New in Echoview 4.90 for all users

Feature

How it works

Benefit

Flip echogram vertically

You can now use Flip echogram vertically on the Display page of the Variable Properties dialog box for single beam echograms. This setting displays depth/range = 0 m at the bottom of the echogram window.

Flip echogram vertically can be useful for upward-pointing transducers mounted on the sea or river bottom and to match the displays on (echosounder) manufacturer's software. A similar setting for multibeam echograms is now available, as well.

New Analysis setting

Echoview offers the new setting:

Whole excluded pings or no-data pings do not reduce the Thickness mean

in the Exclusion section on the Analysis page of the Variable Properties dialog box.

This setting gives you more choice in the selection of echo-integration analysis applied to your data.

To support the new setting:

• A new topic About samples and echo integration provides information about Analysis settings and Echoview echo-integration.
• New COM property ExcludeWholeNoDataPings

Flexibility in echo-integration settings can help you to achieve an appropriate biomass estimate.

Larger data file size

Echoview now supports the addition and export of data files of any size.

File size is no longer a restriction.

Copy data file paths

You can now copy the data file paths from the Filesets window to your clipboard to paste into other programs. Refer to About the filesets window for more information.

A simple way to copy data file locations.

Ping graph enhancement

The Constant-Power Curve (displayed on a Ping Graph), can now be adjusted on the Shortcut menu of the Ping Graph.

Display of regions or lines

You can now show all or hide all regions and lines on an echogram using Show all and Hide all on the Variable Properties dialog box.

Region notes

Echoview now records detection settings for 2D regions on a separate Detection Settings tab.

Such information together with content from the Notes tab can be exported with an analysis export (as a selected 'Analysis common' variable) or with an export of 2D region definitions.

Echogram navigation

The Shortcut menu action to synchronize echograms and cruise tracks has changed in name from "Synchronize all echograms" to Synchronize. Inconsistencies in the use of the action Synchronize and the Auto-synchronize group tool have been fixed.

For more information about theses features refer to Echogram navigation: Synchronization.

Export for Georeferenced Samples

You can now export georeferenced samples from single and multibeam variables. The display of single beam and multibeam samples from ME70 data in Eonfusion can be viewed in Exporting georeferenced samples.

International character support

Characters in Asian and other non-Latin languages are now supported. Use your own language for the entry of data paths, names and annotations in Echoview.

To support the export of text-based data in the intended language, Echoview offers Text encoding settings on the Preferences page of the Echoview Configuration dialog box. Two new Unicode systems together with the ANSI system are now available.

For more information refer to International character support.

Identification of problem data files

With the first reading, problem data files are displayed with an icon next to the data file name and a data file specific message is sent to the Message dialog box. Refer to About the Filesets window for more information.

Filter feature with Export page

Text in the new filter area of the Export page can assist you in the selection of analysis variables to include in exported analyses.

User-defined shortcut

Echoview supports a user-defined shortcut for the feature Create fish tracks from targets. Refer to User-defined keyboard shortcuts for more information.

Tools and windows

Echogram windows remember their active Echogram tools.

File format support

We are pleased to introduce ME70 file format support enhancements aimed at making processing and analysis of such data easier. Enhancements include:

• The Details dialog displays ME70 Beam Steering angles and other beam information from the data file for single beam, angular position and multibeam variables.
• Note: This new beam steering support will invalidate the prior workaround to manage beam steering (beam pointing). ME70 users whose EV files were created prior to Echoview 4.90 and used a separate transducer for each single beam variable are advised to create one new transducer that can manage all raw variables.
• Currently, overlapping beams in ME70 data are not supported. A warning message is displayed when ME70 data is first added to a Fileset. Single beam variables are derived but a multibeam variable will not be derived.
• Support for heading data output by the Applanix POS/MV instrument.

New features in this release that may also be useful to ME70 users are:

• The export Georeferenced samples. View ME70 Georeferenced samples in Eonfusion.
• A new multibeam raw variable icon and a design change for the Formula operator.

Export region definitions enhancements

The Export 2D region definitions (EVR) file format has been improved to include:

• A line preceding Notes and Detection Setting notes defining the number of lines of notes (respectively).

• Region detection settings clearly set out on separate rows.

EV file performance

The performance of data files with marker regions is greatly improved by a design change in EVI files.

New Operators and Operator enhancements

Variables and Geometry window

• You can now delete a virtual variable anywhere in a virtual chain. This applies to anywhere in a virtual chain, without deleting child variables.
• When changing input operands using the drag method, the default input operand is indicated when you point to a virtual variable.

