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FalconView Version Features


Note: As of December 2003, the National Imagery and Mapping Agency (NIMA) changed its name to the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA).


Overlay Tabular Editors
Use a spreadsheet-like interface to sort, add, delete, and edit objects in the following file overlays:

  • Drawing
  • Manual CHUM
  • Moving Map
  • Points
  • Threats
Most of the object features that can be changed in their respective, single-object editors can be changed in the tabular editor. Certain features (e.g., threat mask region shading) must be changed in the single-object editor.

Shape File Search
Search for specific information in an opened shape file in several ways:

  • Right-click the display, and select from pop-up menu options that allow you to get information on the area under the cursor or to access a filter dialog to search the entire file.
  • Use the Shape Files Overlay Options dialog to search for any string within the shape file or to restrict the search to specific data ranges within fields.
  • Enter a search string in the Fix/Point control of the Go To dialog.

Terrain Avoidance Mask

  • Shade the elevation at or near a specified height.
  • Use a live or pre-recorded Moving Map feed to dynamically show elevation changes and how they may affect air or ground progress.

Drawing Copy and Paste Enhancements
Select and copy multiple drawing objects and then paste them elsewhere in the display.

Offline Storage Support
Select an area using the rubber band tool in the Map Data Manager CD library. Click the Install button. FalconView prompts you for the CD(s) that contains the selected area. After inserting the CD, FalconView copies the selected area onto your system and prompts you for additional CDs if necessary.

GeoRect Enhancements

  • GeoRect can import JPEG (*.jpg), Bitmap (*.bmp), GeoTIFF (*.tif), GeoJPEG (*.jpg and world file), GeoBitmap, and ADRG map (*.thf) files.
  • GeoRect can output GeoTIFF files with internal JPEG compression and convert ADRG charts to compressed GeoTIFF.
  • GeoRect has the ability to read the geo-registration information in GeoTIFF files.
  • GeoTIFF files created by GeoRect can have a transparent color to eliminate black corners on "out-of-true" images.

Map Data Manager Enhancements
The Map Data Manager was re-engineered to significantly improve network performance and reduce coverage generation time.

Miscellaneous Map Scales with ECHUM
Import and display ECHUM on CADRG Miscellaneous Map (MM) scales.

Inset Picture in Map Display
Use the Picture Tool button on the Drawing Editor toolbar to display and print a map or other graphic inserted into the display. The graphic's position is set by dragging out a rectangular area in the display. The inserted graphic is sized in screen coordinates and anchored to the map based on the chosen location so the graphic remains the same size regardless of the map scale.

Threat Editor Enhancements
Tabular Editor

  • A tabular threat editor provides a spreadsheet-like interface that allows you to add, delete, and edit the threats present in all opened threat files. You can sort by columns and change the same threat properties you could with the single-threat editor. In addition you can change the following:
    • Location
    • Allegiance
    • Country Code
    • Equipment Code
    • Icon
  • You have the option to open a threat file with the original or modified parametrics database.
  • A button in the interface executes a separate icon creation and editing tool provided by the Government.
  • Search for threats. When a threat is double-clicked in the tabular editor, the display centers on the threat.
  • Filter threats by order of battle (OB). You can turn the display on or off for a selection of icons based on their association with the various OBs.
Administration Tool
You can edit the threat parametrics database:
  • Change the properties of existing threats.
  • Add new threat types.
  • Change icons.
  • Choose whether to open a threat file with the original or modified parametrics database.
  • Execute a separate icon creation and editing tool provide by the Government.
The edit capability is normally disabled. It must be enabled via a registry key to prevent accidental changing of official threat databases.

Orders of Battle Filtering
The threat editor dialog has a tab for filtering which Orders of Battle (OB) are displayed. The tab lists all of the OBs with options to toggle the display of the entire OB, range rings, and masking plots. Additionally each OB has a button to access a dialog that allows you to select the display properties for the threat types contained within the selected OB. The option to select display of the icons, rings, and masks is available just as for the entire OB.

