SMS

Using the Import Wizard to Create a Cross Section Database

By aquaveo on March 3, 2021

Do you have a cross section database that needs to be included in your surface water project? A new feature in SMS 13.1.1 beta allows you to import a cross section database using the File Import Wizard.

A cross section database can be imported from a spreadsheet or a specially formatted text file. To import a cross section database from a spreadsheet or text file, use the following steps:

  1. Make certain you have created a 1D hydraulic cross section coverage in your project. This is needed in order to have a place to store the cross section database.
  2. If using a text file, make certain it is formatted correctly. It should include an XS ID or Station ID column in order to define the points found in each cross section.
  3. Open the cross section database file using any of the methods for opening a file. This will bring up the File Import Wizard.
  4. In the first step of the File Import Wizard, set the fixed width or delimited properties as appropriate for the file.
  5. In the second step of the File Import Wizard, set the data type to be "Feature Data" and turn on the "Cross section database" option.
  6. Also in the second step, assign the columns of the text file to make the station ID, and xyz coordinates. There is also an option for a PT type that allows you to annotate features such as thalweg, left bank, right bank, left toe, right toe, abutment, pier, and so on.
  7. When done with the File Import Wizard, clicking Finish will import the database in your SMS project. It can be reviewed by looking at the arc attributes of the cross section arcs.
The File Import Wizard for importing a cross section database

Once you’ve imported the cross section database, the cross section data is stored in the project file. Try out importing a cross section database into your SMS 13.1 projects today?

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SMS

Using the Compute Derivative Tool in SMS

By aquaveo on February 10, 2021

With the release of the SMS 13.1 beta, a new tool has been added to the Dataset Toolbox. The Dataset Toolbox contains many tools for creating new datasets from existing data in your project. The Dataset Toolbox contains the Data Calculator as well as tools for comparing datasets and completing certain functions.

Among all the tools currently available, the Compute Derivative tool has been added to the Temporal tools in the Dataset Toolbox. In a previous blog post we discussed the other temporal tools if you want to review the function of those tools. The Compute Derivative tool allows you to create a new dataset showing the change from one time step to the next, or the derivative from one time step to the next of an existing dataset.

To access and use the Computer Derivative tool, do the following:

  1. Have a transient dataset loaded into the project.
  2. Use the Data | Dataset Toolbox command.
  3. In the Dataset Toolbox dialog, select the Computer Derivative tool under the list of Temporal tools.
  4. Select the desired dataset to use for the computation.
  5. Select either the Change or Derivative option.
  6. If selecting the Derivative option, also specify the time units.
  7. Enter a name for the new dataset.
Compute Derivative Tool in SMS

The new dataset generated from the Computer Derivative tool will output data in between the existing dataset time steps, resulting in one fewer time steps than the original dataset.

The Compute Derivative tool is only available for data that is in the 2D Mesh module or the UGrid module. Make certain that you have your dataset included in one of these two modules. If you have your dataset in a different module, you will need to interpolate it over to a 2D mesh or UGrid (unstructured grid) before using the Computer Derivative tool.

Try out using the Compute Derivative tool in SMS 13.1 today!

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SMS

Using Evaluation Versions of GMS, SMS, and WMS

By aquaveo on January 27, 2021

Are you wanting to try out GMS, SMS, or WMS, but aren’t quite ready to commit to purchasing a license? Or maybe you have a license, but your maintenance has lapsed and you’d like to check out the new features in a beta version before updating your maintenance?

Aquaveo permits using an evaluation license for its products to permit you to try out our software to see if it will meet your needs. Evaluation licenses are temporary license codes that let you use all the functionality of our software for two weeks.

To receive an evaluation license code, do the following:

Use the evaluation code to register
  1. Download the software you want to evaluate from our downloads page.
  2. After downloading and installing the software, use the Request License button in the Registration Wizard to go to the Software Evaluation Request page on our website.
  3. Fill out the request form and an evaluation license code will be sent to you.
  4. Register the software using the evaluation license code sent to you.

After registering the software with the evaluation code you will be able to use all of the software functionality to determine if the software will meet your water modeling needs. Note that evaluation licenses are only for evaluation purposes and are not intended for creating finished models. It should also be noted that certain third party models, such as TUFLOW or Hydro AS-2D, will still require a separate license in order to fully evaluate them.

After the two week trial period, the license will expire and you will no longer be able to use the software until a paid license code is entered. You are only permitted one evaluation license per product per version.

If you encounter problems with registering an evaluation license, contact our support team at support@aquaveo.com. If you started an evaluation license and were unable to use the license during the evaluation period, contact our licensing team at licensing@aquaveo.com.

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WMS

Customizing the Simulation Commands in SMS

By aquaveo on January 20, 2021

In SMS 13.1 beta, did you know that you can customize the commands in the simulation right-click menu? Customizing the right-click commands can help declutter the menu. For models such as ADIRC or SRH-2D, the right-click menu can be customized to show the commands you use most often. For example, if your workflow calls for saving the project, exporting the simulation files, and launching the simulation run every time, you may not want to have separate commands for each of those, instead just having one command showing all of those.

Starting with SMS 13.1.6, the Preferences dialog contains options for customizing the right-click menu commands for simulations. These commands include commands for exporting the simulation files, saving the project, and launching the simulation. Commands preferences can be set for the menu for simulations as well as for the Simulation Data folder in the Project Explorer. Setting the commands for the Simulation Data folder apply to all simulations in the project.

To customize the simulation commands, do the following:

  1. Open the Preferences dialog by using Preferences command in the Edit menu.
  2. In the Preferences dialog, go to the Project Explorer tab.
  3. Click the Edit button next to simulation right-click menu options to open the Simulation Menu Preferences dialog.
  4. Turn on or off the options in the Simulation Menu Preferences dialog to customize the commands in the simulation menus.
Customizing the simulation menu

When using the Simulation Menu Preferences dialog, make certain you turn on or off commands in the correct column. Also note that saving the simulation exports the simulation files and does not include saving your SMS project; there are two separate processes.

Being able to customize your simulation menu is a new feature that is only available for certain models. Older models, such as TABS or TUFLOW, do not have this option at this time.

Try out customizing your simulation menu in SMS 13.1 beta today!

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