Dynamic ParaView plugins using python

Development
1

Dear PV devs,

Greetings. To put it briefly, I am attempting to write a PV plugin that reads a case and shows array names with respective buttons/sliders/etc next to them, i.e. if there are 3 variables, show 3 buttons, if 10 then 10.

The ultimate goal is to modify data arrays on the fly and visualize them, each array independently via respective buttons/sliders/fields. My questions are:

  • Are xml files too rigid for this?
  • Are widgets and decorators the right way to go?
  • (most importantly) Can it be done in pure python? Or do I need to C++ and compile. Could you point me to some examples in the former case (or the latter if inevitable).

My best wishes and deep gratitude,
Art

2

This can indeed be done in a custom widget pqPropertyWidget subclass. It will have to be a C++ plugin. Depending on your experience with C++, Qt, VTK, this can get tricky very quickly. I’d start by looking at other widget subclasses e.g. a simple one pqCommandButtonPropertyWidget, and a complex one pqScalarValueListPropertyWidget.

Kitware provides consulting services for such custom development as well.

3

Thank you for your prompt reply, Utkarsh!

And for confirming my guesses (deepest fears). I’ll check your links and try to learn some C++. Thanks a lot.

Best,
Art