The Exploration Visualization Environment (EVE) is a graphical environment for the visualization, analysis, and simulation of engineering data, specializing in aerospace and aeronautic concepts. EVE is based on the history and successful application of the Synergistic Engineering Environment (SEE) and provides much of the same capabilities. These include integration of time-dependent data with detailed graphical models, enhanced user navigation and time controls, synchronized display of data with simulation playback, and cross-platform support of Windows and Linux.

EVE development resulted in the need to change the user interface libraries utilized within the SEE. While it was the desire to maintain the core functionality of the SEE, several key changes have been incorporated into EVE. These include a modified user interface for better usability and a new data file structure for EVE missions. The new user interface is designed to provide a more consistent look and feel for data entry, and a single hierarchy display for traversing the scene. The data storage for EVE has migrated from a hierarchy set of files and folders to a single XML-based file that contains all data pertaining to a mission.

The EVE windowing environment is split into several main areas. These areas are the Main Menu, the Toolbar, the Left Interface, the Right Interface, the Graphics Window area, and the Status Bar. The Main Menu provides access into global options and display options. These include file operations, bookmarking, data displays, media capture, export, networking, and help. The Toolbar section contains the primary navigation toolbar and time controls toolbar.

The top of the Left Interface provides the user a Mission View panel containing an Object Hierarchy tab, an Analysis and Data Display tab, and a Collaboration tab (during collaboration sessions). Below the tabs is a properties panel. The Object View tab is the primary interface for the user in selecting options at the object level. Below the display window is a context-sensitive panel that changes based on the options selected by the user. For instance, if the user selects an object, the properties of that object are displayed in the lower panel.

The Right Interface provides a slider and a thumb wheel. The top slider controls two different functions, Headlight and FOV, selectable by the pulldown combo box. The bottom thumb wheel provides a time jog capability. The majority of the window is filled by the Graphics Window, which represents a view from the user’s perspective into the scene.

Finally, the Status Bar at the bottom displays messages from the EVE software to the user, provides window size and FOV data, and provides access to the current log file.

This work was done by Raymond G. Merrill of Langley Research Center; and Scott R. Angster, Darrell L. Caldwell, Patrick Biron, Adam M. Wilhite, and James A. Hoffman of Analytical Mechanics Associates, Inc. LAR-17957-1