User:Jcreer/SMS:Toolbox

Starting with version 13.2 , SMS includes a general purpose toolbox that allows the SMS process to interact with external python scripts. In SMS 13.2 this is a beta feature. For this version, the user accesses the toolbox by right clicking on the "Project" item at the top of the tree in the "Project Explorer" and selecting "Toolbox". This bring up the SMS toolbox dialog.

SMS Toolbox

Tools in the toolbox allow the user to operate on data in an SMS interactive session as well as data in external files. Each tool in the toolbox links to a python script that produces a specific output. Example output from a tool could include, but are not limited to:

• a graphic or plot.
• a report (document or spreadsheet) for a specified analytical process.
• a new geometry item in SMS.
• a new dataset in SMS.
• a new data file.

Tools Tab

Available tools in the SMS Tool dialog are divided into categories, typically based on the type of output or the type of arguments used in the tool. Currently these categories include:

• Datasets – Contains tools for manipulating datasets attached meshes, scatters sets, or Ugrids.
• Rasters – Contains tools for manipulating raster files in the GIS module.
• UGrids – Contains tools for manipulating UGrids, scatter sets, and meshes.

History Tab

The toolbox maintains a history of all tools invoked for a session of SMS. Eventually this history will be recorded so that it includes all tools invoked for this project.

The history section includes the tool and the date/time the tool was invoked. Double-clicking on an entry in the history tab launches the listed tool. The input fields are populated with the arguments that were used in the previous invocation of the tool. These inputs can be changed for the new invocation of the tool.

Dataset Tools

Angle Convention

This tool converts between angle conventions, converting an angle convention to another angle convention dataset. The tool has the following options:

• Input scalar dataset – Select the scalar dataset that will be the input.
• Input angle convention – Select the type of angle convention used in the input scalar dataset.
  • "Cartesian" – Specifies that the input dataset uses a Cartesian angle convention.
  • "Meteorologic" – Specifies that the input dataset uses a Meteorological angle convention.
  • "Oceanographic" – Specifies that the input dataset uses an Oceanographic angle convention.
• Output angle convention – Select the angle convention for the new dataset.
  • "Cartesian" – Sets that the output dataset will use a Cartesian angle convention.
  • "Meteorologic" – Sets that the output dataset will use a Meteorological angle convention.
  • "Oceanographic" – Sets that the output dataset will use an Oceanographic angle convention.
• Output dataset name – Enter the name for the new dataset.

Canopy Coefficient

This tool computes a canopy coefficient from a landuse raster. The tool has the following options:

• Input landuse raster – Select which landuse raster in the project will be the input.
• Interpolation option – Select which of the following options will be used for interpolating the canopy coefficient.
  • "Node location" – Interpolation based around where the nodes are located.
  • "Area around node" – Interpolation based around the area around the nodes. This adds an option to the dialog.
    • Minimum percent blocked which ignores wind stress – Sets the minimum potential percent of the canopy that will be blocked and ignore the wind stress.
• Target grid – Select which grid will be the target.
• Landuse raster type – Select what type the landuse raster is.
  • "NLCD" – Sets the landuse raster type to National Land Cover Dataset (NLCD).
  • "C-CAP" – Sets the landuse raster type to Coastal Change Analysis Program (C-CAP).
  • "Other" – Sets the landuse raster type to be set by the user. This adds an option to the dialog.
    • Landuse to canopy coefficient mapping table – The Select File... button will allow a table file to be selected. The entire file name will be displayed in the text box to its right.
• Output canopy coefficient dataset – Enter the name for the new canopy coefficient dataset.

Compare Datasets

This tool compares two datasets by creating a new dataset of the differences. The tool has the following options:

• Dataset 1 – Select the first dataset to compare.
• Inactive values option – From the drop-down menu, select the desired approach for handling inactive values in the dataset.
  • "Use specified value for inactive value" – A specified value will replace inactive values.
  • "Inactive values result in an inactive value" – Inactive values will be left as inactive in the comparison dataset.
• Specified value – Enter a value that will be used for inactive values.
• Dataset 2 – Select the second dataset to compare. This has the same options available as Dataset 1 for dealing with inactive values.
• Output dataset name – Enter the name of the new comparison dataset.

Directional Roughness

The Landuse Raster to Directional Roughness tool creates 12 scalar datasets. Each represents the reduction in the wind force coming from a specific direction. The directions represent a 30 degree wedge of full plane. As noted in the ADCIRC users manual, the first of these 12 directions corresponds to wind reduction for wind blowing to the east (E), or coming from the west. So this reflects the reduction of wind force caused by vegetation to the west of the grid point. The second direction is for wind blowing to the ENE. The directions continue in CCW order around the point (NNE, N, NNW, WNW, W, WSW, SSW, S, SSE, ESE).

Directional roughness

The tool computes each of these 12 scalar values for each node in the grid based on a provided land use map. The NLCD and C-CAP land cover formats are encoded as displayed in the following tables. Custom tables can be applied using the Other option described below and providing a mapping file. The pixel values are combined using a weighting function. The weight of each pixel included in the sampling is based on the pixel distance (d) from the node point. The pixel weight is computed as d^2/(2 * dw^2). The term dw is defined below as well.

