New File Format Support
- IDL now includes routines for reading and writing GRIdded Binary (GRIB) 1 and GRIB 2 files.
- You can import IDL graphic polylines, polygons, contour lines, and images into Google Maps™ or Google Earth™ by saving them as Keyhole Markup Language (KML) or KMZ files (ZIP files containing KML and image files).
- The IDLffVideoWrite class allows you to write images to a video file, with an optional soundtrack. You can create .avi or .mp4 video files with the IDLffVideoWrite class. By default, video streams in .mp4 files use the MPEG-4 codec, and audio streams in .mp4 files use the AAC codec.
Graphic Enhancements
Event Handlers
In IDL 8.1, you can specify your own graphics event handlers for keyboard, mouse, and selection events in a graphic or widget_window.
Programmatically Control and Query Graphics
- You can now programmatically delete graphics.
- The graphics GetData and SetData methods allow you to programmatically get and set data in an IDL graphic after creation.
- The Show method for WINDOW moves the specified window to the front.
- The HitTest method for WINDOW returns the graphics elements at a specific location or within a defined box.
Retrieve Data from a Graphic
The GetValueAtLocation method allows you to retrieve data from a graphic given the x,y location.
Extend Axis Ranges for Plots
The graphics [XYZ]STYLE properties automatically extend axis ranges for plot graphics.
Allow Line Thickness Values between 0 and 1
The THICK property for all IDLgr* objects and the [XYZ]THICK properties for graphics were changed to accept values between 0 and 10. A thickness of 0 displays a thin hairline on the chosen device. The default value is 1
Snap Mouse Pointer to the Nearest Plot Point
For graphics plots, the crosshair feature automatically snaps the mouse pointer to the nearest plot data point.
Save Graphics as Multipage PDFs
You can save IDL graphics images as multipage PDFs by calling the graphic's Save method with a .pdf file extension and the Save Method keyword. The APPEND keyword keeps the file open after writing out the graphic data. The next call to the Save method appends the new graphic data onto the same file. When calling the Save method the final time, specify both /APPEND and /CLOSE.
Enter Multibyte Characters in IDL Graphics Text Annotations
When using the TEXT function to add a text annotation to an IDL graphic, you can enter multibyte characters through the Windows Input Method Manager (IMM) on Chinese, Japanese, and Korean localized Windows operating systems when an Asian language pack is installed.
Transform Map Coordinates between Cartesian (x, y) Coordinates and Longitude and Latitude
For graphics, the MapForward and MapInverse methods transform map coordinates from longitude and latitude to Cartesian (x, y) coordinates, using the map projection associated with the graphic.
High-resolution Coastlines
You can draw high-resolution US and continental coastlines with the MAPCONTINENTS function's HIRES property. The following example draws California's Monterey Bay in both low and high resolution.
Updated World Boundaries Shapefile
The MAPCONTINENTS COUNTRIES property uses an updated world country boundaries shapefile.
Draw Map Symbols
You can draw points on maps using symbols with the SYMBOL function, as shown below.
Specialized Content Assist for the MAP Graphics Function
Content Assist now provides a list of the map projections as well as a specialized list of keywords based on allowed properties for each projection.