⚠️ Alpha Version / PoC: This tool was created to simplify ROS 2 usage on Windows. Code quality is subject to improvement. Feedback is welcome!

Visual Scripting IDE for ROS 2 (Robot Operating System)

ROS 2 Blueprint Studio is a standalone desktop application that allows you to create, configure, and run ROS 2 nodes using a visual node-based editor similar to Unreal Engine Blueprints.

It runs entirely on Windows (and Linux) without requiring a local ROS 2 installation, thanks to Docker integration.

🔌 Visual Scripting & Custom Node Palette: Design ROS 2 systems intuitively by connecting nodes. Save your own C++ or Python node templates into a customizable Node Library and drag-and-drop them onto the canvas for instant reuse.

📦 Hierarchical Subgraphs (Macros): Group related logic into composite nodes and "dive deep" into subsystems. Enter/exit subgraphs, dissolve groups (Del) or delete them with contents (Ctrl+Del) — with full save/load persistence.

🐳 Deploy Groups → docker-compose: Each subgraph can become its own deployment unit. The studio generates per-group launch files and a ready-to-use docker-compose.yml, so one visual graph maps onto multiple isolated containers.

🐍 & ⚙️ C++ / Python — both alive end-to-end: Full workflow for both languages: graph → generated code → build (colcon for C++) → live nodes in Docker. Standard CMakeLists.txt / package.xml are generated automatically with Smart Dependency Scan.

📝 Real Code Editing with Live Sync: Double-click a node to open its actual source file in your system editor. External edits are watched and synced back into the graph — and manual changes survive regeneration.

🦊 Foxglove Visualization — no X server required: One click installs and starts foxglove_bridge inside the container and opens Foxglove for live 3D visualization (markers, topics, cameras). No more XLaunch pain on Windows. Classic X11/RViz mode is still available as an option.

💾 Robust Project System & UI Persistence: Blueprints and node properties are saved as structured YAML. Node coordinates, dynamic ports, colors, and workspace layout are preserved between sessions.

📤 Portable Docker Export: Export your whole system as a self-contained Docker package (Dockerfile + sources + launch) that builds and runs anywhere — with automatic cleanup of stale files.

🚀 Standalone Cross-Platform GUI: Dark-themed Material Design interface built with Qt, dockable panels, and real-time terminal monitoring. Runs on Windows and Linux.

To run this application, you must have Docker installed and running.

• Windows: Install Docker Desktop.
• Linux: Install Docker Engine

1. Go to the Releases page of this repository.
2. Download the latest executable (ROS2Studio.exe for Windows).
3. Run the file.

   Note: The first launch might take a few minutes as it pulls the ROS 2 Docker image (~2GB).

If you want to modify the code or contribute:

1. Clone this repository:

   git clone https://github.com/NeiroEvgen/ros2-blueprint-studio.git
   cd ros2-blueprint-studio

2. Install dependencies:

   pip install -r requirements.txt

3. Run the application:

   python main.py

1. Launch the App: Ensure Docker is running in the background.
2. Add Nodes: On the left "Library" panel, double-click on Publisher and Subscriber.
3. Connect: Drag a wire from the out port of the Publisher to the in port of the Subscriber.
4. Run: Click the Run button (Play icon) in the toolbar.
5. Observe: Watch the "ROS 2 Output" panel at the bottom. You should see messages flowing between nodes.
6. Custom Logic: Add a Custom Code node, double-click it, and write your own data processing logic!

If you want to build the executable yourself from the source:

Run this command in PowerShell or CMD:

pyinstaller --noconsole --onefile --clean --name="ROS2Studio" --add-data "assets;assets" --collect-all qt_material --hidden-import PySide6.QtSvg --hidden-import PySide6.QtXml --hidden-import NodeGraphQt main.py

pyinstaller --noconsole --onefile --clean --name="ROS2Studio" --add-data "assets:assets" --collect-all qt_material --hidden-import PySide6.QtSvg --hidden-import PySide6.QtXml --hidden-import NodeGraphQt main.py