What's New in SMS 13.3

The following is a list of the more significant changes and new features available in SMS 13.3.

Keep your license current by paying annual maintenance to continue receiving all available updates, releases, and technical support. New licenses include maintenance for 1 full year.

SRH-2D Interface & Model Updates
  • Support for the latest release of SRH-2D, version 3.6
  • More efficient SRH-2D/HY-8 coupling when running multiple simulations
  • Updates to the scour calculator
3D Structures
SMS 3D Structures
  • Automatic generation of optimized meshes through structure footprints
  • Generation of geometric objects to visualize structures in 3D
SMS Toolbox

The SMS Toolbox is a beta feature that continues to be updated and expanded. This latest release of SMS has numerous new tools for editing geometry, working with datasets, and manipulating feature objects in coverages.

SMS Community Version

An expanded Community version of SMS now includes basic interfaces for ADCIRC, AdH, CMS-Flow, and STWAVE

Engineering with Nature (EWN)

The Engineering with Nature (EWN) tools in SMS now feature new tools including:
SMS Engineering with Nature

  • Support for modeling concave polygons
  • Fill a hole feature
  • Lock specific cells to prevent mesh editing while using the Insert EWN feature and the EWN preview window
  • Improved display controls for editing element colors & weights as well as arranging element order
  • Preview is now a separate window from the EWN properties dialog
Additional Features
  • Utilize DEMs in addition to meshes and scatter sets in the normal/critical depth calculator.
  • Improved advanced web services support
  • 3DEP data available for download through the Online Maps tool
AdH Model Update

SMS now supports version 4.7 of AdH

New Color Palette Dialog

SMS 13.3 includes a new color palette dialog. The tool features new palettes along with previously available palettes. Users can quickly view, select, and reverse palettes as well as mark palettes as favorites.
SMS Color Palettes

New Tutorials

New general and model-specific tutorials published to the SMS Learning Center:

  • 3D Structures (3 total)
  • Define Domain
  • Urban Hydraulics (2 total)
  • AdH
  • AdH Advanced
  • CMS-Flow Components
  • CMS-Flow Simulation

As always, our comprehensive tutorials are free to download and provide step-by-step instruction on using SMS. Download tutorials at the SMS Learning Center

The following is a list of the more significant changes and new features available in SMS 13.2.

SRH-2D Interface & Model Updates
  • Support for the latest model release: SRH-2D v3.5
  • Sediment transport support
  • Pressure simulated using ceiling dataset (generated from 3D bridges)
  • Specify flow direction through a 1D structure
  • Model HY-8 structures as "links" to allow for 2D overland flow
  • Automatic calibration of models based on modifying Flow rates or Manning's N values to match field data
  • Advanced simulation management to review scenarios with modified boundary conditions (inflows and exit), roughness values, and initial conditions
  • Create floodway evaluation lines
  • Unit flow-based floodway delineation
  • Floodway delineation through a tributary
  • Tools for simulation comparison
Map Module Updates
  • Improved Blend function
  • Improved Source/Target redistribution
  • Create cross section from sequential points in xyz file
  • Split cross section (Remove long arc segments tool)
  • Orient cross sections to centerline (Reverse Right → Left Cross sections tool)
  • Detect/remove invalid cross sections segments relative to centerline (Remove invalid cross section segments tool)
  • Reproject cross sections relative to centerline (Reproject cross sections tool)
  • Interpolate cross sections (tool)
  • Trim cross sections (tool)
  • Option to export map coverage attributes
UGrid Clipping Visualization

SMS UGrid Clipping
Use the UGrid Clipping tool to cut away portions of a UGrid and visualize data anywhere inside the UGrid using a clipping plane or scaler dataset values.

Data Portability

Data is now more shareable between projects allowing the user to export and import model specific coverages for use between projects. File organization has been updated with folders created next to the project file.

STWAVE Interface Updates

Improved and simplified population/specification of boundary condition wave cases.

SMS Toolbox

SMS Toolbox
A new, general-purpose toolbox is now available in beta that allows SMS to execute Python scripts. These new tools help automate and simplify many workflows.

