WxPython-based GUI for GRASS: Difference between revisions

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See also [[GRASS GUI]] and [[GRASS and Python]].
Browse also wxGUI related [[:Category:WxGUI|articles or screenshots]].
 
See also [[GRASS GUI]], and [[GRASS and Python]].
 
For developer-related issues see [http://trac.osgeo.org/grass/wiki/wxGUIDevelopment Trac wxGUI page] and [ GitHub GUI issues].
 
[[Image:GRASS_GIS_70_startup.png|center|400px]]


__TOC__
__TOC__
Line 5: Line 11:
== Overview ==
== Overview ==


A nice summary of the progress to date, written by Jachym Cepicky:
* '''{{cmd|wxGUI}} Manual page]'''
* [http://www.les-ejk.cz/english/wxgrass-new-grass-gui-1 Part 1]
 
* [http://www.les-ejk.cz/english/wxgrass-new-grass-gui-2 Part 2]
Historical development documents:
* A nice summary of the progress to date, written by Jachym Cepicky:
** [http://www.les-ejk.cz/english/wxgrass-new-grass-gui-1 Part 1]
** [http://www.les-ejk.cz/english/wxgrass-new-grass-gui-2 Part 2]
* [[User:Landa|Martin Landa]]: [http://gama.fsv.cvut.cz/~landa/publications/2008/gis-ostrava-08/paper/landa-grass-gui-wxpython.pdf New GUI for GRASS GIS based on wxPython] ([http://gis2008.com/indexe.html GIS Ostrava 2008], January 27-30, 2008, Ostrava, Czech Republic)
* [[User:Landa|Martin Landa]], Cristina Moretto, Michele Zanolli, Luca Manganelli and Markus Neteler: [http://gama.fsv.cvut.cz/~landa/publications/2008/gfoss-it-08/paper/grass-gfoss-tn.pdf wxPython-based GUI for GRASS GIS] ([http://gama.fsv.cvut.cz/~landa/publications/2008/gfoss-it-08/prezentazione/perugia-grass-gui-wxpython.pdf presentation]) ([http://www.grassmeeting2008.unipg.it IX Meeting degli Utenti Italiani di GRASS - GFOSS], February 20-22, Perugia, Italy)
 
Contributing:
* https://github.com/OSGeo/grass/blob/master/CONTRIBUTING.md
 
=== Development ===


=== Requirements ===
Do you want to help with the development?
 
* [https://grasssvn.itc.it/svn/grassaddons/trunk/grassaddons/gui/README README]
* basic Python programming ability required
* GUI programming experience welcomed (especially wxPython)
* GRASS user (or better developer) experience
 
How to get [http://trac.osgeo.org/grass/wiki/HowToContribute write access] to the GRASS GIS code repository.


=== Where to get it ===
See example of wxGUI module in core: {{src|doc/gui/wxpython/example/}}
Current version can be found at https://grasssvn.itc.it/grasssvn/grassaddons/trunk/grassaddons/gui/#_trunk_grassaddons_gui_


svn co https://grasssvn.itc.it/svn/grassaddons/trunk/grassaddons/gui
== Screenshots ==


Write access to the GRASS-Addons SVN is managed by Markus Neteler.
* See [[WxGUI Screenshots|Screenshots]] page
* [[:Category:WxGUI|Screenshots from GRASSWiki]]
* [https://svn.osgeo.org/grass/grass-addons/screenshots/wxpython SVN]
* [https://grass.osgeo.org/screenshots/user-interface Website screenshot page]
* Various screenshots from [[:Category:WxGUI|GRASS-Wiki]]


== General GUI Design ==
== Video tutorials ==


=== User's point of view ===
* See [[wxGUI/Video tutorials|Video tutorials]] page


* Multiple map display windows available
== Components ==
* Each map display window has several buttons for basic functions
** Zooming, Paning
** Data Quering
** Etc.
* Each map display window will be able to fire up pop-up toolbar with more complicated and not-so-often-used display functions (substitutions for d.measure, d.profile, d.text, ...)
* Each map display window will be able to fire up pop-up toolbar with v.digit substitution
* Map display windows can be started from the command line and from the GIS Manager
* Map display windows must be able to display following types of layers
** GRASS Raster
** GRASS Vector
** GDAL Raster
** GDAL Vector
** WMS Layer from remote server
** WCS and WFS layers too
** Text layers
** Graphics layers
** Grid
** Image layers
** ...
* GIS Manager is tool for
** Map display window management and content management
** Layer look management
** Modules starting (from integrated command line or menu)
** Displaying output from modules (G_message, G_warning, G_fatal_error, G_percent)
* GIS Manager must be able to save and restore session
** Better new XML format
** Or old gis.m related
* There should be default session file, which will be loaded by default ones GRASS is started with -gui parameter
* Georectification tool should be part of new GUI. It should be special type of monitor with added GCP function
* Map Composer should be part of the new GUI. This tool should generate configuration files for hardcopy maps. The configuration files should be either ps.map files or maybe SVG


=== Coder's point of view ===
=== Core components ===


'''NOTE:''' Has not been updated long time!; SVN code in progress. Would be better to use Python docs instead...
==== Layer Manager ====


'''Status:''' prototype implemented.


List of suggested classes and their purpose.
The '''GRASS GIS Layer Manager''' provides an interactive graphical interface to GRASS commands. The Layer Manager includes a set of pull-down menus for all GRASS GIS functions (analysis, file I/O, GIS configuration and management), toolbar that manage display map layers in map display windows, layer tree in which map layers to display are organized, command output window and integrated command line prompt.


* '''Layer''' --Raster, vector, WMS, whatever layer
<center>
** '''Attributes''' - Attributes are depending on layer type, but there are also common attributes marked with prefix "l_"  (for 'layer'):
<gallery perrow=2 widths=300 heights=200>
*** l_type - vector, raster, wms, text, graph, ...
Image:wxgrass-gis-manager-layer.png|2007/12
*** l_mapfile - rendered ppm file
Image:wxgrass-gis-manager-output.png|2007/12
*** l_maskfile - pgm file with layer's alpha channel
Image:Wxgrass rgb.png|2008/02
*** l_active - layer is active, will be rendered only if True
Image:wxgui-layer-manager-70.png|2010/08
*** l_hidden - layer is hidden, will be allways rendered
Image:wxgui-pyshell.png|2011/06 - Embedded interactive Python Shell
*** l_opacity - layer opacity [0-1]
</gallery>
** '''Methods'''
</center>
*** Render - runs d.* and similar commands for making content of l_mapfile
* '''Map''' -- Set of layers renderd to single PNG image, ready to display in Map display frame
** '''Attributes'''
*** Width - map width
*** Height - map height
*** Region - Region boundaries and resolution
*** Layers - Array of ''Layer''s displayed in this "map"
*** MapFile - path to resulting PNG file with rendered map
** '''Methods'''
*** AddRasterLayer - Adds GRASS-raster layer to list of layers
*** AddVectorLayer - Adds GRASS-vector layer to list of layers
*** Add...Layer - Adds some type of layer (wms, wfs, text, ...) to list of layers
*** GetListOfLayers - Returns array of layers (''active, hidden, type'')
*** Render - Creates final PNG image and stores it's path to ''MapFile''