Inheritance design change

Calibration inheritance now defaults to the first (direct) operand. Calibration inheritance from virtual variables other than parent operands is no longer supported. Visual cues showing the calibration inheritance state have changed. Refer to Inheritance of Properties for more information.

Virtual variables in existing EV files may be affected by this design change. If Echoview (subsequently) changes the calibration inheritance a message is shown when opening the EV file.

The new Reduce pings (Method 2) operator calculates pings only when they are required. This can lead to significant savings in display time and can be useful in developing and testing virtual variable processing chains.

The Method 2 operator differs from the Reduce pings operator in that the Method 2 echogram has the same number of pings as the input operand, but the data is padded with ‘no data’ values for the number of pings removed by the Reduce pings algorithm.

Note: The pings that pad the end of a Reduce pings and a Reduce pings (Method 2) echogram will introduce an error in NASC calculations for the last cell. For more information refer to the Notes section for Reduce pings and Reduce pings (Method 2).

Formula operator design change

Use the new Result type setting on the Formula page of the Formula operator to specify the data type of the output.

Formula Editor window enhancements include Zoom features under the View menu and in the Structure panel and the ability to dock the Elements toolbar at the top or bottom of the Editor area.

Can save you time when changing the output data type a Formula virtual variable.

Editor window features save you time and improve usability.

Bug fixes

Bug fix associated with field names from .csv files - may require an update to EV files

A bug associated with reading the field names in .csv files has been fixed. Field names from .csv files are now handled correctly. Echoview now includes spaces in the middle of field names. Previously spaces in field names were ignored.

Note: EV files that use field names from .csv files, where the field name has a space in the middle of the name will require a once-off user update to specify the correct field name or names.

A bug with the default value of a platform's Position source has been fixed. Position source can now default to a raw GPS variable or a virtual GPS variable (that was used recently). This can save time when removing and re-adding data to an EV file or when using templates

Fish track analysis export bug

A bug with fish track analysis domain export variables Layer_Depth_Min and Layer_Depth_Max has been fixed. Layer_Depth_Min and Layer_Depth_Max are now determined using the fish track end point.

Previously these analysis domain variables were incorrectly based on the top-most region point of the right-most single target of the fish track.

True depth export bug

A bug affecting Target_true_depth in single target and fish track export analyses is fixed. Given a Fixed platform with an Altitude value, Target_true_depth is now correctly calculated relative to the water level. Previously the Altitude of the Position of the system reference point incorrectly affected this calculation. The bug occurred in Echoview 4.80 and earlier versions.

A bug with the Grid and Statistics max() formula element has been fixed. Previously the max() algorithm was implemented incorrectly for values below 0.

Documentation correction: Multibeam data and underlying data can be exported when the 2D Sonar module is also licensed.

Previously, multibeam data export information on the Analysis export module page was incorrect.

A bug associated with adding *.target.csv files containing Target_depth and no Target_range has been fixed. Now when such data is added to an EV file, Echoview calculates the Target range using the Target depth and the active EV file's transducer geometry. This will give the correct Target_range only when the transducer geometry of the active EV file is the same as the geometry of the EV file that the data was exported from. The matching of transducer geometry is especially important for non-vertical transducer mounts. Prior to Echoview 4.90 Echoview read Target_depth and used it as Target_range. Refer to Single targets (targets.csv) for more information.

A bug with for all Resample operators that were used to resample down and then up with the Maximum, Minimum, Median and Percentile Operations is fixed. Resampling down and then up using these Operations now calculates and displays correctly. Previously this combination of resampling actions and settings incorrectly generated no-data samples between samples; the Mean Operation was unaffected by the bug.

A bug affecting EvVariableAcousticProperties.Data.MinimumThreshold is fixed. The Minimum threshold value on the Data page of the Variable Properties dialog box can now be changed by this Echoview COM property. Previously this COM property failed to set the value for the Minimum threshold.

Scripting and COM objects

The implementation of COM objects (COM object automation) to access Echoview (through scripts) has been highly successful. Echoview Software continues to enhance existing COM objects and add support for new COM objects. We are also developing new tutorials and example scripts to help you upload, process and export your data efficiently.

The key advantage of this automation model is that Echoview can pass information back to the script. It is now possible for scripts to make informed decisions, request decisions from the user, and pass information from Echoview to the user.

For more information about the COM objects in Echoview 4.90 refer to Scripting with COM objects.

