Tab C: Tutorial
Tutorial for TerraBase II, ver 3
July 2000
I. Contents:
A. Installation 1
B. Program Navigation 2
C. Basic Operations 3
D. Simple Tools 17
E. Tactical Applications 21
F. Making Products 30
IV. Conclusion 31
II. Introduction.
The tutorial will guide you to use a data set built into TerraBase II called “Hangrock”, or Hanging Rock Canyon, California, near Death Valley. Some steps allow or direct you to use other data files. In all cases, you should be able to substitute your own like data for the data files mentioned in the tutorial for future use.
During the tutorial, you will make a number of changes to the settings as you go. You can restore the initial settings at any time by selecting OPTIONS/USMA DEFAULTS/OK, then exiting the program. The only settings that will not change this way are the grid coordinate and elevation displays in the margin. The final portion of the tutorial will remind you to restore the program to the initial settings, if you so desire.
This tutorial is now in multi-media format on the “Terrain Visualization II” CD-ROM available (August 2000) free from the US Army Engineer School, email POC kramerch@wood.army.mil or call 573-596-0131 ext 3-7060. The CD provides actual video demonstrations of the major applications in TerraBase II plus other good background information on the GIS data it can use.
III. Tutorial.
A. Installation.
1. On CD-ROM: If you receive TerraBase II, version 3.0, on CD-ROM, follow the instructions on the CD jewel case for full installation. This is government free-ware.
2. Off the Internet: If you download the program off the Fort Leonard Wood website ( http:\\wood.army.mil\TVC\TBII3final.htm), follow the given instructions from the site. The site may also contain updates to the program with instructions on how to download as well.
B. Program Navigation.
B.
In this tutorial, words in BOLD UPPERCASE refer to toolbar buttons and/or the command line; words in italics are actions involving your mouse.
1. Starting the Program.
a. Double click the desktop icon. It is recommended that you create an icon for TerraBase II to place on your Windows desktop. To create an icon, right click on the desktop, select NEW and SHORTCUT, then find the TerraBase II folder (usually in your C:\Program Files) and terrbas2.exe file to create the icon shortcut.
b. If you do not have a desktop icon for TerraBase II, select START/PROGRAMS/TERRBAS2.
Note: You will want to inactivate your automatic Help screens by selecting OPTIONS/ PROGRAM/AUTOMATIC HELP, so that there is not a check in the box.
2. In the Program. TerraBase II, version 3.0, is designed like most current Windows based programs with a command line (“File Analyze GPS…”) and a toolbar for the most common applications (shown below). For simplicity, we will use the toolbar for most of the TerraBase II applications in the User’s Guide.
When moving your mouse across the toolbar, you will get a small button title. As you open files, more buttons will appear and/or activate.
3. Some Windows 95/98/NT Tricks that apply in TerraBase II.
a. You can “right click” your mouse on many of the screens to get additional options.
b. Most windows will have slide bars, indicating the image is actually larger than the screen. You can use the bar to display the unseen parts.
c. You can “crunch” a window down to avoid using multiple slide bars by using your mouse to grab the edges of a sub-window and forcing them to fit in the given program window. This is especially helpful in TerraBase II so that you can see the marginal data of each file displayed.
d. TerraBase II has Zoom-in and –out, a limited Undo feature called “Force Redraw”, and options to customize your display of windows and files.
C. Basic Operations.
This section is further broken down into specific tasks that may be used in sequence or alone. Some tasks may be skipped if you do not have the data required to perform the tasks.
pg
Open a Digital Elevation Model (DEM) 3
Open DTED 4
1. Changing Marginal Information 5
2. Modifying the Screen 6
Modifying a DEM/DTED File 6
Open Imagery 9
Open Digital Maps (ADRG, CADRG, or DRG) 12
File Options 14
Data Manipulation 15
Note: If you have not already done so, you will want to inactivate your automatic Help screens by selecting OPTIONS/ PROGRAM/AUTOMATIC HELP, so that there is not a check in the box.
Reminder: Words in BOLD UPPERCASE refer to toolbar buttons and/or the command line; words in italics are actions involving your mouse.
Open a Digital Elevation Model (DEM).
Note: To open any elevation file, you will probably need to know the latitude and longitude of the desired location. You can find them on the corners of a map or in the NIMA catalogs.
Select the NEW DEM button:
Search in the “Open New DEM” window for the file location. You may need to insure that they “Files of Type” box at the bottom says “any likely dem” to find a .dem file. Open the folder under C:\Terrbas2 called “Dems” and find “Hangrock.dem”. Double-click it, and a six-colored elevation map will be drawn.
TIP: You will probably need to resize the window in order to see the marginal data displayed on bottom. To do this, use your mouse to grab the top edge of the Elevation Map window and pull it down about two inches. Push the entire window back up.
Take a minute to orient your self to the display -
The six-color display is created by distributing the six main colors in legend at the bottom from the highest to lowest elevation within the DEM. Each DEM will have its own color shading. Very important - blue does not necessarily represent water but rather the lowest elevations.
In the margin, you should see a grid-coordinate, elevation reading and datum for the dem file. The default coordinate is in MGRS and datum is in WGS-84, but you can change these (later in tutorial).
The DEM (and all other files) will initially appear with two grid line displays for a primary and secondary datum. The primary datum is black in color and will match the default datum listed in the margin of the window. In this case, the primary datum and grid display will be in WGS-84. The red grid lines represent the secondary datum, in this case North American Datum, 1927 (NAS-C). You can modify the selection of datums and color of grid lines by selecting the GRID button:
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED: Remove this secondary grid for initial orientation to TerraBase II, select the GRID button and then click off the check in the box next to “Secondary Grid”.
You can open up multiple copies of the same dem by clicking the NEW MAP WINDOW button. You can also open up multiple different DEMs by reselecting the NEW DEM button.
To close, click the "X" in the upper right-hand corner.
1. Opening DTED Files
(DTED is made by NIMA and can be ordered through your supply for free)
Select the NEW DEM button:
Search in the “Open New DEM” window for file location (normally a CD drive). First open the “DTED” folder, next find the desired longitude (next longitude line to the west of your area) folder and finally, chose the desired latitude (next line to the south of the area) file. Double click it to open. Follow the tip in DEMS above to resize the map window. Since DTED files cover a large area (approx. 70 miles x 70 miles) you will want to cut it down to a smaller area by either a temporary or permanent subset (section 9, “Data Manipulation”).
3. Changing Marginal Information.
The margin of all DEMS/DTED contain a grid coordinate, elevation reading, and datum for the file (shown below). All three items can be changed.
a. To change the Grid Coordinate display:
Select OPTIONS/UNITS. You can display the grid coordinate in Military Grid Reference System (MGRS) as shown above, in the more native Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM) or in Latitude/Longitude. Select the box next to the desired display (Latitude and Longitude in this tutorial) and “OK”. The coordinate will change as soon as you return to the map.
Note that the grid line display on the actual map did not change. To make the grid match the specified grid coordinate display, select the GRID button:
Under “Grid”, select the Lat/Long box. Under “Label Grid”, select the Lat/Long box. Change the “Lat/Long Grid Interval” to 0.016666 (about 1 minute of Lat/Long) and select “OK”. The map grid will now display cross hairs at the intersection of every second in Lat/Long.
