The Graphics Toolbox is a collection of graphic tools for viewing DLSM three dimensional atmospheric variables, platform spatial coverage, DWL shot coverage, simulated DWL line-of-sight winds and corresponding errors. 

Upon invoking the Graphics Toolbox, the user is directed to open one of the three types of data bases to view: Atmospheric Data, Platform and DWL shot coverage and DWL Line of Sight Wind. In the DLSM version 4.2, the simulated Horizontal Wind data graphics are not supported. The user can save their graphics as a bmp or jpg using the Save Plot As... option. The file is saved in the user's unique output directory. Remote users also have the option to email their plot to their local computer using the e-Mail Plot option.

Atmospheric Data Diagrams

Upon choosing to graph atmospheric variables, the user is prompted to select a data file. Atmospheric data file naming convention is as follows: 

Atm. Type (g, m), Year (4 digits), Month (2 digits), Day (2 digits), Hour (2 digits) . Variable Type (extension)

where

    Atm. Type: g - global atmospheric data set (GADS), m - mesoscale atmospheric data set (MADS)

    Variable Type: atm - model atmospheric variables, op - model dependent optical properties

The DLSM 4.2 atmospheric graphic data base inventory contains T213 ECMWF nature run (GADS) atmospheric variables for 1993 02 06 00Z - 1993 02 07 00Z and DLSM 4.0 DAO nature run (GADS) atmospheric variables 1999 09 12 00Z - 1999   09 14 00Z. Graphic databases for the DAO nature runs have not been created for the DLSM 4.2. 

Once an atmospheric data set has been loaded, there are two graphic options available to view DLSM atmospheric input variables: global horizontal planes for a constant altitude or vertical slicing as a function of latitude or longitude. 

Platform and DWL Shot Coverage Diagrams

Upon choosing to graph shot coverage variables, the user is prompted to select a data file. Shot coverage data files are named with a .scv extension.

Once a simulated DWL shot coverage data set is loaded, there are three coverage graphic options available: Platform, DWL Shot Coverage or a combined graphic for platform and shot coverage. If the user graphs a horizontal Atmosphere plot before the DWL shot coverage data, the DWL shot coverage data will be plotted over top of the Atmosphere plot.

DWL Line of Sight Wind Diagrams

Before the DWL line of sight data can be plotted, the user must run the LOS Database  Conversion Tool from the Tool menu to convert the LSM's ascii line of sight output file into database format.  LSM ascii line of sight output files  are named with a .los extension where line of sight database files are named with a .lod extension. In the next version of the DLSM, this operation will be done automatically. 

Upon choosing to graph DWL LOS variables, the user is prompted to select a data file. 

Currently the DLSM 4.2 provides a graphic option for global horizontal planes of the LOS winds and errors for a constant altitude. We intend to add a vertical slicing option of LOS winds and errors as a function of satellite orbit in the near future. 

SWA has added a new Tools menu option that allows the user to choose symbol brush size in order to customize the resolution of the graphics.

 

© Copyright 1995-2005, Simpson Weather Associates, Inc.

Last Updated: 02/07/2007