Main EVS Window

Getting Started with the EVS User Interface

The main window is organized into five primary sections in the default layout configuration, each designed to provide a streamlined workflow for your data processing, visualization, and analysis needs. Most windows can be freely docked or undocked in any configuration and layouts can be loaded and saved.

1. Main Toolbar

The Main Toolbar is the row of icons at the top of the window that provides immediate access to essential commands. It is designed to help you manage your projects and control your application workflow efficiently. From here, you can perform file management tasks like opening and saving EVS applications. You can also control visual aspects of the UI by loading layouts and hiding or showing individual windows. The toolbar also includes access to automatisation through Python scripting or animations and several input file creation options.

2. Viewer

The Viewer is your primary window for 3D visualization, displaying the output of your data processing networks. It offers a suite of tools for interacting with your model. You can intuitively rotate, pan, and zoom to inspect your model from any angle. The Viewer provides dedicated controls to switch between standard viewing angles or to set a precise camera azimuth and inclination. A scene tree allows you to toggle the visibility of individual model components, helping you focus on specific parts of your data. You can also access built-in measurement tools to calculate distances directly within the 3D scene. For reports and presentations, you can capture and export the current view as high-resolution images or animations.

3. Application Window

The Application Window is a dynamic, node-based workspace where you construct your data processing pipelines. This visual programming environment, often called a “pegboard,” is central to the EVS workflow. You can drag and drop modules from the module library onto this canvas, where each module represents a specific function like data input, filtering, or visualization. To create complex workflows, you draw connections between modules to define the flow of data from inputs through various processing steps to the final outputs. The connection style can be customized to use either curved or straight lines. You can also organize and group modules to create logical and readable application networks.

4. Properties Window & Application Properties

This multi-functional section allows you to configure every aspect of your project. When a module is selected in the Application Window, this panel displays all of its configurable parameters, allowing you to control how it processes data. You can also modify global settings that affect the entire project, such as adjusting the vertical exaggeration with z-scale or separating objects for better visibility with an explode factor. This area also lets you save and manage specific camera positions as bookmarks, enabling you to quickly return to important views. The Application Favorites allows you to build a custom collection of frequently used or important module and application properties.

5. Output Log, Information, and Python Interactive Panel

This tabbed panel at the bottom of the screen provides critical feedback, logs, and advanced scripting capabilities. The Output Log displays the information your modules provide, along with execution warnings and errors. The Information tab provides details about probed locations or objects and the data at the probe point. For advanced users, the integrated Python Interactive Panel offers a full scripting console to programmatically control the EVS application, manipulate data, and extend the built-in functionality.

  • Docking and Undocking Windows

    The applicationā€™s user interface is highly customizable, allowing you to arrange tool windows like the Viewer, Properties, and Application Network to best suit your workflow. Windows can be ā€œdockedā€ to the edges of the main application or other window, grouped with other windows in tabs, or ā€œfloatedā€ as independent windows on your desktop. This flexibility enables you to create a personalized layout that keeps the tools you need most frequently within easy reach.

Subsections of Main EVS Window

The application’s user interface is highly customizable, allowing you to arrange tool windows like the Viewer, Properties, and Application Network to best suit your workflow. Windows can be “docked” to the edges of the main application or other window, grouped with other windows in tabs, or “floated” as independent windows on your desktop. This flexibility enables you to create a personalized layout that keeps the tools you need most frequently within easy reach.

Window Title Bar and Context Menu

Each tool window has a title bar containing several controls for managing its state. You can access these functions by right-clicking the title bar or by using buttons provided on the title bar directly.

Undocking and Floating Windows

A floating window is one that is detached from the main application window and can be moved freely around your screen, even to a second monitor. To make a window float:

  • Drag the Title Bar: Click and hold the title bar of any docked window and drag it away from the edge. As you drag it towards the center of the screen, it will detach and become a floating window.
  • Drag the Tab: For windows docked as tabs in same pane as other windows, drag the window by its tab.
  • Use the Context Menu: Open the window’s context menu and select the Float option. The window will immediately detach from its docked position.

Docking Windows

To dock a floating window, simply drag it by its title bar. As you move it over the main application window or any floating window, a set of docking guide icons will appear. Dropping the window onto one of these icons will dock it to the corresponding location.

  • Edge Docking: The four arrow icons at the edges of the screen will dock the window to the top, bottom, left, or right side of the main application, spanning its full width or height.
  • Pane Docking: The five-icon control that appears in the center of an existing window pane allows for more precise placement. The four outer arrows will dock the window to the side of that specific pane, creating a split view. The center icon will dock the window as a new tab within that pane group.
  • Document Area: One pane is designated as the central document area.Ā It occupies the main, central space of the application window. The other docking guides for top, bottom, left, and right positions are usually arranged around this central area.
  • Context Menu Docking: You can also use the context menu of a floating window. Dock will typically return it to its last docked position, while Dock as Document will place it as a tab in the central document area.

Note: The Application window is the central point of any EVS application and layout. It can only be either docked in the Document Area or made a floating window.

Auto-Hiding Windows (Pinning)

The Auto-Hide feature allows you to keep windows accessible without them permanently taking up screen space. You can control this using the pin icon in the window’s title bar or the Auto Hide option in the context menu.

  • Pinned (Vertical Pin): When the pin icon is vertical, the window is pinned open. It will remain visible in its docked location.
  • Unpinned / Auto-Hidden (Horizontal Pin): When the pin icon is horizontal, the window is set to auto-hide. It will collapse into a named tab on the edge of the window. To temporarily view it, simply hover your cursor over its tab. It will slide out for you to use and slide away again when you move your cursor off it. To keep it open, click the pin icon to return it to the pinned state.

Saving and Loading Layouts

When you created a layout you like, you can save it through theĀ OptionsĀ in theĀ Menu. Layouts can be switched to previously saved ones through either the Menu or theĀ Window LayoutsĀ button in the Main Toolbar.