# Viewing vertical temperature distribution
> NOTE:
This guide can also be applied to the visualization of any scalar field on vertical (cross-sectional) planes.
> For the terms & names of UI components, refer to _[UI Components](3-1-ui-components)_.
##### 1. Open data file.
Open your data file(s), using _Open Data_ buttons on the _Home_ menu category of _Menu Bar_.
##### 2. Load the temperature variable and show it on a vertical cross-section.
In order to visualize the distribution of the variable on a vertical cross-section, your dataset should include multiple datasets of the same variable at different altitudes. If you indeed have multiple datasets, you can either
* click the _Add Vertical Cross-section_ button on _Layer_ menu category, select options, and then click "OK", or
* right-click the temperature variable on the _Variables Pane_, and select _Add Vertical Cross-section'_.
_Rendering Pane_ will immediately display the distribution, and a new layer will be added to the _Layers Pane_.
##### 3. Change the visualization style - contour vs. raster (optional).
On _Horizontal Plane_ menu category of _Menu Bar_, you can select one of the following visualization styles:
* Contour : show distribution with discrete iso-level contour lines (optionally with filled colors)
* Raster : show distribution with smoothly filled colors
* Dot : show distribution with colored dots for grid points
Each menu button has drop-down submenu, where you can set various options for each visualization style. For example, you can display character labels (including "H"/"L" for geopotential height) at the peak locations of the distribution.
##### 4. Move the position of the cross-sectional plane.
If your dataset includes wind flow datasets at multiple altitude, you can select a particular height level, or easily change to the next/previous height level.
On _Horizontal Plane_ menu category of _Menu Bar_, you will find _Vertical Level_ drop-down control, where you can select height level among all the levels available in your dataset. You can also click _Move Up / Move Down_ button in order to increase / decrease the selected level.
You can also change the height level of the horizontal plane using _Rendering Pane_ only.
Double-click one of the corners of the plane on _Rendering Pane_ in order to reveal handles, and then just drag the handles to move the plane around.
##### 5. Change the settings for color mapping (optional).
Double click the vertical _Color Bar_ on the right-hand side of _Rendering Pane_. A popup dialog named _'Setup Colormap and Limit Range'_ will show up, where you can change various options regarding the color mapping.
##### 6. Control the size and location of the plane (optional).
You can control the size and location of the plane by using _Rendering Pane_ only. To do this, you do :
1. switch from _Globe_ mode to _Map_ mode,
2. double-click one of the corners of the plane, to reveal the control handles,
3. drag the control handles to change the size and/or height.
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