Category Archives: NIR-Predictor engine FAQ

NIR-Predictor – Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

NIR-Predictor – FAQ

Please also refer to the NIR-Predictor – Manual and check the Hints and Notes.

Do you have a calibration file for XY ?

We create custom calibrations out of your NIR + Lab measurements of XY.
We do not sell off-the-shelf calibrations.

I have downloaded the software but can’t see it?

Please note, that the download time will be very short, because of the small file size.
Check your browser’s download folder. The download is the file “NIR-PredictorVx.y.zip”

Why a .zip and no installer (Setup.exe) ?

Because a .zip deploy keeps it simple for all:

  • easy : no Administrator rights needed to install, delete it to uninstall
  • harmless : no system changes during setup
  • transparency : you see what you get

Is there a command line (CLI) version of NIR-Predictor ?

If you want to customize it in all details, our OEM API for NIR-instrument-software (White-Label) integration gives you full access. If you are an NIR-Vendor (or similar) please contact us via email info@CalibrationModel.com

The free NIR-Predictor does not create a model, what is wrong ?

As the name says, the NIR-Predictor just predicts NIR data with a model. To create a model you need to send your data to the CalibrationModel service, after development process you get an email with a link to the calibration where it can be purchased and downloaded.

Why does the creation of the PropertyFile.txt take so long with hundrets of spectra files?

It normally takes only 1-10 seconds not minutes.
Make sure that the spectra data files are stored locally on your main drive
and not on a cloud-drive or network storage or slow USB thumb drive or SD-Card.

Is there a way to use converted ASCII spectrum data to be used in NIR-Predictor?

Yes, this is the simplest ASCII CSV file format the NIR-Predictor supports.
And there are other formats supported.

Can you convert old calibration data from vendor A to be integrated to our new vendor B NIRS calibration data in our instrument?

No, we don’t do model or spectra conversion / transformation (aka model transfer).
We build optimized models with wavelength compatible data.

Does NIR-Predictor contain any malware, spyware or adware?

No, NIR-Predictor does not contain any malware, spyware or adware.

How to copy the prediction results from the table in the browser?

Copy selected columns from the table.
By holding down the Ctrl key, rectangular areas in the table can be selected with the mouse and copied to the clipboard with Ctrl+C and then copied to a spreadsheet program with Ctrl+V.

Will an expired calibration still work?

No. Until you extend the usage time.
The expired calibration file will be moved to the CalibrationExpired folder on the next start of NIR-Predictor or “Search and load Calibrations” menu function.

Selected Calibration files from the folder CalibrationExpired can be send to info@CalibrationModel.com with your Request file (.req) files for extending their usage time.

There is the possibility to get a perpetual usage, which means their is no expiration (valid until 2050).

That way you can get the time extended calibration back, that behaves exactly as the one before with extended usage time.

What does the calibration Expiration date mean exactly on the Prediction Report?

The Expiration date, it is the final day when the calibration will be valid (similar to credit cards).

What does the (number) in brackets after the [range] mean?

During the creation of a Calibration Request the NIR-Predictor shows a message containing
” ‘Prop1’ / “Quantitative [1.40 – 2.90] (154) ”
here 154 is the number of unique values in the property range.

How long does it take to create of the property file and calibration request file from 500 spectra files?

Use a local folder on your computer (not a network drive) for your spectra files then the property file and the calibration request file is created in around 1-3 seconds. (measured on a system with SSD drive, Intel i7, 2.4 GHz)

I tried to create the calibration request and got the error message: The number of Property Values of all spectra are different?

Use the generated PropertiesBySpectra (Note: Spectra not Sample) template file.
Do not reformat the generated template file, just fill in the Property values and save as Text CSV (*.csv) file (not as Excel file “.xlsx”).

Are you able to create the calibration if we only have 20 spectra?

To create a reliable quantitative calibration you need measured spectra of at least 48..60 (more is better) different samples with different Lab-values in the required measuring range!
The NIR-Predictor will check for that automatically.

Same sample measured multiple times (replicate measurements), how to enter the Lab-value only once in Property file?

Use the created PropertiesBySample template (not the PropertiesBySpectra).

Different samples with exact the same Lab-value, how to enter the Lab-Values?

Entering the Lab-values into the generated PropertiesBySpectra template the NIR-Predictor detects them as the same Sample and as a result we have too less different values to build a calibration. But in my case these are different samples with exact the same Lab-value, how to do?

You have to cheat a little bit to make NIR-Predictor do not detect same sample as measured multiple times. This is because most NIR users do replicate measurements on the same sample and NIR-Predictor looks for that. In PropertiesBySpectra modify the values a little bit to make them different, e.g.
0.18
0.18001
0.18002

Is the free NIR-Predictor software you provide for anyone to download and use?

Yes, if downloaded directly from our homepage by the user.
See also Software License Agreement

What is an Outlier?

The spectrum is an outlier to the model, if the spectrum is not similar with the spectra and lab-values the model is built with.

The default setting in NIR-Predictor Menu > “Report with Simplified Outlier Symbols”
is ON, that will show only the worst case instead of all combinations to have a simplified minimal information.
if OFF, that will show the combinations (e.g. “XO=” or “XO” or “O=” or “X=”), which is more informative for analyzing problem cases.
See also manual chapter Outliers.

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