Tool Tutorial Application

As part of the visualization environment, the Visual Geophysical Exploration Environment will include "tools". These tools are software applications designed to interface with atmospheric data (either model-derived or observed) in the visualization environment. Tools are accompanied by tutorials that illustrate basic geophysical principles.

Overview of Tool Tutorials (Screen shot of tools)

Notes from Ken's visit to Champaign

Original Tool Page w/ Applets

This is what you've all been waiting for!

Installation Instructions

(Besides the actual completion of all the tools, that is.) Most of you know the tool/tutorial development has shifted from applet to application based. (The old applets are still available. This is primarily to support the ability for the student to save graphs as images on their computers (Example graph below from the Adiabatic Tool I).


Temperature vs. Pressure graph from Adiabatic Tool I

 

Anyway, the four current concept models -- Temperature, Condensation, Adiabatic-I and Adiabatic-II (dry) -- have been combined into one program. This program has the ability to show each of you that the communication between Tim's stuff and my stuff is very possible and quite simple.

By running this program, you will be able to launch any one of the four java concept models/probes from the same window. This window (below left) would be analagous to the buttons found in Tim's window (below right).


Simple Interface by Dan
Prototype Interface by Tim

 

 
To install:

Install? Yes, the downside is that no longer will these resources be avilable after one click. You will need to download the file VGEEtools.zip to a computer that has Java 2 installed. (To install Java2, please note step 2 in the Visualization Environment installation instructions provided by Tim at http://www.scd.ucar.edu/vg/scheitln/ccli/VE/install/readme.htm

Create a directory you wish to place the downloaded file in. Download VGEEtools.zip into this directory.

Note: the option to download the Jar File has been terminated.

After the download completes, use an archiving utility such as winzip to unpack the VGEEtools.zip file in this location (Winzip is available from http://www.winzip.com). To run the interface type:

java VGEEtools

 

Operation:

To work the interface:

  1. Select whether you wish to view a probe (intended to receive data from the dataset) or a concept model (intended for standalone use) by clicking the appropriate radio button.
  2. Select the program you wish to run by clicking the appropriate button.


Simple Tool Interface

If you chose the tutorial mode, the program will operate very similarly to the applet, where you can use the sliders to change variables. However, in tool mode, the sliders have been disabled to mimic the dependence on the dataset for changes. To change these values (considering there is no dataset), Type in a value in the appropriate text field.


Temperature Probe

Temperature Concept Model with Interface

 

To Close an Individual Program:

Click on the close button or the button of the same name (like a toggle).

 

To Close the Interface Completely:

Click the Close button (twice if a concept model/probe is open, once otherwise).


Created: 4/3/01
Last Updated: 4/3/01
Maintained by: Dan Bramer
Filename: http://ve.atmos.uiuc.edu/tools/javaapp.html