Now change both the grid coordinate and grid line display back to MGRS, where the grid line interval is 1000 meters. Hint: Select OPTIONS/UNITS to reset the margin, then to reset the grid lines.
b. To change the Elevation Reading display:
Select OPTIONS/COORDINATES and check the “Dual Elevations” for both meters and feet, then “OK”. The elevation display changes as soon as you return to the map.
c. To change the Datum display:
Select OPTIONS/MAPS/DATUMS. TerraBase II defaults to WGS-84, the DoD standard. To change it, search through and highlight the desired datum (in this case, NAS-C, North American Datum 1927, CONUS), then select “OK”. If you have any files open, they will remain in their existing datum, but all new files (DEM, satellite, and map) will open in the new datum. Now open a second Hangrock.dem file by selecting the NEW DEM button. Note that it is in NAS-C datum instead of WGS-84. This datum change shifted the grid lines approximately 200m to the north.
4. Modifying the Screen.
NOTE: Almost anything displayed on the screen can be modified by using the tool bar, the command line, and/or right clicking the window.
a. Zooming In and Out. Select to zoom in.
NOTE: As you zoom in, TerraBase II pulls up more data from the original file, taking up more of your computer’s RAM. It will warn you if the files begin getting large. Usually, this is OK, unless the warning gives a file size over 14 Mb. If you need to really zoom in on one area, it is wiser to first Subset the area, then zoom in to use less memory (covered in the next step).
Select to zoom out.
b. Sub-setting pieces of the DEM (or any file).
Most often, the initial DEM or DTED cell will cover too much area for practical use. To cut out a more precise Area of Operations, select the SUBSET button:
To select the area to subset, you must first determine the upper left hand (NW) corner of the area desired and lower right hand (SE) corner. Click and hold your left mouse button on the upper left hand corner, drag the box border down to your lower right hand corner and release. A new window should appear with the smaller area. To restore your original DEM (if you subsetted the wrong or inadequate area), select the FULL DATA SET button:
You can also permanently subset areas for repeated use. This procedure will be covered later in Section 9, “Data Manipulation”.
Modifying a DEM/DTED File.
a. Elevation: Elevation can be displayed in several ways. The current window shows the six-color "Elevation" color scheme (also known as the "Default Rainbow Colors" under MODIFY/ELEVATION). To change the color scheme of Elevation display, right click on the window and select one of the options.
b. Reflectance: Select the MAP PARAMETER button: and “Reflectance”. A new window appears allowing you to select the sun azimuth and elevation; click “OK”. The display will now turn to a gray shaded appearance with shadows created by the sun's position. To modify, for example, right click on the window and change the sun’s azimuth to 25 degrees (instead of 335). Then change it back to see the role sun angle can play. To return to the Elevation display select the MAP PARAMETER button again and “Elevation”.
c. Slope: Select the MAP PARAMETER button and “Slope”. The display will now change to represent the four slope categories of the NATO mobility model, called “Trafficability”. A legend for the new colors can be found at the bottom of the window. Also note, in the margin of the window the slope and bearing of the slope is given to wherever the cursor is pointed.
The “Trafficability” category can be modified to your specifications. Right click on the screen and a small new window appears. Select “Standard” which will allow you to set slope ranges for thirteen different colors. Accept the given display for now and click “OK”. The display is now broken down into more categories and the new legend can be found at the bottom of the window.
d. Contour. Select the MAP PARAMETER button and “Contour”. A new window, “Contour Map Options,” appears allowing you to select the contour line interval (in meters) and the colors of the contour lines. Accept the given values and click “OK”. The display changes to a white background with contour lines in multiple colors. This view provides a map like appearance.
Contour lines can also be directly overlaid on any of the other displays and files if the DEM is open. Select the MAP PARAMETER button and “Elevation”. Select OVERLAY/CONTOUR. The same “Contour Map Options” window appears. Accept the given values and click “OK”. The DEM will now appear with contour lines on top. To modify the contour lines, you will need to select OVERLAY/CLEAR OVERLAYS and then reselect OVERLAY CONTOUR to change the display options.
e. Blank: Select the MAP PARAMETER button and “Blank”. The window goes blank except for the grid and any overlay function (weapons fan, contour lines, point elevations). As you move the cursor across the white screen, you still get the coordinates and elevation in the margin. This display is very useful for printing products for map boards. To return to the Elevation display, select the MAP PARAMETER button again and “Elevation”.
f. Changing the Grid: As stated back in section C.1., TerraBase II can and initially will display two sets of grid lines. The default grid lines used by TerraBase II on all elevation, imagery, and map displays are UTM grids scaled appropriately for the area covered. This UTM grid is based off whatever the primary and secondary datums TerraBase II is using at that moment. If these datums differs from a paper map product (or grid coordinates given in an OPORD) that you are using, then you will need to change the primary datum and grid lines being used by selecting the GRID button:
(1). To turn the secondary grid lines on/off, select the GRID button and click off or on the check in the box next to “Secondary Grid”. You must close and reopen the DEM for this to take effect.
(2). To change just the appearance of the grid (such as grid line intervals, color, etc…), select the GRID button. In “Grid Options”, change the interval to 2000 meters and the color, then click “OK”.
(3). To change the datums that the primary and/or secondary grid lines are based on, select OPTIONS/MAPS/ and either PRIMARY DATUM or SECONDARY DATUM. Choose the desired datum(s) and click “OK”. You must now close and reopen the DEM for this to take effect.
(4). To change the grid to just Latitude & Longitude, select the GRID button. In the “Grid Options” window, under “Grid” select “Lat/Long” and under “Label Grid” select “Lat/Long”. Click “OK”. TerraBase II will default initial Lat/Long ticks and labels for the appropriate scale of your file. You can modify the spacing by reselecting the GRID button and entering in your own grid interval.
NOTE: This did not change your Grid Coordinate reading in the margin. To display a grid coordinate in Lat/Long, select OPTIONS/UNITS and then select the “Lat/Long” circle under “Locations”. You can also select how much of a coordinate you want displayed directly below that in “Lat/Long”. Click “OK” for the coordinate to change.
(5). To display both UTM and Latitude & Longitude grids together, select the GRID button. Under “Grid” select “Both” and under “Label Grid” select both “UTM” and “Lat/Long”. Click “OK”.
(6). Now, reset your grid display to a just the primary UTM grid in WGS-84 datum, with a black 1,000 meter grid interval spacing, and a grid coordinate reading in MGRS.
Open Imagery.
TerraBase II can open many types of satellite and aerial imagery files available from NIMA, USGS, the DTSS and other sources. This section covers how to open five main types of imagery and merge Satellite and Elevation files.
a. Open an Image with a DEM Open.
b. Open an Image Alone.
c. Open Controlled Image Base (CIB).
d. Open Digital Orthophoto Quads (DOQ).
e. Open LANDSAT Images.
f. Open SPOT Images.
g. Merge Satellite and Elevation Files.
NOTE: Please pay careful attention to the “Files of Type” box at the bottom of the “Open Satellite Image” window to insure you are looking for the right kind of file!
a. Open an Image with a DEM Open.
It is best to open an elevation file and imagery/map files together, other wise you cannot make any elevation–related applications with the imagery (perspectives, contour lines, etc…).
First, if not already open, open the “Hangrock.dem” file.
Next, select the NEW IMAGE button:
Search in the “Open Satellite Image” window for the file location of “Hangrock.idx” in the Terrbas2\Sats folder. You may need to insure that they “Files of Type” box at the bottom says “Image index file” or “All files”. Double click to open.
“Hangrock.idx” is in the TerraBase II native format. If you permanently subset parts of satellite images that are in other formats, the resulting image will be saved in the TerraBase II .idx format. Permanent subsetting is covered in Section C.9 “Data Manipulation”.
Move your cursor around the screen and note that you get the same marginal information as the elevation file, to include the same grid lines on top of the image. You can modify the grid lines and marginal information as shown in Sections C.3, C.4, and C.5 above.
b. Open an Image Alone (without a DEM)
It is not necessary to open an elevation file first to view imagery. As you will see, though, you do not get any of the marginal information, grid lines, nor the ability to do any elevation analysis.
If you have not done so, close previous satellite and dem files.
Select the NEW IMAGE button:
Search in the “Open Satellite Image” window for the file location of “Hangrock.idx”. You may need to insure that they “Files of Type” box at the bottom says “Image index file” or “All files”. Double click to open.
Note this time that you do not get any usable marginal data nor can you use the Perspective View, Oblique View, or Flythrough buttons. When done, close the satellite file.
c. Open CIB Imagery Files (.i12).
(CIB is produced by NIMA and can be obtained for free through supply)
Select the NEW IMAGE button:
Search in the “Open Satellite Image” window for the file location (normally a CD drive). Ensure the “Files of Type” box on bottom says “All files”. There are two ways to open CIB (Controlled Image Base) files.
First, whether you have a DEM open (preferred) or not, look in the “RPF” folder and double click the “A.TOC” file to see how the CIB files fall. If you open it over an open DEM of the same area, a new window will appear with a grid of coverage for the DEM. If no grid appears on the DEM, there is no concurrent coverage. If you do not have a DEM open, then the program will bring up a blank map of the world (vector map called World.sin) for basic orientation of the location of the CIB files.
With your mouse, double click the scene desired, OR, if you want to open several together, click and hold in the NW scene and drag the new box into the SE scene and release. The CIB file(s) will open.
If you desire to open additional scenes, you can still use the A.TOC file grid if it is still open. Just click the CIB button twice and then reselect one or more files on the grid.
The second method of opening CIB is to insure the “Files of Type” window says “Any CIB”, “CIB, 5m”, or “CIB, 10m”. Search in for the folder and file location with the individual CIB files and select the desired file. This will only allow you to open one file at a time.
For further information and examples of CIB, select HELP/CONTENT/INDEX/CIB EXAMPLE.
d. Open DOQ Files (.bil).
(DOQs are made by USGS and sold through various venders - see the USGS website)
Digital Orthophoto Quads (DOQ) are aerial photography taken by the USGS and are roughly 3.75 minutes (3.75 miles) square in coverage at approximately one meter resolution. You will need to use an USGS Map Index or know the name of the DOQ file you desire to open.
Select the NEW IMAGE button:
Search in the “Open Satellite Image” window for the file location of a “.bil” file. You may need to insure that they “Files of Type” box at the bottom says “USGS DOQ (uncompressed)” or “All files”. Double click to open.
NOTE: It is best to open an elevation file and image/map together, other wise you cannot make any elevation–related applications with the image (perspectives, contour lines, etc…). To open both, first open the DEM or DTED file, then the satellite image or map separately or, before any files are open, select File/DEM & Satellite.
e. Open LANDSAT Files.
(See your supporting Terrain Team/Topo Company to get LandSat in the .img format)
Importing and using raw LANDSAT is covered in a separate battle drill that you can find at the Fort Leonard Wood homepage. If a LANDSAT image has already been imported or processed from its native format (such as in ERDAS “.img”), it can simply be loaded like a file in the TerraBase II .idx format (B.1. above) in either single or multi-band.
Select the NEW IMAGE button:
Search in the “Open Satellite Image” window for the file location of a “.img” or “.idx” file. You may need to insure that they “Files of Type” box at the bottom says “ERDAS IMG file” or “All files”. Double click to open.
The image will come up in black and white, or panchromatic. To view in multi-band (colors), select the IMAGERY BAND/COLORS button (on far right side of toolbar on the imagery window) or right click on the image and select "Bands". In the new window, “Pick Bands for Display”, select the “Multiband” box, then select what order you want the bands displayed in (Cool stuff for terrain analysis, if you have clue to what you are doing). Click “OK” for the image to be redrawn.
f. Open SPOT Files.
(SPOT is pretty rare - check with your supporting Topo unit or commercial venders)
Currently, you must importing SPOT files into the TerraBase II idx format with the DATA MANIPULATION button before using. This section is still under construction and you can find additional information in the HELP file and in a separate battle drill in the "Battled" folder in the Terrbas2 folder.
g. Merge Satellite and Elevation Files.
Since it can be difficult to see relief on imagery and hard to understand how the six-color Elevation display represents real terrain, TerraBase II can merge the two for greater effect.
First, open “Hangrock.dem”. Next, open the associated imagery “Hangrock.idx”. Make sure the image window is on top and the active window.
A good technique is to open the satellite image twice. After opening “Hangrock.idx”, select the NEW MAP WINDOW button on the image window:
Select MODIFY/DISPLAY PARAMETER/DEM elev/image merge. The imagery is shaded with the elevation colors for greater clarity. You can modify this merge by either right clicking the image and changing the contrast or by selecting MODIFY/DEM/IMAGE MERGE.
To undo the merge, select OVERLAY/CLEAR OVERLAYS and check "None".
Open Digital Maps (ADRG, CADRG, or DRG).
Digital maps are usually scanned in hardcopy maps that have been geo-referenced in UTM coordinates, allowing programs like TerraBase II to link other geo-referenced data (such as dems) to them.
NOTE: Just as with satellite imagery files, it is generally best to first open the DEM or DTED file of the area to use as a reference in selecting the right map file(s) and to perform any terrain-related applications.
a. Open ADRG Map Files (.thf).
(ADRG is made by NIMA and is still made for special map products such as City Graphics and specific MIMs)
Select the NEW SCANNED MAP button:
Search in the “Open Digitized Map” window for the file location (normally the CD drive) of the “.thf” file. You may need to insure that the “Files of Type” box at the bottom says “ADRG map” or “All files”. Double click to open. The map image will show all the maps sewn together with a note at the bottom of the window to press for the center of the blow up. TerraBase II will then go to the CD and pull up a smaller section in higher resolution of the map(s). You will have additional toolbar buttons available to pan around the maps.
NOTE: If you select any other map file name other than the “.thf” file, TerraBase II will lock up on you (and you’ll go “Aarrgghhh!!).
b. Open CADRG Map Files.
(CADRG is made by NIMA and is a compressed form of ADRG (55:1 ratio) with about 300 maps per CD-ROM)
NOTE: CADRG opens exactly the same way as CIB imagery using the A.TOC file (Section 6c above).
Open a DEM first if available. Select the NEW SCANNED MAP button:
Search in the “Open Digitized Map” window for the file location (normally a CD drive). Ensure the “Files of Type” box on bottom says “All files”. There are two ways to open CADRG files.
First, whether you have a DEM open (preferred) or not, look in the “RPF” folder and double click the “A.TOC” file to see how the maps fall. You will be asked if you would like to restrict the type of files you are looking for. If you know the scale of map you want to use, select "YES" and only that scale grid will open. If you want to see all of the scales of maps and their coverage, select "NO". You will next select the DEM you want to show it over and click "OK".
If you open it over an open DEM of the same area, a new window will appear with a grid of map coverage for the DEM. If no grid appears on the DEM, there is likely no map coverage.
With your mouse, double click the map desired, OR, if you want to open several together, click and hold in the NW map and drag the new box into the SE map and release. If you chose "NO" earlier for types of maps to open, you must now select the scale of map to open, if more than one scale of map is available, such as 1:50,000 TLMs (.tl2) and 1:250,000 JOG-Air (.ja2) maps.
If you desire to open additional maps, you can still use the “A.TOC” file grid if it is still open. Just click the CIB button twice and then reselect one or more maps from the “A.TOC” grid.
The second method of opening CADRG is to insure the “Files of Type” window says “CADRG [scale of map]”. Search for the folders with the individual CADRG map files and select the desired file. Note that each different scale will have its own file ending: 1:50,000 TLMs (.tl1 or .tl2), 1:250,000 JOG-Air (.ja2), etc…
NOTE: In both cases, CADRG maps will come up looking very sketchy since TerraBase II is looking at an entire map sheet(s). For greater clarity, use the SUBSET and/or ZOOM-IN buttons to see more details of the map. Zooming-in becomes especially important when printing, if you want crisp map features (covered below in Section 8.c “Printing”).
c. Open DRG Map Files (geotiff).
(DRGs are made by USGS and available through commercial venders or special request through NIMA)
Select the NEW SCANNED MAP button:
Search in the “Open Digitized Map” window for the file location (normally the CD drive). You may need to insure that the “Files of Type” box at the bottom says “Geotiff” or “All files”.
To select the map with the desired map coverage, either use the hard copy USGS State Index to map coverage, or, if you have a hard copy of the USGS map, look up the same reference number (5 or 6 digit Latitude/Longitude number followed by the quad designation).
NOTE: DRG maps will come up looking very sketchy since TerraBase II is looking at an entire map sheet to include the marginal data. For greater clarity, use the SUBSET and/or ZOOM-IN buttons to see more details of the map. Zooming-in becomes especially important when printing, if you want crisp map features (covered below in Section 8.c “Printing”).
In version 3, you cannot seamlessly sew adjoining DRGs together. The latest version of Microdem and coming versions of TerraBase II will allow you to.
8. File Options.
a. Editing Files:
This allows you to add operational graphics and other symbols to the elevation map, which can be used to execute other TerraBase II applications and/or be printed out for quick Tactical Decision Aids.
With any file open, select the EDIT button:
Your computer’s Paint-type program should open on top of TerraBase II. Make the desired graphics and annotations, select “File/Save”, and then exit or close Paint (notice the file already has a name and file location in your Terrbas2 folder called "working1"). Back in TerraBase II, select FILE/LOAD IMAGE and the Paint image will be overlaid on top of the existing file. If you erased it, select FILE/LOAD IMAGE again. You can repeat this until you close TerraBase II.
If you do not intend to print your product to scale, it is recommended that you put images into Power Point for ease of editing (especially if you install the Military Toolbar Add-on buttons).
b. Saving Files:
Select the SAVE button:
All files will be saved as a BMP, JPEG, or GIF file which can be readily inserted into Power Point. Select FILE/SAVE IMAGE/ and select a name and location to save your file. The file can also be brought up in TerraBase II by selecting FILE/TOOLS/LOAD IMAGE and locating your file. It is recommended you save in JPEG format for lower file sizes.
c. Printing Files:
Select the PRINT button:
Follow standard print instructions to select the printer defaults. You will finally be given a box requesting the desired map scale. For advanced print functions, play around with OPTIONS/PRINTING. Also, not all images on screen will directly printout. For example, all products made with VIEW must be printed using FILE / EDIT IMAGE / and the Paint program’s print options. If you are not concerned with scale, you may be able to print better single page products in Power Point (see below) or your computer’s “Paint” program.
When printing map files, before using the PRINT button, zoom in as much as TerraBase II and your computer will let you to increase the clarity of the map. It will print as crummy or clear as you see it on the screen (not to mention to whatever quality your printer is).
WARNING: Since TerraBase II can print to scale, carefully consider just how large in real paper. For example, if you are playing with a 1:50,000 full map sheet and you have not subsetted it in any way, your printer will output enough 8.5x11 inch pages until you have a full 1:50,000 map sheet (if that is the scale you selected). Printers don’t like that.
So remember, subset areas down as much as possible for applications if you are going to print and zoom in as much as possible.
d. Power Point and TerraBase II:
To put TerraBase II images or products into Power Point, select the
COPY TO CLIPBOARD button (preferred) or the “Print Screen” button
on your keyboard. Open a new or existing Power Point presentation and select the PASTE button or command. Use the Power Point tools to size and edit the image as desired. If file sizes matter - especially in your PPT presentation, first save the image as a JPEG and then insert it into the PPT slide.
9. Data Manipulation.
This tool allows you to create your own tailored DEM and Imagery files. This is especially helpful in creating smaller files for a specific mission, instead of constantly bringing up a larger file that must be subsetted. Also, you can sew two or more files together if you need a larger area or a subset that falls on the boundary of two files. There are many features in Data Manipulation; this tutorial covers the primary two – Merge and Subset.
a. Merge. (DEMS/DTED only)
Select the DATA MANIPULATION button:
A new window, “Data Manipulator” appears. Select MERGE to bring up the “Open Merging” window. Navigate to the correct directory of the files you want to merge. Select a DEM or DTED file and hit the OPEN button (or double click it). The file will be added to the “Data Manipulator” window with its digital attributes (rows and columns) displayed.
Continue to select DEMs. Select CANCEL when you do not want to add any more DEMs.
At the “Merged DEM” window, type the name for the merged file and click “SAVE”. A series of “Loading DEM” progress bars will pop-up, one for each cell your are merging, followed by “Writing New DEM” and “Checking Elevations” progress bars. Your file now becomes a “.dem” whether it was a DTED file or DEM that is written to your C:\Terrbas2\dems folder.
When all processing activity stops, close the “Data Manipulator” window. To test it out, go through the standard procedure for opening a DEM from the C:\Terrbas2\dems folder.
This can be especially helpful in creating large DEMS that cover an entire AI or region. If you want to merge more than 12 adjoining DTED files or if file size will matter, first THIN all the files in DATA MANIPULATION at the same thinning ratio. Then merge them.
b. Subset. (DEMS and Imagery)
For a normal rectangular subset, use the following steps:
Select the DATA MANIPULATION button:
A new window, “Data Manipulator” appears. Select SUBSET/DEM RECTANGLE/ GRAPHICAL PICK to bring up the “Open New Dem” window. Select the DEM or DTED file you wish to subset and click “Open”.
A normal Elevation map will appear. Double click on the NW corner of the area you want to subset. Drag the box to the SE corner and double click. Click “OK” on the four “Input Integer” windows and on the “Confirm” window.
In the “Subset DEM” window, enter the new file name. Your file will most likely be saved in the C:\Terrbas2\dems folder. To test it out, go through the standard procedure for opening a DEM from the C:\Terrbas2\dems folder.
For an irregular shaped subset, look up HELP/CONTENTS/INDEX/SUBSET IRREGULAR DEM in TerraBase II.
