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mne_list_bem

Overview

mne_list_bem exports BEM surface data from a FIFF file to ASCII text format. It supports several output formats including Oostendorp and xfit.

This is a C++ port of the original MNE-C tool by Matti Hämäläinen.

Usage

mne_list_bem [options]

Options

OptionDescription
--bem <name>BEM model FIFF file (required)
--out <name>Output text file (required)
--id <id>Surface ID to list (default: 4 = head)
--gdipoliOostendorp format (vertices + triangles)
--xfitxfit format (same as --gdipoli --meters)
--oldOld stream format
--metersOutput in meters (default: millimeters)
--helpPrint help
--versionPrint version

Description

This utility reads BEM surface data from a FIFF file and exports vertex coordinates and triangle lists to ASCII text. Surface IDs follow the FIFF convention: 4 = scalp, 3 = outer skull, 1 = inner skull (brain).

Output Formats

  • Default — Vertex coordinates only (x, y, z per line)
  • Oostendorp (--gdipoli) — Header with counts, then vertices and triangles
  • xfit (--xfit) — Oostendorp format in meters
  • Old stream (--old) — Legacy format

Example

# List head surface in default format
mne_list_bem --bem sam-bem.fif --out head.txt

# Export in Oostendorp format for external BEM solvers
mne_list_bem --bem sam-bem.fif --out inner_skull.txt --id 1 --gdipoli