SMS

Using Advanced Data Services Options

By aquaveo on May 22, 2019

In the current versions of GMS, SMS, and WMS, the data service options for importing online maps has changed. It was noted by some of our users that the Advanced option for the Data Services Options dialog was removed.

We are happy to say that the advanced options for the Data Services Options dialog has been restored. The new advanced options are only available when using the Import from Web command in the release of GMS, SMS, and WMS that went out at the beginning of May 2019.

To access the Advanced options from the Data Services Options dialog, click the Advanced button, just as before, to bring up the Select Online Source dialog. This dialog allows users to bring in new data sources for downloading data.

Select Online Source Dialog

Adding new data sources to the Select Online Source dialog can be done in any of three ways:

    Add New Source Dialog
  1. The Select Online Source dialog contains a list of all of the data sources currently available. You can select one of these sources and click the Duplicate Source button to create a copy of the data source. Then, with the copy selected, click the Edit Source button to reach a dialog where you can make modifications to the source such as limiting the layers downloaded from the source or changing the image format downloaded from the source.
  2. You can click the Add New Source button to reach a dialog where you can specify the url of a new data source along with any modifications.
  3. Finally, if you have an Online Source File with the information needed to reach a source, you can click the Add Sources from File to add the source to the available list.

Sources can be deleted from the available list by selecting a source in the list and clicking the Remove Source button. Only sources that have been manually added can be removed or edited.

To get access to the new advanced options for the Data Services Options dialog, visit our downloads page today.

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GMS
SMS
WMS

What Makes a Good Quality Mesh?

By aquaveo on May 15, 2019

Several models in SMS rely on using a 2D mesh. The quality of this mesh can greatly impact your model run and overall results, so here are some tips for making a good quality mesh.

Start with a Good Mesh Generator Coverage

A lot of how well a mesh turns out begins with the mesh generator coverage. Generally, when a poor mesh has been generated, it is because the arcs, vertices, and polygons on the mesh generator coverage did not clearly define a good quality mesh.

When defining the mesh parameters in the coverage, there are few items to keep in mind:

  • Make certain the polygons accurately reflect the work area. Do not draw polygons outside of your elevation data.
  • Vertices along the arcs determines the size and spacing of elements in the mesh. Adding too few or too many vertices along an arc can cause poor spacing. Using the Redistribute Vertices tool can help with getting the correct number of vertices, and making sure they are evenly spaced along each arc.
  • Keep individual arcs smooth and rounded to avoid interior acute angles.
  • Use the 2D Mesh Polygon Properties dialog to preview how the final mesh will appear.
Mesh generation coverage example
Check the Size Transition of the Elements

How elements transition in size can greatly impact how a model uses the mesh. In general, a gradual change in element size functions makes for a better mesh for most models. A poor mesh will have a quick change in elements size, acute interior angles, and thin triangles.

Mesh with incorrect spacing

The solution for smoothing out the element transition is to adjust the spacing of the arc vertices in the mesh generator coverage and to examine the proximity of the arcs. In general, arcs that are close to each other should have a similar number of vertices. Arcs that are further apart can have a greater disparity of vertices.

Mesh with corrected spacing
Check For an Even Patch

When creating quadrilateral elements in a mesh using a patch, it is important that the spacing of the vertices be precise. Parallel arcs need to have the same number of vertices when creating a patch or the result will be an uneven patch.

Example of an uneven patch

It is recommended to always preview the mesh when using the patch option, then adjust the number of vertices to make certain the patch is even.

Remove Unnecessary Elements

Cleaning up a mesh after it has been generated is sometimes necessary. When generating a mesh from a scatter set or other source, more of the mesh may need to be reviewed and cleaned. Using the Select Thin Triangles command and the Clean command can help with getting rid of unnecessary elements that could cause problems during the model run. It is also recommended to use a mesh with the fewest number of elements needed for your project.

These are only some of the recommended guidelines for generating a good quality mesh. We hope this helps you in your projects.

If you have questions about how to make a better mesh in SMS, contact our technical support for general questions, or contact our consulting services for project-specific inquiries.

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SMS

Using the Snap Preview Option

By aquaveo on April 24, 2019

Having trouble with your boundary conditions or materials not aligning correctly with your mesh?

When a simulation runs in SMS, it takes all of the components—such as boundary conditions and materials—and aligns them with the 2D mesh or other geometry. When creating boundary conditions in the Map module for SRH-2D, ADCIRC, or other models that use simulation components, it can sometimes be difficult to know exactly where the boundary conditions will line up with the 2D mesh nodes.

To help with this, the boundary conditions map coverage contains a display option to see how the map arcs and mesh nodes will line up: the Snap Preview option.

To use the Snap Preview option, do the following:

  1. Make certain the project contains a 2D mesh and a boundary conditions coverage that have been linked to a model simulation
  2. Open the Display Options dialog
  3. On the Map tab of the dialog, turn on the Snap Preview option

The Snap Preview option can also be turned on or off by using the Shift+Q shortcut key.

When the Snap Preview option has been turned on, a dashed line will be displayed along the element edge to show where the boundary condition arcs will match up with the mesh nodes. This is helpful in identifying if the placement of the boundary condition arcs is correct. Incorrect placement of boundary condition arcs can cause errors in the model run.

Snap Preview Example

The Snap Preview option also works for other model coverages such as the SRH-2D materials coverage. This allows previewing how material assignments will match up with the mesh elements. Adjustments can then be made to the material polygons to correct any misalignments.

Using the Snap Preview option can significantly reduce frustration and prevent errors early on. Try using Snap Preview in your SMS projects today!

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SMS

Using the Simulation Run Queue

By aquaveo on April 3, 2019

SMS allows having multiple simulations for the same project with models such as SRH-2D, ADCIRC, and STWAVE. Furthermore, SMS 13.0 lets you run and manage multiple simulations running at the same time using the new Simulation Run Queue dialog.

Simulation Run Queue

The Simulation Run Queue is a modeless dialog, meaning you can continue using SMS while simulations are running. Once a model run has started for a simulation, you are free to start building a new simulation, even one using the existing components. Completed runs may be visualized in SMS while additional runs are still in process.

Functionality

The new Simulation Run Queue dialog functions a little differently from the previous Model Wrapper dialog. Some of the changes include:

  • You must click Load Solution to load the desired simulation solution into the project. This does not happen automatically when you click Close as it did before.
  • If you try to run a simulation already in the queue, you will be prompted to remove the simulation from the run queue before it can be run again.
  • If changing an active simulation’s settings, renaming the active simulation, or taking any action that affects a simulation currently in the queue, you will be asked to remove the simulation from the queue prior to making the changes.
Viewing Plots

With the Simulation Run Queue, diagnostic information—such as monitoring plots—can be displayed during model runs. By turn Monitoring Data off or on, you can watch command line results and residual plots.

Options also exist for changing which plots are displayed in the run queue. Selecting a simulation causes the Plot Options button to appear. In the Plot Options dialog, you can choose which plots to view. You can view Residuals, Monitor Points, and Monitor Lines, and change the options associated with each of these.

Now that you know a little more about the Simulation Run Queue dialog in SMS 13.0, try it out today!

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