Main Interface

Weather Defender was designed with simplicity in mind. It takes only a few minutes to learn basic navigation, and you do not need to understand every tool and function in order to use the application.

But under the covers, there is a lot of functionality that will enhance your experience. The following documentation is a complete reference to every button and function in the main interface.

Weather Defender Main Interface

Table of Contents [Hide/Show]

1 - Interface Overview
   1.1 - Workspace
   1.2 - Toolbars
      Map Tab
      Team Tab
      Interface Tab
      Help Tab
      Specialized Menus
         Shield Menu
         Quick Access Toolbar
   1.3 - Dialog Windows
      Map Layers Dialog
      Legend Dialog
      GPS Dialog
      Chat Dialog
         Sending a message
         Ground rules for chatting
      Info Dialog
   1.4 - Status Bar
2 - Customizing the Interface
   2.1 - Color & Themes
   2.2 - Dialog Window Placement
   2.3 - Maximizing Workspace

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1 - Interface Overview

The main interface is divided up into four parts: toolbars, workspace, dialog windows, and status bar.

Interface Components

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1.1 - Workspace

The Workspace is the part of the interface where you will interact with your Map.

Map being displayed in the Workspace area

Using navigation tools, you can reposition the Map and zoom the Map to your desired location.

Use navigation tools to reposition the Map

Using the Map Layers Dialog Window, you may select what is displayed on your Map.

Use the Map Layers Dialog to select which layers should be displayed on your Map

Layers in a Map are represented as a vertical stack. Bottom layers are displayed "under" top-most layers. Layers can be rearranged in the Map Layers Dialog Window.

Layers are represented as a vertical stack

There are many tools which can be utilized in the Map/Workspace area, each with its own function. See the Map Tab - "Tools" section for more.

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1.2 - Toolbars

The top portion of the interface contains all the tools and functions available to you.

Toolbar Components

Most of the tools are grouped in Tabs and Specialized Menus for easier reference.

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Map Tab

This menu provides functionality that relates to your map: navigation, layers, drawing, etc.

Map Tab

Map Tab - "Project" Functions:

Weather Defender uses a Document-style method for storing Map customizations. Like in Microsoft Word, you start with a blank template Map. You can modify that Map by adding or removing layers, or repositioning the view. You can save changes to your Map as a file on your computer. You can even share your Maps with other Weather Defenders. The idea is to permit you to create multiple maps for multiple purposes, and be able to later recall those maps just as you would documents written in a word processor.

New Map

Open a new blank Map. If a Map is already open, the new Map will be displayed in a separate tab in the Workspace.

Open

Open a previously saved Map from your computer. Map will display in a separate Workspace tab if another Map is already open.

Save

Save changes to the current Map. Will store changes to the same location where Map was loaded from. To save to an alternate location, use the "Save As" function in the "Shield Menu".

Map Tab - "Tool" Functions:

This section provides tools that directly interact with the Map.

Create Perimeter

Use this tool to draw a circular perimeter around a position you want to monitor for severe weather. With the tool selected, click and hold the left mouse button on the center of the area you want to monitor, and drag the mouse in any direction to create the perimeter as large as desired. Then release the left mouse button and enter the threat information on the window that pops up.

See the topic on Creating Perimeters Alerts for more details.

Measure

Draw a line over the map to measure the distance in miles between two points. Note, for performance reasons a simple algorithm was used to calculate mileage and is less accurate over large distances. The measure tool is more accurate when measuring distances less than 200 miles.

Forecast

Use this tool to get a 7-day forecast anywhere in the continental United States by simply clicking on the map.

Set Home

Allows you to change your "Home" position by clicking another location on the map. The Home location is both for your own reference when monitoring the weather, and also for displaying your position to other Weather Defenders when you join a Chat room.

Add Point

Add a point of interest to your the Map.

Draw Line

Draw a line on your Map.

Clear Drawings

Clears all points and lines drawn on your Map.

Export Drawings

Save your drawings as a separate GIS layer. This allows you to import drawings between Maps, as well as use drawings from Weather Defender in other GIS applications.

Map Tab - "Navigate" Functions:

Pan/Zoom

This is the primary tool you will use in Weather Defender. When selected, your cursor will appear as a Hand when over the Map. Click and hold the left mouse button to "drag" (pan) the Map to a new position. Click and hold the right mouse button to zoom the map in or out.

Zoom Box

Allows you to left click and draw a box over the region you want to zoom to. Alternately with this tool, left clicking once or right clicking once will zoom the map in or out one level.

