Origin - Frequently Asked Questions

• What are the system requirements for Origin?
  View our System Requirements page for information.
• I'm using the competition. Why should I switch?
  There is no one answer to this question, but the most common answer is that Origin offers a feature you need that isn't included in the competition. Regardless, since you have made it to this page, it is a safe assumption that you are already looking for another software package.
• What is the difference between Origin and OriginPro?
  OriginPro provides all of the features of Origin, plus additional analysis and development tools. To provide for sophisticated peak analysis, OriginPro includes the Peak Fitting Module. With OriginPro's Dialog Builder, researchers can build their own highly specialized graphical user interfaces to run their Origin C routines.
  
  OriginPro provides utilities and extensive documentation for building custom analysis applications based on Origin. The Dialog Builder feature greatly simplifies the process of creating sophisticated dialog boxes and wizards.
• What does your Peak Fitting Module offer me?
  The PFM offers a wizard interface to step you through the steps of advanced peak analysis. You can automatically detect a baseline and peak locations and then fit over 100 peaks. An extensive set of built-in functions is provided. Individual peaks can be assigned to use a specific function. You can also create your own user-defined functions with arbitrary baselines. The wizard-based interface allows you to save procedures to reuse later with a click of a button.

  Work in chromatography, spectroscopy, engineering, pharmacology, and other fields frequently requires analysis of data sets exhibiting multiple peaks. Analysis of multiple peak data is particularly difficult when peaks overlap, or when data are "noisy." The PFM combines the tools needed for serious peak analysis -- data filtering, automatic and/or manual baseline and peak detection, built-in or user-defined curve-fitting functions, highly accurate nonlinear least squares curve fitting, and publication-quality output - with an intuitive and easy-to-use interface, to create a powerful and essential research tool.

• Can I purchase the Peak Fitting Module separately?
  No, The Peak Fitting Module is a feature that is in OriginPro 7.5 only. If you are using the standard version of Origin you may upgrade to OriginPro 7.5 at any time by contacting us at 800-969-7720.
• If I use your evaluation (demo), will I be able to use my work in the final product.
  Yes, work that is created in the demo can be saved as an Origin project file and then reopened in the purchased software.
  
• What kind of help is included with the product?
  The Origin software comes with a Getting Started Manual. The User's Manual and other manuals that used to be included are now available in compiled HTML form as Origin's Help Files.
• The last time I used Origin was a few years back. What has changed?
  The GUI has changed significantly. With each subsequent release, we make improvements that make it easier to use Origin. Looking to publish your graphs? You can now export your graphs as a number of different formats including EPS, PDF, JPG, TIF and more. Looking for more analysis options? Origin 7.5 provides a wide array of analysis tools, including Descriptive Statistics, Hypothesis Testing, One-Way and Two-Way ANOVA, Survival Analysis, Baseline and Peak Analysis, FFT, Smoothing, Linear Regression and Nonlinear Curve Fitting. You can control all aspects of your analysis using specialized interfaces.
• Is Origin available for a MAC?
  No, Origin is strictly windows based. However, you can run Origin using virtual PC.
  
  
• Would I be able to open my data and the graphs that I created using the Origin Evaluation (demo) in the final product if I buy it?
  Yes, work that is created in the demo can be saved as an Origin project file and then reopened in the purchased software.
  
• How large a data file does Origin support?
  The Origin software does not have any limitation on the number of data points that you can work with within a data set or the number of data sets that you can have. You are limited only by your system resources.
• What types of files can you import into Origin?
  Origin supports data import for data stored in a variety of formats. These options are available from the worksheet's File : Import submenu and include such formats as ASCII, Binary, Lotus, dBase, Dif, SPC, pClamp, and Sigma Plot. Origin also supports image import for graph and matrix windows. Formats include but are not limited to GIF, JPEG, BMP, and TIF. When imported into a graph, the image comes in as a device independent bitmap. When imported into a matrix, the image comes in as data.
  
• I see you have a built-in double-Y? Is there a way to make other multiple axis graphs? How about multiple panel graphs?
  You can add any number of axes to a graph using the Layer Tool. The axes can be linked and positioned anywhere you want them. If a panel graph is what you are looking for, Origin offers several varieties under the Plot : Panel menu. Please visit our graph gallery to see more Origin graphs.
  
• Can I fit an equation with more than one independent or dependent variable?
  Besides the nearly 200 built-in fitting functions, you can also define your own function containing more than one independent or dependent variable. The NLSF is very powerful, also allowing for global fitting.
• Does Origin offer a built-in programming language?
  Yes, Origin 7.5 provides two interactive programming languages - one compiled and one interpreted - leveraging ease of use, power, and speed.
  
  Origin C is Origin's new, compiled programming language. It supports ANSI C along with some C++ features, including support for string, complex, vector and matrix data types, as well as internal Origin objects like worksheets and columns. To program in Origin C, Origin comes with an integrated development environment (IDE) and compiler called CodeBuilder. CodeBuilder operates much like Microsoft Visual C++ in that you can create workspaces and perform debugging. This allows you to step through your programs one line at a time as you watch your variables dynamically change. In addition, nearly 300 analytical functions from the NAG (Numerical Algorithms Group) C library are included with Origin at no extra cost. C functions written in ANSI C for other compilers can be ported to and run in Origin (often with minimal changes) greatly enlarging the pool of ready made functions. Code entered into Code Builder is automatically color-coded and formatted, allowing for greater organization.
  
  LabTalk® is a full-featured programming language which has access to most of Origin's operation. Its syntax and structure are similar, but not identical to C. LabTalk incorporates DOS-style commands with option switches and arguments, as well as object properties and methods comparable to those in Visual Basic. It is ideal for simple tasks in Origin, but it is an interpreted language. Therefore, for more advanced tasks and tasks that require more speed, Origin C is recommended.
  
• I have a number of similar data files that I need to read in, manipulate, and plot. Since I have to repeat this many times is there some way of automating?
  
  Yes, Origin 7.5 is highly programmable allowing just about any task to be completely automated using Origin C and/or LabTalk. Automatically import data from popular, built-in file types or create an import filter for your own proprietary data format. Manipulate and analyze data using one of several built-in Origin objects, a function from the NAG (Numerical Algorithms Group) C library, an ANSI C function ported from another compiler to Origin, or even your own code. Graph data in any one of Origin's many plot templates or in a customized and reusable plot template. Fine tune graphs changing settings down to the smallest detail and then export them to any one of several image formats including JPEG, BMP, WMF, PDF, and EPS.
  
  

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