Visualization of input and output data

There are multiple ways that the data used and produced can be visualized. Here the use of Panoply to explore the data construct, Quickplot for 2D horizontal and 3D vertical visualization and QGIS for spatial relevant visualization are discussed.

Panoply

Panoply is a NetCDF viewer developed by NASA GISS. Panoply can be downloaded here.

Panoply is useful for exploring the content of NetCDF files. It allows the user to see which variables are present in the file, over which dimensions these variables contain values (e.g. x, y, z, time) and what metadata is supplied with each variable. Especially when you have gotten a NetCDF file that you are not familiar with on which data it contains it can be useful to open it first with Panoply.

Quickplot

Quickplot is a Deltares visualization tool used amongst others for Delft3D 4 and Delft3D-FM models. Intern Deltares the latest version of Quickplot can be gathered here:

(n:\Deltabox\Bulletin\jagers\Delft-QUICKPLOT MCRv82 (2013b)\64bit)

Quickplot is also co-delivered with the installation of one of the Delft3D suites.

Quickplot allows the visualization of UGRID NetCDF files, both in the horizontal, over time and in the vertical (for 3D models).

QGIS

QuantumGIS (QGIS) is open source free ware GIS software. The latest version of QGIS can be downloaded here

QGIS can handle 2D Mesh data directly. When it comes to 3D mesh data a Deltares plugin developed by Jan Mooiman (QGIS_Qmesh) can perform the visualisation. Also visualization through time is made easy with the QGIS_Qmesh plugin. Intern Deltares the latest version of this plugin can be gathered here: n:\Deltabox\Bulletin\mooiman\programs\ or externally compiled here.

When Mesh data is loaded directly in QGIS the spatial relevance can be easily displayed using the plugin QuickMapServices > OSM layer.