The Visualization module allows you to view current conditions in a watershed and the associated hydrometeorological data in a georeferenced context. From the HEC-RTS main window, click the Visualization tab (Visualization Module). The map window and components of the Visualization module are illustrated in Visualization Module. A detailed discussion of common screen components is presented in HEC-RTS Interface.

Menu Bar

Following is an overview of the menu bar for the Visualization Module. The File, View, Maps, Scripts, Tools, Windows, and Help menus are discussed in HEC-RTS Interface. 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 Visualization

This menu provides access to the gridded data, which represents the precipitation for the watershed. The only available command is GriddedData, which includes a sub-menu that allows you to add/edit/delete grid sets (a sequence or time series of grids); cumulate the gridded precipitation for the established time window; provide a list of grid sets, with the active grid set having a check mark; and, do not display grid sets. Available commands are: New Grid Set, Edit Grid Set, Delete Grid Sets, Cumulative Display, Animation Delay, and None. Also, if any grid sets have been created, those available grids sets will be displayed above the None command.

Commands

The Visualization tab (Visualization Module) contains commands specific for the Visualization module. These commands include updating time series icons (Refresh) in the map window and grid animation controls for visualizing gridded precipitation for the watershed.

Map Window

The map window (Visualization Module) in the Visualization module contains map layers and layers of time series icons that allow you to visualize the current conditions of a watershed 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 are used to reflect the current conditions of a watershed, and, are usually used/configured for those time series locations that you watch daily or are of critical importance within your watershed. On the other hand, you might wish time series icons to display as space-conserving graphical images or dots if you are monitoring data acquisition for an entire office. Customizing the time series icon layers is done in the setup module, which is described in Time Series Icons Layers.

In most cases, for the Visualization module, you should configure time series icons to display as threshold color bars. Threshold color bars display data in 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.

Scripts Box

In HEC-RTS, scripts provide a way to automate HEC-RTS for the purpose of executing a prescribed set of actions with a simple trigger. Scripting simplifies user operation, ensures repeatability and consistency of results, reduces time required to generate results, and permits schedules of an operation in the future. Once scripts have been defined (Scripting), the user can run the scripts from the Scripts Box (Figure 1). The user defines which scripts will be run from the Scripts Box; Scripting provides further details on the management of scripts in HEC-RTS.

Figure 1 Scripts Box

Time Series Icon Controls

The Time Series Icon Controls (Figure 2) allows you to select attributes for the time series icon layers that are displayed. The time series icon controls are located on the Visualization tab near the bottom of its pane (Visualization Module). There are three attributes available: Icons Type, Values, and Layers (Figure 2).

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 originally defined during setup (Time Series Icons).
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 time series icon 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 time series icons displayed, refer to Time Series Icons Layers.