# Creating MindSpore Lite Models

`Linux` `Environment Preparation` `Model Export` `Model Converting` `Intermediate` `Expert`

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## Overview

Creating your MindSpore Lite(Train on Device) model is a two step procedure:

- In the first step the model is defined and the layers that should be trained must be declared. This is being done on the server, using a MindSpore-based [Python code](https://www.mindspore.cn/tutorial/training/en/r1.2/use/save_model.html#export-mindir-model). The model is then <b>exported</b> into a protobuf format, which is called MINDIR.
- In the seconde step this `.mindir` model is <b>converted</b> into a `.ms` format that can be loaded onto an embedded device and can be trained using the MindSpore Lite framework. The converted `.ms` models can be used for both training and inference.

## Linux Environment

### Environment Preparation

MindSpore Lite model transfer tool (only suppot Linux OS) has provided multiple parameters. The procedure is as follows:

- [Compile](https://www.mindspore.cn/tutorial/lite/en/r1.2/use/build.html) or [download](https://www.mindspore.cn/tutorial/lite/en/r1.2/use/downloads.html) model transfer tool.

- Configure environment variables, refer to [Configure converter](https://www.mindspore.cn/tutorial/lite/en/r1.2/use/build.html).

### Parameters Description

The table below shows the parameters used in the MindSpore Lite model training transfer tool.

| Parameters                  | required | Parameter Description                                        | Value Range | Default Value |
| --------------------------- | -------- | ------------------------------------------------------------ | ----------- | ------------- |
| `--help`                    | no       | Prints all the help information.                             | -           | -             |
| `--fmk=<FMK>`               | yes      | Original format of the input model.                          | MINDIR      | -             |
| `--modelFile=<MODELFILE>`   | yes      | Path of the input model.                                     | -           | -             |
| `--outputFile=<OUTPUTFILE>` | yes      | Path of the output model. The suffix `.ms` can be automatically generated. | -           | -             |
| `--trainModel=true`         | yes      | Training on Device or not                                    | true, false | false         |

> The parameter name and parameter value are separated by an equal sign (=) and no space is allowed between them.

If running the conversion command is failed, an [errorcode](https://www.mindspore.cn/doc/api_cpp/en/r1.2/errorcode_and_metatype.html) will be output.

### Example

Suppose the file to be converted is `my_model.mindir` and run the following command:

```bash
./converter_lite --fmk=MINDIR --trainModel=true --modelFile=my_model.mindir --outputFile=my_model
```

If the command executes successfully, the `model.ms` target file will be obtained and the console will print as follows:

```bash
CONVERTER RESULT SUCCESS:0
```

If running the conversion command is failed, an [errorcode](https://www.mindspore.cn/doc/api_cpp/en/r1.2/errorcode_and_metatype.html) will be output.