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1.6 Known Problems
Version 6.2u2; December 05, 2023
To find help for the IDV, or to report problems with the IDV, please see the User's Guide page Support from Unidata.


1.0 System

1.1. Problem: Unidentified Developer on OS X

Description:

When installing the IDV on OS X you may get an error like this one:



We are working to provide a longer term solution to this problem. As an interim solution, please follow the following steps.


Right-click on the "Integrated Data Viewer Installer" and choose "Open":



You will then be presented with the following dialog:



Please choose "Open" to install the IDV.


2.0 Displays

2.1. Problem: Incorrect data display

Description: Sometimes data depictions display incorrectly or not at all when re-projected from native data projections. They should always display correctly in their native projections. Before you display the data, choose the Projections->Auto-Set Projection menu. If you display the data in a non-native projection and Use Fast Rendering is set (the default) and the data does not correctly display, turn off Use Fast Rendering through the Edit->Properties menu of the display control to account for projection seams.


2.2. Problem: Spurious map lines

Description: Starting with IDV 2.7, some computers are experiencing spurious map lines in their displays. This seems to be a graphics driver issue being tickled by a change in this and later versions. If you are experiencing this, please use the Edit->Preferences, System tab, uncheck the "Enable geometry by reference" option, click OK and restart the IDV. That should clear up the spurious lines.


2.3. Problem: Irregular animation loop

Description: An animation loop of two or more displays may not advance the individual displays at exactly the same time in each step, creating a staggered or irregular loop, on some systems. Use the individual time step buttons to step through the frames, one at a time, to avoid the irregular loading.


2.4. Problem: Time label in menu is not in sync with an animation loop.

Description: Use the on-display time label turned on with the View->Show times in display menu.


2.5. Problem: Multiple vector displays

Description: If you have multiple vector displays and you change the size, autosize, color, or streamline options in the control, changes may be applied to the other displays as well.


2.6. Problem: Vector size changes

Description: The first time you change the color on a vector plan view display, the size of the vectors/barbs may shrink.


2.7. Problem: Contours over topography do not show up.

Description: If you display a 2D field as contours draped over topography, the contours may not show up. There may be two reasons for this:
  1. You are using the Direct-X version of Java 3D on Windows which does not support the polygon offset feature. Try the OpenGL version instead.
  2. On some systems, the ordering of the displays can affect the visibility. Until the IDV support layering, try adding the contours after the topography field.


2.8. Problem: Changing the line width on maps, curves, etc has no effect.

Description: If you are using the Direct-X version of Java 3D on Windows, changing line width has no effect. Direct-X does not support setting the line width features. Try using the OpenGL version instead.


2.9. Problem: For a color shaded display, changing the display unit does not give the correct image colors.

Description: If you change the display unit for a color shaded display, the color table range values will look correct, but the display will not be correct. Set the display unit again and it will update correctly.


2.10. Problem: Setting a display transparent has no effect

Description: Using transparency in a color display may give unexpected results. In general, only the last thing added can be fully transparent. If you have a display that is transparent, then add in a new display, you may not see it. The problem is caused by the lack of ordering in Java 3D. You can use the display control's View->Bring to Front menu to remove and re-add the display that you want to be transparent so it is last.


2.11. Problem: Projection lost for dimensionless vertical coordinates

Description: If you have a grid which uses a dimensionless CF vertical coordinate convention, the original projection information is lost when you try to display it. This is a result of keeping a relationship between the dimensionless coordinate and the corresponding height values.


2.12. Problem: Color scale disappears in perspective view

Description: If you have the map display in a perspective view, a background image that extends beyond the box boundaries will hide any color scales in the display. Two workarounds are: 1) use parallel view (uncheck View->Viewpoint->Perspective View) or 2) clip the view at the box (View->Show->Clip View At Box).


2.13. Problem: Parallels Access on OS X

Description: If you have Parallels Access running on your OS X computer, you may see the IDV freeze up upon start up. The workaround is to turn off Parallels Access.


3.0 Data/Derived quantities/Formulas/Jython

3.1. Problem: Staggered grids in CF or WRF conventions unsupported or give incorrect results for slices and derived parameters

Description: Staggered grids create some problems for the IDV and associated displays. Derived quantities do not work well (if at all). If possible, write your data out on unstaggered grids.


4.0 Choosers

4.1. Problem: Image chooser selector box looks disabled

Description: In some instances, an override selector box in the advanced section of the default image chooser will appear disabled (i.e., grayed out) even when its checkbox is checked. Even though it appears disabled, you can still use the selector box to make choices. If you want it to appear enabled, uncheck then check the checkbox again.


 


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