''TSW Comment: perhaps it would be simpler to have AddLayer and pass the type as a parameter. Automatic would be nice, but since it is possible for vector and raster files to have the same name, this wouldn't work. Another option to consider would be to use AddLayer as a base class AddLayerRaster, ... as subclasses. This would make things more modular and theoretically at least, easier to maintain and develop.''
==== Import tool ====


''JC Comment: I made separate functions for raster and vector, because of their attributes are completely different. There should be also AddWMSLayer etc. functions. IMHO it does not matter, if we have general AddLayer with parameter layer_type, or separate functions for all layer types.''
The GUI offers a convenient tool for single map and bulk import:


* '''DigitToolbar''' - Pop-up toolbar with digitising functions
* see [[Importing data]]
* '''DisplayToolBar''' - Pop-up toolbar with substitution of other d.* modules
* '''MapDisplay''' - Frame (in [http://wiki.wxpython.org/index.cgi/Frequently_Asked_Questions#head-829eea79fe17c04c65c00a7dc0bffa69f2473167 wxWidgets terminology]) with embed toolbar for zooming and paning and maybe data quering and pop-up toolbar for substitution of other d.* modules (d.path, d.profile, ...)
** '''Attributes'''
*** Width
*** Height
*** Mouse - mouse actions, movements, presed buttons etc.
*** Map - ''Map'' class
** ''Methods'' - just very coarse definition
*** Zoom - for zooming and paning
*** DrawBox - For box drawing
*** DrawLine - For line drawing
*** DrawPoint - for points drawing


* '''GisManager''' - GIS Manager frame
==== Map display window ====
** '''Attributes'''
*** Displays - array with map displayes
** '''Methods'''
*** AddDisplay - Creates new map display
*** AddLayer - Adds layer of defined type
*** EditLayer - Opens pop-up window with layer attributes definition
*** ExecuteCommand - Executes module from command line or menu


* '''GCPDisplay''' -- Special type of MapDisplay with tool for setting GCPs
Each '''Map display window''' has a unique set of layers to display and region setting (zoom). The map display window includes main toolbar with basic tools including zooming, panning, data querying, simple analyse functions (measure, profile, histogram, etc.), overlay management, etc. From main toolbar are accessible additional toolbars, currently only Digitization tool is available. Under development is Georectification tool.
* '''HCPDisplay''' -- Special type of MapDisplay with tools for creating configuration files for hardcopy maps


== Used tools ==
<center>
<gallery perrow=2 widths=300 heights=200>
Image:Wxgrass-mapdisplay-0.png
Image:Wxgui-mapdisplay-1.png
</gallery>
</center>


* [http://www.wxpython.org wxPython] seems to be the best tool for "new generation gui", because of it's multiplatformity and native look&feel on various platforms.
==== Map query tool ====


Raster and vector maps can be queried at cursor position:


=== Layout Concepts ===
[[Image:Wxgui map query tool.png|center|thumb|500px|Raster and vector map query (select map to query in layer manager)]]


==== Screenshots with proposed shapes ====
==== Map measure tool ====


{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;" border="1"
Raster and vector maps can be measured with a digitizer (line or self-closing area).
| [[Image:Gism.png]] || [[Image:Gism2.jpeg]]
|-
| The wxGlade definition file is avaliable [https://grasssvn.itc.it/grasssvn/grassaddons/trunk/grassaddons/gui/gism.wxg in the subversion repository] || Another proposal by Michael Barton
|}


==== Discussion / Comments ====
Note for LatLong locations: The lengths/areas are returned also in metric units.


If the goal is to move toward a single command line interface integrated into the GUI, perhaps we should use the shape of a terminal window as the the shape of the new GIS manager. In this way the layers tree could appear next to the layer attributes in the same way the currently gis.m displays the layer attributes below the tree. The downside to this is having space on the desktop.
[[Image:Wxgui map measure tool.png|center|thumb|500px|Measurements of line length and area size (latitude-longitude location example with SRTM]]


Another possibility would be to link the command window to the map display in the shape of an xterm, in this way the gis manager could have a profile shape by default that could easily fit onto a single screen for those without multiple display systems. Another possibility that might be desirable is to be able to 'tear off' the command window separately or link it to either the GIS manager tree or the display window.
==== GUI dialogs ====


It appears in the screen shots that multiple command windows are being considered (1 per map). In some ways this is potentially quite elegant especially if they are set up as separate sessions altogether so we wouldn't need to use win override. What we do encounter is issues related to multiple users which are non-trivial. Still as the layout suggest this it may be worth considering the impact of this, although the current solution in gis.m is probably the best for now.
'''Status:''' prototype implemented.


Please use icons that adhere the [http://tango.freedesktop.org/Tango_Icon_Theme_Guidelines icon style guideline]. They will make Grass look more professional and consistent with other FOSS applications.
Generated from XML using <tt>--interface-description</tt>.


Make usability test of the new interface to enshure that Grass will be easy and intuitive for users.
E.g. <tt>d.rgb --help</tt>
<pre>
Description:
Displays three user-specified raster map layers as red, green, and blue overlays in the active graphics frame.