  • Geometric Data: Manipulate, edit, and convert UGrids, scatter sets, and meshes
  • Map Module: Manipulate coverage data, trim arcs using polygons, convert arcs to polygons
  • GIS Data: Manipulate raster and Lidar data, blend rasters, and perform multisource raster interpolation
  • Datasets: Perform mathematical operations and operate on datasets attached meshes, scatter sets, or UGrids
  • Hydraulic Structures: Create bridge footprints
  • ADCIRC Model: Add features to an ADCIRC model, validate/edit levees
  • Other tools: Numerous additional tools are available and new tools will be added in future updates of SMS
New Display Themes
SMS Display Themes
  • New Display Themes - Create collections of specific display option settings that can be saved and applied to other projects
  • New Contour label display options
  • Expanded display options for GIS module data
User Requested Features
  • List of 5 most recent projects shown in the File menu with a link to access project history for up to 100 projects
  • "CAD" style commands
    • Specify arc/line length
    • Trim/extend arc
    • Create horizontal/vertical segments
    • Drag/move an arc
  • Expanded Plot Wizard dialog
CMS Wave Interface Updates

The CMS Wave interface has been updated improve performance and support the latest model features including structures.

New Tutorials

New general and model-specific tutorials published to the SMS Learning Center:

  • Bridge Meshing
  • Datasets to Rasters
  • Display Themes
  • Display Themes - Additional
  • Display Themes - Vector
  • Floodway Methods
  • Interpolating from Multiple Elevation Sources
  • Sediment Volume Management
  • Toolbox
  • UGrid Clipping
  • Variable Resolution Cell-Centered Grid
  • EWN Add ADCIRC Levee to Mesh
  • EWN Feature to Mesh
  • SRH-2D Pressure Flow with 3D Bridges
  • SRH-2D Reports
  • SRH-2D Variable Flow Sediment Transport
  • TUFLOW FV

As always, our comprehensive tutorials are free to download and provide step-by-step instruction on using SMS. Download tutorials at the SMS Learning Center

Improved TUFLOW FV Interface

The interface for TUFLOW FV has been updated to provided full custom support and compatibility with the current TUFLOW FV model release.

Engineering with Nature (EWN)

SMS Engineering with Nature Tool
SMS 13.2 includes tools for implementing engineering features from natural environments in your model. Polygons are created to spatially delineate and classify levees, mangroves, marshes, and beaches/dunes.

ADCIRC Interface Updates
  • Improved importing of ADCIRC native files (fort.14/grd, fort.15/ctl, fort.13)
  • Mapped boundary condition visualization
  • New interface to tidal databases
  • Levee verification/editing tools
Toolbox for DMI Models

Python scripts are now supported for numerical model interfaces built with the Dynamic Model Interface.

AdH Model Update

SMS now supports version 4.6 of AdH.

The following is a list of the more significant changes and new features available in SMS 13.1.

3D Bridge Modeling

Visualize a 3D bridge in oblique views. Overlay bridge features on 2D profile and cross-section plots.
3D Bridge Modeling with SMS 13.1

Extract Features

Generate streams, arcs, and cross sections from raster data.

Additional Online Maps

New map sources include Google Services (Hybrid, Map, Satellite, Terrain) and ArcGIS (NatGeo, Ocean, World Physical/Shaded/Terrain). Advanced Options allow for adding custom sources including FEMA Flood and Hazard maps.
Additional Online Maps with SMS 13.1

Tutorials - SMS General

New tutorials are now available:

  • 3D Bridge
  • Annotation Cross Sections
  • Bridge Scour Scenarios
  • Cross Section
  • Cross Section to Surface
  • Dataset Toolbox
  • Extract Features
  • Extract Features for Mesh Generation
  • Mesh Generation from Extracted Features
  • Observation Data
  • Raster to Flood Depth
  • UGrid Clipping
  • Unit Q Floodway Delineation

As always, our comprehensive tutorials are free to download and provide step-by-step instruction on using SMS. Download tutorials at the SMS Learning Center

Simulations Updates

Updated simulation management and improved preview mapping of components on model geometry.

Updated Floodway Delineation

Improved floodway delineation with new methods including Equal Conveyance and Unit q. Create 1D elevation cross sections.

ADCIRC

The ADCIRC Interface has been updated with expanded model feature support and improved performance.

CMS Flow

The CMS Flow coverages and model control have been updated in the CMS Flow Interface.

HEC-RAS 1D

SMS now supports a HEC-RAS 1D export option.

