Windows:

Install IDL:

First check to see that Interactive Data Language (IDL) v5.4 or above is installed on your computer. The default directory for it to be installed is C:\Program Files\RSI\IDL\. A shortcut probably exists in the Start menu, under Programs -> Research Systems IDL -> IDL. If you don't already have a full IDL licence, there are a few less expensive alternatives worth considering first.

Install SExtractor: (optional)

For the object detection routines (only), you will also need to install SExtractor by Emmanuel Bertin. The book "Source Extractor for Dummies" by Benne Holwerda is often more useful and complete that the official manual. NB: I am currently unable to find a pre-compiled windows XP executable. If you have better luck, please let me know. If you manage to compile the source code yourself, remember the full path name to the exectuable "sex.exe"; this will be required in a moment.

Download the shapelet routines:

Download the latest versions of the shapelets source code and example data. Unpack the files into a new directory somewhere (using winzip for example). If you downloaded the source files and example data separately, make sure they are unpacked to the same place. The example file is rather large, but it will be needed in a moment for the example walkthrough of the most useful routines.

Add the shapelet routines to your IDL path:

IDL now needs to be told the location of these new routines. Select "Preferences" under the "File" menu and click on the "Path" tab. Click "Insert", and select the shapelets folder containing the new routines. Move this new item to the top of the list and make sure there is a tick in the box to its left. That tells IDL to look in the various subdirectories as well. Click "OK".

Tell the shapelet routines where your data is stored:

Finally, you need to tell the shapelets routines where all your data is stored. Find the file shapelets_paths.pro in the shapelets folder that you've just unpacked. Open it in IDL by double-clicking on it or dragging it to the grey area within the IDL window. Alternatively, you may use a text editor like notepad, although this will not highlight the IDL syntax with different colours.

You need to edit the string definitions of path names, which are contained in single quotes and appear red by default in IDLDE. When you first download shapelets_paths.pro, they will be in UNIX format. This separates folders using forward "/" rather than backward "\" slashes. IDL can handle either, but swap this over if you wish.

The base IDL directory (option 9) should return the directory containing shapelets_paths.pro, for example:
'c:\DOCUMENTS AND SETTINGS\USER NAME\MY DOCUMENTS\IDL\shapelets\'
The other important options are 1, 2 and 3. By default, these recursively call the base directory and just add 'DATA\', although you can move the data elsewhere if you change these definitions accordingly. It is also a good idea to personalise the string 'Shapelets export version of path names!'. This does nothing important, but is printed whenever the paths are requested. It will be reassuring to know that IDL is looking in the right place, especially if you later have to reinstall the shapelet routines or an updated version - and overwrite this file. More information on setting this up this is contained in the shapelets_paths help page.

Try the demonstration routine:

You are now ready to try out the example walkthough of the most important shapelet routines.