Back

Repositions the Map to the previous position. Functions like an "Undo" for Map positioning.

Next

If Back was clicked, the Next button allows you to revert the position to what was displayed before you clicked Back. Functions like "Redo".

Presets

The Presets menu allows you to reposition the Map to a previously stored location.

Presets Menu

Center Home

Center the Map on your Home position.

(Preset Name)

Reposition the Map to the corresponding location (see Save Current).

Save Current

Allows you to store the current Map view as a new preset. Just type in the nickname you want assigned with this view and press Enter. The preset should appear as a new menu item.

Clear List

Deletes all stored presets.

Map Tab - "Layer" Functions:

Add Layer

This menu provides access to all of the Weather and Geographic Layers that can be added to your Map.

Layer Menu

Recent

This submenu provides access to recently-added Layers.

(Layer Name)

Click on one of the Weather or Geography Layers in this menu to add that Layer to your map. If the Layer does not currently exist on your computer (or the data is not current), it will be automatically downloaded from a central server. The newly added Layer will be represented by a new button in the Map Layers Dialog Window.

Browse Layers

Launch the Layer Browser: Our complete and continually expanding library of Weather, Geography, and other types of Layers which can be added to your Map.

From Disk

Add a Layer from your computer. Must be one of the following supported GIS formats:
*.GRD; *.ADF; *.E00; *.FLT; *.SHP; *.DXF; *.BT; *.TOC; *.RT1; *.DEM; *.DLF; *.OPT; *.DT0; *.DT1; *.DT2; *.ECW; *.IMG; *.GDF; *.GML; *.XML; *.KML; *.GPX; *.GIF; *.JP2; *.J2K; *.JPX; *.JPC; *.JPG; *.JPEG; *.SID; *.MIF; *.TAB; *.DGN; *.PNG; *.DDF; *.BIL; *.TIF; *.TIFF; *.TTKPS; *.TTKLS; *.LFT; *.PFT; *.TFT; *.BMP or *.Layer

Add Group

Create a new grouping in the Map Layers Dialog Window for organizing Layers. See Organizing Layers topic.

Back Color

Set the background color of the Map. If no foreground layers are covering the oceans, this will change the color of the oceans.

Palette Editor

Launches the Palette Editor for customizing colors used in Radar and Layer Effects. See Editing Color Palettes topic.

Map Tab - "Capture" Functions:

Screenshot

Save a screenshot of the current Map as a GIF, PNG, TIFF, or BMP on your computer.

(Screenshot Menu) > Start Timed Captures

When enabled, a screenshot will be taken automatically every xx minutes.

(Screenshot Menu) > Settings

Loads the screen capture settings including dimensions, file type, labeling effects, and FTP information for automated upload of screenshots to a remote web server. See Screen Capturing topic.

Animate

Launches the Map Animator in a separate window animating the history of weather imagery associated with the current Map. Animation history starts when the Map was first loaded.

(Animate Menu) > Reset Animation

Clears animation history, resetting the start time of the animation to the present time.

(Animate Menu) > Settings

Loads the animation capture settings including dimensions, frame interval, and labeling effects. See Animation topic.

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Team Tab

This menu contains functions for collaborating with other Weather Defenders, as well as maintainin your account information (profile and billing).

Team Tab

Team Tab - "Collaborate" Functions:

Chat

Log in to the group chat rooms to chat with other Weather Defenders presently online.

Reconnect

Re-establish the chat connection if there is a connection error.

Disconnect

Log out of the chat rooms.

Chat Rooms

View a listing of available chat rooms, or create a new one.

Share View

Sends your current Map View (coordinates) to everyone in the chat room, so they may reposition to what you are looking at.

Place Marker

Add a marker to everyone's map in the chat room, highlighting a point of interest.

Team Tab - "Profile" Functions:

(Profile Info)

Your selected Avatar, Username and Rank are displayed.

Status

Enter your "status" for members of the chat room to read what you are currently doing.

Account Settings

Menu containing Account options:

Profile Details

Edit basic profile information such as Name, E-mail, Bio, and change password.

Billing & Upgrades

Upgrade or cancel your subscription or sign up for premium products.

Refresh Profile

Reload profile information in the Team menu.

Team Tab - "Position" Functions:

Start GPS

Activate (or deactivate) GPS tracking. No special settings need to be made prior to activating. Automatic scan will be performed to try to locate and connect to GPS device.

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Interface Tab

This menu contains functions for customizing the appearance of the application.