=== GUI History ===
Keywords:
'''[http://www.public.asu.edu/~cmbarton/files/grass_wxpython/ Link to wxPython prototype GUI for GRASS 6]'''
display


'''Update 18:02, 14 August 2006 (CEST) '''New version implements double buffered drawing to fix display issues on Debian, including flickering why panning and display being erased by overlaying windows. Output to PNG file added. Better looking zoom rectangles.
Usage:
d.rgb [-ox] red=name green=name blue=name [--verbose] [--quiet]


'''*****The wxPython code is moving to the GRASS CVS. You should look for the newest versions there. Volunteers to help with the new GUI are welcomed!*****''' [[User:Cmbarton|Cmbarton]]
Flags:
  -o  Overlay (non-null values only)
  -x  Don't add to list of commands in monitor
--v  Verbose module output
--q  Quiet module output


'''Update 00:50, 9 August 2006 (CEST) '''New version will run directly from GRASS prompt with new startup script. Now put gism.py and associated files into $GISBASE/etc/gmwxp and add a new script (gm.wxp) to the $GISBASE/scripts folder. Then simply type gm.wxp& from the GRASS command prompt to get the new prototype wxPython GUI for GRASS. See instructions in today's package update. [[User:Cmbarton|Cmbarton]]
Parameters:
    red  Name of raster map to be used for <red>
  green  Name of raster map to be used for <green>
  blue  Name of raster map to be used for <blue>
</pre>


'''Update 23:59, 7 August 2006 (CEST) '''New version with nearly complete raster menu by Yann Chemin. [[User:Cmbarton|Cmbarton]]
becomes with <tt>d.rgb --interface-description</tt>


'''Update 19:02, 7 August 2006 (CEST)'''I just uploaded a new version of gism.py and related files. I'll keep an archive and so am changing the link to go to the folder rather than the file itself so I won't have to keep changing the link. This update includes the following changes:
<source lang="xml">
*The biggest change in wrapping in grassgui.py. This provides autogenerated wxPython GUI dialogs for all grass commands.
  <?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
This can now be called from the command console (just type in the command name with no arguments as you do now) or the
  <!DOCTYPE task SYSTEM "[http://trac.osgeo.org/grass/browser/grass/trunk/gui/xml/grass-interface.dtd grass-interface.dtd]">
prototype menus. I updated grassgui.py to current wxPython syntax (mostly) and added methods to make it callable from
  <task name="d.rgb">
other modules.
        <description>
*Methods added to gism.py and grassgui.py that automatically restart them with pythonw for the Mac
                Displays three user-specified raster map layers as red, green, and blue overlays in the active graphics frame.
--[[User:Cmbarton|Cmbarton]] 19:02, 7 August 2006 (CEST)
        </description>
        <keywords>
                display
        </keywords>
        <parameter name="red" type="string" required="yes" multiple="no">
                <description>
                        Name of raster map to be used for &lt;red&gt;
                </description>
                <keydesc>
                        <item order="1">name</item>
                </keydesc>
                <gisprompt age="old" element="cell" prompt="raster" />
        </parameter>
        <parameter name="green" type="string" required="yes" multiple="no">
                <description>
                        Name of raster map to be used for &lt;green&gt;
                </description>
                <keydesc>
                        <item order="1">name</item>
                </keydesc>
                <gisprompt age="old" element="cell" prompt="raster" />
        </parameter>
        <parameter name="blue" type="string" required="yes" multiple="no">
                <description>
                        Name of raster map to be used for &lt;blue&gt;
                </description>
                <keydesc>
                        <item order="1">name</item>
                </keydesc>
                <gisprompt age="old" element="cell" prompt="raster" />
        </parameter>
        <flag name="o">
                <description>
                        Overlay (non-null values only)
                </description>
        </flag>
        <flag name="x">
                <description>
                        Don't add to list of commands in monitor
                </description>
        </flag>
        <flag name="verbose">
                <description>
                        Verbose module output
                </description>
        </flag>
        <flag name="quiet">
                <description>
                        Quiet module output
                </description>
        </flag>
  </task>
</source>


Initial development has begun on the next generation UI for GRASS. wxPython is the leading contender for a platform in which to continue development of the GRASS GUI. wxPython is a Python implementation of the well known wxWidgets (formerly wxWindows) interface development platform for C++. An initial demonstration was developed by Jachym Cepicky to show the possibility of controling GRASS via wxPython. A second generation prototype has been completed, building on Jachym's work. It is available for testing and further development at link above.
which is then used to generate:
--[[User:Cmbarton|Cmbarton]] 07:15, 4 August 2006 (CEST)


== Components ==
[[Image:wxgrass-d-rgb.png|center|600px]]


=== Core GIS manager ===
==== Startup GUI (welcome screen) ====
* name? (does it even need one?)


=== Module GUIs ===
<!-- historical
* Generate from XML --interface-description or new --wxpython switch?
'''Status:''' implemented.


=== Startup GUI ===
Start new GRASS session with
* for picking mapset etc


=== New location GUI ===
grass64 -gui
* Wizard for creating new location & region.
:see QGIS's one


=== Cartography: GUI front end for ps.map ===
[[Image:Wxgrass-startup.png|center|400px]]


* This is a cartographic composer, intended to be a stand alone hardcopy plot generator. It is not meant to be a '''Print''' button for the maps currently displayed in the GIS manager, that will need it own controls.
-->


* The GUI will prepare a semi-WYSIWYG + tree menu controls which can write a ps.map control file, and then run ps.map to create PostScript and PDF output directly. Loading a ps.map control file is harder and can happen later.
grass78 -gui


* For a start at a Tcl/Tk composer see gui/tcltk/d.m/print.tcl
[[Image:GRASS_GIS_70_startup.png|center|400px]]


* Start with most important mapping instructions
==== Location wizard ====
** paper
** scale
** maploc
** rast
** vects
** grids
** scalebar
** mapinfo
** text labels


==== Outputs ====
'''Status:''' prototype implemented.


* ps.map instructions file
Wizard for creating new GRASS project location based on:
* PostScript file [ps.map instructions tmp file]
* lpr [PostScript tmp file]
* PDF File (pstopdf? ps2pdf? GNU Ghostscript?) [PostScript tmp file]


==== Inputs ====
* Coordinate system
* EPSG code
* Georeferenced file
* PROJ.4 string
* XY


* Ability to load in saved ps.map scripts. I consider this to be a low priority, deal with it after map creation is fully functional. Start with scripts saved using the GUI, after that is working expand to load any ps.map instructions file.
See also [[GRASS Location Wizard]].


=== Georectifier ===
[[Image:Wxgui-location-wizard.png|center|thumb|600px|Location wizard]]
* Should be a simple port of Michael's tcltk Georectifier for gis.m


=== Digitizer ===
=== Digitizer ===


==== Vector ====
==== Vector digitizer ====
 
'''Status:''' prototype implemented.
 
See also {{cmd|wxGUI.Vector_Digitizer|desc=manual page}}


* Rewrite v.digit. Replace r.digit (r.in.poly format isn't far from v.in.ascii standard format)
See also [[GRASS Digitizing tool]] and [[wxGUI Vector Digitizer]].
* v.edit?
* Integrate d.rast.edit, d.rast.num functionality in another tool?
* We can use QGIS's digitizer in the interim.
* When to drop v.digit?


==== Raster ====
Replacement of <tt>v.digit</tt> module integrated into Map display window ([http://svn.osgeo.org/grass/grass-promo/screenshots/wxpython/digitization Screenshots]).
* r.digit (merge with v.digit?)
 
