leibnetz 2025.11.13.1849

A lightweight and modular library for rapidly developing and constructing PyTorch models for deep learning.

LeibNetz

A lightweight and modular library for rapidly developing and constructing PyTorch models for deep learning, specifically focused on image segmentation and convolutional neural networks.

Features

• 🧱 Modular Architecture: Build networks using composable node-based components
• 🔧 Pre-built Networks: Ready-to-use implementations of U-Net, ScaleNet, and AttentiveScaleNet
• 📐 Automatic Shape Propagation: Smart shape calculation and management throughout the network
• 🎯 Specialized for Segmentation: Optimized for image segmentation tasks
• 🔬 Biologically-Inspired Learning: Local learning rules including Hebbian, Oja's, and Krotov's rules
• ⚡ PyTorch Integration: Seamless integration with the PyTorch ecosystem

Installation

From PyPI (Recommended)

pip install leibnetz

From Source

git clone https://github.com/janelia-cellmap/LeibNetz.git
cd LeibNetz
pip install -e .

Development Installation

git clone https://github.com/janelia-cellmap/LeibNetz.git
cd LeibNetz
pip install -e ".[dev]"

Quick Start

Building a Simple U-Net

import torch
from leibnetz import build_unet

# Create a U-Net for 4-class segmentation
model = build_unet(
    input_nc=1,        # Single input channel (e.g., grayscale)
    output_nc=4,       # 4 output classes
    base_nc=64,        # Base number of features
    max_nc=512,        # Maximum number of features
    num_levels=4       # Number of resolution levels
)

# Forward pass
x = torch.randn(1, 1, 256, 256)  # Batch, channels, height, width
output = model(x)
print(f"Output shape: {output.shape}")  # [1, 4, 256, 256]

Using the Modular Node System

from leibnetz import LeibNet
from leibnetz.nodes import ConvPassNode, ResampleNode

# Build a custom network using nodes
nodes = [
    ConvPassNode(input_nc=1, output_nc=32, kernel_size=3),
    ResampleNode(scale_factor=0.5, mode="area"),  # Downsample
    ConvPassNode(input_nc=32, output_nc=64, kernel_size=3),
    ResampleNode(scale_factor=2.0, mode="nearest"),  # Upsample
    ConvPassNode(input_nc=64, output_nc=4, kernel_size=1)  # Final classification
]

model = LeibNet(nodes)

# Use the model
x = torch.randn(1, 1, 128, 128)
output = model(x)

ScaleNet for Multi-Scale Processing

from leibnetz import build_scalenet

# Create a ScaleNet with multiple processing scales
model = build_scalenet(
    input_nc=1,
    output_nc=4,
    base_nc=32,
    subnet_dict_list=[
        {"input_shape": (64, 64), "num_levels": 3},
        {"input_shape": (128, 128), "num_levels": 4},
        {"input_shape": (256, 256), "num_levels": 4}
    ]
)

# Process different scales
outputs = model(x)

Core Components

Networks (leibnetz.nets)

• U-Net: Classic encoder-decoder architecture for segmentation
• ScaleNet: Multi-scale processing network for handling different resolutions
• AttentiveScaleNet: ScaleNet enhanced with attention mechanisms

Nodes (leibnetz.nodes)

Building blocks for custom architectures:

• ConvPassNode: Convolutional layers with optional normalization and activation
• ResampleNode: Upsampling/downsampling operations
• ConvResampleNode: Combined convolution and resampling
• AdditiveAttentionGateNode: Attention mechanism for feature gating
• WrapperNode: Wraps existing PyTorch modules as nodes

Model Management

• LeibNet: Main class for composing nodes into networks
• ModelWrapper: Utilities for model management and deployment

Local Learning Rules

Biologically-inspired learning algorithms:

from leibnetz.local_learning import HebbsRule, OjasRule, KrotovsRule

# Apply Hebbian learning to a model
convert_to_bio(model, rule=HebbsRule())

Advanced Usage

Custom Node Creation

from leibnetz.nodes import Node

class CustomProcessingNode(Node):
    def __init__(self, channels):
        super().__init__()
        self.conv = torch.nn.Conv2d(channels, channels, 3, padding=1)
        self.norm = torch.nn.BatchNorm2d(channels)
        self.activation = torch.nn.ReLU()

    def forward(self, x):
        return self.activation(self.norm(self.conv(x)))

    def get_output_from_input_shape(self, input_shape):
        # Shape preserved through convolution
        return input_shape

    def get_input_from_output_shape(self, output_shape):
        # Inverse shape calculation
        return output_shape

Network Visualization

import matplotlib.pyplot as plt

# Visualize network structure
model = build_unet(input_nc=1, output_nc=4)
model.visualize_network()
plt.show()

Examples

Complete training examples are available in the examples/ directory:

• train_scalenet.py: Multi-class segmentation with ScaleNet

Testing

Run the test suite:

# Install test dependencies
pip install pytest pytest-cov

# Run all tests
pytest tests/ -v

# Run with coverage
pytest tests/ -v --cov --cov-report=term-missing

# Run specific test categories
pytest tests/ -m "not slow"  # Skip slow tests
pytest tests/ -m "unit"      # Run only unit tests

Development

Code Quality

The project uses several tools to maintain code quality:

# Format code
black src/

# Type checking
mypy src/

# Run linting
flake8 src/

# Sort imports
isort src/

Contributing

1. Fork the repository
2. Create a feature branch (git checkout -b feature/amazing-feature)
3. Make your changes
4. Add tests for new functionality
5. Ensure all tests pass (pytest tests/)
6. Format your code (black src/)
7. Commit your changes (git commit -m 'Add amazing feature')
8. Push to the branch (git push origin feature/amazing-feature)
9. Open a Pull Request

Requirements

• Python 3.10+
• PyTorch 1.9+
• NumPy
• NetworkX

License

This project is licensed under the BSD-3 License - see the LICENSE file for details.

Citation

If you use LeibNetz in your research, please cite:

@software{leibnetz2024,
  author = {Jeff Rhoades and Larissa Heinrich},
  title = {LeibNetz: A Lightweight and Modular Library for Deep Learning},
  url = {https://github.com/janelia-cellmap/LeibNetz},
  year = {2024}
}

Acknowledgments

• Developed at Janelia Research Campus
• Part of the CellMap project for large-scale cellular imaging

Support

• 📖 Documentation
• 🐛 Issue Tracker
• 💬 Discussions