File name:      Readme.txt

Authors:        Sabine Embacher

Affiliation:    BEAM Development Team
                Brockmann Consult GmbH
                Max-Planck-Strasse 1
                D-21502 Geesthacht, Germany
                www.brockmann-consult.de

E-mails:        sabine.embacher@brockmann-consult.de

Document title: Brief Documentation of the RangeFinder plugin
                A plug-in for MERIS/(A)ATSR Toolbox (BEAM)

Release date:	March 24, 2005



Introduction
------------

This file briefly describes the installation and use of the
accompanying software package.



Requirements
------------

The RangeFinder is a plug-in module for the BEAM software developed
by Brockmann Consult for ESA. This latter software must of course be
installed prior to the plugin.

The BEAM software includes an application programming interface (API) and
a set of executable tools to facilitate the use of MERIS, AATSR and further
ASAR data products of the ESA ENVISAT satellite.

It can be freely downloaded from:

http://www.brockmann-consult.de/services/beam2/software/



Installation
------------

The BEAM package (here : BEAM VISAT Version 3.2) is installed within a
particular, user-selectable, directory. For the purpose of this documentation
file, that directory will be denoted $BEAM_HOME$. After installation of the
BEAM package, this directory should contain the following subdirectories
and files:

    $BEAM_HOME$
        |- auxdata/
        |- bin/
        |- doc/
        |- extensions/
        |- jre/
        |- lib/
        |- license/
        |- log/
        |- api-doc.zip
        |- changelog.txt
        |- epr_api-2.0.5.zip
        |- examples.zip
        |- known-issues.txt
        |- readme.txt
        |- src.zip
        |- version.txt

The RangeFinder plug-in, named 'rangefinder.jar', must simply be added
to the $BEAM_HOME$/extensions/ subdirectory. The BEAM application (VISAT)
will automatically integrate the plugin within its interface.



Operation
---------

After starting the VISAT application you will find a new tool button
at the main toolbar.
The plugin allows to measure the distance in km between two points inside
the displayed band of a loaded product.
To use this plugin you have to:
- open any product
- open an image view of any band of the opened product.
- click on the button of the measurement tool
- click once to set the starting point in the image view
- click once for each additional point
- click double to the end point of the distance to be measured.
The distance will be displayed in a dialog box. Click on "Details..."
to get more information about the result.


Warranties and copyright information
------------------------------------

The plugin described in this document is provided
'as is', with no warranty of merchantability or fitness to any particular
purpose. Although every effort has been made to ensure accuracy of computations
and conformity to the algorithms as published in the references below, the
authors assume no responsibility whatsoever for any direct, indirect or
consequential damage resulting from the use of this software. The plugin
is distributed free of charge and cannot be sold or re-sold. It
can be copied and distributed further, provided all documentation is attached
and provided the original source of the software is explicitly and
prominently described.

Questions, concerns and problems should be referred to the authors of the
software package at the address indicated at the start of this file.

The copyright on this file and the associated software remains with the
Brockmann Consult GmbH.