Usage Examples (text under review)

This section provides practical examples of using EM Tools in various workflows.

Basic Workflow

Loading an Extended Matrix Graph

  1. Open Blender with EM Tools installed

  2. In the 3D Viewport, press N to open the sidebar

  3. Navigate to the EM Data Tree panel

  4. Click on the file path field and select your .graphml file

  5. Click Reload to establish the connection

  6. The summary table will show the loaded data

Connecting to DosCo Folder

If your project uses a DosCo (Documentation Source Collection) folder:

  1. In the EM Data Tree panel, locate the DosCo path field

  2. Browse to your DosCo folder location

  3. The system will automatically link documents to their corresponding nodes

Archaeological Workflow

Creating Stratigraphic Units

  1. Import your archaeological model

  2. Use the Stratigraphy Manager to explore stratigraphic units

  3. Assign proxies to each unit

  4. Define temporal relationships in the Epochs Manager

Managing Epochs

  1. Open the Epochs Manager

  2. Define your chronological periods

  3. Assign colors to each period for visual distinction

  4. Use the visibility and selection toggles to isolate specific time periods

Reconstruction Workflow

Setting Up Reconstruction Models

  1. Import your base archaeological data

  2. Create reconstruction models (RM) in separate collections

  3. Use the RM Manager to assign models to epochs

  4. Toggle reconstruction visibility with epoch controls

Creating Multiple Hypotheses

  1. Duplicate your reconstruction collection

  2. Modify the alternative hypothesis

  3. Assign to the same epoch with different properties

  4. Use property nodes to document reasoning

Data Export

Exporting to Heriverse

  1. Ensure all models are properly assigned to epochs

  2. Navigate to Export Manager

  3. Fill in the Heriverse export settings:

    • Project name

    • Output folder path

    • Desired export options

  4. Choose export format (GLTF recommended)

  5. Set texture compression settings

  6. Click Export Heriverse Project

Exporting Tables

To export data as CSV files:

  1. Go to Export Manager

  2. In the Tables Export section, choose:

    • EM (csv) for complete export

    • US/USV for stratigraphic units only

    • Sources for documentation export

  3. Select output directory

  4. Click the export button

Visualization Techniques

Using Display Modes

  1. Open Visual Manager

  2. Choose display mode:

    • EM - Shows nodes by type with monochromatic materials

    • Epochs - Colors proxies by chronological period

    • Properties - Colors proxies by property values with customizable color ramps

  3. Adjust alpha transparency for better visibility

  4. Use wireframe or solid modes for selected objects

Creating Labels

  1. Add a camera to the CAMS collection in your scene

  2. Orient it towards the objects to label

  3. Select the proxies you want to label

  4. In Visual Manager, expand the Label Tools section

  5. Click Create Labels for Selected

  6. Labels will be created in camera view (press Numpad 0 to see them)

Statistical Analysis

Volume Calculations

  1. Select the objects to analyze

  2. Use the Export Statistics panel to calculate:

    • Total volume

    • Volume by period

    • Volume by reconstruction certainty

  3. Click Export data in CSV to save the results

Advanced Features

Paradata Streaming

  1. Enable Filter Paradata in the Paradata Manager

  2. Select a stratigraphic unit

  3. The connected properties, extractors, and documents will filter automatically

  4. Navigate through the information hierarchy

Graph Visualization

  1. Enable Experimental Features in the EM Data Tree panel

  2. Open the Node Editor and select the EM Graph node tree

  3. Use the Graph Editor to visualize:

    • Stratigraphic relationships

    • Temporal sequences

    • Source connections

  4. Use neighborhood view to explore node relationships at different depths

Tips and Best Practices

Organization

  • Use consistent naming conventions for proxies

  • Organize models in collections by type

  • Keep reconstruction models separate from evidence models

  • Document uncertainties using property nodes

Performance

  • Use proxy models for working, high-resolution for export

  • Enable GPU instancing for repeated elements

  • Optimize textures before final export

  • Use LOD (Level of Detail) for large sites

Documentation

  • Link all sources to their corresponding nodes

  • Use extractors to document interpretation processes

  • Create combiner nodes for synthesized information

  • Export regular backups of your EM graph