Plots
Overview
A plot in NovaStar 5 is a group of plot panels, annotations, and points used to create one or more plot panels of point data values reported over a time period. Each plot group has a unique number and name that should describe the information plotted.
Multiple plot panels can be displayed vertically or horizontally on the page. The plot panel title, size, time width, and time offset can be preset or set by request. Predefined plot annotations draw colored lines on the plot at specific levels with colored labels to describe the annotation. Single or multiple plot point data analyses can be drawn on a plot panel using fixed or automatic vertical scaling. The horizontal scale is always a time line. Overlaid point plots can use the left, right, or additional scales with normal or inverted scales. Plotting styles include a line with or without plot points, plot points only, a filled area under the line, bars, a stepped lines, or a filled area under a stepped line. Multiple plot limits can be preset to change the plot or fill color by level.
Plot List
Clicking on the Plot Data menu causes the Data Request and Plot List menu choices to appear. Click Plot List to display the Plot List page. For a new NovaStar 5 system, no plots will appear on the Plot List page. Click the Add button at the upper right-hand corner of the Plot List table to define a new plot using the Plot Add page, see the Plot Add section. A new plot can also be created based on an existing template plot using the Plot Copy page, see the Plot Copy section.
Plot List (see also the full-size image)
The Plot List table shows all of the plot groups that have been defined for your system and can show plot group details. Clicking on any of the column heading buttons will reorder the plots in the Plot List, numerically or alphabetically, by that detail. The Choose details... button allows you to specify what information is displayed by the Plot List page using the Plot List Details page, see the Plot List Details section.
Click on the Edit button on any plot's row in the Plot List table to view or edit the defining attributes of that plot on the Plot Edit page, described in the Plot Edit section.
Plot List Details
The check boxes on Plot List Details page control the items, organization, sort order, and limit the records displayed on the associated List page.
Plot List Details (see also the full-size image)
Select the details to display
- Check the box to the left of a detail to display. Details are displayed in the order shown.
- Check the Order by box for the detail to sort first. Check Reverse for a descending sort.
- Check the Then by box for the detail to sort second. Check Reverse for a descending sort.
- Check the second Then by box for the detail to sort third. Check Reverse for a descending sort.
| Button | Action |
|---|---|
| Move Up | Move the selected detail up one row. |
| Move Down | Move the selected detail down one row. |
| Select All | Select all details. |
| Reset | Reset to default details. |
| OK | Return to previous page with new details selected. |
| Cancel | Return to previous page with no changes. |
Select the limits for the display
| Data Label | Description |
|---|---|
| User | Limit display to plots assigned to the user(s). Click User: button to change User Pick Details and order.  Reset pick list to single select.  Decrease pick list length.  Increase pick list length.  Expand pick list to multiple select.  Collapse pick list to single select. |
| Scope | Limit display to plots with scope: all, public, private. |
| User Group | Limit display to plots assigned to the user group(s). Click User Group: button to change User Group Pick Details and order. |
Plot Pick Details
The check boxes on Plot Pick Details page control the items, organization, sort order, and limit the records displayed on the pick list.
Plot Pick Details (see also the full-size image)
Select the details to display
- Check the box to the left of a detail to display. Details are displayed in the order shown.
- Check the Order by box for the detail to sort first. Check Reverse for a descending sort.
- Check the Then by box for the detail to sort second. Check Reverse for a descending sort.
- Check the second Then by box for the detail to sort third. Check Reverse for a descending sort.
| Button | Action |
|---|---|
| Move Up | Move the selected detail up one row. |
| Move Down | Move the selected detail down one row. |
| Select All | Select all details. |
| Reset | Reset to default details. |
| OK | Return to previous page with new details selected. |
| Cancel | Return to previous page with no changes. |
Select the limits for the display
| Data Label | Description |
|---|---|
| User | Limit display to plots assigned to the user(s). Click User: button to change User Pick Details and order. Reset pick list to single select. Decrease pick list length. Increase pick list length. Expand pick list to multiple select. Collapse pick list to single select. |
| Scope | Limit display to plots with scope: all, public, private. |
| User Group | Limit display to plots assigned to the user group(s). Click User Group: button to change User Group Pick Details and order. |
Plot Add
The Plot Add page allows users to create a new plot by entering, at a minimum, a unique plot Number and Name. All other plot parameters are described in the Plot Edit page, see the Plot Edit section. Click the Apply button to save the plot to the database and convert your page to the Plot Edit page. The OK button will also save the plot to the database then return you to the Plot List page.
