iFit: Installation

  1. Requirements
    1. Matlab
    2. C compiler (optional)
  2. Obtaining the package
  3. Installation
    1. Note for Windows 64bits users: recompiling looktxt MeX files
  4. What's next ?
  5. Subscribe to the user mailinglist


Requirements

Matlab

The only requirement is to have Matlab installed. Any Matlab version from 7.1 (R14SP3) will do. This is a commercial product. Student versions can be bought for lower prices, as well as Academic licenses (e.g. for Universities).

C compiler (optional)

In principle, the pre-compiled MeX files are shipped with the package (for e.g. looktxt), so that the software is ready to run. However, in the event of a re-compilation of MeX files, a C compiler is often shipped with Matlab (and installed automatically). The iFit/iFiles library may use it sporadically.

Ubuntu LinuxWe prefer Linux systems, such as Ubuntu, when handling large data sets, and performing McStas optimizations, so that we fully use multi-core systems (e.g. though threads and MPI). You may use our ILL/CS Live DVD ready-to-run system with McStas pre-installed. Then add on top Matlab (requires a valid license).

Obtaining the package

The package is currently available from the ifit.mccode.org web site:
Older releases can be obtained here.

Installation

You just need to copy the iFit directory somewhere, say in /path/to.
  1. Extract first the iFit archive if needed.
  2. Just drag-drop the iFit directory in the target location that suits you.
For our users who love challenges and command lines, this may be achieved e.g. with
% unzip iFit.zip
% cp -r iFit /path/to
Start Matlab by clicking on its icon or typing the matlab command in a terminal.Matlab icon
% matlab
In order to use iFit, you need to import all its methods into Matlab each time you start it (this may be automated from the startup.m file)
>> addpath(genpath('/path/to/iFit'))
That's all !

A list of fixed bugs and release history is recorded in the Changes page.

Note for Windows 64bits users: recompiling looktxt MeX files

Windows 64 (XP, Vista, 7)
The iFiles sub library makes use of a MeX file 'looktxt.mexw64'. A pre-compiled version for Windows systems is shipped with the package but this binary may fail with some Matlab releases. In that case, it is required to install a compatible C compiler (currently Microsoft Visual C++). The required downloads are, in order, C++ Express then the SDK (for Matlab >= 2010).
Older Microsoft Visual C++ 2008 [ISO] can also be used together with the SDK for Windows 7 + NET 3.5 [amd64 ISO]).

Then force the recompilation of looktxt with the procedure below.
Other systems (Windows 32, Linux, MacOSX)
All other platforms provide a valid C compiler
In order to force the recompilation of looktxt MeX, remove the iFiles/private/looktxt.mex* files, and launch
>> iLoad('force load config');
from the Matlab prompt. The C compiler to use may have to be specified with the command '>> mex -setup'.
Send me the new looktxt MeX file version in a tar.gz archive, so that I update/add it to the distribution.

What's next ?

You may test the package integrity by issuing the command:
>> ifittest
which will test, in a few minutes, all the examples given in this documentation and report failures. In principle all should go right.. Refer to the iFit Help in case of trouble.
You may start with the Quick Start page to learn what iFit can do for you.

Subscribe to the user mailinglist

The ifit-users is the list set-up in order to exchange information (issues, questions, announcements). Messages should be sent to ifit-users@mail.mccode.org.

You may register by entering your email address and press subscribe:

E. Farhi - iFit Installation - $Date: 2012-02-14 03:45:34 $ $Revision: 1.22 $ - back to Main iFit Page ILL, Grenoble, France <www.ill.eu>