What_is_Antz

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1.2 What is Antz?

Antz is a 3D data viewer for interaction with complex datasets. Spatial cues based on shape, color, size and texture enable the user to identify key patterns.

Think of it as 'spreadsheet meets cyberspace.' An immersive multi-dimensional spatially based environment for realtime analysis and decision making. The visual environment enables a more efficient mechanism for identifying patterns and relationships. Capable of combining stored data with live sources for time sensitive situations. It is good for finding the proverbial 'needle in the haystack.'

The ultimate goal is to close the cognitive loop between users and powerful logic engines known as computers.

For example, you may have a table of data representing academic test scores displayed as a series of objects distributed over a map. Data fields are mapped to parameters such as geometry, transparency, velocity and position. At each location a pin with tori would represent components of the students demographics and scores over a period of time.

Antz is an open-source project that is free to the world for any purpose, free as in free. Source code and compiled apps are provided for all major desktop platforms, including Linux, MSW and OSX.

The user can move and otherwise interact with the objects. Physics such as angular velocity and multiple tracks of time based channel data allow for animating the scene.

*Realtime [IO_Channels] can work with a host of inputs such as audio, video, GPS or EEG brainwave sensors. The system is well suited for real-time machine control of robotic systems and scientific instruments where low-latency physics based feedback algorithms are necessary to interact in the real world.

**ANTz - data visualization for the mind