Plot Add (see also the full-size image)
Plot Edit
When you click on the Edit button associated with any plot defined in the Plot List table, or when you click Apply from the Plot Add or Plot Copy pages to create a new plot, you reach the Plot Edit page. The plot parameters that are edited or input using the Plot Edit page are grouped under Identification, Options, Panel list, Annotation list and Point list headings.
Plot Edit (see also the full-size image)
Identification
| Data Label | Description |
|---|---|
| Table index | Field cannot be modified; it is assigned automatically when a record is added. |
| Number | Plot number must be unique for each plot. Plot numbering does not have to be sequential. Click on button to assign the next available plot number. |
| Name | Plot name must be unique for each plot and should describe the plot information displayed, including the data analysis options that have been selected for the plot points. Max: 100 characters. |
| Description | This descriptive field does not display on plot data display pages. Use it to describe the plot functionality. Max: 1000 characters. |
Owner
| Data Label | Description |
|---|---|
| User | Select the plot owner from the user list. Click User: button change User Pick Details and order, see the User Pick Details section. Click Reset to assign your login name. |
| Scope | Select plot access: Public: Everyone can display this plot. Private: Only owner, group supervisor, or administrator can display this plot. |
User groups
The User groups table shows the user groups currently assigned to the plot.
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Clicking on any of the column heading buttons will reorder the user groups in the User groups List, numerically or alphabetically, by that detail.
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Click Details: button to change the User Group List details and display order, see the User Group List Details section.
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Click Assign/Remove groups button to open User Group Assignment window, see the User Group Assignment section. Changes made to user group assignments will update this page when the assignment window is closed.
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Click the List button to show all user groups, see the User Group List section.
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Click Add button to add a user group, see the User Group Add section.
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Click Edit button to edit the user group, see User Group Edit section.
Options
Options (see also the full-size image)
| Data Label | Description |
|---|---|
| Plot style | Plot headings and data lists are drawn with the default styles for the NovaStar5 server. Select a custom plot style from Plot style list. The style files are Cascading Style Sheets and are stored in the folder: /tomcat/local/styles. Click the View button to display the style file on your browser. Click the Upload button to add a style sheet file to your server. Click the Remove button to remove a style sheet file from your server. To create a new style sheet: 1. Select the default style sheet and click the View button. 2. Using the browser File menu select Save As or Save Page As to write the default plot style sheet (plot.css) to a folder on your workstation. 3. Use a text editor to modify the styles in your local file. 4. Return to the Plot Edit page. 5. Click the Upload button to the right of the Plot style to open the Upload file window. 6. Select your modified local file. 7. Click the Upload button on the Upload file select window. 8. After the upload is successful close the window. 9. Click the Reload button to the right of the Plot style. 10. Select the new file in the Plot style select list. |
| Orientation | Select the multiple plot panel orientation: Vertical or Horizontal. |
Plot Panel List
The Panel List shown on the Plot Edit page shows all the plot panel records assigned to the plot being edited. Plot panels define the plot title, size, legend display, time anchor, time width and time offset. When a plot is first defined, no plot panel records will be assigned to the plot. You must create at least one plot panel.
Click on the table column headers to resort the table for this column; first ascending, then descending. Click on the Choose details ... button to change the details and display order. Click on a table field to edit the text. Click Add to add an new panel; the edit panel is opened. Click Edit to edit an existing panel; the edit panel is opened.
