kspace - Croissant - Data Exchange

Croissant is a dedicated data acquisition software, other tasks like data analysis are better accomplished using separate software. Croissant's data exchange is therefore designed to facilitate data transfer between applications and to ensure compatibility with the variety of software products and platforms that are common in research labs. Inside output files data is bundled and stored in a way that allows to keep the value of the data for years, reducing the necessity of written operator notes and enabling digital asset management. And of course, many aspects of data exchange are configurable according to the user's needs.

Data Files

[Example data file]

Data files are automatically created at the end of each experiment. They have system-wide unique file names consisting of the date and a consecutive number. The path of the data folder is fully configurable and can contain dynamic elements such as user name, instrument name, date, and sample name. The standard Croissant file format is plain text where measured data is arranged in a spreadsheet layout with descriptive column headers. The experiment parameters are included as a parameter=value list in the leading section of the file. The format offers great flexibility of file handling: Plain text files are platform-independent, compatible with all major analysis software, and the user is even able to view and edit them with his favourite text editor. The plain-text format and the encapsulation of parameters and data allow long-lasting, one-stop access to all relevant data without the need for specialized software or written notes.
For simple spectra, the VAMAS surface chemical analysis data transfer format (ISO 14976) is available alternatively. Other file formats are available on request.

[Data file specification] (PDF, 204 KB)

Prints

[Example print-out]

The run-time graphs displayed on screen can be printed in high quality to any Windows-compatible printer, including PDF writers. Choose to print a graph when necessary, or configure Croissant to print all measurements automatically. Next to a high-resolution copy of the plot, prints also include a concise summary of the experiment parameters, and references to the associated script and data files.

Script Files

[Example script file]

Script files save the structure and all the parameters of an experiment as it is edited under experiment setup. You can load them back into Croissant to repeat an earlier experiment with or without modification. Script files are created automatically at the beginning of each experiment, or manually via the main menu. Like data files, script files are plain-text, too. Expert users may also use them to set up complex experiments while saving keystrokes and mouse-clicks. As you can see in script files, a Croissant experiment is a self-contained set of parameters, and you are in full control of the experiment.

Graphics Files

[Example graphics]

The run-time graphs displayed on screen can be exported to Portable Network Graphic (PNG), JPEG, or Windows bitmap (BMP) files. Choose to export a graph when necessary, or configure Croissant to export all graphics automatically. Graphic files are essentially screen captures and do not include experiment parameters.

Windows Explorer Extensions

[Explorer extensions]

A handy data management tool is built right into Windows: the Explorer. Croissant comes with Brillouin DataView, an explorer plug-in that allows you to browse thumbnails of your measured data files, sort file lists by sample or any other experiment parameter, or bring up infotips with quick summaries of experiment parameters right in the Explorer.

Brillouin DataView is an open-source project sponsored by kspace. In addition to Croissant data files, it supports a variety of other data file formats.

Tip: If you associate the Croissant file formats with your favourite analysis program, you may be able to load data files directly with a minimum of mouse clicks.

Analysis Software

Croissant data files are compatible with any data analysis software that can import data tables from plain-text files. However, usually some fine-tuning is necessary to get the right data section, to load parameter values, or to just make the process quicker. kspace provides open-source import routines for Wavemetrics Igor Pro which allow for quick data import from within Croissant or from the file context menu of Windows Explorer. Users that have written import routines to other programs are invited to share them with the Croissant community (contact info@kspace).