FVS Pre-Processors

FVS pre-processors are programs used prior to making a vegetation simulation, usually to prepare or select data for use with FVS.

These are compressed self-extracting files. Click on the link below to download the file to your PC. Double-click the file in Windows Explorer to install the programs. Extract the file's contents to the C:\Fvsbin folder.

Data Preparation

• Format4FVS (format4fvs_z.exe, 276 KB, 08-10-2004 ) - a program designed to create tree data files in the standard format required by FVS. It was developed for FVS users to translate data files stored as spreadsheets or in database formats.
  
  For input, it uses ASCII text files formatted either as comma-delimited, tab-delimited, or in columns with only spaces separating characters. Spreadsheets and database files need to be saved to one of these formats before using Format4FVS. The user specifies the input format and selects the field/columns for each of the tree data metrics (e.g., dbh, height, crown ratio). Translation capabilities are built in to convert some of the metrics to values FVS expects. For example, "dbh" may be input as inches, tenths of inches, centimeters, or other units, and the program will translate the value to inches. The Stand List Files (.slf) and Suppose Locations (.loc) files are not created.
  
  The installation package is a self-extracting zip file containing the executable file, help files, and a readme file. It can be extracted to any directory, but "C:\Fvsbin" is the default.
  
  
• FVSWriter ( fvswriter_z.exe, 248 KB, 11-10-2004) - a program designed to create the standard files required by FVS and Suppose (tree data files, stand list files, and suppose.loc files). It was developed for FVS users to easily create these files through data entry.

Regional Data Translators

We provide Regionally-specific data translators to convert Forest Service stand examination data into FVS-ready formats.

• RMStand (pc_rmstand.exe, 887 KB, 04-06-2004) - the Rocky Mountain Stand Program is used for analysis and processing stand examination tree data collected by Regions 2, 3, and 4.
• R6Trans (r6transz.exe, 152 KB, 04-23-2001) - a stand examination database translator developed for Region 6.

Simulation Preparation

We provide a variety of supplementary programs to aid the user in designing and developing FVS simulations.

• KIN (Keyword Iteration Navigator) (kin_z.exe, 3 MB, 04-28-2006) - extends the abilities of the Suppose interface to prepare detailed, complex FVS simulations. Keyword values can be varied to produce iterative simulations.
  • KIN (Keyword Iteration Navigator) User Documentation (Adobe PDF, 205 KB, 06-21-2006) - document describing KIN and its use, a part of the larger document Select Topics for the Forest Vegetation Simulator.

Last modified: May 20, 2008