Data Visualizer, 29 October 1999, build 11

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Visualization information sent by neattools via sockets, the necessary neattools modules are documented separated, look here for documentation on neattools modules.

The visualizer is based on Java3D using the VRML97 loader.

The visualizer allows loadable VRML models for the grid. The visualizer then adjusts properties of the grid based on an incoming data stream. The result is that an input data stream creates a visualization.

Build 4 supports a VRML ElevationGrid for the grid.

Build 7 supports general attribute modifications for any DEFfed Transform or Material in the VRML file. This is shown below, with the two JTrans modules. One of these controls the color of the ball, changing it from black to red depending on signal strength. The other JTrans module changes the X location of the ball.

Build 11 supports better integration with neattools, record with pause, playback with collision detection.

Below is a neattools screen shot, which uses the mouse to provide X-Y and signal values.

neattools screen shot


The visualizer shows a spotlight on the grid based on the current X-Y location. The calibration for this area is sent over by neattools.

viz start up screen


As the mouse moves, the grid gets colored. In this case, the mouse Y location is also used to provide a signal value, so the display gets colored to indicate a signal. The brighter red at the bottom of the grid is the signal color of the data control panel on the left of the screen. The purple at the top of the grid is the seen color of the data control panel.

viz front view with data


The next step is to add some spatial dimensions in addition to the color dimension, and to simplify the GUI (Michael is working on this).

The buttons marked view icons give instant views of the left, front, top, and right of the grid. The following are examples of these views:

viz front view front view

viz top view top view

viz left view left view

viz right view right view


The wheels on the bottom and right are used for rotating the grid. The grid can be translated in space by clickng on the viz screen shot 8 button, which switches the rotator control viz screen shot 9 into a different control viz screen shot 10 which is used for translations.


The brush width control determines how wide an area is affected as the signal passes over a location.


The signal height control determines how the height is adjusted based on the incoming signal.

The Fade and Noise sliders are new with build 7: fade and noise sliders

The Fade slider controls how quickly the signal values fade back to the base color and height.

The Noise slider sets all signal values below the percent threshold (indicated by slider) to the zero value.

Build 7 changes

  1. Fader controls -- allow height and colors to drop back to baseline level
  2. Noise filter -- allows filtering of all signal values below a certain percent (as calibrated) value
  3. VRML object attribute controls, works with JTransformer neattools module to control these attributes:

Build 11 changes

  1. Better integration with neattools. Neattools tells viz what VRML files to load, neattools and viz automatically synch up calibration info independent of which starts first, viz sends neattools DEF names of VRML file objects so neattools JTrans2 module can control objects by using their DEF name.
  2. Option to record with "pause" markers. The pause indications are provided by neattools using the JTrans2 module. See 1ball.ntl to see an example NTL file which inserts "pause" markers in the recording stream each time a space bar is pressed.
  3. Playback with collision detection. Recorded control over individual objects can be mixed with "live" control over individual objects. "Pause" markers can be continued when a live controlled object collides with the paused object.