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# Poll file example

A simple script that polls a data file for changes and then updates the mayavi pipeline automatically.

This script is to be run like so:

    $ mayavi2 -x poll_file.py

Or:

    $ python poll_file.py

The script currently defaults to using the example data in examples/data/heart.vtk. You can try editing that data file or change this script to point to other data which you can edit.

Python source code: `poll_file.py`

    # Author: Prabhu Ramachandran <prabhu@aero.iitb.ac.in>
    # Copyright (c) 2006-2007, Enthought Inc.
    # License: BSD Style.

    # Standard imports.
    import os
    from os.path import join, abspath, dirname

    # Enthought library imports
    from mayavi.scripts import mayavi2
    from mayavi.sources.vtk_file_reader import VTKFileReader
    from mayavi.modules.outline import Outline
    from mayavi.modules.contour_grid_plane import ContourGridPlane
    from pyface.timer.api import Timer

    ######################################################################
    # `Pollster` class.
    class Pollster(object):
        """Given a file name and a mayavi2 data reader object, this class
        polls the file for any changes and automatically updates the
        mayavi pipeline.
        """
        def __init__(self, fname, data):
            """Initialize the object.

            Parameters:
            -----------
            fname -- filename to poll.
            data -- the MayaVi source object to update.
            """
            self.fname = fname
            self.data = data
            self.last_stat = os.stat(fname)

        def poll_file(self):
            # Check the file's time stamp.
            s = os.stat(self.fname)
            if s[-2] == self.last_stat[-2]:
                return
            else:
                self.last_stat = s
                self.update_pipeline()

        def update_pipeline(self):
            """Override this to do something else if needed.
            """
            print "file changed"
            # Force the reader to re-read the file.
            d = self.data
            d.reader.modified()
            d.update()
            # Propagate the changes in the pipeline.
            d.data_changed = True

    def setup_data(fname):
        """Given a VTK file name `fname`, this creates a mayavi2 reader
        for it and adds it to the pipeline.  It returns the reader
        created.
        """
        # 'mayavi' is always defined on the interpreter.
        mayavi.new_scene()
        d = VTKFileReader()
        d.initialize(fname)
        mayavi.add_source(d)
        return d

    def view_data():
        """Sets up the mayavi pipeline for the visualization.
        """
        # 'mayavi' is always defined on the interpreter.
        o = Outline()
        mayavi.add_module(o)

        c = ContourGridPlane()
        mayavi.add_module(c)
        c.grid_plane.position = 16
        c.module_manager.scalar_lut_manager.show_scalar_bar = True

    @mayavi2.standalone
    def main():
        # Change this to suit your needs.  Edit the file after running this
        # script and the pipeline should be updated automatically.

        fname = join(mayavi2.get_data_dir(abspath(dirname(__file__))),
                     'heart.vtk')

        data = setup_data(fname)
        view_data()

        # Poll the file.
        p = Pollster(fname, data)
        timer = Timer(1000, p.poll_file)
        # Keep a reference on the timer
        mayavi2.savedtimerbug = timer

        # To stop polling the file do:
        #timer.Stop()

    if __name__ == '__main__':
        main()

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