Exporting Marine Data Plot Images from ODV

Marine Data Literacy 2.0

Providing instruction for managing, converting, analyzing and displaying oceanographic station data, marine meteorological data, GIS-compatible marine and coastal data or model simulations, and mapped remote sensing imagery

4.6 Exporting Marine Data Plot Images from ODV

Exercise Title: Exporting Marine Data Plot Images from Ocean Data View (ODV)
Abstract: This exercise covers the basic function of saving a graphic image, taking into account the various "dots per inch" options for picture resolution.
Preliminary Reading (in OceanTeacher, unless otherwise indicated):
- Raster and Grid Formats - Includes general image formats
Required Software:
- Ocean Data View
Other Resources:
- ODV collection osd_all_liberia_wod.odv
Author: Murray Brown
Version: August 2010

1. This is approximately what you should see from the previous exercise. Let's assume you want to publish this graphic, on a webpage or in a journal, and you need to export the image.

2. Select FILE > SAVE CANVAS AS

3. ODV will automatically select the folder location, but it will offer you several different image formats. For webpages, PNG is now the recommended format. For publications, you should consult the editorial specifications (usually in the "Instructions to Authors" section).

For now, let's select PNG, and enter a good filename, as you see here (actually the same as the collection).

Then click SAVE.

4. This graphics resolution window opens, asking for the resolution, in DOTS PER INCH (dpi).

NOTE: If you click SCREEN RESOLUTION, you'll get a value calculated for the current resolution of your own computer screen.

150 dpi is the current offering, so lets just take it by clicking OK.

You can examine this image at 150 dpi and some other representative resolutions below.

5. We've saved this same image with different resolutions for you to examine for yourself. Click on these links to see the saved images in a new browser window:

temp_0m_jas_liberia_wod_surface_50dpi.png - Probably too small
temp_0m_jas_liberia_wod_surface_100dpi.png - Possibly too small
temp_0m_jas_liberia_wod_surface_150dpi.png - Default size; your browser might initially show it at a reduced size
temp_0m_jas_liberia_wod_surface_200dpi.png- Your browser will probably show it at a reduced size

6. After you examine these images, and perhaps also print some of them on your usual printer (with normal settings), then you can decide what resolution(s) you'll use in the future for various jobs. The 50 dpi version is perfect for email attachments because it is small (just 23 kb in this example), and it's usually close to the 600 pixel wide limitation often placed on assignment graphics by instructors.