* d.rast.edit
<center>
: Idea: get cell center coords and new values from GUI interaction, then pass those through r.in.xyz, and r.patch the new values over the top of the old map.
 
<gallery perrow=2 widths=300 heights=200>
Image:WxDigit200804.png|Vector digitizer (2008/04)
Image:Digit-01.png|Vector digitizer (2007/11)
Image:WxGUI-vdigit-fill-area.png|Vector digitizer - fill valid areas (closed boundary + centroid) (2008/07)
Image:WxGUI-vdigit-bg.png|Vector digitizer - background raster maps with different opacity level (2008/07)
Image:WxGUI-vdigit-win0.png|Vector digitizer on MS Windows (2011/01)
Image:Wxgui-vdigit-dupl.png|Vector digitizer - checking for duplicates (2011/02)
</gallery>
 
</center>
 
==== Raster digitizer ====
 
'''Status:''' development started in GRASS 7 (2014) --> implemented in 2020
 
* {{cmd|r.digit}} (merge with {{cmd|v.digit}}?)
: Probably write a front end for {{cmd|r.in.poly}}, that's all the old {{cmd|r.digit}} is.
* {{cmd|d.rast.edit}}
: Idea: get cell center coords and new values from GUI interaction, then pass those through {{cmd|r.in.xyz}}, and {{cmd|r.patch}} the new values over the top of the old map.
: Current status:
 
[[Image:D_rast_edit_grass7.png|center|thumb|500px|Raster map editor in GRASS 7]]


* merge with Georectifier? (i.points, i.vpoints)
* merge with Georectifier? (i.points, i.vpoints)
===== Category Labels =====
* Write with new {{cmd|r.category}} import tool
** ''Back-end component complete: {{cmd|r.category}} module is now updated to handle a rules= file and other goodies like dynamic labels''
* Read with one of {{cmd|r.category}}, {{cmd|r.describe}}, {{cmd|r.report}}, {{cmd|r.stats}}, ???
** probably need to add a new flag to one of those to print flat <tt>"%d %s", cat, label</tt>
: or read the cats/ file directly, it's already flat ascii.
* how to deal with FP maps & cats?
=== Command line ===
In order to provide a command line in all operating systems, there is a tab "Command console" available (with auto-completion support). It communicates directly with the Map Display window:
[[Image:Wxgui command line.png|350px|center|Command line]]
=== Cartography tools ===
==== GUI for {{Cmd|ps.map}} ====
'''Status:''' under development (Anna Kratochvilova).
Note: More info at '''[[WxGUI Cartographic Composer]]'''
<center>
{|
|-
| [[Image:CartographicComposer.png|350px|thumb|Cartographic Composer: draft mode]]
| [[Image:CCPreview.png|350px|thumb|Cartographic Composer: preview]]
|-
|}
</center>
==== Direct printing ====
'''Status:''' development not started yet.
Implement direct printing of map canvas content using GRASS PS driver or Cairo driver.
* [http://trac.gispython.org/projects/PCL/wiki Python Cartographic Lab]
* [http://wiki.osgeo.org/wiki/OSGeo_Cartographic_Library OSGeo Cartographic Library]
** http://lists.osgeo.org/pipermail/discuss/2008-April/003337.html
** http://www.intevation.de/pipermail/freegis-list/2007-April/003142.html
* [http://wiki.osgeo.org/wiki/OSGeo_map_symbol_set OSGeo Map Symbol Set]
* [http://www.gdal.org/ogr/ogr_feature_style.html OGR - Feature Style Specification]
* [http://trac.osgeo.org/mapguide/wiki/MapGuideRfc14 MapGuide RFC 14 - Cartographic Stylization Engine]
* [http://www.iho.shom.fr/PUBLICATIONS/download.htm#special S-52 standard for nautical chart (ENC) symbology] and cartography from the [http://www.iho.shom.fr/ International Hydrographic Bureau]
** [http://openev.cvs.sourceforge.net/openev/contrib/S52/ GPL library implementing the S-52 standard] (OpenEV)
* [http://www.opengeospatial.org/standards/symbol OpenGIS Symbology Encoding Implementation Specification]
* [http://geosysin.iict.ch/trac/wiki/Index4extJPAL PAL]
=== Georectifier ===
'''Status:''' prototype implemented.
<center>
{|
|-
| [[Image:Wxgui-georectify-0.png|thumb|350px|center|Georectifier (old interface)]] ||
[[Image:Wxgui-georectify-1.png|thumb|350px|center|Georectifier (old interface)]]
|-
|}
</center>
[[Image:Georectifier berlin.png|thumb|Georectification of historical maps using a simplified OpenStreetmap reference (example Berlin) - new interface|450px|center]]
See also [[Georeferencing]].
=== Profile Analysis Tool ===
'''Status:''' prototype implemented.
<center>
{|
|-
| [[Image:Wxgui-profile-0.png|thumb|350px|center]] ||
[[Image:Wxgui-profile-1.png|thumb|350px|center]]
|-
|}
</center>
=== Attribute table manager ===
'''Status:''' prototype implemented.
See [[wxGUI Attribute Table Manager]] page and also {{cmd|wxGUI.Attribute_Table_Manager|desc=manual page}}.
[[Image:Grass-atm-example.png|center|thumb|640px|Attribute queries in wxGUI]]
=== 3D view mode ===
'''Status:''' prototype implemented (Google Summer of Code 2008/2010/2011).
See detailed information at [[wxNVIZ]] page and classic Tcl/Tk [[NVIZ]] pages.
[[Image:Wxnviz-volumes.png|640px|thumb|center|Displaying raster (surface), 2D vector and 3D raster (volume) in the 3D space.]]
=== Imagery tools ===
'''Status:''' (re)development not started in earnest yet. Some behind-the-scenes code has been prepared, but not much.
: ''Volunteers welcome!''


==== Ortho photos ====
==== Ortho photos ====
* To replace i.ortho.photo and friends


[[Category:Development]]
'''Status:''' GUI development not started yet, initial start of module updates like {{cmd|i.ortho.rectify|version=70}}
[[Category:GUI]]
 
[[Category:Python]]
* To replace {{cmd|i.ortho.photo}} and friends
 
==== wx.iclass ====
 
'''Status:''' prototype implemented.
<!--
===== First prototype (AddOns) =====
 
* [http://trac.osgeo.org/grass/browser/grass-addons/gui/wxpython/wx.class wx.class]
 
<center>
{|
|-
| [[Image:wx.class1.png|350px|thumb|center|wx.class]]
| [[Image:wx.class2.png|350px|thumb|center|wx.class]]
| [[Image:wx.class3.png|350px|thumb|center|wx.class]]
|-
|}
</center>
 
Current Features:
 
* Does not require xterm
* works on windows which is not currently available
 
To be implemented:
 
* Proper view of histogram using python-matplotlib
* To work on other datset (currently works for nc_spm_08)
* Needs a code cleanup
 
===== Second prototype (trunk) =====
-->
 
* See [[wxIClass]] page
 
=== Graphical Modeller ===
 
'''Status:''' prototype implemented.
 
