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An Introduction to Leginon » History » Version 1

Amber Herold, 04/13/2010 01:14 PM

1 1 Amber Herold
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h1. An introduction to Leginon
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h2. What is Leginon System?
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<abstract>
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Leginon system include the python-side programs that are writen in python and c, the
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MySQL database and server, and the mainly php-based image and data viewers on a web
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server.
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The python-side programs provide a modular framework for building applications for TEM
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image acquisition and analysis. Nodes can be connected through abstract events in Leginon's
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modular architecture design. This gives Leginon the flexibility of application customization
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at multiple levels. Because nodes can be launched from different machines, Leginon's
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applications can inherently use distributed memory systems.
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The MySQL-side database and server keep track of all information (metadata) accompanying
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the acquired images efficiently.
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The php-side web server and scripts retrieve information from the database and the file
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storage system to display both raw information and organized reports.
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NRAMM development includes the python-side and the php-side scripts. MySQL side uses
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directly the open-source distribution.
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The website  "http://leginon.scripps.edu/":http://leginon.scripps.edu
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is the central location for leginon information and links.
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Once registed for leginon download, the users have access to the " bulletin board":http://emg.nysbc.org/bb.viewforum.php?f=2  where users and
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developers post their questions and answers.
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Official bug report and feature request should be entered through  "bugzilla":http://emg.nysbc.org/bugzilla/enter_bug.cgi?product=Leginon .
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</abstract>
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h2. Terminology
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h2. Application
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A Leginon application is image acquisition process that is built of several smaller
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pieces called 'nodes'. An application defines your preferred scheme for how to acquire
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images. An application definition includes which nodes to use, how they are connected, and
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where they are running (possibly distributed across several machines). These three concepts
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of applications (nodes, events, launchers) are described in more detail below. A typical
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application involves several stages of image acquisition and image processing. Once an
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application is designed, it can be used repeatedly for different sessions. An application
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design can be exported for use on other Leginon installations.
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h2. Session
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A session is defined as an execution from start to finish of a Leginon application. All
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data (images, results, etc.) that are created by Leginon is associated with some session.
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The first thing a user must do when starting Leginon is create a session, or continue an
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existing session.
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h2. Instrument
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An instrument is the microscope/camera system used for acquiring data during a
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particular session. The facility at which Leginon is installed may have several different
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microscopes, each with a unique camera setup. Each system is an instance of an
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Instrument.
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h2. Node
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Nodes are the building blocks of Leginon applications. Nodes are defined for specific
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tasks. For instance, an "Acquisition" node is designed to acquire images when it receives
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targets from another node, which is typically some type of 'TargetFinder' node. Nodes can
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"publish" the data they create. This means they are making their data public for other nodes
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to use. The other nodes can "research" to find a specific item of data. Nodes may
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communicate with each other by generating "events".
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h2. Event
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An event is a message sent out from a node to notify other nodes that something of
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interest has happened. A common example is to announce that some data has been published.
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Another example is to announce that some process has finished. The declaration of which
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events are routed between which nodes is part of the application design process.
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h2. Manager
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Manager is the master of all nodes in an application. Its existence is usually
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transparent while running a session, but it is responsible for starting up the application
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with all its nodes and event bindings. It works behind the scenes to ensure that events are
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properly distributed throughout the system.
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h2. Launcher
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A Launcher is the parent process for a set of nodes. There is typically one launcher
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running on each machine that you intend to have nodes running on. The assignment of which
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nodes will be started on a particular launcher is defined as part of the application.
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h2. Preset
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A preset is a piece of data which encapsulates the state of an instrument. At any time,
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the current state of an instrument (magnification, image shifts, camera settings, etc) can
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be recorded for later use. There is a particular class of Node called the PresetsManager
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which maintains a list of presets for the current Leginon session. These presets are used by
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other nodes to set the state of the instrument prior to acquiring an image. This allows for
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a series of images to be acquired at a consistent state, but possibly different targets (see
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below). This is very similar to the "Low Dose" system on many microscopes, which consists of
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a few presets like "Search", "Focus", and "Exposure". The Leginon PresetsManager is a more
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generalized approach which allows for and unlimited number of presets to be used (like
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several search presets at different magnifications, or multiple exposure presets at
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different defocus).
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h2. Target
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A target is a location where an image will be acquired. Targets are often selected from
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existing images (using a TargetFinder node). Acquisition nodes are responsible for
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interpreting Targets and then acquiring images of them.
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h2. Graphical User Interface
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h2. How to use this manual
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Many places in the manual, a specific section of a window for a node on a
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launcher/computer/instrument is mentioned. The first time they are mentioned, the full path
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is shown as
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computer/program window/node/subsection of the node to open the setting window/setting
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window/section in the window>
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It is assumed that the user knows how to follow this path to the specific section of the
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window by reading the following graphical user interface (GUI) manual and by a little of
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practice. A abbreviated path rather than the full path will be shown in the latter steps for
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the same node or application.
