ODIN user interface for sequence design (odin binary)


The ODIN user interface is an easy-to-use program to edit, compile, test, and simulate NMR sequences interactively in a single window. Thereby the NMR sequence is compiled as a plug-in (shared object on UNIX or DLL on Windows) and linked into the user interface. After that, the sequence can be analyzed in various ways (vizualisation, simulation). This documentation will describe all elements of the user interface and their functionality to accomplish this task.

Quick Guide

A typical session with the ODIN user interface involves the following steps

Parameter Field

After successfully compiling and linking a sequence, the central part will contain a grid of widgets which contain the sequence parameters. Each time a parameter is changed, the sequence will be recalculated.

Message Box

The lower part contains a text field which displays warning/error messages from the current sequence, compiler errors, etc.

Status Bar

At the very bottom, the current status of the user interface is indicated by a green/red light and a short message. For example, if compilation of the sequence fails, this will be indicated in the Status Bar.

File Menu


Creates a new sequence by taking the source code of another sequences as a template


Opens the source code of a previously used sequence


Closes the current sequence

Save Settings

Saves the current state of the ODIN user interface (compiler settings, debug levels, sequence parameters, system configuration, ...)

Save Protocol

Saves the current measurement protocol in a single protocol file

Load Protocol

Loads the current measurement protocol from a single protocol file


Exit the ODIN user interface

Action Menu

All entries in this menu can also be found in the tool bar with the corresponding icon.


Opens an editor (customizable via Preferences->Settings) to edit the source code of the sequence

Compile & &Link

Compiles the current sequence, and if successful, links it into the ODIN user interface


Opens a dialog to edit the current geometry, i.e. slice positioning

Plot Sequence

Plots the sequence using an embedded plotting window

Acquisition k-Space

Shows the k-Space during acquisition


Simulates the current sequence. First, a dialog will pop-up to ask you for various simulation settings. Then, after loading a virtual sample, a virtual NMR signal will be created which can then be viewed in the plotting window. The simulated raw data together with the parameter files is stored under $HOME/odin-methods/<current-method>/sim. After simulation, the reconstruction is started using the simulated raw data.

Info Menu

Sequence Properties

Shows the description of the sequence together with some additional information

Sequence Tree

Displays the sequence tree, i.e. the internal layout of the sequence

Reconstruction Parameters

Displays all parameters used for automatic reconstruction

Pulsar Pulses

Displays a list of used SeqPulsar pulses in the current sequence. By clicking an item in the list, the Pulsar user interface will pop up to show the parameters of the pulse.

Preferences Menu


Edit the Settings of the ODIN user interface


Edit the system configuration

Load systemInfo

Load the system configuration from a file


Change the debugging/tracing settings. This option is not available if ODIN was compiled as a release