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 © Copyright: Conwy Valley Systems Limited  2000-2023

Conwy Valley Systems Limited,

West Acre, Llys Helyg, Deganwy

CONWY LL31 9BN, United Kingdom.

VAT# GB 741 5190 48


A Geoscience Wales  founding member.

PETROG includes patent protected technology.

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Training


We offer training for PETROG and PetrogLite.

Please contact us if you would like more information.

  

We have training available in how to use and get the best out of your software. The training can be arranged to be at your site, in the UK or on-line.


Training courses can be given to individuals or on a group basis and can be tailored to suit new or existing users.

For who ?


PetrogLite and PETROG are rich in features, and so user training can help you get the best out of the tool, to make your workflow more efficient and allowing you to concentrate on producing quality data.


Even if you are already using PetrogLite and PETROG, consider a refresher course to ensure you are making the best use of your software.


We have set courses, or the course can be tailored to meet your requirements, novice or expert.


How many ?


Training can be tailored to suit individuals or groups.


Where ?


Training can be arranged at a location of your choosing. It can be at your site or here in the UK; or we also offer RILT (Remote Instructor-Led Training) courses.

PETROG Training Courses:


Overall Goals:

  1. Optimising petrographic data collection, using PETROG based on sound statistical practice.
  2. Maximising benefit from data analysis, using statistical methods in PETROG and using PETROG to prepare data for analysis in other software.

Delivery Options and Schedules


Training can be offered as either remote instructor-led courses or as on-site courses. If remote, the modules can be organised into short sessions, e.g. of one hour each, spaced as requested and to fit in with working routines. For example, it may be most convenient to have one session each day or one session each week. In any case, there would be practices and exercises set between modules. If training is undertaken on-site, the practical work can be incorporated within each module, in which case the set of petrographer–aimed modules (2 to 6) should be completed in 3 days.


Module 1 is primarily aimed at IT specialists e.g. installers, database administrators.  This module represents one half day of contact time, and can be offered stand-alone or in addition to the main modules.


Training Modules


1: Installation and Set-up


Target audience:


Goals:

  1. Understanding how to install the software and hardware.
  2. Showing the steps necessary for calibrating the microscope and camera.
  3. Providing information on database management and backup of data and images.


1.1 Software Installation


Goals:

  1. Ensuring all parts of the installation – PETROG software, Database Management System and SteppingStage drivers – are performed correctly.
  2. Provide troubleshooting skills in case of problems, such as clashes with extant software.


Topics:

  1. Running the 3 parts of the PETROG installation: PostgreSQL installation, PETROG software and SteppingStage drivers.
  2. The role of the licence key.
  3. Checking PETROG can access the camera (using separately installed drivers).


At the end of the module, attendees should be able to:

   1. Install PETROG and all its components under Microsoft Windows 10 or 11.


1.2 Hardware Installation


Goals:

  1. Ensuring the SteppingStage is installed correctly, in order to maximise its value and working lifespan.
  2. Ensuring the camera is installed correctly, for PETROG to control image acquisition.


Topics:

  1. Matching the SteppingStage fittings with the microscope stage pattern.
  2. Issues to be avoided, during installation and in use.
  3. Connecting the camera.


1.3 Camera and Microscope Setup


Goals:

  1. Ensuring consistent quality in images.
  2. Minimising effort in image and data capture.
  3. Calibrating for accurate on-screen measurements.


Topics:


At the end of the module, attendees should be able to:


1.4 Database Administration and Archiving


Goals:

  1. Ensuring long term data integrity and effective disaster recovery.
  2. Minimising risk of data loss.
  3. Minimising system footprint.


Topics:

  1. Database structure: reference, dictionary and data tables.
  2. DBMS (PostgreSQL by default).
  3. Image storage and naming conventions.


At the end of the module, attendees should be able to:

  1. Create a backup strategy and an archiving strategy separately for the database and the images.
  2. Select and set locations for image storage, database, default files, templates and imports.
  3. Use embedded PETROG data management tools and third party tools, especially PgAdmin (for PostgreSQL DBMS).


2: Data Collection


Target audience:

Petrographers, especially those new to PETROG.


Goals:

  1. Understanding how the PETROG data structures enable data of higher quality to be logged and stored.
  2. Showing how requirements for statistical validity in data capture are met.
  3. Providing an overview of the ways in which data are handled when a database management system is available.


2.1: Workflow


Goals:

  1. Being able to navigate the PETROG menus.
  2. Knowing where to look for help and guidance.
  3. Understanding the organisation of data, into Projects and Samples.
  4. Specifying and controlling data acquisition through the Data Methodology.
  5. Being able to take advantage of the workflow tools for project organisation and managing workflow.


2.2: The SteppingStage and Area of Interest


Goals:

  1. Understanding the relationship between the SteppingStage and PETROG’s data acquisition software.
  2. Being able to set an Area of Interest (AoI) quickly, from scratch or by copying an existing AoI.


2.3: Data Structures


Goals:

  1. Seeing how the PETROG hierarchical data dictionaries and reference lists operate to increase data quality and streamline data operations.
  2. Understanding data structures for building data descriptions.
  3. Aligning data capture with storage for optimum data analysis and reporting.


2.4: Quantitative Compositional Data Entry


Goals:

  1. Capturing the possible best data and the most comprehensive data, in the least time.
  2. Choosing the optimum data acquisition strategy for a project’s purpose.


