MEXNC: Difference between revisions
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==How to install ROMS Matlab tool-kit?== | ==How to install ROMS Matlab tool-kit?== | ||
This is a compilation (from | This is a compilation (from Hernan Arango) of matlab tools (i.e. m-files), that sit on top of SNCTOOLS (which sits on top of MEXNC). Here are instructions for download and "installation": | ||
# Go to the [http://www.myroms.org/index.php?page=Processing download] page, enter the <span style="color:red">matlab</span> directory, and download the <span style="color:red">'''matlab.tar.gz'''</span> file. | # Go to the [http://www.myroms.org/index.php?page=Processing download] page, enter the <span style="color:red">matlab</span> directory, and download the <span style="color:red">'''matlab.tar.gz'''</span> file. | ||
# Extract the file in a location where it can stay indefinitely | # Extract the file in a location where it can stay indefinitely | ||
# Similar to step (5) above, add the path to the recently extracted directory to the Matlab search path. | # Similar to step (5) above, add the path to the recently extracted directory to the Matlab search path. |
Revision as of 05:14, 24 April 2008
MATLAB is powerful software that is commonly used to create ROMS inputs and to visualize and analyze ROMS output. However, out-of-the-box Matlab doesn't come with the capabilities to read/write ROMS NetCDF files. For that you need to download and install MEXNC, which is a mex-file interface to NetCDF files for MATLAB. In simple terms, it is a set of files (mex and .m files) that allows Matlab to read and write NetCDF files. Also, if you want to fully exploit Matlab's capabilities to manipulate/analyze ROMS files, you may want to download/install SNCTOOLS and the ROMS Matlab tool-kit, which are Matlab routines (that sit on top of MEXNC) that facilitate the manipulation, visualization and analysis of ROMS input/output NetCDF files. There are free alternatives to Matlab (see links below), however in this tutorial I will only review (some) tools for Matlab.
Quick links: | ||
MATLAB | MEXNC project page | SNCTOOLS tutorial (for Matlab) |
Scilab Free Matlab-clone | Scilab/NetCDF Interface | NetCDF Toolbox (for Matlab) |
Octave Free Matlab-clone | OCTCDF Octave/NetCDF interface |
How to install MEXNC?
You have to download the MEXNC version that matches BOTH, your specific Matlab version and your operating system.
- First determine what Matlab version you have by typing on the Matlab command line:version('-release')
- Then, go to the download area, scroll down and click on your Matlab version (verify that you operating system is listed as an option).
- Download the latest release
- Extract (i.e. unzip or unpack) the file in a location where it can stay indefinitely
- In Matlab, add the path of your recently extracted mexnc directory. To do this...
- Click on File > Set Path... (a GUI will pop-up)
- Click on the Add with Subfolders... button, and add the path to your new mexnc folder
- Click on the Save button, and close the GUI
- If you are using WINDOWS operating system (I don't know if others too), you will have to add the netcdf.dll file to your Matlab system directory. To do this...
- Go to your recently extracted mexnc directory and go inside the win32 folder...
- Copy the netcdf.dll file and PASTE it into one (or both) of the following directories:C:\MATLAB\bin
and/or
C:\MATLAB\bin\win32In the example above, C:\MATLAB is the location where matlab is located, but this may be different in your computer.
- Similarly as in (5), add the path to the directory(ies) above (i.e. C:\MATLAB\bin and C:\MATLAB\bin\win32) to the Matlab search path.
NOTE: In some cases, it will be important to have C:\MATLAB\bin and C:\MATLAB\bin\win32 at the TOP of the searching path.
- Done! However, you may need to download SNCTOOLS and the matlab tool-kit to be fully operational... read below.
If you are using Scilab (free Matlab-clone)... Click here to get the Scilab interface to NetCDF files.
If you are using Octave (another free Matlab-clone)... Click here to get the Octave interface to NetCDF files.
How to install SNCTOOLS?
Written by John Evans, SNCTOOLS is a set of m-files that sit on top of MEXNC (and optionally, java) and strive to provide the user with a kinder, gentler interface (rather than MEXNC alone). Here is a tutorial and below are instructions for download and "installation":
- Go to the download page and get the latest release.
- Extract the file in a location where it can stay indefinitely
- Similar to step (5) above, add the path to the recently extracted directory to the Matlab search path.
How to install ROMS Matlab tool-kit?
This is a compilation (from Hernan Arango) of matlab tools (i.e. m-files), that sit on top of SNCTOOLS (which sits on top of MEXNC). Here are instructions for download and "installation":
- Go to the download page, enter the matlab directory, and download the matlab.tar.gz file.
- Extract the file in a location where it can stay indefinitely
- Similar to step (5) above, add the path to the recently extracted directory to the Matlab search path.