SMS:Zonal Classification Workflow

To create an classification zones in SMS, use the following steps:

1. Create or import data for classification criteria.

1. Import elevation data. If geometric data with elevation data has not already been imported, do any of the following: 1. Import map data. Use the File | Open... command to import map data such as Map files, boundary ID files, or boundary XY files. Alternately, drag and drop the file into the Graphics Window in SMS. 2. Import GIS data. Use the File | Open... command to import GIS data files such as Shapefiles, MIF/MID files, Lidar files, or raster files. Alternatively, drag and drop the file into the Graphics Window in SMS. 3. Import scatter data. Use File | Open... to open files with scatter data such as scatter point files, ASCII dataset files, binary dataset files, tabular data files, or XYZ files. Alternatively, drag and drop the file into the Graphics Window in SMS. Use the File Import Wizard to specify how to import the data. 4. Import CAD data. Verify the CAD file type is readable by SMS before importing it. SMS can import DXF and DWG files. Use the File | Open... command to launch the Open dialog (or drag and drop) to import the CAD files. The data should load in layers into the Project Explorer. 5. Review and set object projections. Right-click on an object in the Project Explorer and select the Projection command. Set the horizontal and vertical projection using the Object Projection dialog. To set a global projection, use the Horizontal Projection dialog. 2. Create materials in area property coverage. 1. Create an area property coverage if one does not already exist. Create a new coverage with the "Area Property" type. 1. Create new coverage from scratch. Select Map Data in the Project Explorer and use the New Coverage right-click command. Use the New Coverage dialog to create a new coverage by selecting the desired coverage type, and naming the coverage. 2. Create new coverage from an existing coverage. Use the Duplicate command on an existing coverage. This will copy any feature objects on the coverage. Use the Rename command to give the coverage a new name. Change the coverage type. 2. Create polygons in the area property coverage. 1. Create enclosed arcs for polygon area. 1. Create feature arcs, nodes and vertices. In the Map module, create feature objects in the active coverage. Use the Create Feature Arc tool to create arcs in the map coverage. Begin creating a new arc by clicking in the Graphics Window at either arc end. If clicking on an existing feature node, vertex or arc, the new arc will snap to that object. Double-click or press the Enter key to terminate the arc. Use the Create Feature Node tool to create additional nodes alone or to split arcs. 2. Modify arcs. Feature arcs often need to be edited after initial creation. 1. Create additional vertices on arcs. Use the Create Feature Vertex tool to add vertices along arcs. 2. Refine the arc shape. Use the Select Feature Vertex tool and the Select Feature Node tool to move/edit existing arcs and refine the shape by dragging the nodes/vertices. Use the Select Feature Arc tool to move entire arcs . 3. Split arcs. An existing arc can be split by: 1. Converting a vertex to a node. Use the Select Feature Vertex tool and right-click on a vertex along an arc. Select the Convert to Node command to split the arc into two arcs. 2. Add a node the arc. Use the Create Feature Node tool to add a node on an arc in order to split it into two arcs. 3. Add a new connecting arc. Use the Create Feature Arc tool to start or end a new arc on an existing arc to split the existing arc into two arcs. 4. Use the Split Arcs Tool. Right-click on an arc using the Select Feature Arc tool and select the Split Arc(s)... command. Use the Split Arcs Tool to divide arcs. 5. Split overlapping arcs using the Clean Options dialog. Select overlapping arcs using the Select Feature Arc tool. Use the Feature Objects | Clean command to bring up the Clean Options dialog. Select the Intersect selected arcs option (for selected arcs) or Intersect arcs option (for all overlapping arcs) to split the arcs. 4. Merge arcs. Two arcs that share an end node can be merged together. Select the shared node using the Select Feature Node tool. Right-click on the node and select the Convert to Vertex command to merge the arcs. If desired, the Select Feature Vertex tool can be used to select and delete the new vertex. 5. Smooth arcs. The variability or roughness of an arc can be reduced. Right-click on an arc using the Select Feature Arc tool and select the Smooth Arc(s)... command. Use the Smooth Arcs Tool to reduce the variability of the arc. 6. Prune arcs. Concave sections of the arc can be removed. Right-click on an arc using the Select Feature Arc tool and select the Prune Arc(s)... command. Use the Prune Arcs dialog to remove concave sections. 7. Extend/trim arcs. Extend or shorten an arc to match an existing arc's length. Using the Select Feature Arc tool, select two intersecting arcs. Right-click on an arc using the Select Feature Arc tool and select the Extend/Trim Arc... command. Use the Trim/Extend Arc dialog to select the target arc and source arc. 2. Build polygons. Polygons are not created automatically when arcs are enclosed. To create polygons: Use the Feature Objects | Build Polygons command. 3. Create material types. Select the Edit | Materials Data command. Define material types in the Materials Data dialog. 4. Assign materials to the polygons. Using the Select Feature Polygons tool, select a polygon and use the Attributes command. In the Polygon Properties dialog, select the Material option and assign the material using the drop down menu.

2. Use the Classification Wizard.

1. Use the Zonal Classification command in the Data menu in either the 2D Grid, Mesh, Quadtree, or Scatter module. 2. Use the Classification Wizard to define criteria for classification. Creating a new zone using the New button in the Zones section. Define criteria for the zone by clicking on the New button under the Criteria List. Set each criteria as either a Function criteria that uses elevation data or as a Material criteria.