[[File:WxGUI-modeler-if-else-0.png|500px|center]]
 
See [[wxGUI Graphical Modeler]] page for more information.
 
=== Extension Manager ===
 
'''Status:''' prototype implemented
 
Settings | Addons extensions | Install extension from addons
 
{{YouTube|buxsHVHLDBI|desc=wxGUI Extension Manager}}
 
[[Image:wxgui-em.png|center|thumb|500px|wxGUI Extension Manager]]
 
=== Raster Calculator ===
 
'''Status:''' prototype implemented. This is a frontend to {{cmd|r.mapcalc|version=70}}
 
[[Image:wxgui-mapcalc.png|center|thumb|500px|wxGUI Map Calculator]]
 
See also [[wxGUI/Video tutorials#Raster calculator|video tutorials]].
 
=== GRASS Catalog ===
 
'''Status:''' under development (in AddOns)
 
* [http://lsi.iiit.ac.in/grass_addons/ GRASS Catalog files]
 
<center>
{|
|-
| [[Image:GRASS Catalog1.png|350px|thumb|center|GRASS Catalog ]]
| [[Image:GRASS Catalog2.png|350px|thumb|center|GRASS Catalog]]
|-
|}
</center>
 
;Current Features:
 
* copy, delete, rename map layers (raster & vector) in current mapset.
* view raster & vector map layers from any location and any mapset.
* Provides a GUI wrapper for r.info & v.info grass commands while viewing map layers in mapwindow.
* Can connect with OssimPlanet using PlanetSasha
* Add and Remove maps from GRASS GIS to OssimPlanet(Send to OssimPlanet/Remove from OssimPlanet)
;To be implemented:
 
* copy, move map layers in different mapsets.
* View DBF files as tables.
* Copy, delete, rename DBF files.
* Modify attribute tables.
* Create a properties window to display Coordinate system & projection for each map
* ...
 
Alternative: http://code.google.com/p/wxgis/
 
=== r.li.setup GUI ===
'''Status:''' available as {{cmd|g.gui.rlisetup|version=70}} (former {{cmd|r.li.setup}})
 
<center>
<gallery perrow=2 widths=300 heights=200>
Image:Rlisetup_first_frame.png | First frame of wizard for selecting existing configuration files or creating a new one
Image:Rlisetup wizard first page.png | Frame for selecting maps
Image:G_gui_rlisetup_3.png | Frame for inserting sampling areas
Image:G_gui_rlisetup_4.png | Frame for defining rectangular moving window
Image:G_gui_rlisetup_5.png | Frame for defining circular moving window
Image:Rlisetup wizard keybord sampling frame.png | Frame for choosing the sampling frame with keyboard
Image:G gui rlisetup 7.png | Frame for drawing the sampling frame
Image:G gui rlisetup 8.png | Summary frame
</gallery>
 
<!-- equal to Image:Rlisetup_first_frame.png?
Image:Rlisetup_wizard_sampling_areas.png ‎| Choose the type of sampling area
-->
</center>
 
=== Help browser ===
 
'''Status:''' development not started yet.
 
For browsing manual pages is currently used web browser, the goal is to design integrated help system.
: HB: ''We used to have one of these for viewing the help pages of Tcl/Tk NVIZ. We dropped it because it was a pain to maintain and generally outside our core mission so a distraction.''
 
=== Map Swipe ===
 
'''Status:''' prototype implemented.
 
This tool enables you to compare two raster maps covering the same area (e.g. compare maps from different year).
 
;Current features:
* orientation of swipe line can be horizontal or vertical
* zooming works in the same way as in [[#Map_display_window | Map Display]]
 
See more '''examples''' and videos at [[WxGUI Map Swipe]] page.
 
[[Image:Tsunami japan2011 sendai.jpg|center|thumb|500px|wxGUI Map Swipe for disaster management: Tsunami Japan 2011]]
 
=== Animation Tool ===
 
'''Status:''' prototype implemented in GRASS 7 (Anna Kratochvilova).
 
Animation tool is a replacement for {{cmd|xganim}}. It allows to animate a series of GRASS raster maps or a space time raster dataset ([http://trac.osgeo.org/grass/wiki/Grass7/TemporalExtension see GRASS GIS temporal extension]).
 
[[Image:WxGUI animation tool.jpg|center|500px|wxGUI animation tool]]
 
<center>More info at '''[[WxGUI Animation Tool]]'''.</center>
 
=== Vector Network Analysis Tool ===
 
'''Status:''' prototype implemented.
 
See more examples and video at [[WxGUI Vector Network Analysis Tool]] page.
 
== WMS support ==
 
{{YouTube|vfNw4SAP2Uc}}
 
== Known issues ==
 
* See and report in trac: [http://trac.osgeo.org/grass/query?status=new&status=assigned&status=reopened&component=wxGUI&order=priority List of open issues]
 
=== Platform specific ===
 
For the GUI to know what platform it's on, and therefore apply platform specific commands (e.g. append '.exe' to programs) it has to test what platform it is running on. Here we take the experimental approach to learning what's best to use. Please add or generalize this list as you can.
 
Platform information - start Python from the command line then issue
 
<source lang="python">
import sys
sys.platform
import os
os.name
os.environ['OS']
import platform
platform.system()
</source>
 
* Results:
 
{| border="1" class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
! Platform
! sys.platform
! os.name
! os.environ['OS']
! platform.system()
|-
| 32bit GNU/Linux
| linux2
| posix
| ''n/a''
| Linux
|-
| 64bit GNU/Linux
| linux2
| posix
| ''n/a''
| Linux
|-
| 32bit Mac OSX (PowerPC G4)
| darwin
| posix
| ''n/a''
| Darwin
|-
| 64bit Mac OSX (Intel)
| [1] see note
| ?
| ?
| ?
|-
| 32bit MS Windows XP
| win32
| nt
| Windows_NT
| Windows
|-
| 64bit MS Windows Vista
| win32
| nt
| Windows_NT
| Windows
|-
| 32bit MS Windows XP (Cygwin)
| win32
| ?
| ?
| ?
|-
| 64bit MS Windows 7
| win32
| nt
| Windows_NT
| Windows
|-
|}
 
