A window will open with 3 parts to consider.

Figure 1. Window xxx 1

	Data file name
	Grid initialization method
	Grid initialization parameters

1.1.3. Grid initialization parameters

This third part allows you to specify the name, the argument and the keywords of the routine you want to use to initialize the grid. By default the name of the procedure is initncdf, its argument will be automatically defined so you cannot change them. If you checked grid construction with other IDL batch or procedure, you have to select the name of the IDL procedure or batch file and its suitable arguments and keywords. Note that if you select an IDL batch file you cannot give any parameter or keyword.

Figure 2. Window xxx 1

Once these two lines have been completed, click on let's go.

For example, we choose the IDL batch file tst_initlev. Compare the result with automatic grid construction with initncdf.pro checked. Cf Figure 18, “temperature of the ocean at depth 125 meters without proper land/sea mask”

Figure 3. Oceania at 125 meters of depth with proper grid initialization

This is the same as the simple Section 1.1, “idl> xxx” except that once the xxx window open, you will have 2 separate windows (command and plotting window) instead of one.

In that case xxx window will open directly in the same state as it was when the file file.dat was created. see ???.

In this case, the xxx window directly open the data file file.nc and build the grid automatically with the IDL procedure initncdf. For example:

    idl> xxx, 'Levitus98_1m_01_12_Temperature_Pot_1x1.nc'
  

In this case, the xxx window directly open the data file file.nc, build the grid automatically with the IDL procedure initncdf and use the keywords keywd1 = …, keywd2 = … in the call of initncdf. For example:

    idl> xxx, 'Levitus98_1m_01_12_Temperature_Pot_1x1.nc', useasmask = 'votemper', missing_value = 31.0720
  

In this case, the xxx window directly open the data file file.nc and build the grid directly with the IDL procedure or batch file initgrid

    idl> xxx, 'Levitus98_1m_01_12_Temperature_Pot_ORCA2.nc', 'tst_initorca2'
  

In this case, the xxx window directly open the data file file.nc, build the grid directly with the IDL procedure initgrid and use the keywords keywd1 = …, keywd2 = … in the call of initgrid.

In this case, the xxx window directly open the data file file.nc, build the grid directly with the IDL procedure initgrid and use the string 'arg1, arg2, …' to specify the input arguments in the call of initgrid.

Allows specification of the type of plot desired.

Figure 5. Different plot types available

Click on this OK button is required to make a new plot appear

Specify the number of columns and rows for plots on the sheet of paper.

Figure 9. Number of Column

Figure 10. Example: For 2 columns and 2 rows

You can choose the variable to work on.

Figure 11. Example of different variables available

You can choose the file to work on.

Figure 12. Example of list of open files

To specify in the widget part number 7 the computation you want to do on the data

"a"^2

"a" - abs("b")

grad("a", 'x')

The calendar is made up of two drop-lists, which allow specification of two dates, the beginning and end of a time series, or the period over which to average before plotting.

Figure 13. Example: first plot in January, second plot is from January to December

A series of widgets that allow specification of the min/max limits of the domain in longitude/x-index, latitude/y-index, and depth in levels or meters.

Figure 14. Domain by default

Figure 15. Change Domain area: zoom on Oceania

Figure 16. This configuration give us:

Figure 17. Change depth area: between depth 125 and 126

Figure 18. temperature of the ocean at depth 125 meters without proper land/sea mask

As you can see, at this depth, we better define a land/sea mask when loading the grid. Cf Figure 3, “Oceania at 125 meters of depth with proper grid initialization”

Select a domain and select the horizontal plot (plt), vertical plot (pltz), or the hovmoeller plot (pltt):

The domain we'd like to select for the plot is determined by one of its diagonals, defined therefore by two points. The first point is defined when the mouse button is pushed, then the mouse is moved, and the second point is defined as the mouse button is released (click-drag). The domains are thus defined by a long click (LC). To determine which type of plot should be made of selection, use:

If the plot selector is on plt

In summary:

Select the number of columns and rows for the page.

Create a first plot. It will appear in the first frame.

To create a plot in another frame double-click in the frame with the middle button (DCM). A black dotted frame will surround the designated frame, the “target” frame. A black frame will surround the first plot. This is the “reference” frame, in other words the one that all the XXX widgets refer to. Change for example the date and create a new plot. With a left button double-click in the first frame, all the widgets change and refer again to the first plot. A double-click with the right button in the second frame will erase the plot.

In summary:

Here's a series of commands to show how this works.