BlueskyRains Animation Tools Used for AirPact Data
Features/Issues independent of animation tool used…
General:
ArcIMS is an easily automated image generator for combinations of any GIS and netcdf model result data layers.
PAVE is an easily automated image generator for netcdf model result data layers and user constructed background images. PAVE can also “smooth” and contour netcdf data layers.
Issues:
Should netcdf model data be displayed as cells or smoothed contours?
(12km cells do look blocky at current view/zoom levels, 4km
cells look much better as seen in NWRMC Vent Index shown on
How long of a time loop should we create?
What other supporting data layers both background and data would users like in addition to PM and wood smoke PM?
(Wind direction and speed, Vent Index, Mixing Height, Air monitoring locations, etc…)
Following are Flow Chart examples for the process of storing AirPact
data to Bluesky Rains and the Animation creation process…
AirPact BlueskyRains Animation Tools
ANiS Animation Tool
ANiS (AnimationS applet) is a freeware java applet developed at the Space Science and Engineering Center, part of the University of Wisconsin-Madison's Graduate School for the VISITview program: http://www.ssec.wisc.edu/visitview/
It is currently in use by a large user community including the National Weather Service.
Pro/Features
- Multi user controllable GIS/data layers
- Zoom/Roaming around image (although usually limited to one level)
- Ability to turn off/on individual frames within loop or go to a frame
- Display a single frame/image in a separate browser window so the user can save or print it
- User controlled animation/loop speed
- Unlimited and easy to configure background reference information
- Can easily use ArcIMS or PAVE for source images (could show both cell and smoothed PM data)
Con
- Java memory issues with longer time loops.
- Requires client modifications to java runtime settings
- Learning curve for new users
UPDATE: 9/8/2008 – Flash version (not java) of the ANiS tool is now available as mentioned later on. This has addressed the issues noticed in this java version of the tool.
Examples of Layering Features Follow…
Example of ANiS animation with PM and PM/WSPM values shown:
Example of ANiS animation with PM and Wind Direction/Speed shown:
Example of ANiS animation with NWRMC 4km Vent Index and Wind Dir/Speed shown:
ANiS Flash Animations (Upgraded Anis tool – NOW in beta testing)
ANiS has been re-written to use Flash script for the animation tool which would alleviate the java memory and client modifications needed for the original java applet version. Flash animation is a very familiar and highly used animation application interface used throughout the internet.
Google Earth
Google Earth is a free internet mapping interface than can be configured to also import and overlay user defined images and/or a time series of images. A client/user can also have different levels of paid subscriptions to google earth to get enhanced server speed of background images and/or development and import tools. We have configured an example time series set of images to overlay within google earth via the downloading of a “kml/kmz” file.
Pro/Features (related to current animations)
- Large experienced source and client base
- No client browser modifications… Stand alone program after installed
- A great variety of background data and other interesting layers.
- A continuing growth of useful tools and support images/data
Con
- Do have to install Google Earth on client
- No user controllable layering of AirPact data unless constructed on server side.
- User needs to set opacity for imported kml/kmz files.
- Google Earth must load images first time thru time loop
- Time loop scale not as clean as other animation tools.
PAVE Animations
PAVE (Package for
Analysis and Visualization of Environmental data) is a freeware
java applet developed at the Center
for Environmental Modeling for Policy Development at the
Pro/Features (related to current animations)
- Inherit smoothing for netcdf data
- Large experienced source and client base
- Familiarity in the Airpact user community
- Little if any client browser modifications needed
Con
- No user controllable layering of data
- Raw image must be “cut” out from borders/labels for use in other tools.
Traditional Basic Animated Gif
There has been a long history during the development of the web to link a series of gif files into a single “animated” gif. However, these gifs have no user/client controls and cannot have individual frames copied or printed without additional application software on the client side.
Pro
No memory issues
Very simple… Works in all browsers
Con
No user controlled layering
No step/time/speed controls
Ray Peterson
Pasayten Consulting
Updated 9/8/2008