SMS

Using the Cross Section Tools in SMS 13.1

By aquaveo on December 2, 2020

With the release of SMS 13.1 beta, a significant number of tools have been added for working with cross sections. These tools allow you to have more control over importing cross section databases and how you can work with cross sections in SMS.

Earlier versions of SMS have allowed you to import a cross section database and provided the cross section and centerline coverages. This lets you create a basic 1D model in SMS. SMS 13.1 expands on this functionality.

The new cross section tools in SMS 13.1 include:

Cross section databases can be created from a text file.
Cross sections can be interpolated along the centerline.
Cross sections can be trimmed to annotation types.
A surface (TIN) can be created by matching annotated points on cross sections.
A centerline coverage can be created from annotated cross sections.
HEC-RAS cross section data can be used.

When working with these new tools in SMS 13.1 beta, there are a couple items to keep in mind.

The first is that when interpolating cross sections, check for overlapping cross sections after the interpolation process is complete. If you trim your cross sections before interpolating your cross sections, you may prevent some overlapping.

The next item to keep in mind is that before converting cross sections to a TIN, it is recommended that you manually clean up the cross sections. Cross sections that have overlapping sections, unnecessary segments, or poor location can cause errors in the TIN.

Finally, converting a shapefile to a centerline coverage can be slow. It is recommended to convert the shapefile to an area property coverage first. After converting the shapefile to an area property coverage, clean up the arcs on the area property coverage then convert the area property coverage to a centerline coverage.

Tutorial for using the new cross sections tools will be made available in the coming months. Until then,our technical support team can help provide guidance in using these new tools. Try out the new cross section tools in SMS 13.1 beta today!

Blog tags:

SMS

Using the Copy to Coverage Command

By aquaveo on November 11, 2020

In SMS, after spending time creating the perfect arc, polygon, or series of points on a map coverage, you may find that you need that feature object added to other coverages. Recreating the same feature object manually could be too time consuming. Fortunately, with the release of SMS 13.1 beta, there is now the Copy to Coverage command.

The Copy to Coverage command allows copying selected feature objects from one map coverage to another. To use the Copy to Coverage command:

Create the coverage that will receive the copied feature object.
Select the desired feature object or objects in a map coverage.
Right-click and select the Copy to Coverage command.
In the Select Coverage dialog, select the coverage that the feature object will be copied to.

When the feature object has been copied, attributes (boundary condition types, materials values, etc.) assigned to the object on the original coverage will need to be reassigned if the new coverage is of the same coverage type. Currently, feature object attributes cannot be preserved when copying to a coverage of the same type.

The Copy to Coverage command is most useful when you have a coverage with a lot of feature objects, such as those imported from a shapefile, but you are only needing one or two of those feature objects copied to a new coverage. For example, have a mesh generator coverage with arcs that would work well for boundary conditions, you could select and copy just the arcs that you intend you use as boundary condition arcs to a boundary conditions coverage. This is a faster process than duplicating the entire coverage, changing the coverage type, and deleting unnecessary objects.

You can copy multiple objects at once, by using the shift key to select multiple objects of the same type. In SMS 13.1, you can also use the universal Select Objects tool to select multiple feature objects of different types which can also then be copied to a new coverage.

Try out the Copy to Coverage command in SMS 13.1 beta today!

Blog tags:

SMS

Exporting Map Data to a Shapefile

By aquaveo on October 21, 2020

Feature objects in SMS resemble the objects in shapefiles in many ways. Shapefiles are a file format used by many GIS applications. Starting in SMS 13.1, feature objects in SMS can be directly exported into shapefiles.

SMS 13.1 allows points, arcs, and polygons to be exported from a specified map coverage to shapefile. This done by doing the following:

Select the desired map coverage in the Project Explorer to make it active. It is recommended that you hide any map coverages you don’t want exported.
Right-click on the coverage and select Export.
In the Export Coverage dialog, select the direction where you want to save the shapefile, enter the shapefile name, and select which type of shapefile to use.

Be certain to select the correct file type when exporting feature objects. Only the matching feature object type will be exported to a shapefile from the coverage. SMS allows you to export feature points as a points shapefile, feature arcs as a line shapefile, and feature polygons as a polygon shapefile.

It is also recommended to review the feature objects on the coverage before exporting to a shapefile. Individual feature objects cannot be exported at this time, therefore, it is advisable to remove any unwanted features before exported. This can be done by duplicating the map coverage and then deleting the unwanted feature objects.

If desired, you can import the exported shapefile into SMS. The shapefile will appear in the GIS module and can then be compared with the feature objects on original map coverage. Otherwise the shapefile is ready to be imported into the desired application.

It should be noted that not all data on map coverages can be exported into a shapefile format. Some data, such as boundary conditions attributes or coverage specific settings, may not end being exported.

Try out creating shapefiles from feature objects in the SMS 13.1 beta today!

Blog tags:

SMS

Converting Soil Data to an Index Map

By aquaveo on October 7, 2020

Do you need to add soil data to your GSSHA model in WMS? Soil data is often needed in a rainfall/runoff GSSHA model so that infiltration can be considered in the model. WMS makes this easy by allowing soil data to be converted to an index map.

In order to include soil data in your GSSHA model, there are few steps to follow.

First, you will need a soil data map coverage. Once this coverage has been created you can add soil data directly to the map coverage. Often, you may have soil data located on a shapefile or other source. The soil data on the shapefile needs to be mapped over to the soil data coverage before creating the index map.

Second, the index map will be included with a 2D grid for the GSSHA model in WMS. Make certain you have created your 2D grid and initiated your GSSHA model.

Finally, convert the soil data coverage to be an index map in your GSSHA project. This is done by doing the following:

Use the GSSHA | Maps command.
In the GSSHA Maps dialog, set the soil data coverage to be used.
Click the Coverages to Index Map button.

Once you have converted your soil data to an index map, you can use it in your GSSHA model.

When converting soil data to an index map, we do have some tips to make it go smoother.

When converting a shapefile to a soil data coverage, make certain that the soil data with the shapefile has been joined to the shapefile.
After mapping a shapefile to a soil data coverage, make certain that the soil data mapped over.
Check to see if soil covers the entire area of the 2D grid. A warning may appear if the soil data does not cover the area of the 2D grid.

Once your soil data have been successfully converted to an index map, it is ready to be used in your GSSHA model.

Try out using soil data with GSSHA in WMS today!

Blog tags:

SMS