McIDAS-X Learning Guide
Version 2020

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Graphics and the Cursor - Defining Graphics Parameters

1. Start a McIDAS session.

   At the Unix prompt:

   Type:  mcidas

   Your session should still be set for twenty frames from the last time you changed the Configuration GUI. If not, set it for twenty frames, as described in Getting Started.

2. List the colors assigned to the graphics levels in the default graphics table.

   Type:  GU TABLE

   GU TABLE LEVEL COLOR BLUE GREEN RED ----- ---------- ---- ----- --- 0 BLACK 0 0 0 (Graphic background) 1 MAGENTA 255 0 255 2 CYAN 255 255 0 3 YELLOW 0 255 255 4 GREEN 0 255 0 5 RED 0 0 255 6 BLUE 255 0 0 7 WHITE 255 255 255 8 GRAY 127 127 127 9 GOLD 0 187 255 10 PINK 127 127 255 11 AQUAMARINE 147 219 112 12 ORCHID 219 112 219 13 NAVY 115 0 0 14 SKY 255 163 0 15 BEIGE 127 171 255 16 PURPLE 127 0 127

3. Generate a map of the United States with latitude and longitude lines on frame 1; then, generate a map of the Midwest with latitude and longitude lines on frame 2. The next exercise discusses generating graphics in more detail.

   Type:  MAP USA 1 LALO 5 GRA=1;MAP MID 1 LALO 5 GRA=2

4. List the predefined colors on your workstation.

   Type:  GU COLORS

   GU COLORS Colors ------------ AQUAMARINE BLACK BLUE NAVY CORAL CYAN FIREBRICK BROWN GOLD GOLDENROD GREEN GRAY GREY KHAKI MAGENTA MAROON ORANGE ORCHID PINK PLUM RED SALMON SIENNA TAN THISTLE TURQUOISE VIOLET WHEAT WHITE YELLOW BEIGE LEMON PURPLE SKY AVOCADO

5. Assign the color avocado to graphics color level 1, thistle to graphics color level 2, and goldenrod to graphics color level 5.

   Type:  GU MAKE 1 AVOCADO;GU MAKE 2 THISTLE;GU MAKE 5 GOLDENROD

   Notice the graphics colors displayed in frame 1 changed when you assigned the new colors.


6. Show frame 2.

   Type:  SF 2

   Notice that the colors on frame 2 did not change. Each frame has its own graphics table; graphics color level changes affect only that frame. However, if you specify a range of frames or a different frame than the current frame, the changes affect the graphics tables for those frames.


7. Show frame 1 and list the colors in the graphics table.

   Type:  SF 1;GU TAB

   Notice that color levels 1, 2, and 5 have changed.


8. Create a new color by specifying the blue, green, and red intensities. Assign the new color to graphics color level 1.

   Type:  GU MAKE 1 35 107 200

9. List the graphics table to verify that graphics color level 1 has new intensities.

   Type:  GU TABLE

   Since you defined the color intensities, the name is blank in the table.


10. Save the graphics table to a file called NEW and list the graphics tables on your workstation to verify that it was saved.

    Type:  GU SAVE NEW;GU LIST

    Notice that the graphics tables have a default extention of .GRX.


11. Restore the graphics table named GRAPHIC, which contains the default graphics color levels.

    Type:  GU REST GRAPHIC

12. Restore the graphics table NEW to frames 1 and 2.

    Type:  GU REST NEW 1 2

13. Verify that both frames have the new graphics table restored.

    Press:  Alt A

    Press:  Alt B

14. Restore the default graphics table, and erase the graphics frames. Use the GD command to change the current line width to 3 pixels.

    Type:  GU REST GRAPHIC 1 2;ERASE G 1 4;GD 3

15. Display the second most recent GOES-16 0.5km Visible image on frame 1 centered on Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina, decrease the resolution by a factor of 8, and draw a map on the satellite image. Because of the above GD command, the line thickness level is now 3. The graphics lines will appear thicker, making the map easier to see. Note: choose different position number during the daylight if .-1 produces a black image.

    Type:  IMGDISP G16FD.-1 1 STATION=KRDU MAG=-8 BAND=2;MAP H

16. Change the line width back to the default, 1 pixel, and erase the graphics in frame 1.

    Type:  GD 1

    Type:  ERASE G 1

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