Antz2017-01-08

ANTz is an advanced data visualization software application designed to help you work in a multi-dimensional spatially-based environment for real-time data analysis. The program is based on the Neural Physics Engine (NPE) and its goal is to enhance the human-computer cognitive loop.

Supported operating systems, importing options and app usage

It is an open-source application for MS Windows, Linux and Mac OS X that allows you to view simple data sets or run more complex visualizations. It is important to mention that the utility’s performance is mainly related to your graphics card.The program is coded in C and reads attribute data from CSV files, while textures can be read from standard image file formats, such as JPEG and PNG. Its usage can be extended to various analysis channels related to government, crisis mapping, education, science, medicine and entertainment.

User interface

ANTz adopts an interactive and real-time 3D viewing mode designed specifically for analyzing complex systems. Plus, it is able to mix up stored data with live sources for time sensitive situations.You can use your keyboard for navigating in the working environment or mouse for easily selecting and moving objects. Additional input devices such as joysticks or 3D mice can be used for intuitive navigation and object manipulation, and you may enable a full screen mode.There’s also support for a help manual that provides detailed information about the configuration process of each dedicated parameter.

Interacting with 3D objects in ANTz

Object attributes are stored in CSV files, and you are given the freedom to set up color, shape and size, topology, and structural hierarchy. You can rotate the objects or make them orbit around their parent, as well as create nodes.The tool offers support for multiple topologies that include the cube, sphere, torus, pin and grid, various geometric types, such as basic primitives and line graphs, as well as complex fractal geometries, FFTS and custom 3D models.

A top 3D data visualization product on the market

All in all, ANTz comes with an impressive suite of features for analyzing complex systems in a 3D environment, and is suitable especially for power users.