Plot Panel List (see also the full-size image)
| Button | Action |
|---|---|
| Clear all | Clear selection of all rows in this table. |
| Select all | Select all rows in this table. |
| Add | Opens the edit panel where you can enter the parameters for a new record. |
| Edit | Open the edit panel for this record. |
| Select | Select row for applied changes from the edit panel; first select, then clear select. |
| Delete | Mark selected rows for deletion; first select, then clear select. |
| Move up | Move the selected rows up one row. |
| Move down | Move the selected rows down one row. |
| Apply | Assign changed field values to this and all other selected rows in the table. Changed fields are highlighted with a blue-green background while unchanged fields have a white background. |
| Close | Close the edit panel without saving changes; you will be warned if changes will be lost by this action. |
Plot Panel List Details
The check boxes on Plot Panel List Details page control the items, organization, sort order, and limit the records displayed on the associated List page.
Plot Panel List Details (see also the full-size image)
Select the details to display
- Check the box to the left of a detail to display. Details are displayed in the order shown.
- Check the Order by box for the detail to sort first. Check Reverse for a descending sort.
- Check the Then by box for the detail to sort second. Check Reverse for a descending sort.
- Check the second Then by box for the detail to sort third. Check Reverse for a descending sort.
| Button | Action |
|---|---|
| Move Up | Move the selected detail up one row. |
| Move Down | Move the selected detail down one row. |
| Select All | Select all details. |
| Reset | Reset to default details. |
| OK | Return to previous page with new details selected. |
| Cancel | Return to previous page with no changes. |
Plot Panel Edit Panel
Plot Panel Edit Panel (see also the full-size image)
| Data Label | Description |
|---|---|
| Title | Plot panel title. The title is centered at the top of the plot image. |
| Size | Plot panel title font size. Default is 18 points. |
| Width | Panel width in pixels. |
| Height | Panel height in pixels. |
| Legend | Select true to display legend, false for no legend. The plot legend shows the plot line colors assigned to the plot points. |
| Text Size | Plot panel scale label font size. Default is 12 points. |
| Time Anchor | The plot can use the Ending Time or Starting Time with the time width to determine the plot time period. |
| Time Width | The plot panel time period width can be fixed with this parameter. Enter the plot time width value and time units. Click the button to alternate between interval selection from a pick list or from time interval fields. Enter 0 or select Use Request Interval to set the plot panel time period width based on the plot data request parameter (timeWidth) or from the Starting Time (startTime) and Ending Time (endTime) parameters. |
| Time Offset | The plot panel time period can be extended by a time offset. The total time width will be the panel or requested time width plus the time offset. A positive time offset extends the time into the future. A negative time offset extends the time into the past. The time anchor determines from where the time is extended: Ending Time or Starting Time. Click the Time Offset: button to select the interval and direction from lists. Click the Time Offset: button again to return to the time offset value and time units display. Enter 0 or select None to set no plot panel time offset. |
Plot Annotation List
The Annotation List shown on the Plot Edit page shows all the plot annotation records assigned to the plot being edited. Plot annotations are horizontal or vertical colored lines with colored text strings that are displayed on top of the plot panel. When a Plot is first defined, no Plot annotation records will be assigned to the Plot.
Click on the table column headers to resort the table for this column; first ascending, then descending. Click on the Choose details... button to change the details and display order. Click on a table field to edit the text. Click Add to add an new annotation; the edit panel is opened. Click Edit to edit an existing annotation; the edit panel is opened.
