[solved] OpenSesame from OS Mac to Windows (With Eye-Link)

fvg4

Hi all,

I am doing my experiments in a mac OS. However I will use some of the experiments linked with an Eye-Link 1000, which is switched to a Windows computer.

How can I do this?

Can I use the same experiment I wrote in Mac OS in a Windows? Or should I write the experiment I want to use with Eye-Link in the Windows computer and then switched it with the eye tracker?

Another option that occurs me is switching on the Eye-Link1000 with the Mac OS, is that possible using the PyGaze package?

Thanks to all!
Best,
Francisco

eduard

Hi Francisco,

Generally, it shouldn't be necessary to rewrite your code, because the experimental files produced by OpenSesame are cross-platform compatible. However, you will have to make sure though, that the systems you use your experiment one, provide the same environment for your code. That is, are the versions of OpenSesame the same (or at least rather close) and are on both systems all plugins installed that you will need?

E.g. pygaze is not included per default in the OpenSesame installation. So, if you programmed an eye-tracking experiment on your mac, please make sure that pygaze will also be available on the windows machines you will running your experiment one.

Another option that occurs me is switching on the Eye-Link1000 with the Mac OS,

By saying "switching on", do you mean booting the machine on which the eye-tracker is running and starting the Eyelink application? I don't think this is possible (and usually not necessary). Why do you want to that?

Good luck,

Eduard

fvg4

Hi Eduard,
Thank for your comment. Really appreciate it!

What I mean in the last part of my post is, instead of using the Eye-Link1000 plugged to the Windows computer, I could plug it to my Mac OS and run it from my mac instead of running the experiment from the Windows computer I have in the lab I am using.

For that, I'll need to have PyGaze Package in my Mac OS I believe. Right?

Best regards,
Francisco

Edwin

Hi Francisco,

You seem to have a few things confused. In any EyeLink setup, there are two PCs. The first is the EyeLink PC, which runs the EyeLink OS. The second is the stimulus PC, which can run Windows, Linux, or OSX.

The PC that is actually connected to your EyeLink will always be an EyeLink PC (which is a dual boot that can also run Windows, but that is irrelevant to your issue). The PC that is connected to this EyeLink PC is the stimulus computer, and this runs your experiment.

If I understand correctly, you are running your experiment on a Mac. This means that you will have to install everything that you need to run your experiment on that Mac. This includes OpenSesame, the PyLink library (a Python package for EyeLink), PyGaze (which is built on top of PyLink), and the PyGaze plug-ins for OpenSesame.

I would advise you to not bother with this, if you have access to a Windows machine. I have experience with PyLink on Linux, which is a royal pain to install, and has the nasty habit of randomly crashing. Additionally, installing Python on a Mac seems to be a big pain too (I have only experienced this first-hand once, so this is based mostly on other people's stories).

To sum up: If you can get your hands on a Windows machine, use that as a the stimulus PC. This will also reduce the hassle required to install OpenSesame.

Good luck!

fvg4

Hi Edwin,

I see that there is a PyGaze template in OpenSesame which you can choose in the beginning of your building. With this template, can I plug my EyeLink1000 just using this option in the builder or do I need to add/install any package?

I am using Windows taking your advice!

So, do I need to install any packages to communicate with the EyeLink1000 from a Windows? (using the builder), or is just needed to choose the PyGaze eye-tracking template?

My eye-tracker is the EyeLink1000.

I also saw that the PyLink library allows to communicate with EyeLink setups. I already am registered with the SR Research Support Forum. However I don’t know if this is the way to put my experiment ‘in contact’ with my eye-tracker.

Also, if I use this library (PyLink) do I need to code the experiment or can I use the builder?

I’m feeling really dumb with all of this questions! Sorry!!

Thank you very much.

Francisco

eduard

Hi Francisco,

In order to be able to use the eyetracker the requirements installation here have to be fulfilled. Before you start installing, you can also check first, whether the packages are already present (maybe someone else did this in the past?).

If you want to use Pygaze, you have to install its plugins. As far as I know, they're not included by default in the OpenSesame installation.

I also saw that the PyLink library allows to communicate with EyeLink setups.

As you can read on the first link I posted, Pylink is a python library that enables the communication with Eyelink software, however, as long as it is installed, you don't have to bother too much with it, because the entire communication with the eyetracker is running via the Opensesame plugins (whichever you choose).

So basically, you just have to make sure that everything that you need is installed (Eyelink Presentation Software, Pylink library, Pygaze plugins) or install it yourself, respectively. If this is all done, all you need to do from then one, is programming your experiment with OpenSesame and put the eyetracker connections at the proper positions (the tutorial will help you there).

I hope this helps.

Good luck,

Eduard

fvg4

Hello Edwin and Eduard,
I'm sorry I was passing by the forum and noticed this is still open, but it can be closed as I already solved (with your help!) the obstacle!

Many thanks!
Francisco