Learning scripting

britbob · Post by **britbob** » Wed Nov 17, 2004 3:32 pm

Hi,

I`m on day 12 of my evaluation, and after working through a few problems I`m having my last one is how to get the most from `automating` DAWS before I get my credit card out.

I`m happy with the quality of mapping from DAWS, and just about got the maps how I want them. Now I need to take the next step to scripting :O

Where the heck do I find out about DAWS scripts? I know nothing about them. The main reason I want DAWS is so I can plot maps, but the other reason is I want to leave it unattended (plot maps and ftp) while I`m at work. I generally want to run charts several times a day maybe more, and upload them to my site.

I haven`t got a clue where to start though, and it looks a little daunting!!

britbob · Post by **britbob** » Sat Jan 08, 2005 3:20 am

Guys,

I`m a complete novice when it comes to DAWS, so I could do with some advice on trying to automate the software. I`m after generating SLP charts (and maybe some upper air), and ftp`ing them to my site at intervals.

Is this a big task??

texsky · Post by **texsky** » Sat Jan 08, 2005 2:19 pm

There's a file that comes with DAWS that describes the scripting process, it's called manual.pdf. Most of what you're after begins with the appendix on page 108, you should certainly give it a look.

That said, scripting is a pretty straight-forward affair...there's the script itself and then there's the script scheduler which acts as the timer or automator. For example, to make a SLP map you could use something like the following...

Code: Select all

erase
download,http://weather.cod.edu/digatmos/syn/@Y@M@D@I.syn,d:\daws\data\synop.dat
download,http://www.atmos.albany.edu/weather/data1/surface/boy/@Y@M@D@H_boy.wmo,d:\daws\data\synbouy.dat
ingest,d:\daws\data\syn*.dat
ANALYZE,HIID CONT EQUA=1048 COLOR=10:70:200 CONT EQUA=1044 COLOR=10:80:215 CONT EQUA=1040 COLOR=15:85:230 CONT EQUA=1036 COLOR=25:100:240 CONT EQUA=1032 COLOR=25:115:235 CONT EQUA=1028 COLOR=59:130:250 CONT EQUA=1024 COLOR=45:155:250 CONT EQUA=1020 COLOR=45:165:220 CONT EQUA=1012 COLOR=130:175:100 CONT EQUA=1016 COLOR=0:167:180 CONT EQUA=1008 COLOR=185:178:75 LINE=2 SLPR
ANALYZE,LOWD CONT EQUA=1004 COLOR=230:160:55 CONT EQUA=1000 COLOR=235:120:45 CONT EQUA=996 COLOR=220:92:20 CONT EQUA=992 COLOR=220:65:40 CONT EQUA=988 COLOR=220:42:80 CONT EQUA=984 COLOR=209:25:80 CONT EQUA=980 COLOR=190:25:80 CONT EQUA=976 COLOR=175:25:100 CONT EQUA=972 COLOR=177:20:112 CONT EQUA=968 COLOR=179:20:123 CONT EQUA=964 COLOR=180:10:140 LINE=2 SLPR
product,plf,0,Synop Plots
STAMP
export,d:\daws\maps\surface.bmp

This particular script downloads synoptic observations, ingests the data, color contours SLP in 4mb increments, plots the data, adds a timestamp, and then exports the chart to a file called surface.bmp. If you want to use this script for yourself, you'll have to do a couple of things. 1. You need to change the location of the data directory to match your own system...in my case DAWS is loaded onto my D: drive, yours may be different. 2. You'll have to give this script a name and then reference it in the script scheduler when you want it to run...like every 6 hours to coincide when synoptic observations are taken.

DAWS scripting is a very powerful feature...it just takes a little study, but once learned, you can do just about everything "hands-free".

If you have further questions, feel free to ask.

hth,
Bob

britbob · Post by **britbob** » Sat Jan 08, 2005 4:02 pm

Thanks Bob,

Before I download a PDF reader to open the manual, I guess DAWS also has ftp capabilities?

That was my main interest, to automate the software completely. Effectively generate and upload maps while I`m at work!

texsky · Post by **texsky** » Sat Jan 08, 2005 6:54 pm

I believe DAWS supports normal or "active" ftp, but not "passive". Now, don't ask me about the differences between the two because I have no idea what either one means. I'm just pretty sure that this is the case.

hth,
Bob

britbob · Post by **britbob** » Sat Jan 08, 2005 11:00 pm

Thanks Bob,

Spent the last few hours on this, I believe I`m really starting to get to grips with this. Surprising how quick it can be picked up.

One question?

Where it `stamps/writes` in the bottom left hand corner sea level pressure, Digital Atmosphere etc. Can this be replaced with an image of my own? I understand that I would probably need to purchase the software, but was curious. I`ll be buying it at the end of the trial anyway, very impressed.

texsky · Post by **texsky** » Sun Jan 09, 2005 4:37 am

I believe that the little info box can't be altered, but I'm not positive. I'll look into it some more.

hth,
Bob

britbob · Post by **britbob** » Sun Jan 09, 2005 4:16 pm

Thanks, I`ve seen a few sites replacing that bottom left detail with their own logos etc. Trying to figure out how they do that.

Failing that, how would I edit the font for that area, within a script. I understand how to change it through preferences but that does nothing when a script runs.

Would be great if I could add my site name somewhere on the image, especially since I intend to buy the license.

Again, all your help has been appreciated.

texsky · Post by **texsky** » Sun Jan 09, 2005 5:58 pm

I don't think changing the font via a script is possible. If you see any changes to that area, it was probably accomplished in a graphics program or through some other method.

hth,
Bob