Three novel software tools for ASDEX Upgrade

Highlights: • Key features of innovative software tools for data visualization and inspection are presented to the nuclear fusion research community. • 3D animation of experiment geometry together with diagnostic data and images allow better understanding of measurements and influence of machine construction details behind them. • Multi-video viewer with fusion relevant image manipulation abilities and event database features allows faster and better decision making from video streams coming from various plasma and machine diagnostics. • Platform independant Web technologies enable the inspection of diagnostic raw signals with virtually any kind of display device. - Abstract: Visualization of measurements together with experimental settings is a general subject in experiments analysis. The complex engineering design, 3D geometry, and manifold of diagnostics in larger fusion research experiments justify the development of special analysis and visualization programs. Novel ASDEX Upgrade (AUG) software tools bring together virtual navigation through 3D device models and advanced play-back and interpretation of video streams from plasma discharges. A third little tool allows the web-based platform independent observation of real-time diagnostic signals. While all three tools stem from spontaneous development ideas and are not considered mission critical for the operation of a fusion device, they with time and growing completeness shaped up as valuable helpers to visualize acquired data in fusion research. A short overview on the goals, the features, and the design as well as the operation of these tools is given in this paper.