| Chesapeake Times, Vol 3 | October 2020 In the next version of SonarWiz, we added a few options to help folks with large files. We have seen the ever-increasing file sizes, as folks collect higher resolution data or just more data. Days of 8-bit sidescan and single beam echosounder have been replaced with 24-bit sidescan data and multibeam sonar. With each update, file sizes are larger, and sometimes, unmanageable to move from one machine to another, or take much, much longer to process. We have added in a few new features in the latest update to address this issue. |
 Tool to split XTF files by sensor type An XTF file is a catch all, a common type format that the industry has been using for a while. And because of the format as a wrapper, any sensor type can be made to an XTF file. Data loggers can create a single XTF file with multiple sensors, often large files, which can make processing slow as the entire file needs to be read. This feature can be found in Tools > XTF. |
| A single 120MB XTF file, for example, having both Sidescan and Sub bottom, would get split into two separate files, each appended with a file name that indicates which sensor type is included. Included in the split file is the ancillary data needed for complete processing of that sonar type. |
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| In my time trials on a laptop, I was able to load these split files 25% – 30% faster than the single XTF file with both sensors. Another tool added in the latest release is to split bathymetry data files – the CDF files created by SonarWiz. Four different options exist to split these data files – visually using a mouse, by time, ping, or feature. |
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| Creating the data files to be bounded inside an area allows one to segment the data for applying specific sound velocity data, removing unwanted turn data, or splitting data files for processing in a specific region. |
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| This tool will come in handy, letting the user split data files of any sonar type and creating a smaller file for data processing. With the smaller CDF file, data processing time is reduced. -Harold Orlinsky, General Manger |