D. Simple Tools.
TerraBase II has a number of simple tools to make quick calculations. These tools can be used on a DEM, imagery, and/or map. You must have the associated DEM open first for any slope-related calculations on maps and imagery.
1. Distance Measurements.
Select the CALCULATE DISTANCE button:
Double click a start point for the distance or route. Your cursor will now be drawing a clear line. Double click the finish point or first intermediate point. A new window, "Confirm", will appear giving you that leg's distance, bearing, and cumulative distance. You now have the option to add another segment, or leg, that will begin at the last stopping point. This function will end upon clicking "No". To clean off the lines created on the window, select the FORCE REDRAW button.
2. Slope Calculations.
Select CALCULATE/SLOPE.
Double click a start point for the slope. Your cursor will now be drawing a clear line. Double click the finish point or first intermediate point. A new window, "Confirm", will appear giving you that leg's average slope over the distance. You again have the option to check anther slope that will start where your last slope finished. This function will end upon clicking "No". To clean off the lines created on the window, select the FORCE REDRAW button.
3. Offset and Bearing.
a. Offset: This tool draws a line from a selected site for a user-specified distance and bearing. Select CALCULATE/OFFSET.
A new window, "Input a Real Number", will appear asking for a distance in kilometers for the offset to be drawn - accept the default value of "5" by clicking "OK". A new window, "Input a Real Number", will appear asking for a bearing in degrees - accept the default value of "0o" by clicking "OK". Double click the desired location to draw the offset from. A black line will be drawn that is five kilometers long, bearing at 0o. Now perform this operation again with your own offset distance and bearing. This function will end upon clicking "No". To clean off the lines created on the window, select the FORCE REDRAW button.
b. Bearing: This tool determines the bearing in degrees from two selected points, such as from a known location to a desired target. Select CALCULATE/BEARING.
Double click a start point for the bearing - your cursor will now be drawing a clear line. Double click the finish point. A new window, "Confirm", will appear giving you that leg's bearing based off the UTM grid (NOT magnetic bearing). This function will end upon clicking "No". To clean off the lines created on the window, select the FORCE REDRAW button.
4. Point Elevations.
This tool leaves a tag with elevation reading in meters at selected 8-digit coordinates, which is helpful in marking unit positions or key terrain when initially orienting yourself to the map.
Select OVERLAY/POINT ELEVATIONS and a note, “Point Elevations” appears in the margin. Double click anywhere on the map and an elevation reading will appear with an "x" marking the spot. Mark several locations around the map. This application will stay active until you select OVERLAY/POINT ELEVATIONS again. To clean off the marks created on the window, select the OVERLAY/CLEAR OVERLAYS.
5. Range Circles.
This tool allows you to place range circles from a desired location(s), which can be helpful for NBC calculations or possible BOS system ranges of effectiveness.
Select the RANGE CIRCLES button:
A new window, “Select Range Circles”, appears allowing you to input desired ranges (the radius) for circles. Click on one of the available five windows and a new window appears to input the range in meters. Select “OK”. The function stays active allowing you to place more range circles at the desired range(s).
To change the range(s) for a subsequent range circle, you must turn the function OFF then ON again by selecting the RANGE CIRCLES button twice.
To remove range circles, select OVERLAY/CLEAR OVERLAYS.
HELPFUL HINT FOR SECTION D, 1-5 ABOVE: When selecting locations in both Simple Tools and Tactical Applications, you normally use the 8-digit grid coordinate in the margin as your guide. This can be difficult at times. Some helpful techniques are to:
a. Overlay your DEM or image with contour lines so it can have a more map like appearance. To do this, select OVERLAY/CONTOUR.
b. (Preferred by CPT TerraBase) Use a tool called Verify Location. Select OPTIONS/ COORDINATES/VERIFY GRAPHIC SELECTIONS/and then select “Reasonable”. Make sure you turn this function off in OPTIONS when done!
c. You can also enter in the exact grid coordinates from your keyboard. To do this select OPTIONS/ COORDINATES/VERIFY GRAPHIC SELECTIONS/ “Reasonable” and “Keyboard Entry”. Make sure you turn this function off in OPTIONS when done!
6. Coordinate Conversions.
TerraBase II provides at least four ways to convert coordinates.
a. The easiest technique is to select CALCULATE/DATUM SHIFT from the command line and then double click on a desired point on the map, image or DEM. A box will appear with the conversion from primary datum (in the margin) to the secondary datum you have set in OPTIONS as well as show the Lat/Long.
b. You can also display a secondary grid line set over the primary grid lines to see the shift/take readings. Select the GRID button and check the box, "Secondary grid". To pick a new datum for the secondary grid, select OPTIONS/MAPS.
c. Select the COORDINATE CONVERSION button and input the desired coordinate or Lat/Long position.
d. Select the COORDINATE CONVERSION button and then select the GEOTRANS button in the lower right corner. You can input one or multiple coordinates for conversion. NOTE: This version of Geotrans was replaced with version 2 in May 2000, due to possible inaccuracies in the program.
7. Help Files.
TerraBase II has a very extensive and comprehensive Help File, which by itself, can walk you successfully through the program. If you have a question during the Tutorial or when using the program later, consult the Help File for additional information by selecting HELP on the command line.
Contents include information on:
a. A TerraBase II Introduction
b. How to Start the Program
c. Data Loading Options
d. GPS Operations
e. Program Operation and Skills
f. Program Setup
g. Battle Drills (similar to the Section E. Tactical Applications)
h. Introduction to Principles (mapping, DEMS, and imagery)
i. Program Menus
j. Known Limitations of the Program
k. References
For example: Select HELP/CONTENTS/INDEX and answer the following questions (see answers at the bottom of this section).
1. Chroma Depth Colors: In what order are the colors arrayed in order to give depth perception? What will aid you in seeing the chromadepth? What is the best color for the background?
2. Composite Color Image (also RGB Color Image): Why does vegetation show up as the color red, instead of blue, on satellite images?
3. Earth Shape: What is the difference in kilometers of the earth’s polar axis and equatorial axis?
4. In Glossary: What does it say for “Flippy” and “Pentium”?
ANSWERS:
1. Order of chromadepth colors is Magenta, Red, Yellow, Green, Cyan, and Blue (MRGYCB); chromadepth 3-D glasses; black background.
2. Vegetation shows in red in satellite images due to its high IR signature.
3. The difference is 22 km out of 6400 km, or 1/300 difference.
4. “Flippy” – cute little 3½" disks.
“Pentium” - see 80586. Get one. (80586) - latest Intel chip, now called Pentium so the 80686 can be the Sexium.
E. Tactical Applications.
The following section covers the TerraBase II operations that are used for battlefield planning and other tactical applications. As mentioned at the start, there are numerous combinations and uses for each product – you are only limited by your ingenuity and the data available (and time and your computer and your printer and your boss…).
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1. Weapons Fans 21
2. Line of Sight. 23
3. Slope Maps 23
4. Terrain Category 24
5. Oblique Views 24
6. Perspective Views 25
7. Flythroughs 25
8. Panorama Views 27
9. GPS use with TerraBase II 28
10. Weather Information (Climate, Sun/Moon data) 29
Users: For this section, it is recommended that you open a DEM and either digital maps or imagery of the same area for practice of these techniques (see C.6. “Open Imagery” for assistance).