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h2. Leginon Window
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The window is divided into sections.
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* Status bar - Leginon status display such as completion of application
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loading.
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!http://emg.nysbc.org/software/leginon/images/images/statusbar.png!
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* Main Menu - Submenus and options derived from Manager and Launcher
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!http://emg.nysbc.org/software/leginon/images/images/mainmenu.png!
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* Node Selector - Selection for the node shown in the toolbar, message log, and node
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panel. It is also used to indicate warning by turning red for broken node.
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!http://emg.nysbc.org/software/leginon/images/images/nodeselector.png!
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* Error indicator !http://emg.nysbc.org/software/leginon/images/icons/error.png! - This icon will appear next to a node (in the Node Selector) that has an
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error.
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* Message Log Information indicator !http://emg.nysbc.org/software/leginon/images/icons/info.png!
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- This icon will appear next to a node (in the Node Selector) that has information in
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its message log.
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* User Input indicator !http://emg.nysbc.org/software/leginon/images/icons/userinput.png! - This icon will appear next to a node (in the Node Selector) that
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requires User input in order to continue processing.
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* Processing indicator !http://emg.nysbc.org/software/leginon/images/icons/processing/green0.png! - This icon will appear next to a node (in the Node Selector) that
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currently doing processing.
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h2. Node Panel
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* Node Panel - The main display/control panel for the node selected by the node
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selector.
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!http://emg.nysbc.org/software/leginon/images/images/nodepanel2.png!
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* Toolbar - An area containing tools for general configuration and execution of the
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node as well as some tools for convenience specific for individual node.
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!http://emg.nysbc.org/software/leginon/images/images/toolbar.png!
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* Message Log - Expandable/scrollable box showing logged information for the
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node.
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!http://emg.nysbc.org/software/leginon/images/images/messagelog.png!
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h2. Parameter Entry
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* Free entry box- For typing in either text or numbers. If in a setting window, the
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altered entry is saved to the database when it is exited with "OK" or after
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"Apply"/"Test". Most numerical entry accepts floating point number in any python format.
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For example, 10.2 can also be entered as 1.02e+2.
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!http://emg.nysbc.org/software/leginon/images/images/Entry_box.png!
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* Restricted-entry: The user can only select a valid entry from a list.
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!http://emg.nysbc.org/software/leginon/images/images/Entry_box_restricted.png!
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* List box- This type of selection box select either an ordered sequence or a simple
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unordered list. If ordered, the items in the sequence can order with "up" and "down"
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tools.
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!http://emg.nysbc.org/software/leginon/images/images/List_box.png!
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* If ordered, the items in the sequence can be shifted around with "up" and "down"
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tools.
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* Either free or restricted entry box is used for entering a new item to the list.
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"+" tool is used to add the entry to the list box. selecting an existing item and
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press "-" tool removes the item from the list.
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* Multiple items can be selected by holding down the "ctrl" or "shift" key. The
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latter selects a range between the first and the new items.
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h2. Image Viewing
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* Display Panel - where the image is shown.
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* (pixel value button) !http://emg.nysbc.org/software/leginon/images/icons/value.png! - Pixel value display tool that shows the (x,y) coordinate the intensity value at the
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cursor. The coordinate origin is set at top-left corner.
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* (ruler button) !http://emg.nysbc.org/software/leginon/images/icons/ruler.png! - Ruler tool that displays the distance between a reference point and the current
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cursor position. Left click at any position inside the display panel defines the
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reference point.
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* (zoom button) !http://emg.nysbc.org/software/leginon/images/icons/zoom.png!
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- Magnifying glass tool that zoom in (left click) or out (right click) at the location
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of the cursor.
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* (zoom selector list) !http://emg.nysbc.org/software/leginon/images/images/zoomselector.png! - Direct zoom factor selector.
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* (cross hair button) !http://emg.nysbc.org/software/leginon/images/images/bluech.png! - Cross hair reference tool displaying a blue cross hair centered at
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the center of the image for reference.
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* (display range selection/input) - Contrast and brightness adjustment of the image
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display. The default is mean +/- 5*standard deviation of image intensity. This can be
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modified by setting the minimum (top scroll bar or entry box) and the maximaum (bottom
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scroll bar or entry box) of the display range.
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!http://emg.nysbc.org/software/leginon/images/images/contrbright.png!
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* Image Stats Panel
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!http://emg.nysbc.org/software/leginon/images/images/imstatpanel.png!
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* Image/Target/Marker Control Panel - where the image and targets to be displayed in
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the display panel are determined. Targets are indicated by short cross symbols or other
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shapes of different colors. The items shown with a screen icon are of image type. Items
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of image type can be displayed alone while markers will show only when one of the items
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of image type is also displayed.
