A user interface framework for Grid-based computational steering and visualization

This paper describes a flexible and extensible user interface tool for interacting with simulations and visualization applications running on the Grid. It uses an XML description of the visualization pipeline to provide parameter and location information with which to configure the user interface and connect it to remote applications using the gViz library. Messages in this XML format allow for the dynamic alteration of the interface in response to user and system behaviour. A framework is provided into which user cre- ated widgets can function alongside or replace the system widgets. This framework also allows alternate communication mechanisms to be added to allow the encapsulation of a broad set of applications within a single pipeline.