Team Tab

Interface Tab - "Dialog Windows" Functions:

Layers

Show/hide Map Layers window

Legend

Show/hide Map Legend window.

Chat

Show/hide Chat window.

GPS

Show/hide GPS window.

Dialog Settings

Menu for modifying the appearance of Dialog Windows.

Graphics Quality

Set the rendering quality of the Dialog Windows: Low, Medium, Medium High (default), or High. The High setting adds animated fade in/out.

Transparency

Set the Minimum and Maximum transparency for when the Dialog Window is active/inactive.

Reset Positions

Restore all Dialog Windows to their original positions and sizes.

Interface Tab - "Themes" Functions:

Theme Menu

Customize the main application colors by picking from 3 themes: Black (default), Blue, or Silver.

Custom Color

Modify the selected theme by tinting with another color.

Interface Tab - "Effects" Functions:

Sound

Enable/disable application sound effects.

Animated Icons

Enable/disable animated icons associated with certain layers.

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Help Tab

This menu provides guidance and support functions.

Team Tab

Help Tab - "Guidance" Functions:

Documentation

Load main program documentation.

Video Tutorials

Watch narrated, video tutorials of common program features.

Frequently Asked Questions

Review answers to the most commonly asked questions.

Help Tab - "Support" Functions:

Forums

Load User Forums to ask questions and discuss features of Weather Defender with other users and staff.

Ask Us a Question

Simple feedback form to send a question to the Weather Defender support staff.

Contact Info

Contact options for getting in touch with Weather Defender support staff.

Help Tab - "Restore" Functions:

Reload Map

Reload the active Map in case it has become locked and will not respond to interaction.

Reset Dialogs

Reset Dialog Window locations to their original positions and sizes.

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Specialized Menus

Additional functionality is available through specialized menus.

Shield Menu

The Shield Menu can be considered the "File Menu". It contains standard File Menu-type options as found in other Windows applications:

Shield Menu

Shield Menu Functions:

New Map

Open a new Map using the default template.

Open Map

Open a previously saved Map (*.map) from your computer.

Save Map

Save the currently open Map to your computer.

Save Map As

Save the currently open Map to a different location on your computer.

Close Map

Close the currently open Map without shutting down the application. If more than one Map is open, only the currently active (selected) Map will be closed.

Recent Maps

Listing of most recently opened maps. Click an item to open the Map.

Exit Application

Shutdown application.

Quick Access Toolbar

The Quick Access Toolbar (QAT) is an always-visible menu where you can store shortcuts to frequently-used functions in other menus.

Quick Access Toolbar

QAT Menu Functions (Default):

Save Map

Save the currently open Map to your computer.

Previous View

Repositions the Map to the last-viewed extent.

Customizing the QAT

To add functions to the QAT, right-click any button in the Tab or Shield Menus, and select 'Add to Quick Access Toolbar'.

To remove functions from the QAT, right-click the function you want to remove in the QAY, and select 'Remove from Quick Access Toolbar'.

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1.3 - Dialog Windows

Dialog Windows are the semi-transparent windows that appear over top of the workspace area. By default, only the Map Layers and Legend Dialog Windows will be shown. Taking certain actions in the application will cause other Dialog Windows to appear. For example, activating a GPS connection will cause the GPS Dialog Window to be displayed with status information.

There are five Dialog Windows in total: Map Layers, Map Legend, GPS, Chat, and Info Dialogs.

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Map Layers Dialog

The Map Layers Dialog Window is your primary interface for showing, hiding, and organizing what is displayed on your Map.

Map Layers Dialog Window

The following capabilities are provided via the Map Layers interface:

Show/Hide Layers

Show or Hide any Layer that is referenced by your Map by left clicking the corresponding button in the Map Layers Dialog Window.

For example, if you want to hide the U.S. Radar layer, left-click that button. To show it, click it again.

Adding Layers

Click the Add Layer link at the bottom of the window or click Map Tab > Layers to access the menu of Layers which can be added to your Map. Once a new layer has been added, it will show up in the Map Layers Dialog as another button.

Layers which are dynamic (that is, their contents update over time) will automatically download updates at regular intervals, ensuring you always have the most current data.

Progress bar of a Dynamic Layer

Some Geography layers, such as local street maps, are stored on remote servers and will download to your computer the first time they are added to your Map.

Moving/Rearranging Layers

There are two reasons for moving Layers up or down in the Map Layers Dialog: 1) to modify the appearance of your map by moving one Layer's imagery in front of another's, or 2) to group similar layers together into a Layer Group for better organization.