SRH-2D

The SRH-2D Interface and Model have been updated with new features and capabilities developed in collaboration with FHWA. Highlights include:

  • New SRH-2D specific Floodway tools
  • New and improved plots now available in the Model Run Queue
  • New boundary condition option that allows 2D flow modeling for overtopping HY-8 culverts
  • Output spatial datasets of “maximum” and “times of maximum”
  • Updates to SRH-2D material coverage and material properties
    3D Bridge Modeling with SMS 13.1
  • New Channel Calculator tool for populating boundary conditions
  • Improved management of HY-8 linkage
  • Import native model files and automatically create simulations in SMS
Tutorials - SMS Supported Models

New tutorials are now available:

  • HEC-RAS 1D
  • SRH-2D Advanced Simulation - Calibration
  • SRH-2D Advanced Simulation - Calibration Mannings
  • SRH-2D Advanced Simulation - Scenarios
  • SRH-2D Variable Water Surface Initial Condition

As always, our comprehensive tutorials are free to download and provide step-by-step instruction on using SMS. Download tutorials at the SMS Learning Center

New Software-based Licensing

SMS 13.1 offers 2 new licensing methods including Local and Flex licenses that are software based - no hardware required! Existing users will have the option of migrating to either method at their next maintenance renewal. Learn more

  • Local license: Designed for use on a single computer and offers support for Remote Desktop & virtual machines
  • Flex license: Offers the flexibility of sharing a license on your network as well as a check-out / check-in feature for remote work
GIS Module

Generate flood depths from a raster

Map Module
  • Improvement to 1D Cross Section Tools including:
  • Create interpolated cross sections
  • Trim cross sections
  • Efficiently convert cross sections to a TIN
  • New Feature Extraction Tool. Leverage flow direction and accumulation models to extract topographic features
  • New universal Select Objects tool
  • Improved shapefile export
  • Copy feature objects between coverages
  • New arc annotation options to indicate direction and station Updates to the bridge scour tool

The following is a list of the more significant changes and new features available in SMS 13.0.

Simulation Run Queue

Manage multiple model runs for ADCIRC, SRH-2D, or STWAVE simultaneously in the new Simulation Run Queue. Diagnostic information such as monitoring plots is displayed during model runs. The new run queue is a modeless dialog which means users can continue using SMS while simulations are running. Completed runs may be visualized in SMS while additional runs are still in process.
Simulation Run Queue with SMS 13.0

Floodway Delineation Tool

The floodway tool is used to delineate approximate floodway extent arcs based on the geometry of the mesh, scatter set or cartesian grid used in a project.

Map Flood Tool

Quickly identify changing floodplain extents when changes occur to the floodwater elevation. SMS can help visualize the impacts of possible modifications in the flood level by utilizing ground elevations and existing FEMA flood hazard maps.

Bridge Scour Tool

The Bridge Scour coverage will take an existing dataset from a 2D hydraulic modeling of a bridge crossing and export many of the needed variables to the Hydraulic Toolbox for a scour analysis. Bridge scour output values may also be copied for use with other tools.
Bridge Scour Analysis with SMS 13.0

Core Module Improvements
  • Constant paving density option (Map)
  • Arc redistribution based on size function. This impacts mesh generation because it is not done automatically during mesh generation anymore. (Map)
  • New ‘Snap Arcs to Mesh’ command which changes mesh nodes to match arc nodes and vertices (Map)
  • Faster meshing (Map)
  • Meshing now handles single segment breaklines (Map)
  • Meshing no longer redistributes the arcs when scalar paving is used (Map)
  • Ability to interpolate solution sets to another mesh (Mesh)
  • Convert 2D scatter sets to raster data (Scatter)
LIDAR Management

SMS now supports advanced LIDAR data handling tools for reading, viewing, and converting LIDAR data to other formats for use with your model. Large LIDAR datasets are efficiently displayed with options to specify the number of points visualized and exclude points outside the extent.
LIDAR Managmeent with SMS 13.0

General Features
  • Updates to the measurement tool
  • Coordinate system preview option
  • New GIS tab showing GIS information in the information dialog
  • New Notes tab included in property dialogs
  • Toolbox and scripting updates
  • Web menu items moved to File menu
  • Import STL files
  • Improvements to Plots
  • Select features and enhancements
Model Interface Improvements
  • The ADCIRC and STWAVE interfaces have been updated to allow for multiple simulations in a single project
  • The HEC-RAS, SRH-2D, and TUFLOW interfaces have been updated with additional features