If you are interested to know more about COM automation, please contact us for further information.

EvFile.Variables.EvVariableAcoustic
methods and properties

Properties

• MinStartRange and MaxStopRange return the minimum Start range and the maximum Stop range over all the pings in the variable.
• ExportGeoreferencedSamples and ExportGeoreferencedSamplesForRegion provide COM support for the export of Georeferenced samples.
• ExportData provides COM support for data exports from echograms.
• The properties and selected methods in EvVariableAcousticBase are now available to EvVariable.Acoustic as well. They are: FullName, Name, Useable, ShortName, VariableType, AsVariableBase, AsVariableAcoustic and AsVariableVirtual.

Methods

• ExportIntegrationBySingleRegionByCells exports an integration by region by cells analysis for a single region.
• ExportFrequencyDistributionBySingleRegion exports a frequency distribution analysis for a single region.
• New methods that provide an alternative for languages that do not support optional parameters in methods. The following methods enable you to export all regions or region classes:
  • ExportIntegrationByRegionsAll
  • ExportIntegrationByCellsAll
  • ExportIntegrationByRegionsByCellsAll
  • ExportSingleTargetsByRegionsAll
  • ExportSingleTargetsByCellsAll
  • ExportSingleTargetsByRegionsByCellsAll
  • ExportFrequencyDistributionByRegionsAll
  • ExportFrequencyDistributionByCellsAll
  • ExportFrequencyDistributionByRegionsByCellsAll
  • ExportFishTracksByRegionsAll
  • ExportFishTracksByCellsAll
• CreateCurtain has a new optional parameter PingSamplingFactor that specifies the pings to create multibeam ping curtains for.

For more information refer to EvVariableAcoustic.

Use the range properties to infer a change in sampling.

COM support for data exports and the new Georeferenced sample data export.

Consistent access to Variable methods and properties.

EvFile.Variables.EvVariableVirtual

The methods and properties in EvVariableAcoustic are now available to EvVariable.Virtual as well.

For more information refer to EvVariableVirtual.

Consistent access to Variable methods and properties.

EvCalibration.MajorAxis3dbBeamAngle
EvCalibration.MinorAxis3dbBeamAngle

design change

These properties are now read-only.

Access to the Echoview setting has been and is only available to variables derived from Simrad EK60 data that use Apply Calibration settings: From first ping on the Calibration page of the Variable Properties dialog box.

For more information and an example refer to EvCalibration.

Clearer information about these properties

EvFile.Close method

You can now close an EvFile using the method EvFile.Close.

A more intuitive method for closing EV files.

Region deletion design change

To delete a regions in a region class use the new method:

EvFile.Regions.DeleteByClass.

EvRegionClass.DeleteRegions is deprecated.

A simpler method to delete a regions in a region class.

Classify regions methods

You can now classify (by rule) a specific region using the method EvRegion.Classify, or all regions for a variable using the method EvVariableAcoustic.ClassifyRegion.

Two methods that can reduce your classify-regions-by-rules processing time.

EvFile.Regions.ExportDefinitions

You can now export definitions for all regions in an EV file with the EvFile.Regions.ExportDefinitions method.

Allows one simple export for all region definitions.

ExcludeWholeNoDataPings

COM support for the new Exclusion setting Whole excluded pings or no-data pings do not reduce the Thickness mean on the Analysis page in the Variable Properties dialog box.

Allows you to specify values that affect echo-integration.

Evfile.Import

EvFile.Import imports supported file formats for lines, regions, 3D objects, etc and returns whether an import of a file is a success or failure.

The method EvRegionsCollection.Import is now deprecated.

A fix and enhancement of a COM method.

ERegionType addition

The enum ERegionType now includes eAllRegionsType = -1.

Allows you to specify all region types in selected methods or properties.

Additional documentation on the use and structure of Windows Script Files has been added to help you write and organize your COM scripts. Using this format will allow you to write scripts that use enum names rather than having to find their values.

Clear documentation on options for structuring your COM scripts.

Virtual variable constants

A list of the virtual variable constant values has been created as a reference for when you use EvVariableVirtual.OperatorType to determine which operator a variable was created from.

Reference information for more efficient COM scripting.

Decimal values

Updates to Echoview 4.90 have improved the way that decimal values are handled. Pre-version 4.90, decimal numbers were truncated at the specified number of decimal places, the new code rounds the value. It is unlikely that you will notice any change because the differences in affected values are very small. For example, in an in-house test, the output for Distance_vl changed from 2216.4750976562 to 2216.4750976563.