1. Weapons Fans.
This is an extremely useful and versatile tool for all branches/combat arms to identify enemy/friendly battle positions, template obstacle locations, determine ambush sites, etc...
Weapons fans can be drawn on all types of files, to include the digital maps. Select the type of file you want to do the weapons fan on by bringing it to the top, active window.
a. Select the WEAPONS FAN button:
A new window, "Weapons Fan Parameters", opens so you can input the:
(1) weapon's range (Need to have knowledge of or a reference for optimal and maximum weapons' ranges).
(2) weapon and target height.
(3) left/right limits (Best to just leave at 0o to 360o)
(4) fan color (To differentiate between different weapons or friendly/enemy positions).
(5) range circles (Helps to show if visible area = max range and indirect weapon ranges).
In this case: Change weapon's range to 2,000m (M1's optimal engagement range); leave weapon height and target height at 2 meters; and accept the color and other values. Click "OK".
You can now select the weapon's location by double clicking at the appropriate 8-digit grid. If you have the “Verify Graphic Selections” marked to “Reasonable” in OPTIONS, then a small contour map will now appear to aid you in selecting the best location near the desired grid so your system is not masked by terrain features.
b. A 360o range fan should have been drawn, where the rays, or lines, represent visible areas. Another small window, "Last Fan Editor", appears. You may need to drag it out of the way to see your weapons fan. You now have the opportunity to accept the weapons fan as is and Exit, Modify it, Erase it and continue, Erase it and exit, or request Help. If the weapons fan is virtually non-existent, select ERASE AND CONTINUE, and select a new location.
c. Select MODIFY on the “Last Fan Editor”. This will reopen the window, "Weapons Fan Parameters", allowing you to modify the last drawn fan. To create range circle, click the "Range Circles" button, double click the highlighted box, and input a distance for the range, then click "OK”. In the Parameters window, click in the “Draw Range Circles” box so that there is a check in it; then click “OK”. The weapons fan will be redrawn with a range circle. This helps you see if the weapon is actually reaching its optimal range.
d. Additional range circles can be added to indicate indirect fire from/to the weapons location by again selecting MODIFY, clicking "Range Circles", clicking on an open box, inputting a range (try 5800 for 81mm mortars), then clicking "OK" twice.
e. Select ANOTHER to place another weapons fan near the first fan. Note where the two fans intersect to provide interlocking fire.
f. You may continue to add or modify fans to your heart’s desire. Once done, click EXIT.
1. Modifying (previously drawn) Weapons Fans.
To modify previous weapons fans, ensure you have closed the “Last Fan Editor” window and then select MODIFY/WEAPONS FANS. This will open a new window, “Current Weapons Fans” that lists the 10-digit grid coordinate for the fans. This list can be printed off as a reference (especially since you probably forgot to write down the grid coordinate of all those fancy fans you made). To select the fan for modification, double click on the desired fan on the map. The “Last Fan Editor” window appears. To delete it, select ERASE AND CONTINUE twice. To modify it, select MODIFY.
1.2 Viewing the Weapons Fan as an Oblique.
Once a weapons fan is drawn, it can be viewed from an angle to better appreciate the terrain it covers. The oblique option will be covered later in section E.5. “Obliques”.
3. Printing a Weapons Fan.
The fan(s) can be printed either on the DEM, imagery, or map file you have drawn them on. It can also be printed off separately to make an overlay for an existing map board.
a. To print off on a file, see section C.8.c. “Printing”.
b. To print them off separately as an overly, select the MAP PARAMETERS button on the DEM, map or image and BLANK. This should leave only the weapons fans, grid lines, and any other “overlay” placed on the file. Follow the instructions in C.8.c. “Printing” to print the overlay off.
2. Line of Sight (LOS).
This tool aids in determining FM communication/retrans (Fresnel zones), LP/OP’s, friendly/enemy visibility, dead-space, etc...
With a DEM open, select the LINE OF SIGHT button:
NOTE: Currently, there can be problems doing this operation on top of a map file. It is recommended that you use a DEM or imagery file for line of sights.
Instructions in the margin direct you to select the observer location by double clicking, then dragging the line of sight to the target location. While moving the LOS to the target, the marginal data will tell you whether your target is “masked” or “visible”. Upon double clicking at the target, the LOS profile window will appear with some vertical exaggeration and colors indicating visible (green) and masked (red) areas. If you move your cursor along the LOS profile, you will get a grid coordinate and elevation reading for that point. You can also crunch the window down to change the vertical exaggeration.
To modify the line of sight profile, right click the screen to bring up the “Line of Sight Options” window. See TerraBase II’s Help files for further information about LOS options (such as Fresnel zones).
3. Slope Maps.
This tool is helpful for the development of MCOO & CCM overlays, selection of base camp sites and LZ/DZ’S. This is the same tool covered in Section C.5.c.
A recommended technique is to first open a separate copy of the DEM to create a slope map from. Select the New Map Window button:
On the new DEM, select the MAP PARAMETERS button: and choose SLOPE/CANT. The map is redrawn in the default NATO standard trafficability colors (green for unrestrictive terrain, amber for restrictive, and red for severely restrictive), unless you left the SLOPE/CANT option of STANDARD selected from earlier in the tutorial.
To modify the Slope categories (default is NATO model), right click the slope map and select STANDARD. The “Set Slope Categories” window will appear allowing you to select a color for a given slope percentage range. If you change the default ranges, your new ranges become the new default colors/values for future STANDARD slope/cant maps unless you change them. NOTE: As you move your cursor across the screen, you get a slope reading in the margin.
Another type of slope map is the ASPECT map. Select the New Map Window button: and choose ASPECT. The slope colors are broken down in six colors showing the direction of slope which can aid you in determining IV lines (intervisibility lines).
4. Terrain Category.
This tool allows you to highlight specific types of terrain based on relief, such as base camp sites, LZ/DZ’S, artillery cant, POL/water sites, etc...
a. Select OVERLAY/TERRAIN CATEGORIES. A new window, "Terrain Category Parameters", appears. You can now select ranges of elevation, slopes, relief, and size and the color to highlight that terrain category. For example, if we were looking for possible base camp sites throughout the entire elevation map, where base camps needed a slope of 0-5% and radius of 300m, input those values and select a color for the highlight (black usually works best). Click "OK".
b. You should now see an overlay that highlights possible base camp sites mostly in the lower left corner and small pockets scattered through the valleys. This terrain category overlay will now remain with the elevation map with almost all other functions except VIEW applications. To remove this overlay, select OVERLAY/CLEAR OVERLAYS.
NOTE: It may be more valuable to highlight the terrain categories you do not need or want. Using the above example, select OVERLAY/TERRAIN CATEGORIES and input a slope range of 5.1% to 255% and a radius of 300m. Click “OK”, and the new overlay will be drawn leaving only the areas usable for a base camp.
COMMON ERROR: If you fail to change either the elevation or slope ranges, the entire file will be colored in the one default color. If this happens, select OVERLAY/CLEAR OVERLAYS and try again.
5. Oblique Views.
This tool aids in viewing battle positions, avenues of approach, mobility corridors, engagement areas, etc...
With a DEM open, select the OBLIQUE VIEW button:
The marginal data will tell you to pick the left front corner of the oblique, which you do by double clicking. Next, select the right front corner by dragging the box outward to the desired location and double clicking (The box must be completely within in the DEM window). The “Oblique Selection” window will appear (“color-coded” and “draped” obliques often work best). Select “color coded” and “OK”.