[1] On Fri, May 29, 2009 at 10:49 PM, William Kyngesburye wrote:
: ''Right now the GUI only runs 32bit, even if the rest of GRASS is 64bit, because it's not yet possible for wxPython to be 64bit.  It comes out the same as PPC 32bit - no distinction between ppc/intel or 32/64 bit, it's all darwin. (yes, I checked, and I have a custom 64bit python executable to verify)''
 
== General GUI Design ==
 
=== Layout ===
 
For some users, the current approach of separate windows (SDI) leads to a windows flooding. Especially on large monitors or dual screen systems catching the wxGUI windows can be tedious when they appear on separate monitors (depends on windows manager, the much used KDE scatters typically the wxGUI windows all over the screen real estate). Almost each task generates a new wxGUI window which is freely floating around on the screen: [http://grass.osgeo.org/grass63/screenshots/images/wxgrass_digit-03.png example 1] and [http://grass.osgeo.org/grass63/screenshots/images/wxgrass_digit-01.png example 2]. On a dual-screen this may sum up to 50cm of distance!
 
'''Proposed solutions:'''
* implement ''optional'' layout similar to QGIS (with a legend attached to each display) or [http://sourceforge.net/dbimage.php?id=215336 GSDView] etc) (see figure below)
* implement ''optional'' magnetic docking of the layer manager and display windows to keep the windows closer
* do not allow module windows to stay open. That is, get rid of the apply button and force each window to close when OK is pressed (QGIS/ArcGIS approach). This leaves only the display(s) and single legend/layer manager on desktop.
* If you otherwise wish to continue using your current WM, file a bug report with them asking for better multi-head support and get the problem fixed at the source. (there probably already is a bug filed with tips in it)
 
<center>
{|
|-
| [[Image:Wxgui_current.png|350px|thumb|center|Current wxGUI layout with detached window components]]
| [[Image:Wxgui_proposal.png|350px|thumb|center|'''Proposal''' for wxGUI layout modification (Recomposition of existing toolbars, mapview and menus)]]
|-
|}
</center>
 
'''New solution: see [[WxGUI#Data_Catalog]] above.'''
 
 
====What others do====
 
'''SDI: (each document opened in application occupies a window on the desktop)'''
* GRASS: display window for each document (i.e., set of maps displayed) opened on desktop; one legend/layer manager window for all display windows; ; each module/function opens a separate window on the desktop
* QGIS: display window for each document (i.e., set of maps displayed) opened on the desktop; legend/layer manager window attached to each display window; each module/function opens a separate window on the desktop (e.g. http://grass.osgeo.org/grass61/screenshots/images/qgis08_grass6_toolbox.png)
* ArcGIS: similar to QGIS with combined legend/display for each document (set of maps displayed); each module/function opens a separate window on the desktop (e.g. http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/9/92/ArcMap.jpg)
* MapInfo (pre Pitney Bowes): each document opens a map display window on the desktop; single legend/toolbox opened on the desktop controls all visible documents (i.e., map displays); each module/function opens a separate window on the desktop (similar to current GRASS layout)
 
'''MDI: (a single frame is opened for the application on the desktop; all documents opened inside the application frame)'''
* SAGA: single application frame opened on the desktop; all documents (display windows) open inside application frame; one legend/layer manager for all display windows; each module/function opens a separate window inside the frame (http://www.saga-gis.uni-goettingen.de/html/images/bild8.gif  and http://sourceforge.net/dbimage.php?id=44455)
* Ossim: single application frame opened on the desktop; all documents (display windows) open inside application frame; one legend/layer manager for all display windows; each module/function opens a separate window inside the frame (http://www.ossim.org/OSSIM/Albums/Pages/ImageLinker.html)
* Idrisi: similar to SAGA and Ossim (http://www.clarklabs.org/products/idrisi-taiga.cfm)
* MapInfo (Pitney Bowes): Seems to be like Saga (http://www.pbinsight.com/support/training/video-tutorials/)
* Whitebox Geospatial Analysis Tools: http://www.uoguelph.ca/~hydrogeo/Whitebox/screenshots.html
 
'''''See also'''''
* Solution to the problem: [http://www.wxwidgets.org/manuals/stable/wx_wxlayoutalgorithm.html wxLayoutAlgorithm]
* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Multiple_document_interface Multiple document interface] (MDI, windows reside under a single parent window)
* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Single_document_interface Single document interface] (SDI, separate windows, currently used for wxGUI)
* and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_interface_guidelines Human interface guidelines] (HIG)
 
== Useful links ==
 
* [http://www.poromenos.org/tutorials/python 10 minute Python tutorial] for programmers of other languages
 
== References ==
 
* [[User:Landa|Martin Landa]]: [http://gama.fsv.cvut.cz/~landa/publications/2008/gis-ostrava-08/paper/landa-grass-gui-wxpython.pdf New GUI for GRASS GIS based on wxPython] ([http://gis2008.com/indexe.html GIS Ostrava 2008], January 27-30, 2008, Ostrava, Czech Republic)
* [[User:Landa|Martin Landa]], Cristina Moretto, Michele Zanolli, Luca Manganelli and Markus Neteler: [http://gama.fsv.cvut.cz/~landa/publications/2008/gfoss-it-08/paper/grass-gfoss-tn.pdf wxPython-based GUI for GRASS GIS] ([http://gama.fsv.cvut.cz/~landa/publications/2008/gfoss-it-08/prezentazione/perugia-grass-gui-wxpython.pdf presentation]) ([http://www.grassmeeting2008.unipg.it IX Meeting degli Utenti Italiani di GRASS - GFOSS], February 20-22, Perugia, Italy)
 
{{wxGUI}}
 
[[Category: Documentation]]

Latest revision as of 19:03, 14 April 2021

Browse also wxGUI related articles or screenshots.

See also GRASS GUI, and GRASS and Python.

For developer-related issues see Trac wxGUI page and [ GitHub GUI issues].

Overview

Historical development documents:

Contributing:

Development

Do you want to help with the development?

  • basic Python programming ability required
  • GUI programming experience welcomed (especially wxPython)
  • GRASS user (or better developer) experience

How to get write access to the GRASS GIS code repository.

See example of wxGUI module in core: doc/gui/wxpython/example/

Screenshots

Video tutorials

Components

Core components

Layer Manager

Status: prototype implemented.

The GRASS GIS Layer Manager provides an interactive graphical interface to GRASS commands. The Layer Manager includes a set of pull-down menus for all GRASS GIS functions (analysis, file I/O, GIS configuration and management), toolbar that manage display map layers in map display windows, layer tree in which map layers to display are organized, command output window and integrated command line prompt.