2.5: Quantitative Compositional Data Edit/Review


Goals:

  1. Being able to apply Quality Assurance procedures.
  2. Using the data edit tools for browsing and reviewing data.


2.6: Textural Data Entry


Goals:

  1. Selecting an appropriate textural data acquisition methodology.
  2. Capturing high quality textural data.
  3. Calibrating for accurate on-screen measurements.


2.7: Concurrent Compositional and Textural Data Entry


Goals:

  1. Choosing an appropriate data collection methodology.
  2. Aligning textural and compositional data in the database.
  3. Awareness of additional capabilities available from concurrent data collection.


2.8: Quantitative Textural Data Edit/Review


Goals:

  1. Being able to apply Quality Assurance procedures.
  2. Using the data edit tools for browsing and reviewing data.
  3. Understanding the statistical analysis options.


3: Data Analysis and Reporting


Target audience:

Petrographers. geologists and other professionals wishing to integrate petrographic data with their own data.


Goals:

  1. 1. Making the best use of PETROG’s unique petrographic data structures for performing analyses.
  2. 2. Preparing PETROG data for export, for additional custom analyses in other tools.


3.1: Data Analysis


Goals:

  1. Reviewing data in more detail.
  2. Making best use of PETROG’s hierarchical data structures and ontology.
  3. Using analysis tools specific to petrography.


3.2: Reporting


Goals:

  1. Being able to choose which is the most appropriate way to retrieve data from the PETROG database.
  2. Preparing data for export to other software for further analysis.
  3. Preparing templates for reporting data in repeatable formats.
  4. Choosing whether Excel, Word or Portable Document Format (pdf) is most appropriate for the purpose.


4: Working with Images


Target audience:

Petrographers, especially users of PETROG wishing to extend their capabilities.


Goals:

  1. Understanding the integration of images in a petrographic workflow and how this directs the way PETROG stores and manages images.
  2. Knowing the advanced options available for collecting more detailed textural data.
  3. Being aware of how the Colour Analysis tool works and the different ways in which it can be applied.


4.1: Preparing Whole Slide Image


Goals:

  1. Being able to create and work with ‘stitched’ images.
  2. Knowing how to deal with difficult (e.g. comparatively featureless or barren) images.
  3. Being able to take advantage of third-party software (such as ImageJ) for more complex tasks.


4.2:  Working With Whole Slide Images


Goals:

  1. Being able to import calibrated whole slide images from other sources.
  2. Associating whole slide images from the same sample for different lighting conditions.
  3. Being able to navigate whole slide images.
  4. Making best use of the PETROG ‘Viewer’ technology.


4.3: Advanced Textural Data Entry


Goals:

  1. Being able to import images from other sources e.g. SEM images.
  2. Using the Annotation Tool to digitise perimeters of grains/pores and to record properties of these perimeters via node tagging.
  3. Reporting the additional measurements and statistics calculated from this detailed data.


4.4: Applications of Image Analysis


Goals:

  1. Understanding the different ways of creating an Output Layer using the Colour Analysis Tool.
  2. Evaluating an Output Layer on individual or whole slide images.
  3. Applying an Output Layer to assist with automation of digitisation of grain/pore perimeters.


5: Statistical Analysis


Target audience:

Petrographers wishing to undertake statistical analysis of quantitative petrographic data.


5.1: Sampling: The Statistics of Data Collection


Goals:

  1. Designing data collection strategies appropriately for fulfilling analytical aims.
  2. Understanding the different roles of values and variances in meeting quality goals.


5.2: The Basics of Univariate, Bivariate and Multivariate Statistical Analysis


Goals:

  1. Using statistical tools embedded in PETROG.
  2. Extracting data from the PETROG database for analysis in specialist statistical packages.


6: Application-Specific Topics


6.1: Sedimentological Data


Target audience:

Petrographers working with sedimentological data.


6.1.1 Diagenesis


Goals:

  1. Using the Original Mineralogy tools in PETROG for input to forward and backward modelling.


6.1.2 Porosity


Goals:

  1. Choosing from the different ways available to treat microporosity.
  2. Using the tools in PETROG for assisting with identifying and assigning microporosity.
  3. Analysing microporosity and macroporosity together.


6.1.3: Data Collection for Touchstone™


Goals:

  1. How PETROG maps its data structures to Touchstone.
  2. Setting the Touchstone-ready option.
  3. Collecting compositional data that is Touchstone-ready.
  4. Collecting grain coating data that is Touchstone-ready.


6.2: Cement Clinker


Target audience:

Petrographers working with samples of cement clinker.


6.2.1: Textural Data for Alite and Belite


Goals:

  1. Setting different count targets and adjusting targets during logging for optimum resource allocation.
  2. Using PETROG analysis tools and exporting data for further analysis in specialist tools.


6.2.2: Compositional Data for Alite and Belite


Goals:

  1. Relating textural and compositional data to assist in identifying primary and secondary phases.


6.3: Ceramic Archaeometry


Target audience:

Petrographers working in archaeological science and studying ancient ceramics.


This course has recently been given to the PlaCe researchers and can be adapted for specific requirements on request.


6.4: Other Specialisms


We are currently developing courses for petrographers working in other areas, including concrete materials in the built environment (safety-critical monitoring, water-cement ratios, sulphate attack, etc.) and ancient mortars and structures (maintenance, preservation, reconstruction). If you would be interested in working with us on these developments we would be very pleased to hear from you.