In either case, this is accomplished by dragging-and-dropping the desired layer to a new location.

Drag-and-drop to rearrange

To drag a layer up or down, press and hold the left mouse button while the cursor is over top of the Layer button. While the left mouse button is depressed, move the mouse away from you (up) or towards you (down).

As you move the layer, white markers will appear to indicate where the layer can be dropped (i.e., between which 2 layers, or in which Layer Group it can be dropped). Finally, release the left mouse button to drop the layer into its new position.

After the layer has been dropped, the Map will refresh to display changes.

Tip: Entire Layer Groups can be moved in front of or behind other Layer Groups using the same drag-and-drop method.

Adding Groups

It is easy to get carried away with adding layers to you Map(s). Groups help you keep things organized. Create a Layer Group by clicking the Add Group link.

Creating a Layer Group

On the prompt window, select a name and behavior for the Layer Group. The different behaviors let you control how the layers in that group will show/hide when a layer button is clicked.

Once the Layer Group has been created, simply drag-and-drop the desired Layer buttons into the group's box.

Layer Group settings can be modified by clicking the gearshaft icon in the upper-right of the group's box.

Expanding/Collapsing Groups

Click the plus or minus icon in the upper left of a group box to expand or collapse the box to show or hide the layer buttons inside.

Click the Plus icon to expand

Click the Minus icon to collapse

Layer Menus

Click the drop-down arrow on the right side of a Layer button to access that layer's specialized menu:

Layer Menu

Refresh Now (dynamic layers only)

Will force an update of the selected layer immediately.

Center on Map

Repositions your Map to fit the entire contents of the selected layer's data into view.

Export

Allows you to export the data from the selected layer into a number of different GIS formats, for use with other GIS applicaitions.

Remove

Removes the selected layer from your Map, and the corresponding button from the Map Layers Dialog Window. To re-add a layer you have removed, visit the Map Tab > Layers menu.

Properties

Provides access to the full range of settings associated with the selected layer, including Display Format, Update Settings, and Effect Settings. See the Layer Properties topic for more details.

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Legend Dialog

The Legend Dialog provides an overview of the currently active Weather layers.

Legend Dialog Window

The Legend displays the name of all activated Weather layers, and the times of last update. If a layer renders using special colors or data symbols, those will be displayed beneath the name.

By default, none of the Geography layers are displayed in the Legend because they are static and do not update. But any static layer can be shown in the Legend by checking the 'Show in Legend' checkbox in the layer's properties.

Layers in the Legend are shown in the order they appear on the map (just as in the Map Layers Dialog). The first item in the list is the top-most layer you will see on the Map.

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GPS Dialog

The GPS Dialog Window provides GPS connectivity and status information about your current position.

NOTE: You must have an NMEA-compatible GPS device connected to your computer to access the GPS Dialog. (Most GPS devices are NMEA-compatible. Some require downloading special drivers. Consult your GPS manual).

GPS Dialog, "Combined" View

The GPS Dialog permits 5 viewing options:

Compass

Display a standard compass with an arrow pointing in the direction of travel.

Speedometer

Display a speedometer showing the speed of travel.

Altimeter

Display an altimeter showing your current elevation.

Satellites

Display the current position and signal lock of each satellite being tracked by your GPS device.

Combined

Displays smaller versions of the above four dials at the same time.

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Chat Dialog

The Chat Dialog provides access to the integrated chat room feature.

Chat Dialog Window

To access this feature, click Team Tab > Chat. Once connected to a chat room, you will be able to write messages that will be broadcast to all members of that chat room.

Sending a message

To send a message, left-click in the yellow box towards the bottom of the Chat Dialog Window and start typing your message. Press Enter when complete to send.

Sending a chat message

Whenever a message is sent or received, it will be displayed in a bubble next to the user's position on the Map. Thus the chat feature in Weather Defender is both real-time and geospatial.

Geospatial Chatting

Other members' messages will appear in a bubble on the Map as well as in the dialog window, above the yellow box. The format of messages is:

time <sender> message

Special messages may also be displayed, such as a user joining or leaving the chat room, or markers being added to the Map.

Tip: Clicking on the sender's name will center your Map on that user's location.

To the right of the message area, a list of usernames is displayed. These are the users currently in the chat room with you.

Several functions are available in the Chat Dialog. These are located in the upper-right of the window:

Chat Rooms

Displays a menu of chat rooms for you to switch rooms or create your own. Different chat rooms allow users to collaborate with users of similar profession or interest.

