Overlay Control Center

The system includes the ability to display a shape file layer on top of a "variable" type map used for tracking.  The shape file is converted to a proprietary format (PWC) used by the Hurrtrak system.  Once converted, it can quickly be loaded without conversion in the future.  The image below shows platforms and pipelines in the Gulf of Mexico along with the forecast wind speeds and wave heights from Hurricane Ivan.

From the Map Selection Tab, when the Display Overlay Control Center is selected, the following screen is displayed. 


The screen displays the overlays currently loaded as well as several options. 

These options include 

Load Overlay – This loads an existing PWC file. 

Import GIS File – This option will convert a Shape ™ file into PWC format and load it.  The user must have some knowledge of the Shape file, particularly its coordinate system, Ellipsoid and UTM zone (, if applicable).

 

Hide/Show Overlay – This option will change the layer from being visible to being invisible but keep it loaded at all times. 

Remove Overlay – This option will remove the overlay. 

Autoload overlay – This option will instruct the system to automatically load this layer the next time HURRTRAK system starts up. Otherwise it will not be loaded.

Move to Top – This option will take the currently selected overlay and make it the top layer.

Overlay Options – This option will display a new set of screens that allows the user to control the way a specific layer is displayed, colors and any labeling.  

 

It also will allow the user to select a small .bmp file to represent points in a GIS layer.  (i.e an oil platform icon for that type of asset).

At the bottom of the main overlay control screen, there are additional options which allow the user to control the different types of layer’s font size and appearance.

 

While different layer can be displayed differently, the font size for one type of layer are all the same.. i.e. the font for multiple point layers are the same size. Label colors can be assigned by layer. 

Finally, the “outline font” option applies to all layer labels and the background outline is the same as the “land” color

NOTE: You can download some PWC files which show Oil/Gas Platforms, Pipelines, Pipe Points and Blocks as well as US State Borders and US Highways/Interstates, and man made Dams from our web site at http://www.pcwp.com/ftp/pwc.zip .