Graphic Editing
You can manually place equipment-based and system-based threats on the map by dragging icons from the threat icon window. When a generic equipment type symbol is dropped onto the map, FalconView displays a dialog window to guide you through the selection of the more specific threat properties. After the threat properties are defined the appropriate icon is created or selected by the system and placed on the map.

The threat icon window allows you to turn the display on or off for selection of icons based on their association with the various orders of battle. You can select to use system based, equipment based, or both types of threats.

System or Equipment-Based Threats
FalconView supports a higher-order grouping that collects threat equipment into systems.

NITF Support
FalconView displays National Imagery Transmission Format (NITF) files as an overlay. You can right-click a symbol that represents a file and launch a third-party NITF viewer to display the file.

DTED Level III and Sub-1-meter CIB Support
FalconView renders and displays DTED Level III and 18-inch CIB (sub-1-meter CIB). You can copy and delete the data files with the Map Data Manager.

Customizable DTED Colors
The DTED Options dialog allows you to set the color of a DTED elevation range.

Raster Product Format Frame File Meta-data Display
FalconView displays all user-oriented meta-data available in a raster map frame file (e.g., original chart datum, grid convergence factor, classification) in the information dialog.

CMS DTED Support Ended
FalconView no longer manages and displays CMS DTED. The U.S. Air Force has ended support for the data format.

Route Turn Point Types
FalconView displays the Mag Course Override/Roll-Out-on-Course Turn Type as supported in the PFPS Route Server.

Route Rehearsal Enhancement
FalconView displays an orbit at the specified air speed. When the orbit time is complete, the aircraft icon immediately jumps to the beginning of the exit leg regardless of the aircraft's location in the orbit. The air speed is constant throughout all of the orbits.

Route Elevation Profile Tool Enhancements
You can do the following with the Route Elevation Profile Tool:

  • Display the turn point number, DTD-ID, or both.
  • Resize the dialog.

Route Distance for Ground Routes
FalconView calculates the distance traveled over the ground, including the distance up and down slopes in the Route Elevation Profile. The actual distance over the ground is stored in the route.

Data Import
FalconView imports geographic information in the following formats:

  • Tab-delimited text
  • Comma-delimited text
  • Fixed-field-width text
  • Excel spreadsheet
You can do the following with the imported data:
  • Assign data types to fields with the assistance of a software "wizard."
  • Save the information in standard overlay files (points, CHUM, threats, drawings).
  • Save the settings used for import as a template for use when similar files are received. Example templates are provided for common data formats such as NGA’s GeoName geographic name database and their database of ports and airfields.

Data Export
FalconView exports geographic databases in the following formats:

  • Tab-delimited text
  • Comma-delimited text
You can specify which fields to export.

Target Graphic Printing
You can print, or export, target graphics of individual points, or of a series of points selected in a textual grid. Export uses standard computer graphics formats (e.g., JPG, PNG) and includes production of HTML pages with the graphic, coordinates, and any other relevant point information.

Favorite Importing
Use the tabular editors to import a list of points into the favorites list.

SkyView Enhancements
SkyView has the following new functionality:

  • Generates a 3D representation of a threat mask.
  • Performs continuous rendering, i.e., automatically loads and renders DTED as the aircraft "flies" beyond the terrain boundary.
  • Hides a designated route during route playback.
  • Uses Moving Map smooth scrolling.
  • Renders and displays maps using DTED Level III.
  • Uses a "padlock" to lock the field of view on whatever is in the center when selected, while retaining access to remaining SkyView functions such as FOV selection, terrain coloring, visibility, altitude, and viewpoint location. This in turn lets you focus the field of view on a desired point, then drag the viewpoint to different vantage points while the field of view remains centered on this point.
  • Decouples the field of regard from the direction of motion when attached to a Moving Map trail or route rehearsal. The field of view is slewable, and the Padlock is available while the vantage point is moving with the Moving Map-rehearsal location. With Padlock inactive, the field of view remains a constant angle in relation to the direction of motion as slewed by you. A control aligns the field of regard with the direction of motion.