SHAPES schools analysis variable changes

Updates to Echoview 4.90 have changed the handling for SHAPES schools analysis variables that are not calculated. These analysis variables are now exported with the value -9999 which means Not applicable - integer values.

Previously such variables were exported with the value of zero (incorrect) or -1 (inconsistent).

Echocolor

Windows 7 support

New documentation

Instructions on how to use Simrad ES60 software with Echolog 60 for live viewing have been added.

Documentation enhancements

• Documentation for recording movies for 3D single target graphs has been clarified.

• Clearer information has been provided on the latitude/longitude locations exported for GPS fixes. These positions are for the GPS antenna, not the transducer.

• Documentation on the Analysis export variables for Dist_M, Dist_E and Dist_S now provides information about the distance unit and where it is specified.

• To ensure single targets (.targets.csv) data is exported accurately, your pings need to be in temporal order. For more information on exporting single targets, refer to Single target detection export files - Notes.

• Clarification on the effects of data compression on Sv and TS values when using Echolog 60 has been added. See Data compression notes for Echolog 60 for more information.

• Note added to the Resample page - Output section: Use ranges from Operand 1 setting. This setting is unsuitable for Operands with pings that contain no samples.

• Angular position and Single targets have been documented as variables that can be exported to HAC data file format.

• Settings for the Weights page of the Track detection properties dialog box have been clarified.

• Clearer documentation for fish track analysis by cells exports notes - how tracks are allocated to cells.

• Information about an Echoview and Athlon X2 performance or timing issue and suggested processor patch.

• PRC_NASC additivity worked example.

• COM navigation through the COM hierarchy for all COM object pages.

Feature

How it works

Benefit

Hide target class labels

You can now hide target class labels for detected multibeam targets by clearing the Show target class labels option on the Display page of the Variable properties dialog box.

An additional display setting which enables more flexible data inspection and analysis.

Flip vertically

Use Flip vertically on the Display page of the Variable Properties dialog box of a multibeam echogram to display range/depth = 0 m at the bottom of the echogram window.

This feature can be useful for upward-pointed transducers mounted on the sea or river bottom and to match the displays on (echosounder) manufacturer's software.

The equivalent single beam echogram setting is the new
Flip echogram vertically.

Flexible display options can make visual analysis easier.

New shape for acoustic raw variables

Acoustic raw variables for multibeam data are now displayed as fan-shaped objects on the Variables and Geometry window.

Easily distinguishable icons can speed up your virtual variable work.

Multibeam curtain design change

You can now create multibeam 3D curtains for fixed platforms. Such curtains can be viewed in a Scene and played like a multibeam echogram.

Another way to visualize your data.

File format enhancements

Analysis export enhancement

Target_class is now exported when Database format is selected under the Analysis by cells section of the Export page of the EV File Properties dialog box. Target_class is only meaningful for single target and length variables that were created from multibeam data.

New Operators and Operator enhancements

Target_orientation joins seven multibeam target properties listed on the Target page for the Multibeam Target Detection operator. Target_orientation is a measure of a multibeam target's orientation with respect to a line perpendicular to the transducer axis.

Refer to Target properties from multibeam data: Target_orientation for more information.

Bug fixes

A bug affecting the stop and stop range of multibeam echograms is fixed. Echoview now uses the logged sound speed from the file to calculate start and stop ranges. When a logged sound speed is not available a value of 1500 m/s is used. Previously ranges were calculated using a sound speed value of 1500 m/s - the available logged sound speed was not used.

EV files created prior to Echoview 4.90 with logged sound speeds other than 1500 m/s will display changes in range in multibeam echograms. This change affects pre-existing 3D objects in scenes such that the objects will be positioned at the incorrect range. These objects will need to be recreated. The 3D surface specified for a Bottom echo bitmap operator may also be affected - in this situation a new surface is required.

We apologize for the inconvenience this bug fix may generate.

Documentation

• New material that unifies information about the detection and display of a multibeam bottom surface. Refer to Bottom detection on multibeam echograms for more information.
• Documentation under How to detect and work with Multibeam Targets in the Help file's Table of contents, unifies existing material about multibeam targets and introduces techniques from our existing DIDSON tutorial. For more information refer to About multibeam targets.
• Improved documentation for the Bottom echo bitmap operator together with a warning about unexpected behavior.
• Improved documentation associated with 3D regions including information about the 3D region bounding box and the Size criteria for 3D school detection.