Year: 1992
Type: article
Abstract: Visualization tools and graphical user interfaces (GUI) for the Great Lakes Forecasting System were constructed to provide the basic skeleton of a system for predicting the three-dimensional physical features (e.g. velocity, temperature, etc.) of each of the Great Lakes. The System started with Lake Erie because of its shallowness and quick response to the atmospheric events. Three out of six System Modules--the Modeling, the Data Assimilation, and the Display Modules, were so interconnected and implemented in this study. The full three-dimensional nature of the predictions demands accurate, high speed computer visualized representations of the results; moreover, the complicated procedure of conducting a simulation needs the graphical user interfaces to facilitate the process and reduce the turnaround time. Graphics subroutines which access the maximum performance of the hardware and a multiplatform visualization software were used to render the results. Libraries of subroutines for generating graphical user interfaces were used to create the control panels for the System. A construction tool set was built to quickly produce the interface and reduce the design time. Effective interaction between scientists, the supercomputer and local workstations thus is achieved by these user-friendly interfaces and by the rapid visualized feedback. Scenario and hindcast tests were conducted to demonstrate the smooth operation and adequate visualized feedback of the System. This study proved the feasibility of the computer visualization and graphical user interfaces on a complicated simulation application and provides the Forecasting System with a solid foundation to build upon.
Author: Chieh‐Cheng J. Yen
Language: English
Subfield: Management, Monitoring, Policy and Law
Field: Environmental Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W2261397016