Skip to main content

Split View

Split View is one of the most powerful features in Brain Visualizer, allowing you to work with Circuit Builder and Brain Monitor simultaneously in a side-by-side or top-bottom layout. This dramatically improves workflow efficiency and understanding.

What is Split View?​

Split View divides your workspace into two panels, each independently showing:

  • Circuit Builder: 2D graph view of neural circuits
  • Brain Monitor: 3D visualization with neural activity
  • Multiple Regions: Different regions in each panel
  • Same Region: Same region from different perspectives

Benefits of Split View​

Complementary Perspectives​

2D Structure + 3D Space:

  • See topology (connections) and spatial layout together
  • Understand both "what connects to what" and "where things are"
  • Edit structure while watching activity

Dual Understanding:

  • Circuit Builder shows logical organization
  • Brain Monitor shows physical/spatial organization
  • Together provide complete picture

Synchronized Operations​

Selection Sync:

  • Click object in one view
  • Automatically highlights in other view
  • Understand same object from both perspectives

Focus Sync:

  • Focus operations affect both views
  • Navigate in one, see result in both
  • Maintain context across perspectives

Workflow Efficiency​

Edit and Monitor:

  • Make structural changes in Circuit Builder
  • Watch effects in Brain Monitor immediately
  • No view switching needed

Compare Regions:

  • Open different regions in each panel
  • See relationships between sub-systems
  • Work on one while referencing another

Activating Split View​

The easiest way to enter split view:

  1. In Circuit Builder, right-click a brain circuit node
  2. Select Open 3D Tab from Quick Menu
  3. Split View automatically activates:
    • Circuit Builder for that region (primary panel)
    • Brain Monitor for that region (secondary panel)

Both panels show the same region from different perspectives.

Method 2: Manual Split​

Create split view manually:

  1. Hover Split view on the root scene top bar
  2. Choose Circuit Builder, Brain Monitor, vertical split, or horizontal split

Method 3: View Controls​

Some versions have dedicated view buttons:

  • Icon to toggle split view
  • Dropdown to choose layout
  • Located near navigation controls

Split View Layouts​

Horizontal Split (Side-by-Side)​

Horizontal Split Icon

Circuit Builder | Brain Monitor

  • Left panel: Circuit Builder
  • Right panel: Brain Monitor
  • Good for wide screens
  • Most common layout

Vertical Split (Top-Bottom)​

Vertical Split Icon

Circuit Builder (Top)
-------------------
Brain Monitor (Bottom)
  • Top panel: Circuit Builder
  • Bottom panel: Brain Monitor
  • Good for tall screens or stacked monitors

Adjusting Split Ratio​

Resizing Panels:

  1. Find divider between panels (vertical or horizontal line)
  2. Click and drag divider
  3. Adjust panel sizes to preference
  4. Typical: 50/50 or 40/60 split

Presets:

  • Some versions offer preset ratios
  • Quick adjustment to common layouts
  • Accessible via split view controls

Working in Split View​

Independent Navigation​

Each panel navigates independently:

Left Panel (Circuit Builder):

  • Pan, zoom, navigate 2D graph
  • Open different region tabs
  • Select and edit objects

Right Panel (Brain Monitor):

  • Rotate, pan, zoom in 3D
  • Focus on objects
  • View neural activity

Both can show different views of the same or different content.

Synchronized Selection​

Selection syncs between panels automatically:

  1. Click cortical area in Circuit Builder
  2. It highlights in Brain Monitor
  3. Click different area in Brain Monitor
  4. It highlights in Circuit Builder

This helps you understand both representations simultaneously.

Common Workflows​

Editing Workflow:

  1. Create/edit connections in Circuit Builder (left)
  2. Verify spatial relationships in Brain Monitor (right)
  3. Make adjustments as needed
  4. See results immediately

Monitoring Workflow:

  1. Navigate to region in Circuit Builder (left)
  2. Watch neural activity in Brain Monitor (right)
  3. Identify active pathways
  4. Trace connections in 2D view

Comparison Workflow:

  1. Open Region A in Circuit Builder (left)
  2. Open Region B in Brain Monitor (right)
  3. Compare structures and organization
  4. Understand inter-region relationships

Multiple Tabs in Split View​

Tab Containers​

Each panel can have multiple tabs:

Primary Panel (Circuit Builder):

  • Open multiple regions as tabs
  • Switch between them
  • Each tab shows different region

Secondary Panel (Brain Monitor):

  • Open multiple 3D views as tabs
  • Each shows different region in 3D
  • Switch independently from primary panel

Managing Tabs​

Opening Tabs:

  • Right-click a circuit and choose Open 3D Tab
  • Hover Circuits and select an entry to focus it in the current view
  • Switch using the tab bar

Closing Tabs:

  • Click X on tab
  • Right-click tab → Close
  • At least one tab remains open

Switching Tabs:

  • Click tab to activate
  • Keyboard shortcuts (if available)
  • Each panel switches independently

Best Practices​

Layout Recommendations​

Widescreen (16:9 or wider):

  • Use horizontal split (side-by-side)
  • 50/50 or give more space to whichever you use more
  • Room for both views comfortably

