[solved] Eyelink plugin: Logging variables and saving images

Comments

• sebastiaan

  September 2013 edited 4:40PM

  Hi Frouke,

  Assuming that the filename of the picture is a variable in OpenSesame, and assuming that you use a logger item with the option 'Automatically detect and log all variables' enabled, the picture name will be automatically logged to the .csv file (i.e. the OpenSesame log file). To also log the picture filename to the .edf file (i.e. the EyeLink log file), you can use the eyelink_log plug-in and similarly enable the 'Auto-detect and log all variables' option.

  However, to make sure that the EyeLink DataViewer actually recognizes and shows the image, you need to write a special IMGLOAD message to the EyeLink log file. In the DataViewer manual (available on http://www.sr-support.com/) this is described as follows:

  7.3.3.1 Image Loading – Fill Full Screen
  Identifier: FILL
  Description:
  This message specifies the image to be used as the background for the spatial overlay view of a trial within the viewer. The image is sized to fit the dimensions specified in the DISPLAY_COORDS command message. The image should be represented as a relative path. The viewer will look for the image in the following order:
  
  1) In the default image directory specified in the general preference settings.
  2) In the directory the EyeLink data file is loaded from.
  3) In the directory the viewer application is running from.*
  
  Format:
  !V IMGLOAD FILL <relative_image_path>
  Example:
  MSG 3388468 !V IMGLOAD FILL Sac_blur.jpg
  

  So, let's assume that in OpenSesame the picture filename is available as the variable pic. Then you can use the following command in the eyelink_log plug-in:

  !V IMGLOAD FILL [pic]
  

  In an inline_script you can accomplish the same thing as follows:

  exp.eyelink.log('IV IMGLOAD FILL %s' % self.get('pic'))
  

  Of course you will need to make sure that the DataViewer can find the image file as described in the DataViewer manual (see above).

  Hope this helps!

  Cheers,
  Sebastiaan

  
  
  Check out SigmundAI.eu for our OpenSesame AI assistant!
  
• ambraferrari

  July 2014 edited 4:40PM

  Hello Sebastiaan,

  we are using PyGaze plug-in for our fMRI/eye tracker experiment (it consists of a unique inline_script). The experiment sequence is as follows:
  1. calibration 2. start recording 3. inline_script 4. stop recording

  We want to send messages to the EDF file to map what is happening in the experiment. Can we use exp.eyelink.log function in the inline_script? Or is there a specific command for PyGaze (we did not find it in PyGaze website)?
  In a tutorial you say that this function is especially useful if multiple events of interest are handled by the same inline_script item, which is exactly our case.
  Thanks for your help.

  Cheers, Stefania & Ambra
• Edwin

  July 2014 edited 4:40PM

  The PyGaze plug-ins work in the same way, but the instance for tracker communications is named slightly different:

  exp.pygaze_eyetracker.log("this ends up in the EDF")
  

  BTW: The PyGaze plug-ins are still in a testing stage. You are advised to use the latest code snapshot from GitHub, and to test your experiment thoroughly to avoid any unwelcome surprises.
• ambraferrari

  July 2014 edited July 2014

  Hi Edwin,
  thanks for your reply, we have put the code in the inline_script. We haven't tried the script yet, anyway we have two more questions:

  1. if we use exp.pygaze_eyetracker.log we do not need the pygaze_log plug in right?

  2. do we have to import any libraries at the beginning of the experiment?

  We will try the script in the next days and update the discussion.

  Thanks for your help.
  Cheer,
  Stefania & Ambra
• Edwin

  July 2014 edited 4:40PM

  Hi guys,

  In the graphical environment, you can use the pygaze_log plug-in to log a message to the EDF file. The exact same is achieved using exp.pygaze_eyetracker.log within an inline_script.

  For both, you needn't import anything at the start of your inline_script. You will have to place a pygaze_calibrate item at the start of your experiment, though!

  Good luck!
• Olya

  July 2014 edited 4:40PM

  Hi,
  What would be the equivalence of this line if I am using pygaze?

  exp.eyelink.log('IV IMGLOAD FILL %s' % self.get('pic'))

  I am using the pygaze-log plug in and I wanted to put this line in the inline script after sketchpad to make sure my images load into DataViewer correctly.
  Thank you!
• Edwin

  July 2014 edited July 2014

  Hi Olya,

  Replace exp.eyelink with exp.pygaze_eyetracker, and everything should work the same.

  Good luck!
• katarina

  October 2016

  Hello,
  I realise this discussion might be closed down by now, but I hope to still find some answers here.

  I'm having the same difficulties as described in the first post, except that I'm using text (sentences) and not images. So my problem is that when viewing the EDF with the DataViewer, the sentences that the participants read during the experiment are not presented.
  For the experimental setup, I am importing the sentences from the .txt file in an inline script.

  I would really appreciate any help on how to make them load into DataViewer. If relevant, I'm using the pygaze_log plug-in.

  Thanks for your help!
  Katarina
• Jarik

  October 2016

  Hi Katarina,

  I guess you could use something like:
  exp.pygaze_eyetracker.log("!V SENTENCE %s" % var.sentence)

  In your inline_script assuming your var.sentence exists

  Best,
  Jarik

  PS I'm not a pygaze expert nor did I test the code above. Searching the forum for "exp.pygaze_eyetracker.log" might get you further