SMS:Functional Surfaces: Difference between revisions

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A functional surface is exactly that. It is a surface representing one of the  functional datasets associated with a mesh, grid or TIN.  The most intuitive  example of a functional surface is the display of the water surface over a  model's bathymetry. In this case, the surface represents an actual physical  surface, but the functional surface could just as easily represent the velocity  magnitude, or concentration, or any other scalar quantity.
A functional surface is exactly that. It is a surface representing one of the  functional datasets associated with a mesh, grid or TIN.  The most intuitive  example of a functional surface is the display of the water surface over a  model's bathymetry. In this case, the surface represents an actual physical  surface, but the functional surface could just as easily represent the velocity  magnitude, or concentration, or any other scalar quantity.


[[Image:SMS Functional Surface Opt.jpg|thumb|400 px|''Functional Surfaces Options'' dialog]]
[[Image:SMS Functional Surface Opt.png|thumb|400 px|''Functional Surfaces Options'' dialog]]
To create/display functional surfaces, enable them in the  display options of the appropriate module, and specify their attributes which  include:
To create/display functional surfaces, enable them in the  display options of the appropriate module, and specify their attributes which  include:


* ''Dataset'' – Selects which dataset is to be used to form the  functional surface.
* ''Dataset'' – Selects which dataset is to be used to form the  functional surface.
<blockquote style="margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:0px;">
:* ''Use active dataset'' &ndash; The currently selected dataset will be used for the functional surface.
* Use active dataset
:* ''User defined dataset'' &ndash; Allows selecting a specific dataset in the project to use for the functional surface. The '''Select''' button for this option will bring a ''Select Dataset'' dialog.
* User defined dataset </blockquote>
* ''Z Offset'' &ndash; SMS displays functional surfaces at a simulated z-value. This may  be the actual surface value (such as is the case with water surfaces  elevations), but more often the value will not have a physical meaning, and may  intersect the bathymetry or not even be in the same area. For this reason, SMS  offers options for placing the functional surface at one of the following locations:
* ''Z Offset'' &ndash; SMS displays functional surfaces at a simulated z-value. This may  be the actual surface value (such as is the case with water surfaces  elevations), but more often the value will not have a physical meaning, and may  intersect the bathymetry or not even be in the same area. For this reason, SMS  offers options for placing the functional surface at its real values, relative  to the bathymetry, or at a user specified offset.
** "Display surface at location" &ndash; The functional surface will be displayed at the location of the dataset on the geometry.
**"Display surface above geometry" &ndash; The functional surface will be displayed slightly above the geometry based on the z-magnification.
**"Display surface with user defined offset" &ndash; The functional surface will be display based on a value entered by the user.
***''Offset value'' &ndash; Enter an offset Z value for the user defined offset.
* ''Z Magnification'' &ndash; Functional data may not vary significantly when compared to  the horizontal extents of the model. For this reason, the interface allows  magnification (scaling) of the functional surface. By default, the surface is  scaled based on the global z-magnification specified in the general display  options. This may be overridden.
* ''Z Magnification'' &ndash; Functional data may not vary significantly when compared to  the horizontal extents of the model. For this reason, the interface allows  magnification (scaling) of the functional surface. By default, the surface is  scaled based on the global z-magnification specified in the general display  options. This may be overridden.
<blockquote style="margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:0px;">
:* ''Override global value'' &ndash; Turn on to override the global Z magnification value.
* Override global value
:** ''Magnification value'' &ndash;  Enter a z magnification value to override the global value.
* Magnification value </blockquote>
* ''Display Attributes'' &ndash; Controls the color of the functional surface.  It may be a constant color or colored based on the contour colors specified. The  colors may be associated with the value of the functional surface, or another  dataset. The surface may also be partially transparent.
* ''Display Attributes'' &ndash; Controls the color of the functional surface.  It may be a constant color or colored based on the contour colors specified. The  colors may be associated with the value of the functional surface, or another  dataset. The surface may also be partially transparent.
<blockquote style="margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:0px;">
:* ''Use solid color'' &ndash; Will change the functional surface to be a single color.
* Use solid color
:**''Color'' &ndash; Select a color to use as the solid color for the functional surface.
* Transparency
:* ''Transparency'' &ndash; Set a transparency level for the functional surface. The transparency by entering a value or using the slider.
* Contour surface
:* ''Contour surface'' &ndash; Sets specific contour options for the functional surface.
* Specify separate dataset for contours </blockquote>
:** '''Options''' &ndash; Will open the ''Dataset Contour Options'' dialog.
:** ''Specify separate dataset for contours'' &ndash; Allows a different dataset to be used for the contour options.
:*** '''Select''' &ndash; Brings up a ''Select Dataset'' dialog.





Latest revision as of 23:12, 8 November 2022

Wave functional surface

At a glance

  • Surface with elevation based upon scalar dataset values
  • Very useful for wave models and models with large change in water surface elevation
  • Elevations can be exaggerated to better visualize dataset variations
  • Surfaces can have a solid color or use color filled contours
  • Transparency can be used to allow see through surfaces


A functional surface is exactly that. It is a surface representing one of the functional datasets associated with a mesh, grid or TIN. The most intuitive example of a functional surface is the display of the water surface over a model's bathymetry. In this case, the surface represents an actual physical surface, but the functional surface could just as easily represent the velocity magnitude, or concentration, or any other scalar quantity.

Functional Surfaces Options dialog

To create/display functional surfaces, enable them in the display options of the appropriate module, and specify their attributes which include:

  • Dataset – Selects which dataset is to be used to form the functional surface.
  • Use active dataset – The currently selected dataset will be used for the functional surface.
  • User defined dataset – Allows selecting a specific dataset in the project to use for the functional surface. The Select button for this option will bring a Select Dataset dialog.
  • Z Offset – SMS displays functional surfaces at a simulated z-value. This may be the actual surface value (such as is the case with water surfaces elevations), but more often the value will not have a physical meaning, and may intersect the bathymetry or not even be in the same area. For this reason, SMS offers options for placing the functional surface at one of the following locations:
    • "Display surface at location" – The functional surface will be displayed at the location of the dataset on the geometry.
    • "Display surface above geometry" – The functional surface will be displayed slightly above the geometry based on the z-magnification.
    • "Display surface with user defined offset" – The functional surface will be display based on a value entered by the user.
      • Offset value – Enter an offset Z value for the user defined offset.
  • Z Magnification – Functional data may not vary significantly when compared to the horizontal extents of the model. For this reason, the interface allows magnification (scaling) of the functional surface. By default, the surface is scaled based on the global z-magnification specified in the general display options. This may be overridden.
  • Override global value – Turn on to override the global Z magnification value.
    • Magnification value – Enter a z magnification value to override the global value.
  • Display Attributes – Controls the color of the functional surface. It may be a constant color or colored based on the contour colors specified. The colors may be associated with the value of the functional surface, or another dataset. The surface may also be partially transparent.
  • Use solid color – Will change the functional surface to be a single color.
    • Color – Select a color to use as the solid color for the functional surface.
  • Transparency – Set a transparency level for the functional surface. The transparency by entering a value or using the slider.
  • Contour surface – Sets specific contour options for the functional surface.
    • Options – Will open the Dataset Contour Options dialog.
    • Specify separate dataset for contours – Allows a different dataset to be used for the contour options.
      • Select – Brings up a Select Dataset dialog.


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