Moving Map Enhancements
The Moving Map overlay has several visual enhancements:

  • Dynamically Colored Contour Lines
    • A red contour line is displayed on the terrain at the elevation of the aircraft.
    • A yellow contour line is displayed at the aircraft elevation minus a buffer altitude you specify.
    • Note that slow systems may be limited in the area that can be displayed.
  • DTED Coloring
    • DTED above the aircraft height is shaded red.
    • DTED is shaded yellow below and above the aircraft height minus a buffer altitude you specify.
    • DTED is shaded green below the aircraft height minus a buffer altitude you specify.
  • You can select the display of the highest point within a selectable distance from the aircraft. The highest point appears as an icon with the elevation.
  • A dot represents the anticipated position of the aircraft in 10, 20 and 30 seconds based on an extrapolation of the current and previous GPS positions.
    • Predicted trail points are displayed with a different appearance to indicate the predicted points are not actual trail points.
    • An option on the GPS options page allows you to toggle this feature.
    • The next predicted point is estimated using the location, speed, and change in location of the last known points.

Multiple and Simultaneous GPS Feeds
FalconView supports multiple GPS feeds on separate ports at the same time. You can specify the topmost (dominant) track which is used to drive moving map features. Third-party developers have programming interfaces that allow feeds that support multiple position indicators.

Moving Map Frozen Data Feed Indication
The Moving Map overlay displays a flashing icon to indicate if the moving map data stream has been interrupted. You can set the amount of time data is missing before the icon flashes.

Multiple Predator Feeds Display
FalconView uses a software plug-in module that allows you to view multiple, simultaneous Predator data feeds in the Moving Map overlay. You can also do the following:

  • Add and remove feeds.
  • Filter out erroneous data.
  • Use the time embedded in the data stream or the system time.
  • Use ground range or slant range as the distance indicator.
  • Set the ship symbol properties including size, outline thickness, foreground and outline color, and nickname.
  • Alter the appearance of the text labels used on the ship symbol and the range-and-bearing indicator.

Text Object Attributes Inheritance
FalconView uses the font and fill of the previous text boxes for new text boxes. When no previous text box is on the screen, the highlighter fill is the default.

Read Only Files
You can open "read only" files for display. FalconView tells you the file is protected and prompts you for a new file name if Save is selected.

Multiple File Open
You can open multiple files of multiple file types simultaneously. For example, if you have a directory that includes a RTE, DRW, and THR file, you may select all files using standard MS Windows selection (Ctrl and Shift) keys.

Illumination Overlay Enhancement
FalconView uses the Illumination Overlay to create a chart that displays the intervals of sun and moon illumination over a period of time. You can define the following parameters for the chart calculation:

  • Geographic location (datum and coordinates)
  • Display time format (Zulu or local)
  • Twilight type (Civil, Nautical, or Astronomical)
  • Number of days (1-31)

RainDrop Launch Tool
The Raindrop Launch tool is part of the Analysis Tool. The current tool allows you to specify a location and launches RainDrop with the specified location as a parameter. If RainDrop is not loaded on the system, the button is unavailable.

Microsoft® Access 2000 Support
FalconView reads and stores data using Access XP instead of Access 97.

Descent at Start of Leg
FalconView displays the descent at the start of a leg for unmanned vehicles to better match the way they fly.

Center of Display Indicator
You can select a crosshair to indicate the center of the display.

Go To Enhancements
The Go To dialog has tabs for the original Map Settings and Shape Files Search. Also, the Map Settings Location control lists the last five locations.

Distributed Map Data Server
The Distributed Map Data Server (DMDS) allows you to select a map-data path that contains current coverage data. If you select one of these paths, you do not have to generate coverage locally. The DMDS also uses a different icon to identify itself as such in the path list.

Vector Vertical Obstruction Data (VVOD) Overlay
FalconView displays Vector Vertical Obstruction Data (VVOD) as a map and an overlay. Vertical obstructions similar to CHUM and ECHUM are displayed independently of the map scale.

The Map Data Manager recognizes VVOD and generates coverage for it. The System Health dialog provides currency information and report generation. The Route Elevation Profile uses DTED and VVOD in its calculations.