  • 2007/12

    2007/12

  • 2007/12

    2007/12

  • 2008/02

    2008/02

  • 2010/08

    2010/08

  • 2011/06 - Embedded interactive Python Shell

    2011/06 - Embedded interactive Python Shell

Import tool

The GUI offers a convenient tool for single map and bulk import:

Map display window

Each Map display window has a unique set of layers to display and region setting (zoom). The map display window includes main toolbar with basic tools including zooming, panning, data querying, simple analyse functions (measure, profile, histogram, etc.), overlay management, etc. From main toolbar are accessible additional toolbars, currently only Digitization tool is available. Under development is Georectification tool.

Map query tool

Raster and vector maps can be queried at cursor position:

Raster and vector map query (select map to query in layer manager)

Map measure tool

Raster and vector maps can be measured with a digitizer (line or self-closing area).

Note for LatLong locations: The lengths/areas are returned also in metric units.

Measurements of line length and area size (latitude-longitude location example with SRTM

GUI dialogs

Status: prototype implemented.

Generated from XML using --interface-description.

E.g. d.rgb --help 

Description:
 Displays three user-specified raster map layers as red, green, and blue overlays in the active graphics frame.

Keywords:
 display

Usage:
 d.rgb [-ox] red=name green=name blue=name [--verbose] [--quiet]

Flags:
  -o   Overlay (non-null values only)
  -x   Don't add to list of commands in monitor
 --v   Verbose module output
 --q   Quiet module output

Parameters:
    red   Name of raster map to be used for <red>
  green   Name of raster map to be used for <green>
   blue   Name of raster map to be used for <blue>

becomes with d.rgb --interface-description 

  <?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
  <!DOCTYPE task SYSTEM "[http://trac.osgeo.org/grass/browser/grass/trunk/gui/xml/grass-interface.dtd grass-interface.dtd]">
  <task name="d.rgb">
        <description>
                Displays three user-specified raster map layers as red, green, and blue overlays in the active graphics frame.
        </description>
        <keywords>
                display
        </keywords>
        <parameter name="red" type="string" required="yes" multiple="no">
                <description>
                        Name of raster map to be used for &lt;red&gt;
                </description>
                <keydesc>
                        <item order="1">name</item>
                </keydesc>
                <gisprompt age="old" element="cell" prompt="raster" />
        </parameter>
        <parameter name="green" type="string" required="yes" multiple="no">
                <description>
                        Name of raster map to be used for &lt;green&gt;
                </description>
                <keydesc>
                        <item order="1">name</item>
                </keydesc>
                <gisprompt age="old" element="cell" prompt="raster" />
        </parameter>
        <parameter name="blue" type="string" required="yes" multiple="no">
                <description>
                        Name of raster map to be used for &lt;blue&gt;
                </description>
                <keydesc>
                        <item order="1">name</item>
                </keydesc>
                <gisprompt age="old" element="cell" prompt="raster" />
        </parameter>
        <flag name="o">
                <description>
                        Overlay (non-null values only)
                </description>
        </flag>
        <flag name="x">
                <description>
                        Don't add to list of commands in monitor
                </description>
        </flag>
        <flag name="verbose">
                <description>
                        Verbose module output
                </description>
        </flag>
        <flag name="quiet">
                <description>
                        Quiet module output
                </description>
        </flag>
  </task>

which is then used to generate:

Startup GUI (welcome screen)

grass78 -gui

Location wizard

Status: prototype implemented.

Wizard for creating new GRASS project location based on:

  • Coordinate system
  • EPSG code
  • Georeferenced file
  • PROJ.4 string
  • XY

See also GRASS Location Wizard.

Location wizard

Digitizer

Vector digitizer

Status: prototype implemented.

See also manual page

See also GRASS Digitizing tool and wxGUI Vector Digitizer.

Replacement of v.digit module integrated into Map display window (Screenshots).

  • Vector digitizer (2008/04)

    Vector digitizer (2008/04)

  • Vector digitizer (2007/11)

    Vector digitizer (2007/11)

  • Vector digitizer - fill valid areas (closed boundary + centroid) (2008/07)

    Vector digitizer - fill valid areas (closed boundary + centroid) (2008/07)

  • Vector digitizer - background raster maps with different opacity level (2008/07)

    Vector digitizer - background raster maps with different opacity level (2008/07)

  • Vector digitizer on MS Windows (2011/01)

    Vector digitizer on MS Windows (2011/01)

  • Vector digitizer - checking for duplicates (2011/02)

    Vector digitizer - checking for duplicates (2011/02)

Raster digitizer

Status: development started in GRASS 7 (2014) --> implemented in 2020

Probably write a front end for r.in.poly, that's all the old r.digit is.
Idea: get cell center coords and new values from GUI interaction, then pass those through r.in.xyz, and r.patch the new values over the top of the old map.
Current status:
Raster map editor in GRASS 7
  • merge with Georectifier? (i.points, i.vpoints)
Category Labels
  • Write with new r.category import tool
    • Back-end component complete: r.category module is now updated to handle a rules= file and other goodies like dynamic labels
or read the cats/ file directly, it's already flat ascii.
  • how to deal with FP maps & cats?

Command line

In order to provide a command line in all operating systems, there is a tab "Command console" available (with auto-completion support). It communicates directly with the Map Display window:

Command line
Command line

Cartography tools

GUI for ps.map

Status: under development (Anna Kratochvilova).

Note: More info at WxGUI Cartographic Composer

Cartographic Composer: draft mode
Cartographic Composer: preview

Direct printing

Status: development not started yet.

Implement direct printing of map canvas content using GRASS PS driver or Cairo driver.

Georectifier

Status: prototype implemented.

Georectifier (old interface)
Georectifier (old interface)
Georectification of historical maps using a simplified OpenStreetmap reference (example Berlin) - new interface


See also Georeferencing.

Profile Analysis Tool

Status: prototype implemented.

Attribute table manager

Status: prototype implemented.

See wxGUI Attribute Table Manager page and also manual page.

Attribute queries in wxGUI

3D view mode

Status: prototype implemented (Google Summer of Code 2008/2010/2011).

See detailed information at wxNVIZ page and classic Tcl/Tk NVIZ pages.

Displaying raster (surface), 2D vector and 3D raster (volume) in the 3D space.

Imagery tools

Status: (re)development not started in earnest yet. Some behind-the-scenes code has been prepared, but not much.

Volunteers welcome!

Ortho photos

Status: GUI development not started yet, initial start of module updates like i.ortho.rectify

wx.iclass

Status: prototype implemented.

