Calc Results by Python
Description
This Step runs a user-defined script through Python and outputs the calculation results to Mech-MSR.
The characteristics of this Step are as follows:
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Support multi-threading.
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Load Python script in real time.
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Support various data type conversions when transferring data between C++ and Python.
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Allow for the display of the Python’s log in the log panel of Mech-MSR.
Usage Scenario
When a custom calculation is required, this Step can be used to run the user-defined Python script and the measurement solution can be simplified.
Input and Output
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Input: determined by the data type input in the Input Ports parameter.
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Output: determined by the data type input in the Output Ports parameter.
You can specify the data type of the input/output ports according to the data type of the previous or subsequent Steps’ input/output ports. |
Installation and Usage
Installation
Python 3.9.13 is built into Mech-MSR, and thus this Step will use the built-in Python environment of the software. If there is any missing Python library when you use this Step, you need to install the library in the Mech-MSR’s built-in Python environment. The procedures for installation are as follows:
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Open the command prompt window.
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Use the
cd
command to go to the directory where Python is stored in Mech-MSR. -
Type
python -m pip install Python name of the library
on the command line to install the missing Python library.
Two commonly used Python libraries, NumPy and OpenCV, are built into the Mech-MSR. |
Usage Instructions
After preparing the Python script, please follow the procedure below to use the Step. For detailed description of the parameters, refer to Parameter Description.
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Set the data type for the input and output ports. Enter the data type for Input Ports and Output Ports according to the data type of the previous or subsequent Steps’ input/output ports.
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Specify the file path to the Python script. Select the file path to the script to be loaded in the Script File Path parameter.
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Set the name of the function to be called. Once the Script File Path has been specified, this Step will retrieve the function names in the script automatically, and you can select the name of the function to be called in the drop-down list of Func Name.
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Run the Step.
|
Notes
Please pay attention to the following issues when you write the Python script and run the script in this Step.
Third-Party Library is Recommended
Because running a Python script in Mech-MSR differs from running the script in Python directly, some Python libraries could not be installed successfully or they cannot function properly after being installed, it is recommended to use third-party libraries.
Use the NumPy Library
The NumPy library is used to support some complicated formats of data. If a parameter type is ndarray, but the NumPy has not been imported, an error may occur. Therefore, you should add the import numpy statement at the beginning of the script.
Pay Attention to the Data Dimension when Writing the Script
When writing the Python script, please note the dimension of data corresponding to each port of the Step.
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0 dimension by default: Image; Cloud(XYZ); Cloud(XYZ-Normal)
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1 dimension by default: NumberList; BoolList; IndexList; StringList; Point2DList
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2 dimensions by default: PoseList; Pose2DList; Size3DList
Use “[]” after the data type to add a dimension. For example, the data dimension of NumberList is 1, while the data dimension of NumberList[] is 2. |
Parameter Description
- Input Ports
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This parameter is used to specify the data type(s) of the input port(s). The input data types will be passed to the called function as parameters in the corresponding order.
Default value: Null.
- Output Ports
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Description: This parameter is used to specify the data type(s) of the output port(s). Data returned by the function will be returned to the Step in the corresponding order and will be parsed according to the corresponding data type.
Default value: Null.
The currently supported data types are as follows:
Step port type | Data type used in Python | Input data example |
---|---|---|
PoseList |
List |
[[10, 20, 30, 0.951, 0.255, 0.168, 0.045]], [10, 20, 30, 0.951, 0.255, 0.168, 0.045]]
|
Pose2DList |
List |
[[0, 0, 0]], [2, 0, 120]]
|
NumberList |
List |
[1.1, 2, 999.9, -22] |
StringList |
String |
['string_1', 'string_2', 'string_3'] |
Image |
8-bit unsigned integer/64-bit floating point number |
Image data |
Cloud(XYZ) |
Array |
Point cloud data |
Cloud(XYZ-Normal) |
Array |
Point cloud data with normals |
Cloud(XYZ-RGB) |
Array |
Data of textured point cloud |
Size3DList |
64-bit floating point number |
[[2.5, 5, 0.001]], [6, 5, 0.02]]
|
IndexList |
Integer |
[45, 10, 90] |
BoolList |
Boolean |
[True, False, True] |
Point2DList |
List |
Profile data |
- Script File Path
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This parameter is used to select the file path of the script to be loaded.
- Func Name
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This parameter is used to set the name of the function to be called.