Aven for Windows 10 - Full description
Aven is a desktop tool for viewing, analyzing and presenting cave survey data. It is intended for cavers, survey teams and researchers who need to inspect underground passages as mapped structures rather than as a collection of measurements. Its cartography-focused workspace brings survey content and viewing controls together, supporting both straightforward map browsing and more detailed examination of cave systems.
The program can import cave data for visualization, including files that contain multiple surveys. When a project includes more information than is needed for a particular view, users can choose which survey items to display or include in statistics, and filter out individual stations. These controls help focus an analysis on a selected section or survey without losing access to the wider project. View settings can be adjusted to suit the data, while the on-screen tools provide access to common mapping and navigation tasks.
Aven also includes tools for examining terrain and georeferencing, which help relate cave survey information to its wider spatial context. Plane-view controls make it possible to change how a cave is inspected, and thematic map options can be used to vary the visual presentation of survey elements. Together, these features support a closer look at individual sectors as well as a broader overview of the mapped system. Export functions and presentation tools extend the workflow beyond on-screen viewing, making it possible to prepare map material for sharing or display.
The software can be used simply as a cave-map viewer, or as part of a more involved survey workflow that includes selecting data, examining spatial relationships and editing survey information. It is useful when reviewing a multi-survey project, preparing a focused view of selected stations, checking terrain context, or creating visual material from cave data. The available functions are centered on cave cartography, so Aven is aimed at people working with underground survey information rather than general-purpose drawing or geographic mapping.
Aven is open-source software by Olly Betts. It runs on 64-bit editions of Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 10 and Windows 11. Its specialized mapping tools make it suitable for users who need to inspect or present cave surveys, while the import, filtering and view controls help manage projects with multiple surveys and stations.