Plot Annotation List (see also the full-size image)
| Button | Action |
|---|---|
| Clear all | Clear selection of all rows in this table. |
| Select all | Select all rows in this table. |
| Add | Opens the edit panel where you can enter the parameters for a new record. |
| Edit | Open the edit panel for this record. |
| Select | Select row for applied changes from the edit panel; first select, then clear select. |
| Delete | Mark selected rows for deletion; first select, then clear select. |
| Move up | Move the selected rows up one row. |
| Move down | Move the selected rows down one row. |
| Apply | Assign changed field values to this and all other selected rows in the table. Changed fields are highlighted with a blue-green background while unchanged fields have a white background. |
| Close | Close the edit panel without saving changes; you will be warned if changes will be lost by this action. |
Plot Annotation List Details
The check boxes on Plot Annotation List Details page control the items, organization, sort order, and limit the records displayed on the associated List page
Plot Annotation List Details (see also the full-size image)
Select the details to display
- Check the box to the left of a detail to display. Details are displayed in the order shown.
- Check the Order by box for the detail to sort first. Check Reverse for a descending sort.
- Check the Then by box for the detail to sort second. Check Reverse for a descending sort.
- Check the second Then by box for the detail to sort third. Check Reverse for a descending sort.
| Button | Action |
|---|---|
| Move Up | Move the selected detail up one row. |
| Move Down | Move the selected detail down one row. |
| Select All | Select all details. |
| Reset | Reset to default details. |
| OK | Return to previous page with new details selected. |
| Cancel | Return to previous page with no changes. |
Plot Annotation Edit Panel
Plot Annotation Edit Panel (see also the full-size image)
| Data Label | Description |
|---|---|
| Panel | Select the plot panel for this annotation. |
| Orientation | Select Horizontal to draw a line horizonally across the plot at a limit on the left, right, or other vertical scale. Select Vertical to draw a line vertically up the plot at a time offset from the Start time or End time. |
| Scale | Horizontal orientation: Select the vertical scale for the limit to position the line. Vertical orientation: Select the Start time or End time for the time offset to position the line. |
| Limit | Horizontal orientation: Position on the selected vertical scale for the line start. Vertical orientation: Time offset on the time line for the line start. Click the Time Offset: button to select the interval and direction from lists. Click the Time Offset: button again to return to the time offset value and time units display. Enter 0 or select None to set no time offset. |
| Text | Text string for the annotation. Leave blank to draw a line only. |
| Text Color | Select the text color: black, blue, cyan, gray, darkgray, lightgray, green, magenta, orange, pink, red, yellow. |
| Align | Horizontal orientation, select the text position above, on, or below the line: Center above line Center on line Center below line Left above line Left on line Left below line Right above line Right on line Right below line  Horizontal Orientation Plot Example (see also the full-size image) Vertical orientation, select the text position left, center, right of line: Center of line, top of plot Center of line, center of plot Center of line, bottom of plot Left of line, top of plot Left of line, center of plot Left of line, bottom of plot Right of line, top of plot Right of line, center of plot Right of line, bottom of plot  Vertical Orientation Plot Example (see also the full-size image) |
| Size | Select text point size. Default is 12 points. |
| Parameter | Append selected display parameter key words to the text. These key words are replaced by the plot display request parameters: Plot number: _PLOTNUMBER Plot name: _PLOTNAME Ending time: _ENDINGTIME Display interval: _DISPLAYINTERVAL Data analysis: _DATAANALYSIS |
| Line Show | Select true to plot line, false for no. |
| Color | Select the line color: black, blue, cyan, gray, darkgray, lightgray, green, magenta, orange, pink, red, yellow. |
| Thickness | Select line thickness in pixels. |
Plot Point List
The Point List displays the Plot point records assigned to the Plot being edited. Plot points define the point data analysis and plot options. Plot options include the plot scale (left or right), plot scale invert, plot scale range type and limits, plot type (line, area, bar, ...), line color, line type, line thickness, point point shape, shape color, shape filled. Multiple plot levels can be defined to change the plot line color at different limits.
Click on the table column headers to resort the table for this column; first ascending, then descending. Click on the Choose details... button to change the details and display order. Click on a table field to edit the text. Click Add to add an new point; the point list add panel is opened. Click Edit to edit an existing point; the edit panel is opened.
