Dashboard

The StickViz dashboard is a web-based settings panel that opens in your default browser. It is your control center for managing devices, configuring how they appear in the overlay, selecting themes, and activating your Pro license.

Opening the Dashboard

Right-click the StickViz tray icon in your Windows taskbar (bottom-right, near the clock) and select Open Dashboard. Your default browser will open automatically to the dashboard page.

If you do not see the tray icon, it may be hidden in the overflow area. Click the small ^ arrow on the right side of your taskbar to find it.

Top Bar

The top bar runs across the top of the dashboard and provides quick-access controls. Here is what each element does, from left to right:

OBS Overlay URL

Displays the URL you need to paste into OBS as a Browser Source. Click the Copy button to copy it to your clipboard. The URL looks like http://localhost:8847/overlay/?obs=1. You only need this once when setting up OBS — after that, OBS remembers the URL.

Stream Resolution Dropdown

This dropdown sets the canvas size of the overlay to match your stream resolution. It is critical that this matches your OBS canvas resolution, otherwise the overlay panels may appear in the wrong position or at the wrong scale.

Available options: 1920x1080 (1080p), 2560x1440 (1440p), 1280x720 (720p), 3840x2160(4K). Select the one that matches your OBS canvas resolution (found in OBS under Settings > Video > Base Canvas Resolution).

License Badge

Shows your current license status. It will say FREE VERSION (flashing) if you have not activated Pro, or PRO (solid green) if you have. Click the Activate Pro tab in the sidebar to upgrade.

Connection Status

A small dot on the right side of the top bar. Green means the dashboard is connected to the StickViz backend and receiving live data. If it turns red or says Disconnected, the StickViz app may have been closed. Restart StickViz from the Start Menu and refresh the dashboard page.

Sidebar Tabs

The left sidebar has buttons for each section of the dashboard. Click a button to switch to that section. The active tab is highlighted.

Devices Tab

This is the first tab you see when you open the dashboard. It shows a list of every USB HOTAS device currently connected to your computer.

Each device card shows:

  • Device name— the name reported by the USB device (e.g., "WinWing Orion Throttle Base + F-16EX").
  • VID/PID — the USB Vendor ID and Product ID, shown in hexadecimal. This is how StickViz identifies your device regardless of which USB port you plug it into.
  • Configure button — click this to open the Configure panel for that specific device. This is how you customize axis labels, inversions, deadzones, and more.

If no devices appear, make sure your HOTAS is plugged in via USB and that Windows recognizes it (check Device Manager > Human Interface Devices). StickViz scans for new devices every 2 seconds.

Configure Tab

This tab is where you customize how a specific device appears in the overlay. You get here by clicking Configure on a device in the Devices tab. See the Configure Devices page for a complete walkthrough of every option.

Profiles Tab

Displays a list of all saved device configurations (profiles). A profile is created automatically when you make changes in the Configure tab and save them.

Each profile entry shows:

  • Device name — the name of the device the profile belongs to.
  • Delete button — removes the saved profile. The device will revert to default auto-detected settings the next time it is plugged in.

Profiles are tied to a device by its USB VID/PID, so they automatically load whenever that device is connected — even if you plug it into a different USB port.

Themes Tab

Browse and activate the five built-in visual themes. Each theme is shown as a card with a color swatch and description. Click any card to apply that theme. The overlay updates within a few seconds — no restart needed.

  • Glass Cockpit (Free) — frosted panels, blue accents, modern sans-serif. This is the default and only free theme.
  • Stealth (Pro) — dark matte black, red accents.
  • HUD Green (Pro) — classic green-on-black HUD.
  • Minimal White (Pro) — clean, light, understated.
  • Neon (Pro) — cyberpunk hot pink and cyan.

Pro themes show a gold PRO badge and are dimmed/locked on the free tier. They become clickable after you activate a Pro license.

Activate Pro Tab

This tab lets you activate your StickViz Pro license. If you have already purchased Pro from stickviz.com/buy:

  1. Click the Activate Pro tab in the sidebar.
  2. Type the email address you used during checkout into the email field.
  3. Click the Activate button.
  4. If the email matches a valid purchase, the badge in the top bar changes from FREE VERSION to PRO, and all Pro features unlock immediately.

If you see an error, double-check that you are using the exact email from checkout, and that you have an internet connection. Activation only requires internet once — after that, your license is cached locally and works offline.

You can deactivate your license at any time by clicking Deactivate License on this tab.

Overlay Preview and Drag-and-Drop Positioning

In addition to the dashboard, StickViz provides a visual overlay preview you can open from the system tray. This preview lets you see exactly what your stream viewers will see, and reposition panels by dragging them.

  1. Right-click the StickViz tray icon and select Open Overlay Preview.
  2. A browser tab opens showing the overlay with a dark background (not transparent). This is for positioning only — in OBS, the background is transparent.
  3. Drag any device panel by clicking and holding on it, then moving your mouse. Drop it wherever you want it positioned on screen.
  4. Panel positions are saved automatically and persist between sessions. The next time you start StickViz, panels will be in the same positions.
  5. The overlay preview respects the Stream resolution setting from the dashboard. Make sure it matches your OBS canvas resolution so panel positions align correctly.

You can also open the overlay preview while OBS is running to reposition panels live. Changes appear in OBS within a few seconds.