How to visualize a neural network

Question

I want to draw a dynamic picture for a neural network to watch the weights changed and the activation of neurons during learning. How could I simulate the process in Python?

Answer 1

The Python library matplotlib provides methods to draw circles and lines. It also allows for animation.

I've written some sample code to indicate how this could be done. My code generates a simple static diagram of a neural network, where each neuron is connected to every neuron in the previous layer. Further work would be required to animate it.

I've also made it available in a Git repository.

from matplotlib import pyplot
from math import cos, sin, atan


class Neuron():
    def __init__(self, x, y):
        self.x = x
        self.y = y

    def draw(self):
        circle = pyplot.Circle((self.x, self.y), radius=neuron_radius, fill=False)
        pyplot.gca().add_patch(circle)


class Layer():
    def __init__(self, network, number_of_neurons):
        self.previous_layer = self.__get_previous_layer(network)
        self.y = self.__calculate_layer_y_position()
        self.neurons = self.__intialise_neurons(number_of_neurons)

    def __intialise_neurons(self, number_of_neurons):
        neurons = []
        x = self.__calculate_left_margin_so_layer_is_centered(number_of_neurons)
        for iteration in xrange(number_of_neurons):
            neuron = Neuron(x, self.y)
            neurons.append(neuron)
            x += horizontal_distance_between_neurons
        return neurons

    def __calculate_left_margin_so_layer_is_centered(self, number_of_neurons):
        return horizontal_distance_between_neurons * (number_of_neurons_in_widest_layer - number_of_neurons) / 2

    def __calculate_layer_y_position(self):
        if self.previous_layer:
            return self.previous_layer.y + vertical_distance_between_layers
        else:
            return 0

    def __get_previous_layer(self, network):
        if len(network.layers) > 0:
            return network.layers[-1]
        else:
            return None

    def __line_between_two_neurons(self, neuron1, neuron2):
        angle = atan((neuron2.x - neuron1.x) / float(neuron2.y - neuron1.y))
        x_adjustment = neuron_radius * sin(angle)
        y_adjustment = neuron_radius * cos(angle)
        line = pyplot.Line2D((neuron1.x - x_adjustment, neuron2.x + x_adjustment), (neuron1.y - y_adjustment, neuron2.y + y_adjustment))
        pyplot.gca().add_line(line)

    def draw(self):
        for neuron in self.neurons:
            neuron.draw()
            if self.previous_layer:
                for previous_layer_neuron in self.previous_layer.neurons:
                    self.__line_between_two_neurons(neuron, previous_layer_neuron)


class NeuralNetwork():
    def __init__(self):
        self.layers = []

    def add_layer(self, number_of_neurons):
        layer = Layer(self, number_of_neurons)
        self.layers.append(layer)

    def draw(self):
        for layer in self.layers:
            layer.draw()
        pyplot.axis('scaled')
        pyplot.show()

if __name__ == "__main__":
    vertical_distance_between_layers = 6
    horizontal_distance_between_neurons = 2
    neuron_radius = 0.5
    number_of_neurons_in_widest_layer = 4
    network = NeuralNetwork()
    network.add_layer(3)
    network.add_layer(4)
    network.add_layer(1)
    network.draw()