Viewing Images with Pixel Blaster

 

Running NPB with small images:

Use this method if your image is smaller resolution than the wall in both width and height.

Step 1: ssh to the head node, boba142.

Set the DISPLAY environment variable to :0 (See here)
Run:

 /usr/local/bin/vidwal

Make sure the PATH and LD_LIBRARY_PATH directories are set to the cr-1.2 directories.

Step 2: Change to <your_directory_here>/cr-1.2/mothership/configs/
Type:

 python2.2 test_npb.conf "npb -C -P <image_file>"

-C centers the image, -P enables pan and zoom, <image_file> is an absolute path

Step 3: Open a new terminal window and repeat Step 1.

Step 4: In the new window, change to the directory with setup_npb.sh
Type:

 ./setup_npb.sh

 

Running NPB with an oversized images:

Use this method if your image is larger resolution than the wall in either width or height.

"Write Mode":

Step 1: Create distribute directories.

 mkdir /scrtch/<username>/<image_dir_name>/

Do this command on each of the boba machines for the display wall, or run cluster_make_dir.sh to do this automatically:

 ./cluster_make_dir.sh <image_dir_name>

Step 2: Run Chromium with NPB in Write mode.
Change test_npb.conf so that the Tilesort SPU is in "Broadcast" mode.

 python2.2 test_npb.conf "npb -W /scrtch/<username>/<image_dir_namee>/<image_file>.jpg"

Step 3: Open another ssh connection to boba142 and run:

 ./setup_npb.sh

The weird pieces of frames will show up on each monitor as the image is tiled, converted, and distributed to the scrtch folders across the cluster.

"Distributed Mode":

Step 1: Run Chromium with NPB in Distributed mode.
Change test_npb.conf back to "Test All Tiles" mode:

 python2.2 test_npb.conf "npb -C -P /scrtch/<username>/<image_dir_name>/<image_name>.jpg"

-P allows panning and zooming. The buttons '[' and ']' are used to pan, and '+' and '-' are used to zoom. Refer to x2x for instructions on sending key commands.
-C centers the image.

Step 2: Open another ssh connection to boba142 and run

 ./setup_npb.sh 

The image will appear in the center of the screen, and you may now pan and zoom as desired.