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Re: map_set question [message #6504] Wed, 10 July 1996 00:00
Andy Loughe is currently offline  Andy Loughe
Messages: 174
Registered: November 1995
Senior Member
>> Hi,
>>
>> Does anyone know how to decide the default paramter value LIMIT that is
>> used in MAP_SET so that if I use it that will generate the same result as
>> the one that I don't use it. For example, how to find 'limit' so that the
>> following two commands will generate the same results.
>>
>> MAP_SET, 60, 0, /ORTHO, /GRID, /CONTINENT
>> and
>> MAP_SET, 60, 0, /ORTHO, /GRID, /CONTINENT, $
>> LIMIT=[latmin, lonmin, latmax, lonmax]
>>
>> Thanks.
>>
>> Gary
>
> See map_set.pro source code in the IDL library. I've looked at this in detail
> and can dig it up if it is not obvious. For the many questions on doing polar
> mapping posted to this news group, there is a verifiable bug in either map_set
> or convert_coord. I have been hoping RSI will fix this but I have developed a
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
In your dreams, and mine too!
We have all suffered under a policy of
adding new gee-whiz features to a
software package that already has numerous
problems. Maybe I wouldn't be so sore on
this point if....

1) IDL weren't so dang expensive.
Are we getting what we paid for?
Sure. We paid for a broken package,
and we have a broken package!

2) I hadn't spent so much time "fixing"
their code, or dreaming up work-arounds
that allow me to do what the software
purports to do "painlessly."

3) They would respond to users demands for
bug fixes in routines where we have spent
the time to document its shortcomings.
And we aren't even on the payroll!

To substantiate my "letting off steam", why can't RSI make work the
example which is cited above, or how about this one...

map_set,limit=[-30,-120,20,-55],/cont,/iso,/merc ;Nino III region (For El Nino)
map_continents, /fill

Take away the /merc keyword, and you have a different fill problem!
If I want proper continent filling I have to use NCAR graphics or GrADS.
If it is advertised as a feature of the software, it sure would be nice
to be able to count on it. This is just *one* illustration of a very
annoying featureless feature. I spent hours last week trying to assist
someone with a contouring problem. SOLUTION: use a different software
package. Some days I think RSI should take the word "visualization" out
of the title of their software... "a complete computing environment for the
interactive analysis and visualization of scientific and engineering data."

The manufacturer of my automobile claims my car is safe to drive, and
won't explode when I start it. I have driven that car 146,776 miles,
and so far the claim is true. How far have you driven IDL?
Has it ever not performed as advertised? When I take my car in for
repairs, I pay them only if the repairs have been done properly.
I have been pleased with these repairs. It allows me to get to where
I have to go with my *own* car. That's one car. I don't have to own
a different car for traveling North, South, East, or West. This one car
travels in all directions.

Why doesn't IDL perform as the documentation indicates?
(For at least 146,776 miles, that is.)

Why does IDL often explode when I start it?

Why do necessary repairs go undone? How will that affect future driving?

Why must I keep paying for repairs ($3000/year for support and updates)
that are not being done properly?

Why must I rely on other software to handle visualization situations
that IDL can't seem to cope with?


Now that I've spouted off I probably won't have to worry about
filling out the next survey sent around by RSI. ;) I love the
theory behind this software, it is the practical implementation
and maintenance of this theory that concerns me and causes me grief.

--
Andrew F. Loughe afl@cdc.noaa.gov
University of Colorado, CIRES http://cdc.noaa.gov/~afl
Campus Box 449 phn:(303)492-0707 fax:(303)497-7013
Boulder, CO 80309-0449 "He who laughs last thinks slowest!"
Re: map_set question [message #6511 is a reply to message #6504] Tue, 09 July 1996 00:00 Go to previous message
Robert.M.Candey is currently offline  Robert.M.Candey
Messages: 23
Registered: June 1995
Junior Member
In article <4rua7s$kq0@post.gsfc.nasa.gov>, gfu@shark.gsfc.nasa.gov (Gary
Fu) wrote:

> Hi,
>
> Does anyone know how to decide the default paramter value LIMIT that is
> used in MAP_SET so that if I use it that will generate the same result as
> the one that I don't use it. For example, how to find 'limit' so that the
> following two commands will generate the same results.
>
> MAP_SET, 60, 0, /ORTHO, /GRID, /CONTINENT
> and
> MAP_SET, 60, 0, /ORTHO, /GRID, /CONTINENT, $
> LIMIT=[latmin, lonmin, latmax, lonmax]
>
> Thanks.
>
> Gary

See map_set.pro source code in the IDL library. I've looked at this in detail
and can dig it up if it is not obvious. For the many questions on doing polar
mapping posted to this news group, there is a verifiable bug in either map_set
or convert_coord. I have been hoping RSI will fix this but I have developed a
work-around that I will post soon.

--
Robert.M.Candey@gsfc.nasa.gov
NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, Code 632
Greenbelt, MD 20771 USA 1-301-286-6707
Re: map_set question [message #6513 is a reply to message #6511] Tue, 09 July 1996 00:00 Go to previous message
Andy Loughe is currently offline  Andy Loughe
Messages: 174
Registered: November 1995
Senior Member
Gary Fu wrote:
>
> Hi,
>
> Does anyone know how to decide the default paramter value LIMIT that is
> used in MAP_SET so that if I use it that will generate the same result as
> the one that I don't use it. For example, how to find 'limit' so that the
> following two commands will generate the same results.
>
> MAP_SET, 60, 0, /ORTHO, /GRID, /CONTINENT
> and
> MAP_SET, 60, 0, /ORTHO, /GRID, /CONTINENT, $
> LIMIT=[latmin, lonmin, latmax, lonmax]
>
> Thanks.
>
> Gary


Check the 12 element vector !map.out

lonmin = !map.out(2)
lonmax = !map.out(3)
latmin = !map.out(4)
latmax = !map.out(5)

But I have a feeling this projection is more complicated than that.
It may work if centered on (0,0), but when centered on (60,0), it
may not behave properly. 'Let me know if you figure it out.

--
Andrew F. Loughe afl@cdc.noaa.gov
University of Colorado, CIRES http://cdc.noaa.gov/~afl
Campus Box 449 phn:(303)492-0707 fax:(303)497-7013
Boulder, CO 80309-0449 "He who laughs last thinks slowest!"
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