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!http://emg.nysbc.org/software/leginon/images/images/imcontrolpanel.png!
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* (status indicator)
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<inlinegraphic
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fileref="http://emg.nysbc.org/software/leginon/images/icons/green.png"
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format="PNG"/>
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<inlinegraphic
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fileref="http://emg.nysbc.org/software/leginon/images/icons/red.png"
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format="PNG"/>
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- This can be either green or red. During a step-by-step testing of parameters,
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green indicates that the step has been tested and you can proceed to the next
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testing step. Skiping to a step below a red-indicated step will cause an
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error.
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* (image display tool) !http://emg.nysbc.org/software/leginon/images/icons/display.png! - Display selection. Only one of the image type can be displayed at
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one time.
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* (target/marker display tool) !http://emg.nysbc.org/software/leginon/images/images/target_display.png! - Display target or marker selection. Pressed down (as shown for
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the green target) is active. More than one type of markers can be displayed on
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layers above the image. If the markers are overlapped, the marker last to be
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activated for display is at the top.
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* (marker tool) !http://emg.nysbc.org/software/leginon/images/icons/arrow.png! - Marker input selection. Certain markers can be manually edited.
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In general, these are targets for further acquisition. In such case, the marker
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selection tool can be activated by left clicking the icon. Once activated, left
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click in the display panel adds the marker to the image and right click removes the
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marker pointed to.
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* (settings) !http://emg.nysbc.org/software/leginon/images/icons/settings.png! - Settings are available for certain items in the image control
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panel, mainly steps in automatic hole finding. Left click opens the setting window
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and the behavior of the setting window is similar to others of the same type.
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h2. Tool Bar
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Tool bar of the node contains tools for setting and execution of the node functions. In
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addition, some tools are available as pop-up for convenience. The general rule for the flow
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of setting up and execution is to go from left to right up to the execution tool (execution
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icon).
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!http://emg.nysbc.org/software/leginon/images/images/toolbar.png!
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h2. Settings Window
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Settings windows are opened by left clicking its button !http://emg.nysbc.org/software/leginon/images/icons/settings.png!
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in the toolbar. Note that only one setting swindow can be opened at a time and that all
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functions in the main leginon window is inactivated when a settings window is open even if
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the leginon window is the focus. The content of the settings window depends on the purpose
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of the settings. The general controls are described here:
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* Test: found in settings of image processing steps. When clicked, the current setting
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in the window is saved to database and applied to the current input and the results
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saved as its output. If the item output is displayed in the node display panel, the
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content will be changed accordingly.
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!http://emg.nysbc.org/software/leginon/images/images/test.png!
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* Apply: save the modified setting to database for future execution but not the
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current test input. It is activated only if the modification of the input is completed,
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normally by pressing the Enter key on the keyboard. Since current GUI does not allow
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changes to the main window to be made while setting window is on, Using button is not
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necessary since "OK" button will save the settings anyway.
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!http://emg.nysbc.org/software/leginon/images/images/apply.png!
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* Cancel: close the setting window and revert the setting to the last saved values.
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This means you can not cancel setting modification if you have "test"ed or "apply"ed the
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settings.
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!http://emg.nysbc.org/software/leginon/images/images/cancel.png!
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* OK or Done: close the setting window and save all modified settings to the
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database.
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!http://emg.nysbc.org/software/leginon/images/images/ok.png!
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h2. Execution tools
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Found in the node toolbar. They may take on different meanings for different node
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classes. The general ones are described here:
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* (Execute/Submit button) !http://emg.nysbc.org/software/leginon/images/icons/play.png!
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: Perform one of the four possible functions if available and active for a node:
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* When the application is in standby, it executes, sometimes with setting up the
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main function of the node.
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* When the application is running automatically, it indicates that the node is in
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use.
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* When the application is paused for user input, it submit the user approved
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inputs and continue on the flow.
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* When the application is paused by the "pause" tool in the same node, it removes
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the pause flag and continue on the application flow.
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* (Pause button) !http://emg.nysbc.org/software/leginon/images/icons/pause.png! : Pause data processing flow when the current input in a queue list is done.
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* (Abort button) !http://emg.nysbc.org/software/leginon/images/icons/stop.png!
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: Abort all data processing of the whole list in the queue.
