Echogram tools toolbar

There are several categories of buttons available on the Echogram tools toolbar when an echogram is active. These can include:

• Selection tools - to make selections

• Region tools - to define, edit or classify regions

• Line draw tool - to create, edit and draw lines

• Fish track tool - to create and edit fish tracks

• Tape measure tool - to measure the distance on echograms

• Pan tool - to pan in the Dataflow window

• Synchronize echograms tool - to place or remove windows into an auto-synchronization group

Notes:

• Captions may be shown for applicable tools. The caption shown next to the Line draw tool is the name of an echogram's active line, the caption shown next to the Region classification tool is the currently selected class. The display of tool captions is set on the Preferences page of the Echoview configuration dialog box.
• Echogram windows remember their active Echogram tools.

Selection tool buttons

Rectangle tool

The Rectangle tool is for drawing a rectangular selection on the echogram. It is used mostly for zooming or defining regions.

To make a selection using the Rectangle tool:

1. Click the Rectangle tool.
2. Click and drag on the echogram to form a selection over the relevant area.
3. Click again to disregard the selection.

Note: The Rectangle tool is also used as the "select" tool. It is used to select a region.

Horizontal band tool

The Horizontal band tool enables you to make a selection which extends the entire width of the echogram at a defined depth. The selection includes areas beyond the current window border.

To make a selection using the Horizontal band tool:

1. Click the Horizontal band tool.
2. Click and drag on the echogram to define the desired selection.
3. Click again to disregard the selection.

Tip: This is a fast way to define horizontal regions of defined depth across echograms of any size.

Vertical band tool

The Vertical band tool enables you to make a selection which extends the entire depth of the echogram at a defined time/GPS position. The selection includes areas beyond the current window border.

To make a selection using the Vertical band tool:

1. Click the Vertical band tool.
2. Click and drag on the echogram to define the desired selection.
   Note: The time or GPS position will be displayed in the ping status/GPS area.
3. Click again to disregard the selection.

Tip: This tool is especially useful for defining bad ping regions.

Define a region from the cruise track window

The Vertical band tool can be used with the cruise track window enabling you to make a selection which extends the entire depth of the echogram at a defined time/GPS position.

For more information refer to About cruise tracks and Using cruise tracks.

Parallelogram tool

The Parallelogram tool is used to make a selection on the echogram in the shape of a series of parallelograms. It is mostly used to select an area parallel to the bottom reflection in preparation for performing a line pick or defining a region.

To make a selection using the Parallelogram tool:

1. Click the Parallelogram tool.
2. Click and drag on the echogram in a vertical direction to the desired depth.
   Note: This depth will be maintained as you make subsequent selections in the horizontal direction.
3. Progressively click on the echogram from left to right to indicate the nodes of the desired selection
   
   - OR -
   
   Click and drag and release at the desired node.

Note: To clear a selection, press ESC or on the Shortcut (right-click) menu, click Clear selection.

Polygon tool

The Polygon tool allows you to make a selection of any shape.

To make a selection using the Polygon tool:

1. Click the Polygon tool.
2. Progressively click and/or drag on the echogram to indicate the nodes of the desired selection.
3. Close the polygon by choosing Close Polygon from the Shortcut menu (right-click)
   
   - OR -
   
   Double-click to define a final node and close the selection.

Note: To clear a polygon which is not yet closed, press ESC or on the Shortcut (right-click) menu, click Clear polygon drawing.

Region tool buttons

Region edit tools

The Region edit tools are used to change the boundaries of a previously defined 2D region. The displayed icon shows the current selected tool. To use that tool, click the icon. To change tools use the Region edit tool arrow to select the:

• Nodes tool to move, add and delete nodes and line segments;
• Draw tool to redraw parts of the region; or
• Nudge tool to nudge (place indentations in) parts of region boundary.

See Editing regions for more information.

Region classification tool

The Region classification tool is used to quickly assign classes to 2D regions on an echogram. Under the list arrow an icon indicates the current region class for the tool. The Region classification tool arrow allows you to select a different region class, create a new region class using the Region Class Properties dialog box and classify with Rules.

