresh
+    per call rather than cached."""
     host, port, axis_letter = "test-galil.example", 9000, "C"
     galil = SimStateRegistry.get(SimGalilState, host, port)
     ax = galil.axis(ord(axis_letter.lower()) - 97)
@@ -66,24 +72,73 @@ def test_sim_ids_backend_rotation_coupling_tracks_live_angle():
     ax.pos_steps = 0.0  # 0 deg
 
     coupling = {"galil_host": host, "galil_port": port, "axis": axis_letter}
+    radius_px = 50.0
     backend = _SimIDSBackend(
-        width=200, height=200, rgb=False, rotation_coupling=coupling, feature_radius_px=50.0
+        width=200, height=200, rgb=False, rotation_coupling=coupling, feature_radius_px=radius_px
+    )
+    # same defaults _SimIDSBackend uses internally (speckle_count=60, speckle_seed=42)
+    expected_grains = generate_speckle_grains(
+        n_speckles=60,
+        radius_range=(0.3 * radius_px, radius_px),
+        sigma_range=(2.0, 5.0),
+        amplitude_range=(120.0, 200.0),
+        seed=42,
     )
 
     frame0 = backend.get_image_data()
     assert np.array_equal(
-        frame0, make_rotating_test_pattern(200, 200, rgb=False, angle_deg=0.0, radius_px=50.0)
+        frame0,
+        make_speckle_test_pattern(200, 200, rgb=False, angle_deg=0.0, grains=expected_grains),
     )
 
     # move the simulated axis and confirm the frame is regenerated fresh, not cached
     ax.pos_steps = 90.0 * ax.stppermm
     frame90 = backend.get_image_data()
     assert np.array_equal(
-        frame90, make_rotating_test_pattern(200, 200, rgb=False, angle_deg=90.0, radius_px=50.0)
+        frame90,
+        make_speckle_test_pattern(200, 200, rgb=False, angle_deg=90.0, grains=expected_grains),
     )
     assert not np.array_equal(frame0, frame90)
 
 
+def test_generate_speckle_grains_reproducible():
+    """Same seed/params -> identical grains, so the speckle field is fixed
+    across frames (only the live angle changes where each grain is drawn)."""
+    kwargs = dict(
+        n_speckles=20,
+        radius_range=(10.0, 50.0),
+        sigma_range=(2.0, 4.0),
+        amplitude_range=(100.0, 200.0),
+        seed=7,
+    )
+    assert generate_speckle_grains(**kwargs) == generate_speckle_grains(**kwargs)
+
+
+def test_make_speckle_test_pattern_rotates_rigidly():
+    """A single grain's rendered peak moves by exactly the change in
+    angle_deg -- the whole speckle field rotates as one rigid body."""
+    height, width = 200, 300
+    grains = [(60.0, 40.0, 3.0, 200.0)]  # radius_px=60, base_angle_deg=40 (avoids axes)
+    cy, cx = height / 2.0, width / 2.0
+
+    def peak_position(angle_deg):
+        frame = make_speckle_test_pattern(
+            height, width, rgb=False, angle_deg=angle_deg, grains=grains
+        )
+        masked = frame.astype(np.int32)
+        masked[int(cy) - 2 : int(cy) + 3, :] = 0
+        masked[:, int(cx) - 2 : int(cx) + 3] = 0
+        return np.unravel_index(np.argmax(masked), masked.shape)
+
+    for extra_angle in (0.0, 90.0):
+        py, px = peak_position(extra_angle)
+        total_angle_rad = np.deg2rad(40.0 + extra_angle)
+        expected_y = cy - 60.0 * np.sin(total_angle_rad)
+        expected_x = cx + 60.0 * np.cos(total_angle_rad)
+        assert abs(py - expected_y) <= 2
+        assert abs(px - expected_x) <= 2
+
+
 def test_sim_ids_camera_threads_rotation_coupling_through():
     """SimIDSCamera's sim_rotation_coupling/sim_feature_radius_px reach _SimIDSBackend."""
     host, port, axis_letter = "test-galil-2.example", 9100, "C"