IGT:ToolKit/Navigation-tutorial

Back to IGT:ToolKit

The general navigation system consists of the following components:

• Slicer3: the base platform for navigation
• IGT loadable modules: Software modules, pluginned into Slicer3, for supporting IGT specific functionality
• IGSTK: An interfacing tool for common commercial tracking devices
• Tracking device: e.g. NDI Aurora tracking system

This tutorial explains how to set up a general navigation system with a tracker simulator.

Step 1: Install Slicer3

Go to the Slicer3 Install site.

Step 2: Install the OpenIGTLink module

OpenIGTLink is a communication protocol used to interface Slicer3 with external devices, such as trackers, imaging devices and robots. OpenIGTLink is currently distributed as a loadable module for Slicer3.

• Step 2a: You have the choice of either downloading a precompiled version OR building it yourself from the source code:
  • Precompiled OpenIGTLink module (for use with Slicer 3.2): Download and unzip.
    • For Windows (32-bit).
    • For Mac OS X(x86).
    • For Linux (x86, 32-bit).
    • For Linux (x86, 64-bit).
  • Building the OpenIGTLink module from source code: Find the instructions here
• Step 2b: Copy the binary into your-slicer3-build(install)-directory/lib/Slicer3/Modules. You should see the OpenIGTLink module in the Slicer3 module list once Slicer3 is started.

Step 3: Install the tracker simulator

The tracking simulator will be used to generate and send fake tracking data to Slicer3.

• You have the choice of either downloading a precompiled version OR building it yourself from the source code:
  • Precompiled tracking simulator: Download and unzip.
    • For Windows (32-bit).
    • For Mac OS X(x86).
    • For Linux (x86, 32-bit).
    • For Linux (x86, 64-bit).
  • Building the tracker simulator from source code: Find the instructions here