4. Validate and convert maps

4.1. Validate an Escher map

Escher maps follow a specification using the JSON Schema format. Therefore, any JSON Schema validator can be used to validate an Escher map by comparing it to the latest schema file. For example, the current schema is located here:

https://github.com/zakandrewking/escher/blob/master/escher/jsonschema/1-0-0

To make this easier, the Escher Python package includes a validation script. To validate a map, first install Escher:

pip install escher

Then call the validator:

python -m escher.validate my_map.json

Any errors in the map will print to the console.

4.2. Convert or upgrade an Escher map

Any Escher maps built with pre-release versions of Escher will not load right away in the stable v1.0 release. To convert pre-release maps to the new format, follow these steps:

  1. Install Escher:

    pip install escher
    
  2. Find a COBRA model for your maps. This COBRA model will be used to update the content of the map in order to support all the new Escher features. You can use a COBRA model encoded as SBML or JSON (generated with COBRApy v0.3.0b4 or later). The COBRA models currently available on the Escher website can be downloaded from the BiGG Models website:

    http://bigg.ucsd.edu

    For a refresher on the distinction between Escher maps, COBRA models, and their file types (SBML, JSON, SBML Layout), see Escher, COBRA, and COBRApy.

  3. Run the convert_map script to convert your existing Escher map (my_old_map.json) to the new format, using a COBRA model (model_file.json or model_file.xml in these examples):

    # With a JSON file model
    python -m escher.convert_map my_old_map.json path/to/model_file.json
    
    # With an SBML model
    python -m escher.convert_map my_old_map.json path/to/model_file.xml
    

Those commands will generate a new map called my_old_map_converted.json that will load in Escher v1.0 and later.