1.4. Moving around the view
1.4.1. Introduction
Once data is loaded into Debrief, there are a number of ways of controlling the view of the track data by use of the buttons on the View toolbar.
 | For most of Debrief's operations (such as adding drawing features) it needs to have an area to look at. When re-opening an existing plot file, or importing data, Debrief can determine the area covered by the plot. However, when starting a new, blank session, Debrief does not know what area to cover. In this circumstance Debrief sets the origin to its own origin, at Fort Blockhouse, HMS Dolphin, Portsmouth, United Kingdom - the plot will be centered approximately on 50 degrees 49 minutes North, 1 degree 19 minutes West. |
1.4.2. Toggle Buttons
The first three modes of use are selectable individually, only one may be selected at a time. When one is pressed, it remains depressed, popping up the button previously in use.
 Pan | The Pan control lets you move your current viewpoint. Click on the Pan button, and then drag the mouse around the plot -- you will see the view change as you do it. | |
 Range Bearing | Whilst the Range and Bearing control does not allow you to move around the view, it does merit discussion at this point, since it is the third in this group of selectable mouse modes. Select the Range and Bearing control, then drag the mouse to measure the range and bearing between two points - you will see the calculated results displayed at the foot of the Tote panel, as shown below. The default units are yards, but if you wish to change them double-click on the calculated range results: the units editor will open, allowing you to change the default units (your selection is saved in the Debrief Properties section of the Maintainer's Guide).
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 Zoom in | You are in the Zoom In mode by default. So, click and drag the mouse across the area where the two tracks are located near the centre of the plot. When you release the mouse button you will see a zoomed in view of the data. Note that with the 1.4 version of Java, Debrief gained mouse-wheel support, so if you hold down the key and roll your mouse backwards and forwards, you will be zoomed in and out of Debrief. |
1.4.3. Click buttons
The next set of buttons do not rely on mouse activity over the plot, they just require mouse clicks
 Zoom out | If you now click on the Zoom out button, you will "zoom out" of the plot (surprise, surprise). This button works well in conjunction with the Zoom in button, since this does not take the mouse out of "zoom in" mode -- therefore you can zoom in on areas, click zoom out a couple of times, then zoom in again, all with the minimum of mouse clicks. The wheel-mouse may also be used to zoom out as described above in Zoom in | |
 Fit to Window | Whilst the meaning of the icon on this button is not all that clear (it's meant to be a combination of zoom in, zoom out, and all of the pan/move buttons), it fits the view to display all of the currently visible data. Note that there may be data on the plot which is not visible (hidden layers), the area covered by the hidden items of information is not included in the "Fit to window" operation. Additionally this phenomenon relates to the data once you have pressed "Filter to time period" from the Track & Time toolbox - the plot is resized to fit the data contained in the indicated time period (yes, you'll learn about this later).
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 Refresh View | This button refreshes the current view. Refreshing is occasionally required when switching between display modes |
1.4.4. Floating toolbars
This seems a good point to introduce the floating toolbars. You see the dotted rectangle at the left-hand end of the Shapes toolbar? Click on it with the mouse and drag it away from Debrief - the toolbar will now float above Debrief. Once floating, the toolbar can be moved or resized, and closed by clicking on it's icon.
Where-ever you see this dotted texture along the left-hand side of a Debrief panel, remember it can be dragged out. In some of the larger panels, such as properties windows, you have to "grab" the dotted area right at the top, but be assured it becomes second nature with practice.
1.4.5. Undo
Briefly experiment with moving around inside the plot, zooming in and out of the view. Also experiment with the Undo operation on the Edit toolbar. This will return you to the previous state.
Debrief contains a never-ending list of operations which are undo-able. The list is only cleared when you close the current session.
1.4.6. Formatting the plot
The background color for the Debrief plot can be changed to suit different projection/printing mediums, or to suit the analysts personal choice. Additionally, the width at which lines of tactical obects are drawn can also be changed. Either of these options are accessed by right-clicking on the plot background and selecting Edit Appearance. A properties panel will appear, use the drop-down list to change the background colour, or move the slider to change the line width itself.