Welcome back to AWIPS Tips! Today we’re going to talk about a nuanced topic regarding data in CAVE. Normally, when we talk about data, we tend to categorize it by the data type – ie. model (grib), satellite, observation, etc. Today we’re going to look at data from a different perspective and try to elaborate on the difference between graphic and image products. While normally it does not make much of a difference, it can be useful to realize what type of product you’re working with when you want to “style” or configure the loaded data.
Graphic Products
Graphic products are those containing plotted data. The plots can consist of contours, other lines, points, shapes, or other symbols. These data can also have text displayed in the product as well. Some examples of graphic products are:
Surface Observations (Temperature)
Surface Winds
Contour Model Data (MSLP)
Image Products
Image products are more closely related to a “picture” of data. They are more accurately described as a continuous field of data that is colorized by its values. While image products don’t have the same attributes as graphics products, they do have additional display properties that can be manipulated. Some examples of image products are:
Satellite Imagery (GOES)
Model Data Image (Surface Temperature)
MRMS RALA (Reflectivity at Lowest Altitude)
NOTE: Some of the image products may have the word "Img" in their extended resource name, like both the above MRMS and Model examples.
Loading Methods
One other thing to note, many of the resources are available as both! You can use the Product Browser to load a resource as an image or a graphic product:
Finally, some products will allow you to reload them as the other display type if they’re already loaded. You can do this by accessing their resource menu:
It might take a while to become more familiar with the various graphic and image products available through CAVE’s data menus. The distinction becomes most important when trying to stylize the data, and understanding the limitations between working with the two types of visual products.
We hope you enjoy it! Check back in two weeks for the next blog post, where we'll learn about the different types of products in CAVE.
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This blog was posted in reference to v18.2.1-6 of NSF Unidata AWIPS