Standard (4:3 or 16:10):

  • Try both orientations
  • Consider which view needs more space
  • Adjust ratio to emphasize primary view

Multi-Monitor:

  • Consider full screen in each monitor
  • Or use split view in main monitor
  • Drag tabs between windows

Workflow Strategies​

Structure First:

  1. Start with Circuit Builder focused
  2. Build your circuit structure
  3. Glance at Brain Monitor for spatial layout
  4. Adjust as needed

Activity Monitoring:

  1. Set up view in Split View
  2. Emphasize Brain Monitor (larger panel)
  3. Use Circuit Builder to identify areas
  4. Watch activity patterns in 3D

Complex Editing:

  1. 50/50 split
  2. Edit in Circuit Builder
  3. Constantly verify in Brain Monitor
  4. Iterate quickly

Organization Tips​

Same Region Both Sides:

  • Best for understanding single region
  • See all perspectives of one area
  • Edit and monitor simultaneously

Different Regions:

  • Compare functionality
  • See how regions relate
  • Work on one, reference other

Parent-Child Regions:

  • Parent region in one panel
  • Child region in other panel
  • Understand containment relationships

Performance in Split View​

Resource Usage​

Split View uses more resources:

  • Two views rendering simultaneously
  • Both update in real-time
  • May impact performance on large genomes

Optimization:

  • Close unnecessary tabs
  • Reduce activity rendering quality if needed
  • Use split view on one region at a time

Large Genomes​

For genomes with many areas:

  • Use region-specific 3D tabs instead of whole genome
  • Focus on relevant sub-circuits
  • Close split view when not actively using both
  • Adjust rendering settings for performance

Deactivating Split View​

Return to Single View​

Method 1:

  • Hover Split view on the root scene top bar and choose Circuit Builder or Brain Monitor
  • Returns to Circuit Builder only
  • Or Brain Monitor only (depending on last active)

Method 2:

  • Close all tabs in one panel
  • Automatically returns to single view

Method 3:

  • Use view controls to select single view mode

Choosing Primary View​

When exiting split view:

  • Usually returns to Circuit Builder
  • Or last active panel becomes primary
  • Can be configured in some versions

Advanced Split View​

Triple Pane (if available)​

Some versions may support three panes:

  • Circuit Builder
  • Brain Monitor 1
  • Brain Monitor 2

Allows even more comparison options.

Floating Windows​

Drag tabs out to separate windows:

  1. Click and drag tab
  2. Drag outside main window
  3. Becomes independent window
  4. Position on different monitors

Provides ultimate flexibility.

Custom Layouts​

Save and load split view configurations:

  • Remember panel sizes
  • Remember which tabs are open
  • Quick restore of work environment

(Feature availability varies by version)

Common Use Cases​

Creating a New Circuit​

  1. Activate Split View: Open 3D tab from Main Circuit
  2. Left Panel: Create cortical areas in Circuit Builder
  3. Right Panel: See where they appear spatially in Brain Monitor
  4. Create Connections: In Circuit Builder
  5. Verify: Check connection lines in both views
  6. Test: Watch activity in Brain Monitor
  7. Adjust: Edit based on observations

Debugging Connections​

  1. Activate Split View
  2. Circuit Builder: Identify connection to check
  3. Brain Monitor: Verify spatial relationship makes sense
  4. Circuit Builder: Edit if needed
  5. Brain Monitor: Confirm changes
  6. Test: Monitor activity flow in both views

Exploring Genome​

  1. Start with Overview: Main Circuit in both panels
  2. Focus on Region: Click region in Circuit Builder
  3. Observe in 3D: See spatial layout in Brain Monitor
  4. Dive Deeper: Double-click to open region
  5. Navigate: Use split view at each level
  6. Understand: Build complete mental model

Validating Connectivity Rule Changes​

  1. Open mapping in Circuit Builder
  2. Make connectivity rule changes
  3. Observe in Brain Monitor how connections update
  4. Iterate without switching tabs
  5. Confirm expected behavior

Troubleshooting​

"Split view won't activate"

  • Ensure you're right-clicking a circuit (not cortical area)
  • Try manual split view toggle
  • Check that genome is loaded
  • Restart application if needed

"Views don't sync"

  • Should sync automatically
  • Try clicking object in each view
  • Check selection system is working
  • Report bug if persistent

"Performance is poor"

  • Close unnecessary tabs
  • Disable global neural connections in one view
  • Use region-specific 3D tabs (not whole genome)
  • Consider single view for complex operations

"Can't resize panels"

  • Look for divider line between panels
  • Must click precisely on divider
  • Some versions may have fixed ratios

"Lost split view layout"

  • Reactivate using Open 3D Tab
  • Or use split view toggle
  • Layout may not persist between sessions

Tips for Mastery​

  1. Use Keyboard Shortcuts: Faster panel navigation
  2. Keep Split View Open: Don't toggle on/off constantly
  3. Adjust Ratios: Give more space to active view
  4. Sync Advantage: Let selection sync guide understanding
  5. Tab Management: Keep relevant tabs open, close others
  6. Practice: Split view becomes natural with use
  7. Monitor First: Start monitoring in split view from beginning

Back to Overview