Graphical Modeller

Status: prototype implemented.

See wxGUI Graphical Modeler page for more information.

Extension Manager

Status: prototype implemented 

Settings | Addons extensions | Install extension from addons


Load video
YouTube
wxGUI Extension Manager
wxGUI Extension Manager

Raster Calculator

Status: prototype implemented. This is a frontend to r.mapcalc

wxGUI Map Calculator

See also video tutorials.

GRASS Catalog

Status: under development (in AddOns)

GRASS Catalog
GRASS Catalog
Current Features
  • copy, delete, rename map layers (raster & vector) in current mapset.
  • view raster & vector map layers from any location and any mapset.
  • Provides a GUI wrapper for r.info & v.info grass commands while viewing map layers in mapwindow.
  • Can connect with OssimPlanet using PlanetSasha
  • Add and Remove maps from GRASS GIS to OssimPlanet(Send to OssimPlanet/Remove from OssimPlanet)
To be implemented
  • copy, move map layers in different mapsets.
  • View DBF files as tables.
  • Copy, delete, rename DBF files.
  • Modify attribute tables.
  • Create a properties window to display Coordinate system & projection for each map
  • ...

Alternative: http://code.google.com/p/wxgis/

r.li.setup GUI

Status: available as g.gui.rlisetup (former r.li.setup)

  • First frame of wizard for selecting existing configuration files or creating a new one

    First frame of wizard for selecting existing configuration files or creating a new one

  • Frame for selecting maps

    Frame for selecting maps

  • Frame for inserting sampling areas

    Frame for inserting sampling areas

  • Frame for defining rectangular moving window

    Frame for defining rectangular moving window

  • Frame for defining circular moving window

    Frame for defining circular moving window

  • Frame for choosing the sampling frame with keyboard

    Frame for choosing the sampling frame with keyboard

  • Frame for drawing the sampling frame

    Frame for drawing the sampling frame

  • Summary frame

    Summary frame

Help browser

Status: development not started yet.

For browsing manual pages is currently used web browser, the goal is to design integrated help system.

HB: We used to have one of these for viewing the help pages of Tcl/Tk NVIZ. We dropped it because it was a pain to maintain and generally outside our core mission so a distraction.

Map Swipe

Status: prototype implemented.

This tool enables you to compare two raster maps covering the same area (e.g. compare maps from different year).

Current features
  • orientation of swipe line can be horizontal or vertical
  • zooming works in the same way as in Map Display

See more examples and videos at WxGUI Map Swipe page.

wxGUI Map Swipe for disaster management: Tsunami Japan 2011

Animation Tool

Status: prototype implemented in GRASS 7 (Anna Kratochvilova).

Animation tool is a replacement for xganim. It allows to animate a series of GRASS raster maps or a space time raster dataset (see GRASS GIS temporal extension).

wxGUI animation tool
wxGUI animation tool
More info at WxGUI Animation Tool.

Vector Network Analysis Tool

Status: prototype implemented.

See more examples and video at WxGUI Vector Network Analysis Tool page.

WMS support

Load video
YouTube

Known issues

Platform specific

For the GUI to know what platform it's on, and therefore apply platform specific commands (e.g. append '.exe' to programs) it has to test what platform it is running on. Here we take the experimental approach to learning what's best to use. Please add or generalize this list as you can.

Platform information - start Python from the command line then issue 

 import sys
 sys.platform
 
 import os
 os.name
 os.environ['OS']
 
 import platform
 platform.system()
  • Results:
Platform sys.platform os.name os.environ['OS'] platform.system()
32bit GNU/Linux linux2 posix n/a Linux
64bit GNU/Linux linux2 posix n/a Linux
32bit Mac OSX (PowerPC G4) darwin posix n/a Darwin
64bit Mac OSX (Intel) [1] see note ? ? ?
32bit MS Windows XP win32 nt Windows_NT Windows
64bit MS Windows Vista win32 nt Windows_NT Windows
32bit MS Windows XP (Cygwin) win32 ? ? ?
64bit MS Windows 7 win32 nt Windows_NT Windows

[1] On Fri, May 29, 2009 at 10:49 PM, William Kyngesburye wrote:

Right now the GUI only runs 32bit, even if the rest of GRASS is 64bit, because it's not yet possible for wxPython to be 64bit. It comes out the same as PPC 32bit - no distinction between ppc/intel or 32/64 bit, it's all darwin. (yes, I checked, and I have a custom 64bit python executable to verify)

General GUI Design

Layout

For some users, the current approach of separate windows (SDI) leads to a windows flooding. Especially on large monitors or dual screen systems catching the wxGUI windows can be tedious when they appear on separate monitors (depends on windows manager, the much used KDE scatters typically the wxGUI windows all over the screen real estate). Almost each task generates a new wxGUI window which is freely floating around on the screen: example 1 and example 2. On a dual-screen this may sum up to 50cm of distance!

Proposed solutions:

  • implement optional layout similar to QGIS (with a legend attached to each display) or GSDView etc) (see figure below)
  • implement optional magnetic docking of the layer manager and display windows to keep the windows closer
  • do not allow module windows to stay open. That is, get rid of the apply button and force each window to close when OK is pressed (QGIS/ArcGIS approach). This leaves only the display(s) and single legend/layer manager on desktop.
  • If you otherwise wish to continue using your current WM, file a bug report with them asking for better multi-head support and get the problem fixed at the source. (there probably already is a bug filed with tips in it)
Current wxGUI layout with detached window components
Proposal for wxGUI layout modification (Recomposition of existing toolbars, mapview and menus)

New solution: see WxGUI#Data_Catalog above.


What others do

SDI: (each document opened in application occupies a window on the desktop)

  • GRASS: display window for each document (i.e., set of maps displayed) opened on desktop; one legend/layer manager window for all display windows; ; each module/function opens a separate window on the desktop
  • QGIS: display window for each document (i.e., set of maps displayed) opened on the desktop; legend/layer manager window attached to each display window; each module/function opens a separate window on the desktop (e.g. http://grass.osgeo.org/grass61/screenshots/images/qgis08_grass6_toolbox.png)
  • ArcGIS: similar to QGIS with combined legend/display for each document (set of maps displayed); each module/function opens a separate window on the desktop (e.g. http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/9/92/ArcMap.jpg)
  • MapInfo (pre Pitney Bowes): each document opens a map display window on the desktop; single legend/toolbox opened on the desktop controls all visible documents (i.e., map displays); each module/function opens a separate window on the desktop (similar to current GRASS layout)

MDI: (a single frame is opened for the application on the desktop; all documents opened inside the application frame)

See also

Useful links

References

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