Create Skeleton Plot

The final task performed by the TREES system is creating the skeleton plot. The skeleton plot is a characterization of the width of each tree ring which is further used to cross-date samples. If performed manually, this is a long and error-prone process. The TREES system automates this process to free analysts to perform more meaningful tasks.

[Documentation Note: Skeleton Plot functions are under contruction by software developers. Some functionality in this section may not match the TREES system.]

After completing the 'Measure Rings' task, you may begin the 'Create Skeleton Plot' task. 'Create Skeleton Plot' is initiated by either:

Answering "Yes" to the "Do you wish to continue to generate the skeleton plot?" dialog box upon completing 'Measure Rings'.
Using File -> Open to open a file in which 'Measure Rings' was previously completed and then clicking the 'Create Skeleton Plot' button.

In either case, the following screen results when a skeleton plot is created:

The Ring Measurement and Skeleton Plot display area now includes graphical data representing tree rings found in your sample.

Each vertical bar on the graph represents one tree ring.
Using the left [<--] and right [-->] arrow keys on the keyboard, you may move the red arrows on the graph from one tree ring to the next.
You will notice that the actual tree ring in the sample is highlighted in yellow as you move the red arrows.
You may need to scroll the sample image to see the tree ring that is highlighted using the slider and arrows in the vertical and horizontal scroll bars below and to the right of the image.
Depending on the number of tree rings found, you may also need to scroll the graph as well using the slider and arrows below the graph.

The Ring Measurement and Skeleton Plot display area consists of two (2) sections:

GRAPH SECTION - In this section the width of each tree ring is compared to the average width of all tree rings found. This "normalized" width is then plotted on the graph. 1.0 represents the average width of all the rings found. Each green horizontal line above and below the black 1.0 line represents +/- 0.1 normalized width. For example, the thin black line which is five lines above the 1.0 line represents a tree ring width that is 1.5 x the average width. Similarly, the thin black line that is five lines below the 1.0 line represents a tree ring width that is 0.5 x the average width. The range displayed is 0 to 2.0 x the average width.

The Graph Section consists of the following elements (see Skeleton Plot Elements diagram below):
- G1 - Graph line connecting normalized tree ring width data points.
- G2 - 1.0 basline width.
- G3 - Tree Ring Index numbers for every ten tree rings.
- G4 - Red marker arrows to indicate the current ring displayed.
PLOT SECTION - This section displays bars (also known as 'bones') which represent very narrow rings. The vertical height of the bar is inversely proportional to the width of the ring. The narrower the ring, the taller the bar. Wide tree rings are labeled with a lowercase 'b'.

The Plot Section consists of the following elements (see Skeleton Plot Elements diagram below):
- P1 - Vertical graph lines. One for each tree ring.
- P2 - Lowercase 'b' indicating a wide (broad) tree ring.
- P3 - Vertical bars (bones) indicating narrow tree rings. Narrower tree rings result in taller bars.

From the Main Screen the user may enable the Skeleton Plot OPTIONS and ATTRIBUTES dialog boxes. The features available within these dialog boxes are normally used for tasks involving system diagnostics and data modification. These functions should be used carefully by experienced analysts. Brief descriptions of the elements of each dialog box follows:

OPTIONS Dialog Box - Used to modify the appearance of the graphical display and add/remove skeleton plot bars.

1A,1B Plot Coefficients - Number of Tree Rings found is indicated after "Number of Rings:". Coefficients for the equation used to calculate the vertical height of skeleton plot bars may be varied using the slider buttons following "Absolute Value:" and "First DIfference:". A new skeleton plot resulting from changes to the coefficients is drawn when the user presses the "Redo Plot" [1B] button.
2A,2B Graph Size - Controls the on-screen size of the graphical display. 'Medium' is the default. A new graph is drawn when the user presses "Resize Graph" [2B].
3 Mouse Action - Controls the action performed by clicking the left mouse button on the Plot Section of the graphical display.
- Add - Adds a new bar.
- Remove - Removes a bar.
- Resize - Changes the length of a bar.
- Text - Adds a text annotation to the plot.
4 New Lines - Controls the 'type' attribute for new lines added.
- Normal - Normal tree ring.
- Wide - Wide (broad) tree ring.
- Absent - A tree ring which should exist and is not on the sample.
- False - A tree ring which is on the sample that should not exist.
5 Orientation - Changes the orientation of the Graph and Plot sections. Normal is Graph section on top and Plot section on the bottom with bars pointing upward. Reverse is Graph section on the bottom and the Plot section on the top with bars pointing downward.
6 New Line Color - Controls the color of new bars added to the Plot section. Six selections are available.
7 Update All - Updates the color of all the bars in the Plot section to the color selected by "New Line Color:"
8 View - Controls whether both the Graph section and Plot section are displayed, or only the Plot section.
9 Close - Closes the OPTIONS Dialog Box.

ATTRIBUTES Dialog Box - Used to add or modify attribute data associated with each tree ring.

Note: Only tree rings which have a skeleton plot bar will display the "Type:" and "Bone Length:" attributes.

You have now completed all of the tasks in the TREES system. When you choose File -> Close or File -> Exit the TREES system will give you the opportunity to save the current session and exit from the TREES system from the following dialog boxes: