The Visualization Module allows you to view current conditions in a watershed and the associated hydrometeorological data in a georeferenced context. From the Watershed Pane, click the Visualization tab. The Visualization Map Window and the different components for the Visualization Module are illustrated in Visualization Module. A detailed discussion of common screen components is presented in CWMS CAVI Main Window.

Menu Bar

Following is an overview of the Menu Bar (Visualization Module) for the Visualization Module. The File, View, Maps, Tools, Window, and Help menus are discussed in CWMS CAVI Main Window. The commands available from the menus will allow you to view current conditions in a watershed and the associated hydrometeorological data in a geo-referenced context.

Data VisualizationThis menu provides access to the gridded data, which represents the precipitation for the watershed. The only available command is GriddedData, which is a sub-menu that allows you to add or delete gridsets (a sequence or time series of grids) from your list of gridsets, updates the data grid to display current data for the time window you have selected, and provides a list of gridsets, with the active gridset having a check mark. Available commands are: New Gridset, Edit Gridset, Delete Gridsets, Cumulative Display, Animation Delay, and None.  Also, if any Gridsets are created they will be listed in the GriddedData sub-menu.

Visualization Tab

The Visualization tab (Visualization Module) contains buttons that execute commands specific for the Visualization Module. These commands include setting up a time window, updating time series icons in the Map Window, and grid animation controls for visualizing gridded precipitation for the watershed.

Map Window

When the Visualization tab is selected (Visualization Module), the Visualization Map Window is displayed. The Visualization Map Window contains map layers and time series icons that allow you to view visualization processes in a geo-referenced context. The primary function of the Visualization Module is to provide you with a meaningful visual representation of your observed data. Threshold color bars or thumbnail plots, which update dynamically to reflect current conditions, are usually used/configured for those time series locations that you watch daily or are of critical importance within your watershed. For other locations, you might wish time series icons to display as space-conserving graphical images or dots. Time series icons are setup in the Setup tab in the Watershed Pane, which is described in Model Alternatives and Forecast Runs.

In most cases, for the Visualization Module, you should configure time series icons to display as threshold color bars. Threshold color bars display current data into multi-colored strips, such as green, amber, and red (colors can be specified by the user), that allow you to quickly home-in on those locations that are exceeding critical threshold limits.

Time Series Icon Controls

The Time Series Icon Controls allow you to select attributes for the Time Series Icon Layer that are displayed within the watershed. The Time Series Icon Controls are located on the Visualization, Acquisition, and Modeling tabs. There are three attributes available: Icons Type, Value, and Layer (Figure 1).

Figure 1 Time Series Icon Controls

Icons TypeThe Icon Type forces all icons within the Map Window to display as the selected Icon Type in the list. Selecting the Default option in the list will display the icons as they were set in the Time Series Icon Properties Dialog.
ValuesThe Value selection allows you to display the Time Series Icon’s data as labels, which display next to or on the location of their associated Time Series Icons. For example, you can choose to display the data’s total, minimum, and maximums values as labels. Multiple values can be selected at once.
Layers

Layer allows you to select the Sub-Layers that are visible in the Map Window. Multiple layers can be selected at once.

By selecting the attributes, you can change how all Time Series Icons are displayed within the Visualization process at once. For more detailed information on how to configure the properties that control the threshold color bar icons displayed see Model Alternatives and Forecast Runs.