4. Network Creation
Creation of the network can be achieved in two different ways. The first is via the loading of a pre-made configuration file. The second allows the user to input values into the user interface. To create a network the ‘new’ menu item on the ‘Network’ menu is clicked. The resultant dialog in shown in figure 1.
Figure 1 : Network creation dialog.
The most important feature of this dialog is the check box at the top. This determines whether the network will be created from information supplied by the user or from a file. When this is selected all most of the controls will be disabled apart from the ‘Browse’ button at the top and its associated text field. To load information from a file, click this button and select the required file. The location of the file will be shown in the text field at the top of the dialog after load is pressed. The format of this file will be explained later.
To enter the network parameters manually, simply uncheck the tick box at the top of the dialog and proceed to fill in the required values. Use the second ‘browse’ button to select neuron connectivity files for each layer. After selecting a file, set to either group by pressing ‘set pre’ or ‘set main’ buttons.
The network must be given a name and a location to store the file that it constructs from the given information. Use the ‘location’ button to select the destination of this file.
Click the create button to start the construction of the network, or cancel to quit this stage. If creation was successful the network will be added to some of the functions in the operations menu. It can also be saved as explained in section 7. More than one network can be used at a time.