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Visualization

Visualization with Matlab

The directory Utility/Vis_Matlab/ has matlab scripts that can visualize outputs along a horizontal slab (at a fixed z level or at a sigma level) or vertical transects. In particular, SCHISM_SLAB2.m and SCHISM_TRANSECT2.m for for the new scribed outputs, while SCHISM_SLAB.m and SCHISM_TRANSECT.m are for the old outputs (schout*.nc).

Visualization with Python

[more coming] You can also find several packages on the Forum site

Visualization with VisIT

The most comprehensive way to visualize SCHISM nc4 outputs is via VisIT.

Shortly after v5.9.0, we have successfully implemented a new mode of efficient I/O using dedicated 'scribes'. At runtime, the user needs to specify number of scribe cores (= # of 3D outputs variables (vectors counted as 2) plus 1), and the code, compiled without OLDIO, will output combined netcdf outputs for each 3D variable and also all 2D variables in out2d*.nc. Sample 3D outputs are: salinity_*.nc, horizontalVelX_*.nc etc - note that vectors variable names end with X,Y. You can find sample outputs here. Sample outputs using OLDIO (schout*.nc) can be found here.

You can download newer versions of VisIT plugins c/o Dr. Jon Shu, DWR by following these steps:

On Windows 7 or 10

  1. First download VisIT from LLNL site and install. Use default dir (and record it), e.g. C:\Users\username\AppData\Local\Programs\LLNL\VisIt*
  2. Make sure MS visualc++ 2012 x64 is installed. If not, google it and install and restart (this is required for using multi-core VisIT)

  3. Download pre-built plug-in, developed at California Dept of Water Resource

    You need to put dlls on OneDrive: Documents/VisIt/databases (create new folders if necessary).

  4. After these steps, you'd be able to read in SCHISM outputs in ViSIT; look for SCHISM, gr3 format from the dropdown list. To load in vectors, select only the X file.

On Linux Systems

Newer versions can be found at the master branch of github.

Note

Note that the new plugins also work with the old I/O (combined schout*.nc) or even the older binary outputs. To visualize any variables under new I/O with VisIT, you'll always need corresponding out2d*.nc; additionally for any 3D variables, VisIT also needs corresponding zCoordinates*.nc.