GUI Interface Overview (PySide6/Qt)

The SNID SAGE graphical interface is built with PySide6/Qt and pyqtgraph, providing an intuitive, high-performance environment for supernova spectrum analysis. This guide covers all interface components and workflows.

Main Window Layout

The interface is organized into distinct regions for efficient workflow:

Interface Regions

  1. Header Panel - Logo, status indicators, and theme controls
  2. Control Panel - Analysis parameters and workflow buttons
  3. Spectrum Display - Interactive plotting area with modern styling
  4. Status Bar - Progress indicators and system information

Workflow Buttons

Order of operations: 1) Load Spectrum → 2) Preprocessing → 3) SNID Analysis → 4) Optional tools (redshift mode, overlays, summaries) → 5) AI Assistant (optional)

Always available: - Load Spectrum, Reset, Settings

After loading: Preprocessing

After preprocessing: SNID Analysis and Redshift (manual or range search)

After analysis: Results dialogs, overlays, clustering, AI Assistant

Control Panel (key items)

Most options are set here. For a compact list of parameters and defaults, see the Parameters Reference.

  • Input: file path, redshift (manual or auto), wavelength range
  • Preprocessing: smoothing (window/order), telluric A-band, skyline clipping, custom masks
  • Templates: type filters, age range, minimum correlation, wavelength overlap

Spectrum Display

  • Pan: drag; Zoom: wheel or box; Reset: double-click
  • Toggle view: flux vs flattened; show/hide grid and legend
  • Overlays: template matches, masks, line IDs, optional errors

Results

  • Status area: type, best template, confidence, redshift, age
  • Dialogs: cluster summary, subtype proportions, redshift–age
  • Export: save figures and data from dialogs

AI Assistant

  • Quick Summary, Detailed Analysis, Scientific Context, Publication text
  • Configure API key and model in Settings → AI

Keyboard Shortcuts

  • Ctrl+O load; Ctrl+S save; Ctrl+Q quit
  • Ctrl+Enter quick preprocess + analysis; F5 run analysis; F6 preprocessing
  • Esc cancel; Space toggle view; Tab/Enter navigate

Theme

Light and dark themes; toggle in header.

Notes

GUI: PySide6 (Qt). Plotting: pyqtgraph.

Tips

  • Follow the button order; check S/N and wavelength range first
  • Use type filters for speed; close unused dialogs
  • Review multiple top matches before finalizing

Troubleshooting

  • Buttons disabled: ensure prior step done (load → preprocess → analyze)
  • Plot not updating: toggle view or refresh; check status messages
  • Slow: reduce template set; close apps; check memory
  • AI not working: set API key; ensure analysis completed

See Troubleshooting.

Next Steps