swri-robotics/mapviz

Modular ROS visualization tool for 2D data.

What it solves

Mapviz provides a specialized tool for visualizing 2D data within the Robot Operating System (ROS) ecosystem, filling a gap for users who need a dedicated 2D visualization interface rather than a general-purpose 3D tool.

How it works

It operates as a ROS-based visualization tool utilizing a plug-in system. This architecture allows users to add specific visualization capabilities as needed. In version 4.0.0, the system was updated to separate the user interface and ROS callbacks into different threads to improve performance and stability.

Who it’s for

It is designed for robotics developers and researchers using ROS who need to visualize 2D spatial data and maps.

Highlights

  • ROS-based architecture with a flexible plug-in system.
  • Focused specifically on 2D data visualization.
  • Support for multiple ROS 2 distributions including Humble, Jazzy, Kilted, Lyrical, and Rolling.
  • Separate threading for UI and ROS callbacks for improved efficiency.

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