SMS

Using the Copy to Coverage Command

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:

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

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!

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Exporting Map Data to a Shapefile

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:

  1. 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.
  2. Right-click on the coverage and select Export.
  3. 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.
Exporting a coverage to a shapefile

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!

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Converting Soil Data to an Index Map

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:

  1. Use the GSSHA | Maps command.
  2. In the GSSHA Maps dialog, set the soil data coverage to be used.
  3. Click the Coverages to Index Map button.
Soil data converted to an index map

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!

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New Map Annotation Tools in SMS 13.1

With the release of SMS 13.1 beta, a new tool has been added to allow you to have additional annotations on feature objects. SMS already provides several options for adjusting how feature objects are displayed, but now more options exist specifically for feature arcs to help make working with feature arcs easier.

Currently in recent versions of SMS, annotations can be added to label arcs. This would let you see the name of specific arcs. The color and thickness of feature arcs can also be changed. Also, specific annotation options exist for specific model coverages, such as the SRH-2D boundary conditions map coverage.

The new map annotations can add a number of new annotations to your feature arcs.With the new annotation tools, the following can also be displayed:

  • An arrow indicating the the direction of the feature arc
  • Tick marks to indicate the distances along the arc
  • The length and number of tick marks can be adjusted along the arc
  • Tick mark labels can be added
  • The font and color of tick mark labels can be changed
Map module annotations in SMS 13.1

These options allow you to quickly see if an arc has been placed in the wrong direction or to check the measurement of an arc. Note that tick marks will use the units set in the project's projection.

To activate the map annotations, do the following:

  1. Open the Map Display Options
  2. Turn on the Annotations option under the Arcs section
  3. Click the Options button next to the Annotations option
  4. Turn on the different the map annotations options in the Arc Annotations Options dialog

Note, with the exception of the tick mark color, that the line width and color are still determined by the other arc display options. The display of the arcs can be adjusted before or after setting the arc annotation options.

Try out the different map annotation options in the SMS 13.1 beta today!

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