We offer two types of comparison tool (Overlay Patterns and Synchronous 3D Models) to help visitors see the similarities and differences between different patterns.  

The Overlay Patterns page allows visitors to select any pair of patterns in our database and to overlay one of them on the other for comparison. One first selects the patterns desired by clicking on the appropriate buttons, which will open a new window allowing one to browse and select from all the patterns in our public database. Using the options beneath the description of Pattern 1, the visitor can select the view type for the patterns. The 2-dimensional chart options, 3-D rotatable chart options, and section stack options are all available. If a 2-D chart is selected, one then can choose to display the chart in either the ventral-centered or the dorsal-centered orientation. Once these formats are chosen, they will apply to both of the patterns to be compared, except that one can choose whether the second pattern appears as a color-coded contour map or as a grayscale bitmap. 

Two modes of pattern comparison are offered. In the default mode, one pattern image is semitransparent, allowing one to see through onto the second pattern. The slider at the bottom of the red box adjusts the level of transparency of the overlaid image. Buttons are provided to select which of the two images is over the other. The second mode of comparison causes the image to flicker between the two patterns. The same slider that adjusted transparency can be used to adjust the flicker rate in the flicker mode. 

As another way of comparing multiple patterns, we are offering the option of selecting up to six patterns using the pattern selector tool. These patterns will be displayed as color-coded 3D models in the correspondingly labeled windowpane. (Buttons are provided to assist with downloading the necessary software and to explain how these models were constructed). By clicking and dragging on any one of these models, one can rotate all of the models to the same degree and in the same direction, which should greatly facilitate comparisons of the patterns. 

When using the comparisons tools, one needs to select individual patterns (as opposed to odorants). The pattern selector page therefore provides a list of the patterns organized alphabetically with respect to odorant. The study code and odorant concentration (or other descriptor) also are provided to inform this selection. One can use the buttons on the bottom of the page to navigate through the database either page-wise (next and previous) or by the use of alphabetical shortcuts as were offered on the Browse Odorants page. One can select the pattern by pointing and clicking, followed by clicking the submission button on the right.