Plot Point List (see also the full-size image)
| Button | Action |
|---|---|
| Clear all | Clear selection of all rows in this table. |
| Select all | Select all rows in this table. |
| Add | Opens the edit panel where you can enter the parameters for a new record. |
| Edit | Open the edit panel for this record. |
| Select | Select row for applied changes from the edit panel; first select, then clear select. |
| Delete | Mark selected rows for deletion; first select, then clear select. |
| Move up | Move the selected rows up one row. |
| Move down | Move the selected rows down one row. |
| Apply | Assign changed field values to this and all other selected rows in the table. Changed fields are highlighted with a blue-green background while unchanged fields have a white background. |
| Close | Close the edit panel without saving changes; you will be warned if changes will be lost by this action. |
Plot Point List Details
The check boxes on Plot Point List Details page control the items, organization, sort order, and limit the records displayed on the associated List page.
Plot Point List Details (see also the full-size image)
Select the details to display
- Check the box to the left of a detail to display. Details are displayed in the order shown.
- Check the Order by box for the detail to sort first. Check Reverse for a descending sort.
- Check the Then by box for the detail to sort second. Check Reverse for a descending sort.
- Check the second Then by box for the detail to sort third. Check Reverse for a descending sort.
| Button | Action |
|---|---|
| Move Up | Move the selected detail up one row. |
| Move Down | Move the selected detail down one row. |
| Select All | Select all details. |
| Reset | Reset to default details. |
| OK | Return to previous page with new details selected. |
| Cancel | Return to previous page with no changes. |
| Data Label | Description |
|---|---|
| Point | Select points to add to the point list from the pick list. Hold down the [Ctrl] key and click to select multiple points. Hold down the [Shift] key and click to select points from last selected to current selection. Click button to change Point Pick Details and order, see the Point Pick Details section. Decrease pick list length. Increase pick list length. |
Click the Apply button to add all selected points to the point list. The point list add panel will change to the point list edit panel for the last point added. You will then need to assign the other parameters to each point. First click Clear all to de-select all points except the one shown in the edit panel.
Plot Point Edit Panel
Plot Point Edit Panel (see also the full-size image)
| Data Label | Description |
|---|---|
| Panel | Select the plot panel for this point. |
| Point | Select the point from the pick list. Click button to change pick list details and order, see the Point Pick Details section. |
| Override | Select true to allow users to replace this point with one they select. This allows general purpose plot templates to be created and used for multiple points. |
| Label | Enter the plot legend for this point. If blank the point pick list label is used. Click button to fill in the default label for editing from the point pick details. |
| Analysis | Select the data analysis for the point readout. See the data analysis appendix for a description of the analysis types. Use default analysis will do the plot data request analysis selected. Any other analysis type selected will override the plot data request analysis. |
| Analysis Interval | The Storm Rainfall and Rainfall Intensity data analysis require an analysis interval. See the data analysis appendix for a description of the analysis interval use for these analysis types. Click the button to alternate between interval selection from a pick list or from time interval fields.  Analysis (see also the full-size image) |
| Data type | Select the type of data displayed: Scaled: Scaled or analysis value Raw: Raw data value Score: Nova score value Rating1 - Rating5: Rating value 1 - 5 |
| Display Interval | Select the time interval for the data analysis. The time interval is used to compute the start time for the data analysis from the end time. Click the button to alternate between interval selection from a pick list or from time interval fields. Use Request Interval and Show Data Reports will use the plot data request display interval if selected or 1 day by default. |
| Time Offset | Select the time offset from the plot data request end time for the data analysis period, default if 0.0 seconds. A positive time offset starts in the future (After), a negative time offset starts in the past (Before). Click the Time Offset: button to select from a list of intervals. The time offset direction is selected from the After/Before list. Click the button again to use the time offset fields. |
