SMS:TUFLOW Check Files

TUFLOW provides excellent feedback for finding and fixing model errors. This feedback exists in several files. All of these files are prefixed by the name of the simulation that you are running and the filename ending identifies the type of data contained in the file.

Log Files

In the \runs\log directory (within the TUFLOW files for your simulation), are the log files for individual run.

The most useful file for finding model problems is the _messages.mif file. This file contains spatially located messages including errors, warnings or checks (listed in descending order of severity). These can be read into the GIS module of SMS. This provides quick feedback of model errors and the exact locations that the errors occur. This is very useful for pinpointing model setup problems and should be the first step in fixing model issues.

The *.tlf file contains information (in ASCII format) about how the run proceeded. It includes information on the parameters and settings used, the files that were read and used, as well as a copy of the screen information that is written as TUFLOW runs. This file can be used to verify the model is setup and is running as expected.

Check Files

In addition to the log files mentioned previously, TUFLOW writes additional files that can be used to verify model setup. These files are in the directory labeled "\\check" and are only written if the 'Write Check Files' toggle is checked in the misc tab in the simulation model control dialog (this is the default). Many of the check files are in MapInfo MIF/MID files that can be read into the SMS GIS module where the info tool can be used to see the values at individual locations.

TUFLOW generates potentially lots and lots of check files. A description of the check files and what they contain can be found in the TUFLOW manual.