Input Parameters

• Input landuse raster – Select which landuse raster in the project will be the input.
• Method – Select which interpolation method will be used for computation of the conversion.
  • "Linear" – Computations will combine pixel values along a line down the center of the directional wedge.
  • "Sector" – Computations will combine pixel values for all pixels included in the sector for the direction.
• Total distance – Defines the extent of the line or sector away from the node point. This is measured in units of the display projection.
• Weighted distance – Defines the distance from the node point of maximum influence on the directional roughness (dw).
• Target grid – Select the target grid for which the datasets will be computed.
• Landuse raster type – Select which type the landuse raster is.
  • "NLCD" – Sets the landuse raster type to National Land Cover Dataset (NLCD). A mapping table file for NLCD can be found here and down below.
  • "C-CAP" – Sets the landuse raster type to Coastal Change Analysis Program (C-CAP). A mapping table file for C-CAP can be found here and down below.
  • "Other" – Sets the landuse raster type to be set by the user. This selection adds an option to the dialog to select a mapping table (csv file).
    • Landuse to directional roughness mapping table – The Select File... button allows a table file to be selected. Its full file name will appear on the box to its right.
• Default wind reduction value – Set the default level of wind reduction for the new dataset. This is assigned for all 12 datasets for mesh nodes not inside the landuse raster.

Output Parameters

• Output wind reduction dataset – Enter the name for the new wind reduction dataset

Directional Roughness NLCD Mapping Table

Directional Roughness NLCD Values

Code	Description	Roughness
0	Background	0
1	Unclassified	0
11	Open Water	0.001
12	Perennial Ice/Snow	0.012
21	Developed Open Space	0.1
22	Developed Low Intensity	0.3
23	Developed Medium Intensity	0.4
24	Developed High Intensity	0.55
31	Barren Land (Rock/Sand/Clay)	0.04
41	Deciduous Forest	0.65
42	Evergreen Forest	0.72
43	Mixed Forest	0.71
51	Dwarf Scrub	0.1
52	Shrub/Scrub	0.12
71	Grassland/Herbaceous	0.04
72	Sedge/Herbaceous	0.03
73	Lichens	0.025
74	Moss	0.02
81	Pasture/Hay	0.06
82	Cultivated Crops	0.06
90	Woody Wetlands	0.55
95	Emergent Herbaceous Wetlands	0.11
91	Palustrine Forested Wetland	0.55
92	Palustrine Scrub/Shrub Wetland	0.12
93	Estuarine Forested Wetland	0.55
94	Estuarine Scrub/Shrub Wetland	0.12
96	Palustrine Emergent Wetland (Persistent)	0.11
97	Estuarine Emergent Wetland	0.11
98	Palustrine Aquatic Bed	0.03
99	Estuarine Aquatic Bed	0.03

Directional Roughness CCAP Mapping Table

Directional Roughness CCAP Values

Code	Description	Roughness
0	Background	0
1	Unclassified	0
2	Developed High Intensity	0.55
3	Developed Medium Intensity	0.4
4	Developed Low Intensity	0.3
5	Developed Open Space	0.1
6	Cultivated Crops	0.06
7	Pasture/Hay	0.06
8	Grassland/Herbaceous	0.04
9	Deciduous Forest	0.65
10	Evergreen Forest	0.72
11	Mixed Forest	0.71
12	Scrub/Shrub	0.12
13	Palustrine Forested Wetland	0.55
14	Palustrine Scrub/Shrub Wetland	0.12
15	Palustrine Emergent Wetland (Persistent)	0.11
16	Estuarine Forested Wetland	0.55
17	Estuarine Scrub/Shrub Wetland	0.12
18	Estuarine Emergent Wetland	0.11
19	Unconsolidated Shore	0.03
20	Barren Land	0.04
21	Open Water	0.001
22	Palustrine Aquatic Bed	0.03
23	Estuarine Aquatic Bed	0.03
24	Perennial Ice/Snow	0.012
25	Tundra	0.03

Current Location in Toolbox

Datasets/Directional Roughness

Related Tools

• Canopy Coefficient
• Chezy Friction
• Landuse Raster to Mannings N
• Quadratic Friction

Geometry Gradient

This tool computes geometry gradient datasets. The tool has the following options:

Input Parameters

• Input dataset – Select the dataset to use in the gradient computations.
• Gradient vector – Select to create a gradient vector dataset.
• Gradient magnitude – Select to create a gradient magnitude dataset. The gradient is calculated as the run divided by the rise.
• Gradient direction – Select to create a gradient direction dataset. Gives the direction in degrees of the maximum gradient at each point

Output Parameters

• Output gradient vector dataset name – Enter the name for the new gradient vector dataset.
• Output gradient magnitude dataset name – Enter the name for the new gradient magnitude dataset.
• Output gradient direction dataset name – Enter the name for the new gradient direction dataset.

