3. Increase Memory Available for the GEON IDV, and Restart the GEON IDV

Always do this important step.

The installed code to run the IDV allocates 512 MB of memory for the IDV (this is a Java resource control feature). More than 512 MB is needed for most uses of the IDV in geophysics; more than 1000 MB is best. The IDV can use up to 1500 MB in most desktops. If you have a 64 bit Linux system, you can use the IDV with several GB of RAM.

First, exit the IDV.

Linux and Windows Memory Available

If your computer has more than 512 MB of RAM - which it really needs to run the IDV well -- do the folowing. Find the IDV start script file. Its filename is runIDV.bat on Windows, and runIDV on Linux and Solaris. On Windows it may be in C:\Program Files\IDV_2.7\ or a similar location. That file will have a text line something like (but not exactly)

/usr/local/bin/java/j2sdk1.4/bin/java -Xmx512m -jar idv.jar
or
jre\bin\java -Xmx512m -Didv.enableStereo=false -jar idv.jar %*

This is the command line that actually starts the IDV on your system. The important part is the number 512.

The " -Xmx512m" tells the IDV to use, at most, 512 megabytes of memory in RAM. In every place you see -Xmx512m, change the "512" to a larger value such as 1200. Now the IDV can access more memory, that many megabytes of memory. You can use up to 1500 if you have more than that available.

For Vista Windows systems, you will not be allowed to change the file runIDV.bat for an IDV installed under the "Program Files" folder. For Vista you first need to create a new folder in your own area, where you are allowed to edit files, and then install the IDV there during the installer step.

Mac Memory Available

Here is the way to increase the memory limit on the Mac.

The IDV installed on the Mac OS X comes with the maximum memory preset for 512 mb. In order to increase the memory to say 1024 mb, you need to edit the Info.plist file in the IDV application contents. To do this first go into the IDV folder in the Applications folder and holding the Control button on the keyboard and click on "IDV". For a 3-button mouse just right click. This will give the Contents of the file in a new window. Then click on Contents folder. You can edit the Info.plist file by dragging it into a text editor or into a terminal window (type vi first). After the line VMOptions is the memory setting "-Xmx512m". Change this to -Xmx1024m and save the file. You can now launch the IDV by double clicking on the IDV application. You should see 1024 MB as the allocated memory at the bottom of the IDV window.

Alternatively for unix types: in a terminal window type vi /Applications/IDV_2.1/IDV.app/Contents/Info.plist where IDV_2.1 is the version (directory) of your IDV install.

Do not use the maximum amount of memory on your machine as some is needed for the operating system itself. For a system with 2 Gb of physical memory, you can probably allocate 1.5 Gb to the IDV. If you have less than 1 Gb of RAM, you should start the IDV with about 1/2 of the total memory (512 MB). (Unidata)

At present, you really cannot go much beyond 1.5 GB dedicated to the IDV, even if you have more physical memory in the computer. The "32 bit limit" is still in the JRE [Java] ....some day (soon?) they'll go beyond this. (Tom Whittaker)

Now, RESTART the GEON IDV, to get full memory use

Update the World Maps (if you need them)

from Unidata, Aug. 3 2009:

In the latest version of the IDV (2.7u1), the World Coastlines map was updated to a higher resolution map. If you are installing this IDV from scratch, you will get it. However, if you have ever changed your default map preferences in an earlier IDV version, then you will not see that map by default. You can get the updated map by:

- Open the Default Background Map Control window
- Delete the World Coastlines map by clicking the trash can icon
- Select the File->Default Maps->Save as Default Map set
- Exit the IDV.

That will remove the old reference. Then -

- Restart the IDV
- Open the Default Background Map control window
- Select the Edit->Add System Map->World Coastlines map.

Alternatively, if you have not added or changed any of the other default maps, you can use the File->Default Maps->Remove Local Map Defaults and restart the IDV. That will pick up the new map and you can then save that preference.

Learning to use the GEON IDV