To modify the oblique view, right click anywhere in the oblique window and the “Oblique Options” window appears, allowing you to change the vertical exaggeration, rotation and method of drawing the oblique.
To draw the oblique with imagery or map files draped on top (in this case use “Hangrock.idx”), select the OBLIQUE VIEW button and then bring the imagery/map window to the top to draw the oblique box on. When the “Oblique Selection” window appears, select “Draped” for the method. You can experiment with the three options on the right to get the desired image. You can modify the oblique by right clicking on the image.
To drape weapons fans, slope maps, and terrain categories (as mentioned earlier in their respective sections), then bring the desired window to the top to draw the oblique box on. When the “Oblique Selection” window appears, select “Draped”, “Show overlays on drapes” and “Show grid lines”. Then click “OK”. You can modify the oblique by right clicking on the image.
NOTE: Draping will bring up two windows when the oblique is drawn. Don’t close the smaller window close up of the area; if it is in the way, minimize it. When you close the Oblique window, both windows will close.
To clean off the boxes created on your file, select the FORCE REDRAW button:
6. Perspective Views.
This tool can provide a view from the foxhole, battle position, avenue of approach, and aid in terrain association.
With a DEM open, select the PERSPECTIVE VIEW button:
Select a perspective viewer position by double clicking the mouse. Drag the triangle out to the limit of your desire view and double click again. The “Perspective Options” window will appear next. You can select the size of the perspective window and method for the view. Select “Wire Frame” and “OK”. The perspective will appear in Chromadepth colors.
To modify the perspective view, right click anywhere in the perspective view window and the “Perspective Options” window appears. Select “Reflectance” this time.
To draw the perspective using a imagery or map file (in this case use “Hangrock.idx”), select the PERSPECTIVE VIEW button and then bring the imagery/map window to the top to draw the perspective triangle. When the “Perspective Options” window appears, select “Draped” for the method. You can experiment with the three options on the lower left to get the desired image. You can modify the perspective by right clicking on the image.
To clean off the triangles, select the FORCE REDRAW button:
7. Flythroughs.
This tool allows you to walk down avenues of approach or fly along particular routes to gain a better appreciation for the surrounding terrain. This tool uses the same technique as Perspectives, where a series of perspectives will be drawn, placed in a movie file, and then displayed rapidly in sequence to give a flythrough effect. This file can be saved as a video (.avi) or movie (.mpg) file to be replayed by viewers outside of TerraBase II.
First, try this on the DEM to get the hang of it!
a. Select the FLYTHROUGH button:
The bottom of the window should say, "Flythrough Viewer Starting Point", asking you to select where the fly through will begin. Double click your desired starting point. The note at the bottom of the window now asks you to pick, "Flythrough: end of first view". Now drag the clear triangle out and double click. This will set the viewable area per each perspective drawn. It is important to keep the triangle inside the boundaries of the window throughout the entire route, otherwise it will not perform in the desired method.
b. The note at the bottom of the window now asks you to pick, "Fly through: next turning point." You cursor will now control a clear line for you to set how long of a flight, or first leg of a flight, you want. Move the cursor to the next point and double click. This will set the first leg of flight. You can now select to view just this leg or continue the fly through with additional legs.
1) To end the flight now, move your cursor to the “Fly Through Selection” window and select FLY.
2) To continue building a flight path, move your cursor out again and double click. Add more legs if desired. Now, select FLY in the “Fly Through Selection” window.
c. A new window, "Fly through Parameters", appears allowing you to set the method for the fly through and how large of a fly through screen you want. For the first run through, select “Wire Frame”, accept the default window size, and and click "OK".
d. A new window, "Input a string", appears asking for a four character file name to save the fly through under in your C:\Terrbas2 folder. For example, input “AAAA” A movie file will be created called “aaaa.mov” and then a .bmp file for each frame created in the fly through. This can eat up a lot (A WHOLE LOT!) of hard drive space, especially when using imagery/maps. You should delete all the files once done.
e. A new window, “Perspective Options”, appears allowing you to customize what you will see per each perspective frame. Your "Horizontal view port width" is 45 degrees, "Observer above ground (m)" is 250, and the flight will be a "Nap of the earth flight". Accept the values and click "OK".
f. TerraBase II will begin to generate perspectives, where each perspective is drawn every 250 meters over the flight path. Upon completing the last perspective, TerraBase II will open a new window, "PETMAR Trilobytes Movie Player", that displays the fly through. The window has controls to change the speed of the fly through, freeze frame it, add multiple fly throughs together, and run it backwards. Stop the fly through now and put it in reverse. Use the "Delay between images" bar to change speeds.
g. Once you are finished, close the window.
Caution: Try to remember the file name of each fly through you create and delete any fly through files you do not need to avoid eating up precious hard drive space. Each perspective image of a fly through can take up 150 - 900 Kb, and a 25 scene fly through can take up more than 15.0 Mb of hard drive space.
To delete a movie, either select the FILE/DELETE MOVIE option in the Movie player, or open up Windows Explorer by right clicking on the START button. Find and open the “terrbas2” folder, and delete all the “aaaa.mov” and “aaaa#.bmp” files.
h. Flythroughs on Imagery or Maps. As with obliques and perspectives, after selecting the FLYTHROUGH button, bring the imagery or map file up top and perform steps a – e above, making selections for a “Draped” flythrough. These will create larger files (900 Kb range) than just using the DEM.
i. Saving Fly Throughs. A fly through can be saved as a video (.avi) or movie (.mpg) file to be replayed by viewers outside of TerraBase II.
Select FILE/ and either CONVERT TO AVI (for video players), CONVERT TO MPEG (for the latest movie players), or CONVERT TO GIF. You will be asked for a file name and location for the file to be stored. To play the file, simply find it in Explorer and double click it to run. You usually can control the speed of the fly through manually, as well as run it at the same speed it was created in using TerraBase II. Sorry, no jazzy music included.
For further information about the best way to save a flythrough or panorama view, select HELP/CONTENTS/INDEX/AVI FORMAT.
8. Panorama Views.
This tool allows you to stand at one location and spin clockwise 360 degrees at desired increments. This can be especially helpful in examining battle/LP-OP/surveillance positions and for terrain association. The tool will create a movie file similar to that of the fly through.