Share View

Sends your current Map View (coordinates) to everyone in the chat room, so they may reposition to what you are looking at.

Place Marker

Add a marker to the Map and broadcast the point of interest to everyone in the chat room.

Font

Modify the font style and colors used in the Chat Dialog Window.

Reconnect

Re-establish the chat connection if there is a connection error.

Popout Window

Popout the Chat to a separate window so you can monitor the Chat room with out having Weather Defender running in the foreground of your Windows desktop.

Close

Closes the Chat Window but does not log you out. Use the Team Tab > Disconnect button to log out of chat.

Tip: Sound effects are played each time a message is sent or received. To disable these sound effects, click Interface Tab > Sound

Ground rules for chatting

1. Keep it professional.
Always be respectful to your fellow Weather Defenders. Keep the conversation relevant to the chat room you are in. Avoid coarse or foul language. Do not attempt to market your own business or website.

2. Be mindful of the audience.
The chat rooms are primarily for real-time communication of weather safety coordination. During severe weather events, keep general chatter to a minimum in respect towards those who are monitoring for damage or threat reports. Or, consider joining/creating a separate chat room where general chatter won't interfere.

3. Have fun, build community.
No doubt, you will establish many new contacts in the chat rooms. This is part of the community-building aspect of Weather Defender. Take advantage of these opportunities to get to know and become friends with people of similar interests.

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Info Dialog

Info Dialogs are temporary pop-up windows that display specialized information when you use certain tools or click special icons on the Map.

Info Dialog Window (shown displaying Forecast)

Certain data sets contain more details than can be displayed on-screen. For example, Storm Reports about snowfall would be displayed as a snowflake icon on the map. Clicking on this icon would pop-up an Info Dialog containing additional details (if any) such as total snowfall accumulation in the past 24 hours.

Certain icons will display Info Dialogs when clicked

You can tell whether an icon contains more information if it displays a Question Mark next to the pointer when you hold the mouse cursor over top of it. Left-clicking these icons will display the details.

More details are displayed about this specific report

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1.4 - Status Bar

The Status Bar contains real-time status information about the application.

Status Bar

There are 3 components:

Status Messages

General status information indicating current program activity and error messages.

Mouse Coordinates

Current latitude and longitude of the mouse cursor.

Zoom Scale

Zoom scale of current map view. 1:10 = 10 pixels per degree, 1:100 = 100 pixels per degree.

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2 - Customizing the Interface

The interface is highly customizable and can be modified to suit your exact preferences.

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2.1 - Color & Themes

The application shell (main window) is Black by default, but this theme can be changed to Blue or Silver using the Interface Tab > Themes menu. You may further tint a selected theme using the Custom Color option.

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2.2 - Dialog Window Placement

Snapping a Dialog Window to the Workspace Edge

All Dialog Windows can be moved to any position on the Windows Desktop by left-clicking in the title area of the window and dragging, just as you would any other application in Windows. Dialog Windows will remain fixed at the position you drag them unless they are "snapped" to the border of the workspace area, in which case they will move with the main application whenever it is moved.

A Dialog Window may be "snapped" to the workspace area by dragging it within 5 pixels of the top, bottom, left, or right of the workspace edge (see image).

Additionally, you may "dock" a Dialog Window to the top, bottom, left, or right of the workspace area to cause it to resize accordingly whenever the main application is resized. To "dock" a Dialog Window, first snap it to the desired corner of the workspace. Then resize the height (or width) of the dialog to the opposite corner of the workspace.

Dialog Window modifications will be stored when you exit the program so they will reappear in the same location the next time you start.

You may RESET all Dialog Window positions to their original locations by clicking Interface > Dialog Settings > Reset Positions.

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2.3 - Maximizing Workspace

If you are not frequently interacting with the map, it may be desirous to hide the parts of the interface and maximize the workspace (map) area.

Here's how:

1. Set the toolbar menu to auto-hide: Click the purple "Pin" button in the upper-right of the application. This will minimize the toolbars when not in use.

2. Make the Dialog Windows invisible: Click Interface Tab > Dialog Settings > Transparency. Move the slider to 10 or lower to make the Dialog Windows almost or entirely invisible when not in use. Now the Dialog Windows will only appear when you move your mouse into their region of the screen.

3. Maximize the Application Window: (optional) Click the Maximize button in the upper right of the main window to increase the workspace to the maximum possible for your screen.

Maximized Workspace