A. McIDAS-V is a free, open source, visualization and data analysis software package that is the next generation in the Space Science and Engineering Center's (SSEC) 35-year history of sophisticated McIDAS software packages. McIDAS-V displays weather satellite (including hyperspectral) and other geophysical data in 2- and 3-dimensions. McIDAS-V can also analyze and manipulate the data with its powerful mathematical functions. McIDAS-V is built on SSEC's VisAD and Unidata's IDV libraries, and contains "Bridge" software that enables McIDAS-X users to run their commands and tasks in the McIDAS-V environment, and an integrated version of SSEC's HYDRA software package.

A. Development of McIDAS-V is ongoing at SSEC and as it progresses new features will be added and any problems/bugs will be fixed. The development will be driven by the needs of the community of users. Suggestions, comments and collaboration are welcomed and encouraged. The goal is to provide new and innovative ways of displaying and analyzing data, as well as provide the common displays that many users have come to expect.