Executing Smart Tools

Convective Scenario
Winter Scenario

Executing Smart Tools

To execute any Smart Tool, you must perform these steps:
  1. Set the Weather Element you wish to modify "Editable" by clicking MB2 over it on the Legend or MB1 in the Grid Manager. Note that the Edit Action Dialog displays only the tools which can operate on the "Editable" Weather Element.
  2. Select the set of grids you wish to modify by defining the Spatial Editor time or the Grid Manager's selected time range as described in the previous section.
  3. Select the area over which you want the Smart tool to apply using the Select Points tool or by executing an edit area query, both described in previous sections.
  4. Open the Edit Actions Dialog and Execute the desired Smart Tool by clicking on the Smart Tool label with MB1. You may also execute a Smart Tool by clicking MB3 over the Spatial Editor and selecting the desired tool.
  5. Some Smart Tools display a dialog allowing you to choose various options prior to running the tool. In this case, select the desired options. You may then choose to simply "Run" the tool (in which case the dialog will remain for further executions of the tool) or to "Run/Dismiss" (in which case the dialog will disappear as the tool executes).
As the Smart Tool executes, you will see its progress indicated on the Progress Bar located on the bottom right of the GFE window.

If you are unclear at all about Step 1 or Step 2, we strongly recommend that you review those sections of this document. It is very important that you understand how to identify the specific grids and the area you wish to modify before executing any Smart Tool. Without this understanding it is very easy to modify grids in ways you do not intend.

The following exercises take you through the execution of Smart Tools in the context of two forecasting scenarios. The exercises are presented in a visual format that shows how the Background weather situation, the GFE simple tools and the GFE Smart Tools interact within the Scenario. These exercises give you the "Big Picture" for using the GFE in a Forecast situation and bring much of what you have learned to culmination. They are meant to stimulate your thinking about how Smart Tools can be used at your particular site. The exercises are challenging as all steps are not detailed. Feel free to refer back to previous sections if necessary to perform an instruction.

Convective Scenario

The following diagram shows the forecast situation which is addressed in the Convective Scenario. If the "Convective_SmartTool" does not appear in the list of Edit Actions, please contact your ITO for help converting it to AWIPS2 from the AWIPS1 examples/smartTools directory.

Follow the instructions below to see how Smart Tools might be applied in this kind of situation.

 

Winter Scenario

The following Scenario is meant for areas with diverse terrain, but will serve as an illustration of the power and flexibility of Smart Tools and perhaps give ideas for other forecast situations. Follow the instructions in the Scenario.