Data Explorer

What is OpenDX
Open source visualization package
Based upon IBMs Data eXplorer
Object oriented language

Explore data through visual program

great flexibility in creating visualizations
Minimal programming requirements
User friendly interface

Outline

DX Field Object
Grids
Structure of OpenDX
Importing data
Visualization process
How to create plots :
i.
ii.
iii.

2-D plot
Maps plot
3-d plot

User interface
Marking and Unmarking
CISM_DX

DX Field Object
A Field is the fundamental
programming object in the
OpenDX API
3 main parts
Positions
Locations in space
Up to 3D array

Connections
Explains how the positions
relate to each other
Required for
interpolation

Data
Actual information can be
scalar, 3-vector or beyond
Vector operations only
understand Cartesian
coords

Grids
The connection between
points forms the grid
DX supports 3 grid types
irregular
irregular positions
irregular connections

deformed regular
irregular positions
regular connections

regular
regular positions
regular connections

Some DX modules require

regular connections
e.g. slab

Deformed
regular

Deformed
regular

Irregular
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The Modules

Input

options

A module accomplishes function

No need to type it
You channel the flow of data by connecting
modules
Each tab in a module as a function*
(axis label, plot corners, annotation color,..)

required

1) Button down : value has been set by

user, no modules can be connected
Output

2) Button up : value not set, entry can be

connected to another module
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*If you want to know this function you can click on the tab

Structure

Computation of

modules

the program

Visual program editor

Importing Data Into OpenDX

OpenDX comes with a
DataPrompter module which
is designed to allow the user
import scalar and vector data
from a variety of data formats

It maybe more efficient

to write your own
import module
Useful for
complicated data
strcutures
Requires basic C
programming skills

Visualization Process
(outline)
Import data :
With existing data prompter (array format, hdf, CDF, NetCDF )
Personal import module (C program)

Design the visual program (called network) :

Using built in modules
Programmed modules

Play with your image :

Rotate, zoom or make an animation
Export pictures (Tiff an postscript and much more with the
ImageMagick package) or movies (Miff format can be converted in
mpeg with the same package)

Capacity of OpenDX

2-D Plot

Maps

3-D Plot

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Import data for 2-D plot

Specify :
1 number of variables
(excluding the x column)
2 Number of rows
excluding blanks

3 X column must be named

Locations
Save the description in a
*.general file
3
2

Edit an old file

scalar

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Import files
Data file :
2.50000

0.

0.

2.50000

2.50000

0.

0.

2.50000

2.45002

-8.39233E-05

359.976

2.45002

2.35054

-2.10571E-03

359.741

2.35052

2.30127

-5.79834E-03

359.532

2.30119

2.25242

-1.32217E-02

359.264

2.25223

Import file :
Created by Opendx

file = /home/fabio/dataex/eqss1936
points = 6
format = ascii
interleaving = field
field = field1, field0, locations, field2
structure = scalar, scalar, scalar, scalar
type = float, float, float, float
end

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Creating a 2-D plot

Click on a tool and click where
you want to drop it

Importing the .general file

Optional

Plotting options :
axis name, axis borders

Execute

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For more information open 2Dplot.net

Creating a 2-D plot

(a closer look)

a b

Different plots
one branch per trace

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Creating a 2-D plot

(a closer look)

Plotting maps

Map

Regular
plot

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For more information open mapsplot.net

Plotting maps
How to make scattered data :

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Creating a 3-D plot

x

Field corresponding
to x, y, z

Transmitter module

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If importing .hdf files you dont need a *.general file

For more information open mapsplot.net

Creating a 3-D plot

On each page a different plot

Receiver module
connected
to a transmitter on
the other page

Possibility of making a
user interface

User interface
Toggle and switch modules :

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For more information open toggle.net

User interface
Selector module :
Allows you to choose
the data to plot
No need to go back to
the source code

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For more information open selector.net

User interface
Integer module :

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For more information open integer.net

Customized user interface example

Plotting the potential field source surface :

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In a terminal type setenv DXDATA directory where are the data then in data prompter select run program :
caringtonrot.net

Working with Mark/Unmark

Thanks S. McGregor

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CISM_DX
What is it :
Set of data, visualization codes, selected CISM
models (MAS, ENLIL, LFM, TING, WSA)

What purpose :
View models run
Plot Cism data library
Common standard for all Cism group
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CISM_DX Main GUI

To have the user interface go to window open control panel : Main control panel

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MAS model
Warning : this network requires an external module
Go to file, load module description and
load ..\CISM_DX_Auxiliary\spdx-dist\spdx.mdf

3D grid with
vector or scalar
data on each
points of the grid
User interface to
select the data

Mike Wiltbergers GUI

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After loading the module, load BasicMAS.net

Basic MAS

Taking a spherical slab of data

Plotting vectors and streamlines*

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* When you re in the image window type Ctrl-I and select the vectors you want to link with a streamline

MAS Coronal Results

Complicated staggered
mesh required writing
import module
OpenDX modules
allowed for
implementation of
periodic connections in
phi direction
also required
transformation from
Spherical to Cartesian
Coordinates

Thanks to Pete Riley and Jon Linker

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ENLIL Solar Wind Model

Network was used as basis for graduate student lab in CISM Summer
School

Thanks to Dusan Odstrcil and Nick

30 Arge

Basic ENLIL

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LFM L* Calculation
Electron drift
trajectories are
used as source
points for field
line tracing
End points are
mapped from
inner edge into
ionosphere
L* is
determined by
calculating flux
enclosed in orbit

In DX the field line is

an object that can be
used for interpolation

Thanks to Scot 32
Elkington

LFM Pathlines
Streamline
Path through vector
field that is tanget to
vectors throughout
magnetic field lines

Pathline
Path of fluid element
over a period of time
reverse time to see
where elements come
from

Combine pathline with

streamline object to
monitor flux tube
volume as a function of
time
Thanks to M. Wiltberger
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Shortcuts Tips
Shortcuts :

Execute : Ctrl-E
Execute on change : Ctrl-;
End execution : Ctrl-End
Properties of a module : Ctrl-F
Reset image : Ctrl-shift-R
Zoom image : Ctrl-Space
Rotate image : Ctrl-R
Reset view : Ctrl-F

Tips :

When your modifications have no

effect try to go to connection and reset
server or disconnect
For the interactor modules double
click and Ctrl-F have not always the
same effect
There is no undo function
save your file regularly
Use the describe or print modules to
know whats going on between the
modules
Be really careful with the import files :
number of rows without blank lines,
number of columns,

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Conclusion
Large range of plots :

Friendly understandable modules :

Great user interface :

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