Skip to main content

HV Explorer

Python based helper tool developed by qtec for visualizing and manipulating HSI data cubes.

Features​

It supports importing and exporting to/from difference datacube file formats (currently PAM, ENVI and TIFF). The data can then be visualized as individual slices of the cube shown as full images (of a single selectable spectral band) with different color maps or by composing false "RGB" image from selected bands.

Moreover, it can also plot the mean spectra of multiple rectangular regions of the images for comparison. The spectra can then, if desired, be normalized using SNV (Standard Normal Variate) and/or smoothed (using Gaussian or Savitzky Golay smoothing methods). Optionally, the spectral derivatives (1st or 2nd orders) can be plotted. The spectra of the selected regions can be exported in the CSV format.

Multiple images can be opened and compared at once due to HV SDK's efficient data loading which minimizes RAM usage (Buteo data cubes are often 1Gbyte in size which can overload normal programs).

The HV Explorer supports several common HSI image transformations, including reflectance calibration (using white/black references), dimensionality reduction (PCA), clustering, noise reduction, dead pixel removal, band math, etc.

The HV Explorer currently requires the datacubes to be have been captured beforehand through the Buteo Hyperspectral Imaging System interface (or by other means, for example using the HV SDK), but support for capturing live data directly from the Hypervision cameras is expected by the summer of 2026.

Both Linux and Windows versions are available.

HV Explorer

HV Explorer showing spectral curve of meat and fat regions

Under Development

The HV Explorer is under constant development. Since the initial Alpha (March 2025) and the Beta release (June 2025) — which introduced basic ML classification — we have recently focused on quality-of-life improvements and bug fixes (March 2026) in order to ensure a stable foundation. Our next milestone is the much anticipated integration of camera capture functionality.

Current Status:

  • Active Development: We are currently implementing Live Data Capture. This will allow direct integration with the Hypervision cameras, moving the HV Explorer from a post-processing analysis tool to a real-time capture solution.

  • Next on the Roadmap: Once camera integration is stable, we will prioritize the ability to save, load and export ML models.

  • Planned Features: Project management, workflow saving, dead pixel removal and band math remain on our long-term roadmap.

The first stable release (v1.0), featuring live data capture support from the Hypervision cameras, is targeted for June 2026.

Minimum system requirements

Windows11 or Linux (Python 3.10 or higher required)

Minimum RAM: 8Gb (16Gb recommended)

Workflows​

Basic​

Advanced​

Support​

Report bugs by writing an email to: hv-explorer-support