Plot Your Hypocentral Data in the IDV

Coloring Plot Symbols by Magnitude or other parameter values

To create plot symbols colored by parameter value, choosing the parameter value range and color table:

In the main menu, choose Tools-Layout Model Editor

choose File-New

Enter "Layout Model Name"  such as "eqs mags 1 to 3.5"

Click on Shape in left side of the Layout Model Editor

Click in center of drawing area (white square)

in Properties Dialog - Shape Symbol window appears

choose Shape: Sphere 
   (filled circle, square, triangle, etc., are flat 2D symbols unsuitable for 3D displays)

click on "Color By" tab

enter name of the variable in your data file to color by value in "Map Value of:"  
   such as m, val, magnitude, mb, or Ms

enter "Data Range:" in the two boxes, such as 1.0 3.5. 
   These are the limits of the color table; the scale is linear.

set "Color Table" choice such as VisAD.

You may use the Scale Size tab to scale the plot symbol size by magnitude.

click OK to finish the Properties Dialog - Shape Symbol window.

In white drawing area, move the symbol to the exact center, if not already there, 
   with a mouse button one drag, or (better) with a right button click on the symbol 
   followed by menu choice center->center.

do File-Save; this creates and saves a new 'layout model' (plot configuration) 
   called "eqs mags 1 to 3.5"

do File-Close to close the Layout model editor

After you connect to your epicenter data, the first plot probably uses the Location 
   symbol, a cross. In the Display Control window for this
   set of data, set "Layout Model:" to the name of your new layout model or symbol, 
   such as "eqs mags 1 to 3.5"

To change properties of an existing layout model, open the layout model editor, 
   choose the Layout Model from the list; do a right mouse click on the plot symbol 
   in the drawing area to see a menu, and choose Properties.

Coloring Plot Symbols by Depth (Altitude) and Sized by Magnitude

To create plot symbols colored by depth and sized by magnitude:

In the main menu, choose Tools-Layout Model Editor

File-New

Enter "Layout Model Name"  such as "crustal earthquakes"

Click on Shape in left side of the Layout Model Editor

Click in center of drawing area (white square)


The Properties Dialog - Shape Symbol window appears

Choose Shape: Sphere 
   (filled circle, square, triangle, etc., are flat 2D symbols unsuitable for 3D displays)

In Color By tab, Map Value Into Color Table tab: 
Click at right end of "Map Value of:" entry box
to see
Current Fields->Point Data; click on Altitude.
Set "Data Range:" such as -30.0  0.0 in the  two boxes, and "kilometers" in the "Unit:" box.
  (Depths below the surface are usually negative in IDV data).  
   Set "Color Table" choice such as VisAD.

In the "Scale Size" tab: 
Enter your variable name, such as magnitude, for Scale By Parameter, and for Data Range 
   enter for example 1.0 4.5.  For "Scale By Factor:" enter, for example, 1.0 and 4.0. 
   You will need to experiment to get the sizes right.

Click OK to finish the Properties Dialog - Shape Symbol window.


In the white drawing area, move the symbol to the exact center, if not already there, 
   with a mouse button one drag, or (better) with a right button click on the symbol,
   followed by menu choice center->center.

do File-Save; this creates and saves a new 'layout model' (plot configuration) 
   called "crustal earthquakes."

do File-Close to close the Layout model editor.


After you connect to your epicenter data, the first plot probably shows the Location symbol, 
   a cross. In the Display Control window for this set of data, set "Layout Model:" 
   to the name of your new layout model or symbol, such as "crust earthquakes."

To change properties of an existing layout model, open the layout model editor, 
   choose the Layout Model from the list; do a right mouse click on the plot symbol 
   in the drawing area to see a menu, and choose Properties.

The IS0 8601 time format