How can I download a pre-trained model from Tensorflow's Object Detection Model Zoo?

Question

I am attempting to train an object detection model using Tensorflow's Object Detection API 2 and Tensorflow 2.3.0. I have largely been using this article as a resource in preparing the data and training the model.

Most articles which use the Object Detection API download a pre-trained model from the Tensorflow model zoo prior to fine-tuning.

The Tensorflow Model Zoo is a set of links on a Github page set up by the Object Detection team. When I click one such link (using Google Chrome), a new tab opens briefly as if a download is starting, then immediately closes and a download does not occur. Hyperlinks to other models I have found in articles also have not worked.

To anyone who has worked with fine-tuning using the Object Detection API: What method did you use to download a pre-trained model? Did the model zoo links work? If not, what resource did you use instead?

Any help is much appreciated.

Answer 1

In Google Chrome, you can copy the link of the model from Readme file and then paste that into another tab. The download will start automatically.

Answer 2

I solved this problem on my own, so if anyone else is having a similar issue: try a different browser. The model zoo downloads were not working for me in Google Chrome. However, when I tried the download on Microsoft Edge, it worked immediately and I was able to proceed.