Putting D3D in the Weather Forecast Office

What is D3D

  • A three-dimensional visualization tool
    • To investigate the complexities and 3D structure of atmospheric parameters
    • Combines 3D visualization with interactive 2D techniques
    • Based on the Vis5D software package from UW

  • Designed to be used with the two-dimensional AWIPS operational system, D2D
  • Developed to determine value added using 3D displays in an operational forecast office
  • Developed at FSL - 1.5 FTE

D3D Rendering Techniques

Major accomplishments

  • Mid-1990's: Research focus
    • Experimentation with visualization using AVS5, AVS/Express

  • Early 1997: Select UW's Vis5D as core graphics software
    • Designed for use in meteorology
    • Superior animation capabilities
    • Enthusiastic support by UW (Bill Hibbard)
    • Free

  • Late 1997 to 1998: used D3D during FSL Daily Weather Breifings
  • Summer 1998: RT98 - In-house forecast exercise
  • Oct-Dec 1999: RT99 - comprehensive forecast exercise
  • 2000: Port to PC-LINUX platform
  • 2001: January-Southern Region training at FSL
  • 2001: Deployed to selected WFOs

  • Presentations
    • 10 Jan 1999: Presentations at AMS Short Course "Weather and Climate Visualization"
    • 14 Jan 1999: Talk at AMS 15th IIPS Conference
    • 18 May 1999: FSL SDD Tech Review
    • 15 Jan 2001: Talk at AMS 17th IIPS Conference
    • Oct 2001: NOAA Tech 2002 (Silver Spring)
    • 12-16 Nov 2001: 8th Workshop on Meteorological Operational Systems (Reading, England)
    • Jan 2002: D3D session in AMS AWIPS Symposium at the AMS Annual Meeting

Technical considerations

  • System Requirements
    • Platform - Linux/PC
    • Operating System - RedHat 6.x or higher
    • Memory - 256MB (but as little as 128 MB)
    • Software Prerequisites - Tcl/Tk, C++ standard libraries
    • Data
      • AWIPS localization & model grids are Required
      • D2D Not Required

RT99 Exercise

  • Real-time forecast exercise (RT99)

  • Purpose: To get wide-ranging feedback on D3D from operational forecasters at WFOs and National Centers
  • Exercise strategy
    • Week 1: Training and hands-on exercises
    • Week 2: Exercises using Delayed real-time data sets
      • Included a FSL weather briefing using D3D
    • Extensive evaluation
      • Electronic notebook - to document comments
      • E-Team detailed questionnaires
      • End of exercise interview session

RT99 Positive Feedback

  • Application achieved acceptance

    • Overwhelmingly positive feedback
    • Several wanted software released immediately

  • Useful approach to investigate model output

    • Great 3D visualization of the atmosphere
    • Quick way to peruse LOTS of information
    • Interactive 2D tools in 3D space superior

      • Well-received D3D Sounding influenced the development of a dynamic D2D sounding capability

      • Ability to dynamically move plan-views and cross- sections revealed continuity and discrepancy in parameter fields not easily seen otherwise

  • Combining the visualization techniques was effective

    • Isosurfaces with volume visualization very informative
      • volume visualization does not work well on all machines

    • Isosurfaces with plan views and cross-sections
      • further enhanced the advantages of the interactive tools to reveal different atmospheric structures

RT99 Constructive Feedback

  • Problems noted

    • Georeferencing can be difficult with isosurfaces
      • Perspective and Depth cues
      • Directional buttons
      • Store/Recall views (rotation, translation and scale)

    • Isosurfaces revealing, but how best to use?
      • Atmosphere is 3D, but we're familiar with thinking 2D
      • Importance of training

    • Must use on a fast enough machine
      • Interactive nature makes this critical

    • Lack of a way to display observed data

      • Careful of meteorological cancer syndrome (ie. looking only at model forecasts)
      • Would like radar in 3D

    • Desire to simultaneously look at multiple models


Software enhancements

  • RT99 suggestions used to set priorities

  • Major goal: make D3D look and feel like D2D

    • Volume Browser
      • Replaces Vis5D selection matrix
      • Allows access to editing displayed field
    • Color wheel GUI
      • Replaces Vis5D color editor

  • Display improvements

    • Ability to link cross-sections
    • Ability to overlay a field onto an isosurface

Software enhancements (Con't)

  • Sounding package

    • Added hodograph
    • Added severe weather parameters
    • Improved the variable display

  • Web page to suppport users in the field

    • Online background information
    • Can ftp latest upgrades from the website
    • Updated the online User's Guide
    • FAQ via mail-list

Deployment status

    Installed in
    • Eastern Region:
      • Headquarters
      • WFO Gray, Maine
    • Central Region:
      • WFO Dodge City
      • WFO Boulder
    • Southern Region:
      • Headquarters
      • WFO Tulsa
      • WFO Amarillo
      • WFO Tallahassee
    • Western Region:
      • WFO Salt Lake
    • COMET

Future Plans

  • Continue to make improvements to D3D

    • New D3D release v1.2 - October 2001

  • Improve website to enable better field support

  • More aggressive field evaluation

    • Soliciting comments from users (thru webpage?)

  • Expand to other WFOs who would like software

  • Interaction with COMET regarding training?

  • Expand to National Centers

    • Storm Prediction Center likely candidate