3.4. Tools Area

The Tools Area provides plot building and visualization, managing plot creation, display, and analysis.

Figure 3.43 Tools Area control buttons on the toolbar

3.4.1. Overview

The Tools Area consists of three integrated sub-panes for plot management:

• Plot Objects Panel - Build plots by adding and configuring display elements

• Plot Views and Controls - Control plot perspective, rotation, magnification, and positioning

• FISH Global Symbols - Access FISH scripting symbols for customization

• Contextual Help - Display information about plot items under cursor

• Hide Tools - Minimize all sub-panes to maximize View Pane workspace

Each sub-pane can be independently minimized and controlled using toolbar buttons to customize your workspace.

3.4.2. Plot Objects Panel

The Plot Objects Panel provides tools for building and customizing plot displays with multiple categories of plot elements.

Figure 3.44 Plot Objects Panel showing available plot items

Key Plot Item Categories:

3.4.3. Visual Elements

• Legend - Plot legends and color scales

• Display Settings - General display options and movie controls

• Global Settings - Overall plot appearance settings

• Axes - Coordinate system and axis display

3.4.4. Model Components

• Observation - Monitoring points and measurement locations

• Boundary Conditions - Head, flux, well, and recharge visualization

• Element - Finite element mesh and properties display

• Node - Node-based data visualization

3.4.5. Analysis Tools

• Post Processing - Results visualization and contouring

• Cutting Planes - Cross-sectional views and slicing

• Clip Box - 3D model clipping and sectioning

3.4.6. External Data

• File Data - Import and display external data files

Each category provides specific controls and options for customizing the display of different model components and analysis results. Plot items can be combined to create complex visualizations tailored to your analysis needs.

3.4.7. View Sub-Pane

The View sub-pane provides controls for 3D navigation, display manipulation, and visualization settings.

Primary Controls:

• 3D Rotate - Interactive model rotation in three dimensions

• Reset View - Return to default viewing position

• Slide Vertical Translation - Move view up and down

• Slide Horizontal Translation - Move view left and right

• Slide Rotation - Rotate view around selected axis

• Slide Magnification - Zoom in and out

Additional Features:

• Perspective Settings - Adjust viewing angle and projection options

• Animation Controls - Time-based visualization for transient models

• View Storage - Save and recall specific view configurations

The View sub-pane enables smooth navigation through complex 3D models and provides precise control over the display perspective.

3.4.8. Information Sub-Pane

The Information sub-pane displays dynamic information about model components when the cursor is positioned over specific items in the view.

Real-Time Display Includes:

• Node/Element Properties - ID numbers, coordinates, and attributes

• Boundary Condition Values - Heads, fluxes, and source/sink rates

• Material Properties - Hydraulic conductivity, porosity, and zone information

• Results Data - Computed heads, drawdowns, and flow rates

The information updates in real-time as you move the cursor over different model components, providing instant access to detailed model data without requiring separate query operations. This feature is particularly useful for:

• Quick verification of model inputs

• Checking simulation results at specific locations

• Identifying elements or nodes for further analysis

• Debugging model setup issues

3.4.9. Integration with Other Interface Components

The Control Panel works seamlessly with other MINEDW interface elements:

• View Pane - All plot configurations created in the Control Panel are displayed in the active View Pane

• Main Menu - Access additional plot options and advanced settings through menu commands

• Toolbar - Quick access buttons complement Control Panel functionality

Tip

Use the Control Panel’s sub-pane minimize buttons to maximize your View Pane workspace when focusing on results visualization, then restore them when you need to modify plot settings.