WMS

Switching Model Executables

By aquaveo on November 30, 2022

The Groundwater Modeling System, Surface-water Modeling System, and Watershed Modeling System (collectively known as XMS) applications make use of multiple numerical models. XMS is packaged with the executables for each of these numerical models. At times, you may need to switch out which numerical model executable XMS uses.

In general, you will want to use the model executable that comes packaged with the XMS. XMS is coded to work with the specific model executables that are distributed with each version of the software.

There are some reasons you might want to change which model executable it used. It might fix a bug with the model executable. It might get you access to features in an older or newer version of the model executable. It might also help you test issues with the numerical model. Replacing the model executable isn't guaranteed to help with any of these, but it is one option for troubleshooting with all of them.

For all XMS applications, the numerical model executables to be used are selected in the Preferences dialog. If you already know where the model executable is, you can copy and paste the executable into the preferences dialog. To do so, use the following workflow:

Copy the executable file path. If using Windows 11, right-click on the desired model executable and select "Copy as Path."
If using Windows 10, open the Properties dialog from the right-click menu. Copy and paste the location path into a text document. Then, make sure to grab the file name ending in ".exe" as well. The executable path will be incomplete without that file name.
In your XMS software, open the Preferences dialog from the Edit menu.
Find the model executable that you want to change and click on the file path next to the name or the Browse button.
In SMS or WMS, this will bring up an Open dialog. In the File name box, paste in the new executable path. If you are using Windows 11, make sure to delete the quotation marks at the beginning and end. Selecting Open saves the new model executable.
In GMS, the model executable is editable without bringing up the Open dialog. Simply erase the former executable path and paste in the new one. As long as the path is a valid path and the path ends in ".exe", GMS will save it. Again, for Windows 11, delete the quotation marks.
Finalize the model executable by clicking OK to exit the Preferences dialog. Otherwise, the executable will not save.

Example of model executables in the Preferences dialog

Now, there are some issues to keep in mind. As mentioned earlier, changing out a numerical model executable is not guaranteed to fix a particular issue or even improve the situation. Older or newer versions of the model executable may not always be compatible with your version of XMS. Sometimes the model executable is not compatible with a particular project. The new executable might even worsen the situation. If any of these things happen, you can reintroduce the original executable.

Check out the available model executables in XMS today!

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Trimming DEMs in WMS

By aquaveo on September 7, 2022

Have you imported a DEM into WMS but wanted to trim it down to use only a part of the original data? WMS has tools designed to help you trim DEMs that you have imported into WMS, so you can use only the part of the data that's relevant to your model. In this article, we explore the ways that this can be done in WMS.

Trimming a DEM can help eliminate extra data that is not necessary for your project. Having a DEM that is too large or contains data that is irrelevant to your project can cause your project to operate slower and in some cases can skew the results of your project.

One option for trimming a DEM is when it's part of the GIS Data Module as a raster. To do this, draw a feature object polygon in a map coverage then select it. With the polygon selected, you can right-click on the raster and select the Convert To | Trimmed Raster command. This trims the raster along the border of the polygon. The trimmed raster can be converted, if desired, to a DEM that will show up under the Terrain Data folder.

Of course, there are also tools for trimming files that are already in the Terrain Data Module as DEMs. These tools can be accessed either through the DEM menu when in the Terrain Data Module or through the right-click menu for a DEM item in the Project Explorer. In both places, the tools are found in the Trim submenu.

There are two ways to trim DEMs in the Terrain Data Module: by elevation and by polygon.

When trimming a DEM by elevation, WMS brings up a dialog that lets you specify the maximum elevation that you want the DEM trimmed to. The newly created DEM will have only elevations up to the maximum elevation set in this dialog. The contours will likely change to represent the new range of values in the trimmed DEM.

Example of trimming a DEM using a polygon in WMS

When trimming a DEM using a polygon, the program turns the mouse into a tool to click out the polygon in the Graphics Window. To finish the polygon, double-click where the last point is desired. Once the polygon is complete, the trimmed DEM is automatically created.

Note that a DEM created this way is still a rectangle. This is part of the definition of a DEM. However, only the points inside the drawn polygon will be active, so the displayed contours will end at the borders of the polygon you drew. The points that were outside the drawn polygon, which make up the rest of the bounding rectangle, are set to NODATA.

Take advantage of DEM trimming tools in WMS today!

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WMS

Curve Number Values for NLCD Land Use Data

By aquaveo on June 15, 2022

Are you wondering what values to use for composite curve numbers used with NLCD land use data in your WMS project? WMS contains a Compute GIS Attributes calculator in the Hydrologic Modeling Module that allows you to import composite curve numbers to use in land use mapping. This can allow you to define boundaries for different soils, rainfall depths, etc. This post will cover some different resources to get the values you need.

Compute GIS Attributes with Imported Curve Data

It is important to be aware that there are two options when using the Computing GIS Attributes calculator: WMS Coverages as well as GIS Layers. With both GIS Layers and WMS Coverages you are given the option of selecting the Soil Layer Name, Drainage coverage computation step, etc. In the GIS Layers you are given the option to view field records and assign a code of your choosing. To use the GIS Layers option, you will need to have already imported GIS data into your project. In order to make the WMS Coverages option active you will need to have created your own land use or soil type coverages within WMS. Using the WMS Coverage option allows you to import your own land use or soil curve numbers from a text file.

What values you use for the text file depends on your own judgment and what would work best for your project. One option to get the table values is to use the example files found on XMS Wiki in the SCS Curve Numbers section. Opening one of these examples will show you an area-weighted average of the different curve numbers for the different regions. Another option is to visit the USGS website, download the example data, and import it into the GIS Attributes dialog. Finally, you can make your own table In which case use your engineering judgment to determine the CN values for your project.

Try out inserting curve number values for NLCD land use data in WMS today!

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Tips for Working with Virtual Machines

By aquaveo on May 4, 2022

Have you installed GMS, SMS, or WMS (collectively referred to as XMS) on a virtual machine in your office? Using a virtual machine is often done in order to run multiple operating systems, consolidate computing resources, provide integrated disaster recovery, or a number of other reasons. XMS software can be installed on a virtual machine in order to fit your needs. Here are some tips for working with XMS when using a virtual machine.

First, make certain that your XMS license is compatible with a virtual machine. Both local and flex license codes can be used with a virtual machine. However, local codes will not allow the software to be used by other machines. Older single-user locks cannot be used with a virtual machine.

When using a flex license, the virtual machine will need to have access to the local network in order for other machines to access the XMS license and use the software. Both the XMS application and the Aquaveo License manager need to be installed on the virtual machine.

When sharing files between a virtual machine and a host machine, pay attention to where XMS is running. XMS requires that all files be placed where XMS is installed. Therefore, you cannot save your project on the host machine and run them from the virtual machine if XMS is installed on the virtual machine. You will need to move the files to the virtual machine where XMS and XMS license is installed.

It should also be noted that some simulation runs and application processes in XMS will run slower on a virtual machine than running the same process directly on a physical machine. This is due to the nature of using a virtual machine. If there is a process that is taking an unusually long time, it is recommended that you try running the application on a physical machine.

If you are experiencing issues running XMS on a virtual machine, contact our technical support team and they will be happy to assist you.

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