DataOpen Help


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Open Data File:

Splicer manages up three different data types:

1) Data files for Compositing (Raw core data and Affine Tables)

2) Stratigraphic data files

3) Splice Table data for reconstructing splices

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DATAFILES FOR COMPOSITING:

Splicer can read any standard Multisensor Track (MST) data type (GRAPE density, magnetic susceptibility, P-wave velocity, gamma ray activity) as well as Minolta color reflectance files. Splicer can also read any file containing standard ODP identifier information followed by a single data column. Data CULLING, SMOOTHING, and DECIMATION are performed on the input data if desired.

The following steps are used to read in and display a dataset:

1) Select the "OPEN... --> DATA FILE" (under the FILE menu item) and select the file(s) to be read. The user types in the directory location in the upper left-hand text panel. All files within the selected directory are listed in the lower left panel. Click on the files you wish to read in (a second click de-selects). Click on the large right-pointing arrow to move files into the "Selected Files" table.

2) Choose the DATA TYPE (GRAPE, Magnetic Susceptibility, P-Wave, Natural Gamma, Reflectance, or ODP Other). The user selects what kind of data are being read in. This instructs the program to be aware of the specific data and format attributes associated with the data type. Note that non-MST data can be read in using the following free format (leg, sub-leg, site, hole, core, coretype, section, depth (mbsf), data value).

3) Choose the DATA FORMAT

DATA FORMAT defines three separate data format "families" (see the Help Page: "Data Formats --> Input")

"MST95 Report is a format originally proposed my ODP in June, 1995 for full reporting of MST data types. It is no longer in use since the introduction of the JANUS database.

"TK_report" is a simple abbreviated format suitable for shipboard correlations as it enables very rapid data input.

"ODP other" is an open tab- or white-space-delimited format which uses standard ODP identifier information and a data value (e.g. leg, site, hole, core, coretype, section, depth (mbsf),data value).

4) Select or disable the "CULLING...", "SMOOTHING...", and "DECIMATING.." options

Data which are read in by Splicer can be CULLED (specific data values removed from the dataset), SMOOTHED, or DECIMATED using the respective button controls. See individual help windows for specific information about using these features. To disable any feature, simply press the button in the respective pop-up window which indicates that no culling, smoothing, or decimating is to be performed. The button control label will then change to "NO CULLING...", etc. to inidcate the feature has been disabled. (See "Data Processing" in the Splicer Help pages).

5) Define or disable READ AFFINE TABLE.. option

The AFFINE TABLE is a list of numerical depth offset values which must be applied to optimally align all cores from adjacent holes. An AFFINE TABLE should be read if the user wishes to recall the depth offsets which were established during a previous Splicer session.

If the user wishes not to read in the AFFINE TABLE depth offsets, then this option can disabled in the READ AFFINE TABLE pop-up window. (See "Affine Table" in the Splicer Help pages).

6) Press the READ button

After the READ button is pressed, a summary window pops up which identifies the which files are being read, what kind they are, and what will be done to them. If all information is okay, then press OK. If not, then press CANCEL and this will return you to the beginning.

As the data are being read, a progress window indicates the number of lines which have been read in for each hole. Data are then culled, smoothed, and/or decimated. Final data are plotted in the left-hand window of the Splicer screen.

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STRATIGRAPHIC DATAFILES

Splicer allows users to read, display, and depth-shift up to five different types of biostratigraphic (foraminifera, nannofossils, diatoms, radiolaria) and paleomagnetic (reversal) age control data. The files are in a standard tab-delimited format which can be exported from spreadsheet programs such as Excel (see "Stratigraphy Data --> Input" Help pages).

The user specifies the files to be read using "OPEN... --> STRATIGRAPHY FILE" under the FILE menu. Once located, the user identifies which type of stratigraphic data the file represents - this color-codes each of the five stratigraphic data types. When read, the data are plotted as range bars to the left of the core data. The user may click on the symbol of the stratigraphic label next to the range bar and the information about that datum will appear in the dialog box at the bottom of the main window.

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SPLICE TABLE DATAFILES

Splicer outputs a SPLICER TABLE which defines the tiepoints required to build a splice from a set of holes at a given site. This file is written as a simple tab-delimited format suitable for entry into/from standard spreadsheet or word-processing programs. (See the "Splicer Tables" Help pages for stratigraphic data fields and format). The SPLICER TABLE can only be read in after the initial core data have been read first.

Once written, the files can be read using the "Open... --> Splicer Table" option under the FILE menu. The user selects the SPLICER TABLE file to be read. As the SPLICER TABLE file is read it searches the core data for those intervals which are included in the saved splice and this information is updated on the screen. Once the full splice is reconstructed it is plotted in the right-hand panel of the main splicer window. Splice points are indicated by small horizontal yellow bars.

A SPLICER TABLE which is read in can be revised and modified and saved as the same, or new file, using the Splicer tools under the PROCESS menu item.

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updated: 30 April, 1996
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