Plots are highly customizable and offer an array of information that will assist you with reviewing your data in CWMS. For more detail on how to use and customize plots, see the HEC-DSSVue User's Manual.
The plot window provides tools that facilitate the viewing of CWMS data. The main plot window and the different components are illustrated in the example below. The Title Bar contains the name of the location that the data represents. The Menu Bar provides various ways to save or export the plot, customize the plot properties, change the variables shown in the plot, and change the legend options.
The Tools appear in a toolbar on the left side of the Plot window. The tools change the appearance of the mouse, as well as the functionality of the mouse.
Pointer/Select Tool: With the Pointer/Select Tool, you can access shortcut menus that allow you to customize features of your plots using the plot editing tools.
Zoom Tool: The Zoom Tool allows you to change the zoom level of the plot. To zoom in, hold the mouse button down and outline the area you want to enlarge. To zoom out, right-click. The zoom out is done by a factor of two and positions the clicked location at the center of the display area.
Customizing Plots
You can customize all the plots for an entire watershed. There are two options under the Edit menu - Default Line Styles and Default Plot Properties. These commands will allow you to customize all new plot windows that will be accessed for a watershed.
To customize individual plots, open Plot Properties from the Edit menu. The Plot Properties dialog allows you to configure multiple display properties of an individual plot. You can add a title to the plot; adjust the gridlines of the plot; edit the titles, tic marks, and scale of an axis; adjust the style, add points, and add quality symbols for curves; adjust the color, add labels, and position of marker lines; add a title, icon, and move the legend; change the color of the panel background; adjust the layout of the legend; and the size of the spacer.
Selecting Plot Variables
The Select Plot Variables dialog (accessible from the Plot menu) allows you to customize the layout of an individual plot. You can add and remove axes, arrange the order of viewports, add and remove viewports, and set the weight of viewports. The plot components are displayed in a tree structure.