svs

	SVS -- Stand Visualization System
	A product of the USDA Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Research Station

The Stand Visualization System is available for DOS and Windows. Both versions have similar capabilities but only the Windows version is currently being maintained.

Download the software using HTTP protocol: DOS version (README), Windows version (README)

SVS manual (PDF ~0.8 Mb)

SVS training manual (PDF ~0.6 Mb)

An important maintenance release for FVS users was made available on October 6, 2009.

This release did not include any program changes.

FVS users should download the latest version using the link above and select the "Install new FVS global tree form definitions" option during the installation to ensure proper functioning with FVS-generated SVS data files.

Overview

The Stand Visualization System or SVS generates graphic images depicting stand conditions represented by a list of individual stand components, e.g., trees, shrubs, and down material (example SVS image 67k). The images produced by SVS, while abstract, provide a readily understood representation of stand conditions. Images produced using SVS help communicate silvicultural treatments and forest management alternatives to a variety of audiences.

SVS provides the following specific capabilities:

Display stand information represented by a list of individual plant and log components in a realistic, although abstract, fashion
Display stand information in a manner that communicates the overall structural diversity present within the stand
Differentiate between stand components using different plant forms, colors, or other types of marking
Provide overhead, profile and perspective views of a stand
Allow the user to vary the parameters controlling all views
Allow users to define plant forms and colors based on species, plant type, and plant position within the canopy
Provide tabular and graphical summaries of stand information before and after a silvicultural treatment
Display information describing individual stand components as they are selected by the user
Allow the user to design of silvicultural treatments by "marking" stand components and specifying a treatment

Data Requirements

SVS requires two primary types of data: a list of stand components and plant form definitions. The stand component list describes the species, size and location of each component in a stand. Plant form definitions describe the appearance of each species and, optionally, the appearance of individuals exhibiting different growth forms within a species.

The following parameters describe each stand component:

Species code	End diameter	Crown radius 4
Plant class	Crown radius 1	Crown ratio 4
Crown class	Crown ratio 1	Expansion factor
Plant status	Crown radius 2	Marking status
Diameter	Crown ratio 2	X
Height	Crown radius 3	Y
Felling angle	Crown ratio 3	Elevation

The TBL2SVS utility, included with SVS, converts stand table input consisting of species, dbh, height, and number of plants per unit area into a list of individual components

Plant Form Definitions

Users define the appearance of each species represented in a component list using a plant form definition. Form definitions describe the overall growth form; geometry and number of branches or leaves; and color of the stem, branches and foliage. SVS provides a "tree designer" to help users develop form definitions for the species and growth forms in their area. SVS uses the species identifier as the primary link between the component list and the plant form definitions. However, two additional parameters, tree class and crown class, can be used to distinguish individuals within a species. Interpretation and use of these two parameters is under the complete control of the user. SVS reserves the value of 99 for the tree class and crown class to represent a "wild-card" value.

Computer System Requirements

SVS is designed for IBM-compatible personal computers running the MS-DOS operating system or Windows 9X and Windows NT. The DOS version of SVS requires the following minimum computer configuration:

80386, 80486, or Pentium CPU
1 Mb RAM (4 Mb or more recommended)
Color monitor
Mouse or other pointing device
VESA compatible graphics adapter (VESA, in this case, does not refer to VESA local bus. The graphics adapter should be compatible with the protocol developed by the Video Electronics Standards Association...consult the manual for your graphics adapter for further information.)

The DOS version of SVS can utilize a standard VGA graphics adapter to display 16 colors. With a VESA compatible graphics adapter, SVS displays 256 colors.

The Windows version of SVS requires Windows 95, Windows 98, or Windows NT (3.5 +). No specialized graphics hardware is needed with the Windows version.

Plant Form Representations in SVS

SVS uses a tree designer dialog box (30k) to allow users to easily modify the parameters that control the shape and appearance of individual plants drawn by SVS. The tree designer uses four windows to represent various views of a plant form. The upper left window shows an overhead view of eight plants. The upper right window shows a series of plants with decreasing crown ratios. The lower left window shows a group of plants that exhibit a variety of size and shape characteristics. The lower right window shows a single plant. The lower right window also contains controls to establish the average crown ratio, crown radius, and height for the plant type. The parameters in the lower right window affect only the size and scaling of the plants as drawn in the tree designer. When drawing plants, SVS uses information in the component list to size individual plants. The controls on the right side of the screen modify the parameters used to represent a particular plant form. The species, tree class, and crown class for the plant form being modified are displayed along the top of the screen. The buttons along the bottom of the screen provide access to stored plant definition files and allow the user to add new plant forms or modify existing plant forms.

Designing Silvicultural Treatments with SVS

SVS allows users to create stand treatments by marking individual trees or groups of trees (21k) on either the perspective or overhead displays. Marking rules can be used to select trees based on their attributes. The marking dialog (12k) lets users develop silvicultural prescriptions by specifying the desired characteristics for the residual stand.