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h2. Minimum Requirement and current NRAMM setup
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*Recommendation is based on the current NRAMM setup
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h2. Electron Microscope with its Controling Computer
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FEI Tecnai 12 with Scripting SW, network connected, and the ability to install software
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on it
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h2. CCD
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Gatan, or Tietz-minimal 1kx1k; NRAMM 4kx4k
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h2. A Second Computer
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h2. CPU
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Minimal 1 GHz; NRAMM AMD Athlon 64 FX-60 Dual Core 2.6 GHz
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h2. RAM
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Minimal 1 GB physical memory and 1GB swap; NRAMM 4GB physical memory and 2GB
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swap
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h2. Hard drive
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10 GB for the softwares and maybe a few hours worth of data collection. Much larger
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for routine use. NRAMM 15Tb and growing
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h2. Network connection
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100 Mbps; NRAMM 1 Gbps
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h2. Leginon system components developed at Leginon home
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Leginon Home:  "http://www.leginon.org/":http://www.leginon.org/
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h2. Supporting packages and programs available through internet or you Linux
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distribution
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There are minimum of ten packages or single programs, some of them are included in your
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Linux distribution.
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h2. Leginon supporting programs available upon request
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adaexp.exe that is required if film exposure is to be made through Leginon on FEI Tecnai
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machines is available by request. Please contact Max Otten: <email>mto@nl.feico.com</email>
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and let him know what version of the Tecnai user interface you are using.
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h2. Getting Started
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h2. Full (Super User) Manual - Getting Started
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These steps are a general overview of walking through the entire procedure involving
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installation, microscope alignment, calibrations, and using Leginon applications (e.g.
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Manual, Calibrations, MSI).
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h2. Download Leginon System
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"http://www.leginon.org/":http://www.leginon.org/
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h2. Install Leginon System
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Refer to the <link linkend="completeinstall">Complete Installation</link>
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h2. Add Users, Groups, Instruments, Calibrations, and Applications
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Refer to <link linkend="addusers">Administration</link>
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For advanced Leginon users who would like to create an application, see the <link
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linkend="createapp">application creation chapter</link>.
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h2. Test run
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Refer to <link linkend="runleg_chapter">Start Leginon</link> chapter for test run on
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the microscope and on a remote computer.
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h2. Align the microscope
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Refer to <link linkend="microscope_setup">Microscope Set-up</link>
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h2. Calibrate Leginon for the microscope
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Refer to the <link linkend="calapp_chapter">Calibrations chapter</link>
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h2. Set-up and Run MSI
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Refer to <link linkend="MISQuickStart">MSI quick set-up checklist</link>
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AND
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Refer to <link linkend="leg1operation">MSI Operation</link>
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h2. Help yourself and others
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Refer to <link linkend="Inst_troubleshooting">Installation Trouble Shooting</link>,
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<link linkend="MSI_troubleshooting">User Trouble Shooting</link> and Leginon  "Bulletin Board":http://emg.nysbc.org/bb/viewforum.php?f=2 .
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h2. Know the details
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For advanced Leginon users who would like to create an application, see the <link
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linkend="createapp">application creation chapter</link>.
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Refer to <link linkend="Nodes">Node Description</link>
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h2. Installation (System Administrator) - Getting Started
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These steps are geared soley towards the system administator(s) that will installing
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Leginon and setting it up initially for the rest of the Leginon users that need not be
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concerned with these details.
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Refer to <link linkend="Inst_troubleshooting">Installation Trouble Shooting</link>, and
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Leginon  "Bulletin
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Board":http://emg.nysbc.org/bb/viewforum.php?f=2 .
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h2. Download Leginon System
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Leginon Home:  "http://www.leginon.org/":http://www.leginon.org/
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Direct links to downloads:
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*  "http://emg.nysbc.org/software/leginon/":http://emg.nysbc.org/software/leginon/
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*  "http://emg.nysbc.org/software/dbemtools/":http://emg.nysbc.org/software/dbemtools/
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*  "http://emg.nysbc.org/software/mrctools":http://emg.nysbc.org/software/mrctools .
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h2. Install Leginon System
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Refer to the <link linkend="completeinstall">Complete Installation</link>
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h2. Add Users, Groups, Instruments, Calibrations, and Applications
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Refer to <link linkend="addusers">Administration</link>
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h2. Test run
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Refer to <link linkend="runleg_chapter">Start Leginon</link> chapter for test run on
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the microscope and on a remote computer.
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h2. Short Manual (Basic Leginon User) - Getting Started
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These steps are intended to help the basic Leginon user who will operate Leginon (and
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not care about installation or the first-time calibrations).
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h2. Align the microscope
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Refer to <link linkend="microscope_setup">Microscope Set-up</link>
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h2. Recording images with Low Dose Kit on the microscope
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Refer to using the <link linkend="manual_app">Manual</link> application
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h2. Set-up and run MSI
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Refer to <link linkend="MISQuickStart">MSI quick set-up checklist</link>
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AND
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Refer to <link linkend="leg1operation">MSI Operation</link>
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h2. Help yourself and others
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Refer to <link linkend="MSI_troubleshooting">User Trouble Shooting</link>