Key WinKarst Highlights.
> Integrated cave survey editor. Unlike some cave survey programs, WinKarst has an integrated editor. In an integrated environment the user can edit the survey without saving the file to the hard disk. Not only is the considerably faster, it enables trial and error solutions to be explored for correcting errors without corrupting the permanent record on disk. The editor can be invoked by double clicking on caves, surveys or stations in the graphical view and then the editor automatically opens to the selected object. The editor has two methods to view shot data, organized by survey and organized by a single connecting station. Because the entire cave survey is held in memory, the user can obtain information about any cave, survey, station or property within the data, regardless of with file on the hard disk it came from. The has next station prediction, search for data items, cut and paste, link station warnings and data bound checking. For surveys with fore and back sights, corrected backsights are automatically identified and allowed.
> Morphed Sketches. Display up to 100 images tied to the line plot of the cave survey. PNG image format files are read in using the integrated editor and at least two stations locations are registered in the image before the program can display the image. When more than two stations are registered, then the image can be morphed to exactly match the line plot. The background color of the image is transparent and a composite view is created where the images overlap.
> Multiple File Formats. WinKarst can read and write SMAPS SEF format as well as each of the COMPASS formats, MAK, DAT and PLT. Keep your favorite survey editor and view the results in WinKarst. WinKarst can also import GPS data as WayPoint+ or Garmin formats and import station property information in dBaseIV format exported from a database program such as Microsoft Acess.
> Background Maps. Tile together multiple GeoTiff images for cave systems that cross 7.5 minute map boundaries. Large scale topographical or district maps can be scanned and displayed as a background image to the entire cave system. In this case, two intersections of either the UTM or lat/long grid register the image through control points. Images are displayed in color of the original image. GeoTiff images are automatically placed.
> Merged Digital Elevation Data. WinKarst is the only cave survey program that automatically merges DEM data with the survey. No clumsy third party software or extra steps required. The user can display the amount of overburden for stations within a DEM or plot elevation contours. WinKarst can draw a shadow the cave line plot on the surface calculated from the DEM or draw a surface mesh in the three dimensional view. WinKarst can merge adjacent DEM files into larger model. The user can open an external and linked child window to displays the entire DEM. The software can export contours, surface shadow or mesh as BMP or DXF files. WinKarst will automatically calculate the elevation for control points within a DEM.
> Merged Digital Line Graphs. WinKarst is the only cave survey program to utilize DLG data files showing roads and water ways layers. Adjacent DLG files are merged into a larger composite view. Roads and streams of different quality are displayed with different line thicknesses on the cave survey plot.
> Geographic Projections for use with your GPS unit. Cave entrances can be specified in your survey data file by longitude/latitude pairs and plotted in one of five geographic projects using one of twenty datums. No more difficult surface traverses. Perfect for overlaying on USGS topographical maps. WinKarst includes UTM, Trans Macerator, Albers Equal Area, Lambert Comformal and Polyconic projections. The mouse's position in longitude and latitude can be displayed in the status bar. WinKarst can display either UTM grid lines or 2 minute longitude/latitude grid lines on plots for registration on published maps.
> Automatic magnetic declination calculation when cave survey has a geographic reference point. The declination calculation is valid in the period from 1600 to 2005, anywhere on the Earth.
> Export your cave maps in either BMP, PNG, DXF, TXT, Garmin TRK and WPT formats, TXT and DBF spreadsheets or ERSI shapefile themes. BMP and PNG image export can be of any pixel dimension size. Exported files have been successfully imported into programs such as CorelDraw, AutoCAD, MS Word, DesignCAD, WayPoint+, TOPO!GPS, Bryce, MS Excel and MS Access. The DXF format includes the wall dimensioning, if enabled, to provide the important step up in drafting your cave map. The Garmin formats allow you to upload your line plot into your GPS unit for use in the field. The TXT or dBase DBF spreadsheet can be imported into a database program, e.g. Microsoft Access, for combining with all cave data needed for resource management. The ERSI shapefile themes include identity, caves, surveys, shots, stations and control points and can be view with ArcView or ArcExplorer.
> Three Dimensional Rose diagram. Like the traditional rose diagram, the density of survey shots at an azimuth are plotted on a circular diagram. In a three dimensional diagram, the radial distance on the diagram plots the inclination angles of the survey shots. Then at each intersection of an azimuth and inclination angle on the diagram, the color of the intersection indicates the frequency of shots that occur in the survey. The diagram can show bedding plane dip in addition to joint and fracture orientation.
> Vertical Passage Distribution diagram. The vertical extent of the cave is divided into 256 slices and the passage in each slice is totaled. The diagram displays a histogram of the slice totals. The individual peaks of the histogram are identified, labeled and colored. The coloring scheme is then applied to subsequent color by depth plots.
> Calculation of Strike and Dip. WinKarst can calculate the best fit strike and dip and apply it to level the cave's station and passage distribution. Often, a cave's development is governed by local geology characterized by a strike and dip. By leveling the cave's distribution, it is possible to determine where the cave is approaching the geologic limits.
> WinKarst provides the user with immediate access to many cave parameters and statistics. These items include cave length, extremes, shot count, station count, loop count, survey count, loop closure error, expected loop error, loop shot sequences, loop length, number of shots connecting to a station, the location of a station, the shortest distance of a station to the entrance, the length of a survey and much, much more.
> While viewing the cave plot, the mouse can be used to query stations, loops and surveys. Once selected, a dialog box will appear with information about the station, loop or survey. The box also gives the user the choice to open the survey editor prefixed to the selected object. The user can measure the distance between any two stations with the scale cursor. The inspector cursor causes station names to appear as floating hints above the line plot. The ruler cursor can measure the distance between any two stations.