To assign a class to a region:

1. Click the Region classification tool arrow.
2. Select the required class from the list.
   Note: The currently selected class is indicated by a bullet.
3. Select the desired region(s).

See About region class, Region Class Properties dialog box, and Classify regions for more information.

Target classification tool

The Target classification tool is used to quickly assign a Target class to selected targets on multibeam target echograms. The displayed icon shows the current Target class. To use that Target class, click the icon. The Target classification tool arrow allows you to select a different target class, or create a new target class using the Target Class Properties dialog box.

To assign a Taget class to a target:

1. Click the Target classification tool arrow.
2. Select the required class from the list.
   Note: The currently selected class is indicated by a bullet.
3. Point to a target (it will be highlighted) and click.

Notes:

• The Target classification tool is only available when multibeam target variables are displayed.
• Target class assignations can be viewed on the Target Metadata window.

See Target properties from multibeam data for more information.

Line draw tool button

The Line draw tool is used to create, draw and edit lines on an echogram and can be used to set the active line. The displayed icon shows the current active line and the Line draw tool arrow allows you to display (and edit) the Active Line Properties.

Line Properties can also be displayed for any line on an echogram under the mouse pointer by using the Shortcut (right-click) menu and selecting Line Properties.

To draw a new line:

1. Click the Line draw tool arrow then select None.
2. Progressively click on the echogram from left to right (or right to left) to indicate the nodes of the line.
   
   - OR -
   
   Click and drag and release at the desired node.
   Note: Nodes are removed if you click over a section of line that you have already drawn.
3. When the line is complete, on the Shortcut (right-click) menu, click Create New Line.

Notes:

• To clear a line drawing before defining the line, press ESC on the Shortcut (right-click) menu, click Clear line drawing.
• To draw a new editable line using a source line and other line settings refer to Creating, editing, renaming and deleting lines.
• To modify sections of an editable line refer to Creating, editing, renaming and deleting lines - Recalculate or repick a selection.
• To extend an editable line during live viewing refer to the Source page of the Line Properties dialog box

To edit an existing line:

1. Click the Line draw tool arrow and select a line from the list.
   Note: A bullet is displayed next to the current active line and the line appears thicker on the echogram.
2. Progressively click on the echogram from left to right (or right to left) to indicate the nodes of a new line segment. This line segment will replace that part of the active line which covers the same range of pings.
3. When the line segment is complete, on the Shortcut (right-click) menu, click Update Active Line. The new segment replaces that segment of the active line which shared the same range of pings.  
   Note: If no active line is set, choosing Update Active Line will open the Set Active Line dialog box.

To find a break in a line:

1. Click the Line draw tool icon if the existing line is displayed.
   
   -OR-
   
   Click the Line draw tool arrow to make the line active by selecting it from the list.
   Note: A bullet is displayed next to the current active line and the line appears thicker on the echogram.
2. Point to an area to the left of any suspected line breaks.
3. On the Shortcut (right-click) menu, click Find Next Line Break. If this menu item does not appear, there is no line break to the right of the chosen ping. If this menu item does appear, then there is a break to the right of the ping pointed to. Choosing this item on the Shortcut menu will bring the break into view (if it is not currently displayed) and mark the gap in the line with a blue point at each side.

Note: To clear a temporary line drawing, press ESC or on the Shortcut (right-click) menu, click Clear Line Drawing.

Tip: It is useful to operate in a zoomed mode when using the line break finding tool. If the scale is too large it may be difficult to see the marked gap, which may be only one ping wide.

See About lines, Creating, renaming and deleting lines for more information.

Fish Track tool button

The Fish track tool is used to edit and create fish track regions on single target echograms.

See Fish track editing for more information.

Tape measure tool button

The Tape measure tool is used to measure the distance between two or more points on an echogram.

See About measuring distance for more information.

Pan tool button

The Pan tool is used to pan around the Dataflow window.

See About the Dataflow window for more information.

Synchronize echograms tool button

The Synchronize echograms tool is used to place or remove echogram and cruisetrack windows into or from an auto-synchronization group.

See also

Echoview toolbars

Echoview Help file 5.2.21 for Echoview 5.2.55 Monday 21st May 2012

Please report any errors or omissions to support@echoview.com.