Entropy Visualizer

A tool for visualizing file entropy through an interactive GUI. Analyze data distribution patterns in files by calculating Shannon entropy for each sector and displaying it as a color-coded heatmap.

Features

• Interactive Entropy Visualization: Visualize Shannon entropy as a color-coded grid (blue for low entropy, red for high entropy)
• File Caching: Generate and load cache files for fast visualization of large files
• Zoom and Pan: Mouse controls for detailed inspection
• Sector Selection: Click sectors to view hex data
• Search Functionality: Find sectors by entropy range
• Autoplay Mode: Automatically advance through file blocks
• Drag & Drop: Support for dropping files directly into the application
• Cross-Platform: Windows and Linux support

Prerequisites

• CMake (3.14 or later)
• C++17 compatible compiler (GCC, Clang, MSVC)
• OpenGL development libraries
• Git (for submodule initialization)

Dependencies

This project uses the following libraries (included as submodules):

• GLFW - Window and input handling
• ImGui - Immediate mode GUI
• GLAD - OpenGL function loading (not included as a submodule but in-place)
• ImGuiFileDialog - File selection dialogs

Building

Initialize Submodules

git submodule update --init --recursive

Linux/macOS

mkdir build
cd build
cmake .. -DCMAKE_BUILD_TYPE=Release
make

Windows (Visual Studio)

mkdir build
cd build
cmake .. -G "Visual Studio 16 2019"
msbuild EntropyVisualizer.sln /p:Configuration=Release

The executable will be created in the build directory.

Usage

Getting Started

1. Generate Cache: Open a file (File > Generate Cache or Ctrl+G) to create an entropy cache
2. Open Cache: Load an existing cache file (File > Open Cache or Ctrl+O) for quick visualization
3. Visualize: Use mouse controls to zoom, pan, and select sectors

Controls

Mouse Controls

• Wheel: Zoom in/out (when not over UI elements)
• Right Drag: Pan the view
• Left Click: Select sector and view hex data

Keyboard Shortcuts

• Ctrl+G: Generate cache from file
• Ctrl+O: Open cache file
• Ctrl+F: Search sectors by entropy range
• Arrow Keys: Move selected sector
• Escape: Close dialogs or exit

Navigation

• Block Slider: Jump to specific blocks
• Prev/Next Buttons: Navigate through blocks
• Autoplay: Automatically advance blocks
• Block Height/Width: Adjust grid dimensions

Entropy Scale

• Blue: Low entropy (0)
• Green: Medium entropy
• Yellow: Higher entropy
• Red: High entropy (~8)

File Formats

• Cache Files: Binary files containing pre-computed entropy data (.cache.bin extension)
• Supported Input: Any file format

Tips

• Cache files are stored in the system temp directory by default
• For hex view, ensure the original source file is accessible
• Rulers mark every 32 units for coordinate reference
• Selected sectors are highlighted in pink on rulers

Contributing

Contributions are welcome! Please feel free to submit issues and pull requests.

License

This project is open source. Please check individual dependency licenses for their respective terms.