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.

Visualization Module

Menu Bar

Following is an overview of the Menu Bar 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 georeferenced context.

  • Data Visualization Menu
    • Gridded Data Menu
      • New Grid Set - create a new grid set
      • Edit Grid Set - edit a grid set (file location, parameters, display scale limits)
      • Delete Grid Set - delete a grid set
      • Cumulative Display - toggle cumulative display on/off when animating a grid set 
      • Animation Delays - edit animation delay settings
    • TIN Data (MetVue) Menu
      • Name of MetVue Forecast Alternative

If any grid sets are created, they will be listed at the bottom of the Gridded Data menu, allowing you to toggle them on/off for display within the map window.

Currently the HEC-MetVue menu is an incomplete feature, but it is intended for a future version to leverage the display of meteorological datasets based on the watershed's HEC-MetVue project setup.

Visualization Tab

The Visualization tab 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 animation controls for visualizing gridded data for the watershed.

Map Window

When the Visualization tab is selected, 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 monitor on a regular basis 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 configured in the Setup tab in the Watershed Pane. For more information refer to Time Series Icons.

In most cases, you should configure time series icons to display in the Visualization Map Window 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). Threshold color bars allow you to quickly identify 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 map window. The Time Series Icon Controls are located on the Visualization tab near the bottom of the pane. 

Time Series Icon Controls

There are three attributes available: 

  • Icons 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 originally in the Setup module.
  • Values - 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 - 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 time series icons are displayed within the Visualization module. For more detailed information on how to configure the properties that control the threshold color bar icons displayed, see Time Series Icons.