Physics data in version 6 is imported every time the program launches from tab delimited text (MacOS filetype TEXT) files with the extension .iphys (e.g. I-125(IAI-125A).iphys). Plaque Simulator version 6 uses the same physics file format as version 5. When the file is imported, a checksum of its contents is calculated and compared against the most recent checksum recorded in the pschecksums table of the PSdatabase.sqlite file located in the Plaque Simulator Data folder. You can inspect the PSdatabase.sqlite file using a program such as SQLite Database Browser. If errors are detected in the file (e.g. required data fields are missing) or the current and database checksums do not match, the file will be flagged as defective and MUST be authenticated before it can used for dosimetry calculations.
You can create, review or edit the data in the text files using Microsoft Excel or a text editor such as BBEdit, or directly in the Plaque Simulator Physics window and then export the text file. The Physics window has 7 selectable panes which are selected by clicking the buttons in the toolbar at the top of the window. These panes organize physics data according to function and provide some convenience utilities which are used to create pictures for this user guide and plaque file maintenance. Click on the links at the top of this page to learn more about each functional group.
The buttons along the bottom of the Physics window are used to create, open, reload and save physics files.
This tutorial will take you through the steps necessary to create and authenticate a physics file using the Plaque Simulator physics editor.
The Physics window is accessed from the Dosimetry menu. To simply review physics data, select Dose Calc. Options and then Physics.... In order to edit or authenticate physics data, you will need to unlock the Physics window.
To unlock the Physics editor select Dose Calc. Options and then Unlock Physics....
In the Physics window password sheet enter the identifier (e.g. name or initials) of the person authorizing physics file access, the physics password, and then click the OK button. The default physics password is 'macula'. The physics password may be customized when licensing Plaque Simulator.
When an .iphys file is imported, if any errors are detected (e.g. required data fields are missing) or the current and database checksums do not match, the file will be flagged as defective and MUST be authenticated before it can used for dosimetry calculations. A listing of the problems and authentication tools are found in the Misc panel of the Physics window. In menu listings of physics files, files available for dosimetry calculations are indicated by the icon and defective files are indicated by the icon.
Physics files may only be authenticated when the Physics window has been unlocked as described above and here.
When all of the required data for the selected Source have been entered, click the Save As... button. This opens the Save file navigator. Physics data for Plaque Simulator versions 5 and 6 are imported and exported as tab delimited text files (e.g. I-125(IAI-125A).iphys) which end with the ".iphys" extension. Physics files should be located in the Physics folder in the Plaque Simulator Data folder.
When Plaque Simulator exports a physics file it sets the MacOS file type to TEXT and the creator to XCEL. This allowed you to click on these files in earlier versions the MacOS Finder and they would open automatically in the Excel component of Microsoft Office for editing or verifying data. In MacOSX 10.8 you may have to use the Finder Get Info window Open with: tool to assign Microsoft Excel.app as the application to open .iphys files.
After you have saved your xxxx.iphys file and been returned to the Physics dialog, click the Reload All button. Plaque Simulator will rescan the Data folder for physics files and rebuild the Source popup menu in the Physics window.