Recommendation: For this tool, it can be helpful to enable the Verify Locations option to pick the best spot. To do this, select OPTIONS/COORDINATES/VERIFY GRAPHIC SELECTIONS/and then select “Reasonable”.
a. Use the DEM, “Hangrock.dem” for first run through. Select VIEW/PANORAMA. Adjust your DEM window so that you can see the marginal data; it has a note to select the “Panorama Viewpoint”. Double click a location near the hilltop at MB39001900. You will then drag the perspective triangle out in the initial direction and distance of view you desire. In this case drag the triangle out about 3km to the east and double click at MB42001900.
b. A new window, “Panorama Options” will appear allowing you to select the direction of rotation, the start azimuth (if different from the perspective direction chosen above), the panorama size, increment of rotation by degrees, and method of drawing (Fishnet, Reflectance, or Drape). In this case, accept the defaults and ensure the method says “Reflectance”; click “OK”.
c. The “Perspective Options” window will appear allowing you to change the size and method again. Accept the defaults for this exercise. You will then be asked for a file name – again use “aaaa”. Say “Yes” to “Overwrite files?” (Louder! I can’t hear you.).
d. Another “Perspective Options” window will appear allowing you to input the observer’s height and desired horizontal viewport width. Do not change the other settings at first. Note that you will be 250m above that location, like in a helicopter. Click “OK”.
e. The panorama will be created just like the fly through. Once completed (and your are getting dizzy), you can save the panorama in the same manner as the fly through. Select FILE/ and either CONVERT TO AVI (for video players), CONVERT TO MPEG (for the latest movie players), or CONVERT TO GIF. You will be asked for a file name and location for the file to be stored. To play the file, simply find it in Explorer and double click it to run. You usually can control the speed of the panorama manually, as well as run it at the same speed it was created in using TerraBase II.
f. Now try creating a Panorama using the satellite image of “Hangrock.dem” (or whatever non-DEM file you have open). Make your initial perspective on the satellite image. The only change you will need to make is by selecting “Draped” in the “Panorama Options”. Again use “aaaa” for your file name.
Once done, make sure you have deleted all the panorama files from the C:\terrbas2 folder. Close TerraBase II entirely and restart the program (to freshen up the PC’s memory). Also, “turn off” Verify Location” in OPTIONS/ COORDINATES by selecting “None” instead of “Reasonable”.
9. GPS use with TerraBase II.
TerraBase II will allow you to either:
a. Create GPS waypoints on an open DEM, map or imagery file and then download them into a GPS receiver to navigate by.
b. Input GPS waypoints in your receiver as you travel and then download them into your computer for display in TerraBase II. TerraBase II can create a flythrough using the waypoints of your actual route.
c. Connect the GPS receiver and laptop to see your actual stationary or moving location on a DEM, imagery or map file.
NOTE: You will need a 15 pin-9 pin dual female cable for this which you can order through supply using NSN: 6150-01-375-8664.
For further detailed instructions on using a GPS (PLGR) with TerraBase II, open and print off the GPS battledrills located in the C:\Program Files\Terrbas2\Battled folder.
10. Weather Information (Climate, Sun/Moon)
a. KOPPEN CLIMOGRAPH. This tool provides climate information for 68 locations around the world. Climate information includes annual and monthly temperature and precipitation by number and graphical format. To use the tool, select the KOPPEN CLIMOGRAPH button:
The “Climate Map” will open with a simple world vector map (“world.sin”) with small colored dots representing cities with climate data. Select the ZOOM IN button. Now double click on any of the colored dots to get the annual temperature and precipitation data for that city. Note that if you close the Climate Map and reopen it, it will not have the colored dots. You will have to actually close the program altogether, restart, and reopen KOPPEN CLIMOGRAPH to get them (Known bug we are trying to squash).
You can also enter your own climatic data for any location in the world using the NEW CLIMOGRAPH button.
There is also the DAYLIGHT ON CLICK button to check Sunlight data for anywhere in the world. Double click on a location to get a graphical chart.
b. SUNRISE/SET. This tool provides the sunrise and sunset times, to include nautical (BMNT/EENT) and civil twilight for any location on earth (based off latitude and longitude). To use the tool, select the SUNRISE/SET button:
Enter 35 degrees North latitude and 117 degrees West longitude (NTC). You will get a new window of this year’s sunlight data. Scroll down to find today’s date and determine today’s:
BMNT____________, SUNRISE__________, SUNSET___________, EENT________.
NOTE: This function does not adjust for Daylight’s Saving Time (April – October), so you’ll need to add one hour to the times shown if your area changes times.
c. MOONRISE/SET. This tool provides the moonrise and moonset times for any location on earth. To use the tool, select the MOONRISE/SET button:
Looks and feels very similar to SUNRISE/SET. You will get an initial window to enter a start date. Just accept the given values for now and click “OK”. Enter 35 degrees North latitude and 117 degrees West longitude (NTC). You will get a new window of the next 365 days’ moonlight data.
NOTE: This function does not adjust for Daylight’s Saving Time (April – October), so you’ll need to add one hour to the times shown if your area changes times.
F. Making Products.
Section III.,D.,10., “File Options” covered how to print products and paste them into Power Point, or other software applications. This section provides additional help on how to tailor and output the products made in Tactical Applications above.
1. Adding Graphics.
With any file open, select the EDIT button:
Your computer’s Paint-type program should open on top of TerraBase II. Make the desired graphics and annotations, select “File/Save”, and then exit or close Paint. Back in TerraBase II, select FILE/LOAD IMAGE and the Paint image will be overlaid on top of the existing file. If you erased it, select FILE/LOAD IMAGE again. You can repeat this until you close TerraBase II.
HELPFUL HINT: While still in Paint, first save as the default name up top - “working#.bmp”. Next, immediately save it again, but under a different name. When back in TerraBase II, if you lose the “working#.bmp” for some reason or have to close out of TerraBase II (which wipes out this temp file), go back into Windows Explorer and rename the second file name as “working1.bmp”, bring up the exact same DEM file (and any others you were using) and select FILE/LOAD IMAGE. This should bring up the graphics to where you can manipulate them.
2. Making Overlays.
You may want to make products to go on an existing map board. If your printer allows you to use clear plastic overlay sheets, you can print them out directly. Otherwise, just print to the regular printer and then use a copy machine to burn the image on an overlay.
To make an overlay out of weapons fans, terrain categories, contour lines, and point elevations, select the MAP PARAMETERS button and BLANK. This should leave only the weapons fans, grid lines, and any other “overlay” placed on the file. Follow the instructions in C.8.c. “Printing” to print the overlay off.
To make a “to scale” overlay of operational graphics made in Paint, you will need to draw them on the BLANK DEM to begin with. Before going to Paint, select MAP PARAMETERS button and BLANK. Select OVERLAY/CONTOUR (for some orientation). Now, select the EDIT IMAGE button and make your edits. Save the image and return to TerraBase II; select FILE/LOAD IMAGE, then the PRINT button.
3. Printing on Plotters.
You can print to ANY printer that your computer has the software or profile settings for, to include large format plotters. If you need the product to be to scale, such as 1:50,000, then print the product through TerraBase II, otherwise it is easier to insert the products as JPEG files into Power Point and then print from there.
IV. TUTORIAL CONCLUSION.
Take two aspirin and go to bed.
As mentioned at the start, you will probably want to reset TerraBase II to its original settings. To do so, select OPTIONS/USMA DEFAULTS/OK. To reset the grid coordinate and elevation displays in the margin, select OPTIONS/UNITS/ MGRS and OPTIONS/COORDINATES/ and make sure there is not a check in the box by “Dual Elevations”. Now exit.
Wait! Wait! Don’t leave that computer yet! Did you delete all those Fly Through and Panorama files from the C:\Terrbas2 folder yet?? Right click the Windows START button, find the folder, and delete all the “aaaa#.bmp” and “aaaa.mov” and “aaaa.avi” files (or whatever you called them).
FOR VIDEO EXAMPLES THAT ACTUALLY DEMONSTRATE HOW TO DO MOST OF THE STEPS ABOVE, SEE THE “TERRAIN VISUALIZATION II” CD-ROM, AVAILABLE AUGUST 2000 FROM THE US ARMY ENGINEER SCHOOL. 573-563-4119.
RWS
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