| Multiplier | Multiply the data analysis computed value by this constant. |
| Adder | Add this constant to the data analysis computed value. |
| Data class | Select a class from the plot style sheet to define the plot data list display style. The default style is plotdata. |
| Display score | Select true to change the data class displayed for the data analysis score value. The score value (1-5, 0 for missing) is appended to the data class name. For example if the data class name is plotdata then a score of 1 will use the class plotdata1, a score of 2 will use the class plotdata2, and so on. Missing data will use the class plotdata0. This feature is false by default./* Plot readout background colors for scores */td.plotdata0 {color:#888888;background-color:#ffffff;} td.plotdata,td.plotdata1 {background-color:#ffffff;} /* white */td.plotdata2 {background-color:#ffff44;} /* yellow */td.plotdata3 {background-color:#ffaa44;} /* orange */td.plotdata4 {background-color:#ff8866;} /* pink */td.plotdata5 {background-color:#ff4444;} /* red */ |
| Display digits | Set the number of decimal digits to display to the right of the decimal point. Select default to use the number of display digits assigned to the point type. |
| Scale | Select the plot scale for this plot point: default: Let the plot program assign the plot scale. Left: Use the left plot scale. Right: Use the right plot scale. 3 - 9: Use the plot scales 3 - 9 to the right of the right plot scale. |
| Invert | Select the plot scale invert: normal: No inversion. Plot scale has highest on top and lowest on bottom. invert: Invert the plot scale from lowest on top to highest on bottom. |
| Range | Select the plot scale range computation for this plot point: default: Use the plot data request scale parameter. auto: Let the plot program compute the plot scale. fixed: Use the plot scale limit to the right. point: Use the point plot scale limits. |
| Lower Limit | Lower plot scale limit for fixed plot range. |
| Upper Limit | Upper plot scale limit for fixed plot range |
| Type | Select the plot type for this plot point: line: Draw a line between plot points. point: Draw plot points only - no line. bar: Draw histogram bars. step: Draw stepped lines between plot points. area: Draw a line between plot points and fill in area under plot line. steparea: Draw a stepped line between plot points and fill in area under plot line. |
| Number | Select the limit number for this plot point. Multiple plot points can be added to a plot that will plot point data in different colors for data ranges. |
| Limit | Plot data limit for this plot data range. All data values from this limit to the next are plotted with this plot point parameters. All data less than the first limit uses that limit's plot point parameters. All data greater than the last limit uses that limit's plot point parameters. |
| Line color | Plot line color for this level. Colors are: black, blue, cyan, gray, darkgray, lightgray, green, magenta, orange, pink, red, yellow. |
| Line type | Plot line type for this level. Line types are: solid, dashed, dotted. |
| Thickness | Plot line thickness in pixels for this level. Thicknesses are: 1.0, 1.5, 2.0 , 2.5, ..., 5.0. |
| Shape color | Plot shape color for this level. Colors are: black, blue, cyan, gray, darkgray, lightgray, green, magenta, orange, pink, red, yellow. |
| Shape type | Plot shape at data points for this level. Shapes are: none, box, circle, diamond, ellipse, rectangle down, rectangle up, triangle up, triangle down, triangle left, triangle right. |
| Filled | Plot shape fill for this level: true or false. |
For example the plot annotation and point options above were used to create the plot data page below:
Plot Example with Annotations and Multiple Color Levels (see also the full-size image)
Plot Copy
The Plot Edit page allows a user to add a plot with all of the same parameters, panels, annotations and points as an existing defined plot using the Copy button. When you press the Copy button on the Plot Edit page you reach the Plot Copy page. Copying an existing plot is most convenient when the new plot will share many parameters with the existing plot that is used as a copy template. Once you have assigned a unique plot Number and Name to the copied plot, clicking the Apply button will create the copied plot and access the Plot Edit page, described in the Plot Edit section.
Plot Delete
To delete a plot from the Plot List, click Edit on that plot's row in the table and then click Delete from the Plot Edit screen to view the Plot Delete page. The Plot Delete page prompts you to click the Delete button again to confirm that the plot should be deleted. When a plot is deleted, NovaStar 5 will delete all plot panels, annotations and points assigned to the plot then return to the Plot List page. Click Back to cancel the delete request.