Landuse Raster to Mannings N

The Landuse Raster to Mannings N tool is used to populate the spatial attributes for the Mannin's N roughness coefficient at the sea flow. A new dataset is created from NLCD, C-CAP, or other land use raster.

The tool will combine values from the pixels of the raster object specified as a parameter for the tool. For each node in the geometry, the "area of influence" is computed for the node. The area of influence is a square with the node at the center of the square. The size of the square is the average length of the edges connected to the node in the target grid. All of the raster values within the area of influence are extracted from the specified raster object. A composite Manning's N roughness value is computed taking a weighted average of all the pixel values. If a node lies outside of the extents of the specified raster object, the default value is used as the Manning's N roughness value at the node.

The tool has the following options:

Input Parameters

• Input landuse raster – This is a required input parameter. Specify which raster in the project to use when determining the Manning's N roughness values.
• Landuse raster type – This is a required parameter. Specify what type of landuse raster to use.
  • "NLCD" – Sets the landuse raster type to National Land Cover Dataset (NLCD). A mapping table file for NLCD can be found here and down below.
  • "C-CAP" – Sets the landuse raster type to Coastal Change Analysis Program (C-CAP). A mapping table file forC-CAP can be found here and down below.
  • "Other" – Sets the landuse raster type to use a table of values provided by the user.
• Target grid – This is a required input parameter. Specify which grid/mesh the Manning's N roughness dataset will be created for.
• Landuse to Mannings N mapping table The Select File... button allows a table file to be selected for the "Other" landuse raster type. Its full file name will appear on the box to its right. This must be a CSV file with the following columns of data Code, Description, Manning's N. See the example NLCD and CCAP tables below.
• Default Mannings N option – Set the default value to use for the Manning's N roughness values for nodes not lying inside the specified raster object. This can be set to "Constant" to use a constant value or set "Dataset" to select a dataset to use.
  • "Constant" – Sets a constant value to be the default for Mannings N.
    • Default Mannings N value – Sets a constant value to be the default for Mannings N.
  • "Dataset" – Sets a dataset to be the default for Mannings N.
    • Default Mannings N dataset – Select a dataset to be used as the default for Mannings N.
• Subset mask dataset (optional) – This optional option allows using a dataset as a subset mask. Nodes not marked as active in this dataset are assigned the default value.

Output Parameters

• Output Mannings N dataset – Enter the name for the new Mannings N dataset

If the landuse type is chosen as NLCD or C-CAP, the default values below are used in the calculation. If there are different landuse raster types, or wishing to use values that differ from the defaults, specify the raster type as Custom and provide in CSV file with the desired values.

Mannings Roughness NLCD Mapping Table

Mannings Roughness NLCD Values

Code	Description	Mannings
0	Background	0.025
1	Unclassified	0.025
11	Open Water	0.02
12	Perennial Ice/Snow	0.01
21	Developed Open Space	0.02
22	Developed Low Intensity	0.05
23	Developed Medium Intensity	0.1
24	Developed High Intensity	0.15
31	Barren Land (Rock/Sand/Clay)	0.09
41	Deciduous Forest	0.1
42	Evergreen Forest	0.11
43	Mixed Forest	0.1
51	Dwarf Scrub	0.04
52	Shrub/Scrub	0.05
71	Grassland/Herbaceous	0.034
72	Sedge/Herbaceous	0.03
73	Lichens	0.027
74	Moss	0.025
81	Pasture/Hay	0.033
82	Cultivated Crops	0.037
90	Woody Wetlands	0.1
95	Emergent Herbaceous Wetlands	0.045
91	Palustrine Forested Wetland	0.1
92	Palustrine Scrub/Shrub Wetland	0.048
93	Estuarine Forested Wetland	0.1
94	Estuarine Scrub/Shrub Wetland	0.048
96	Palustrine Emergent Wetland (Persistent)	0.045
97	Estuarine Emergent Wetland	0.045
98	Palustrine Aquatic Bed	0.015
99	Estuarine Aquatic Bed	0.015

Mannings Roughness CCAP Mapping Table

Mannings Roughness CCAP Values

Code	Description	Roughness
0	Background	0.025
1	Unclassified	0.025
2	Developed High Intensity	0.15
3	Developed Medium Intensity	0.1
4	Developed Low Intensity	0.05
5	Developed Open Space	0.02
6	Cultivated Crops	0.037
7	Pasture/Hay	0.033
8	Grassland/Herbaceous	0.034
9	Deciduous Forest	0.1
10	Evergreen Forest	0.11
11	Mixed Forest	0.1
12	Scrub/Shrub	0.05
13	Palustrine Forested Wetland	0.1
14	Palustrine Scrub/Shrub Wetland	0.048
15	Palustrine Emergent Wetland (Persistent)	0.045
16	Estuarine Forested Wetland	0.1
17	Estuarine Scrub/Shrub Wetland	0.048
18	Estuarine Emergent Wetland	0.045
19	Unconsolidated Shore	0.03
20	Barren Land	0.09
21	Open Water	0.02
22	Palustrine Aquatic Bed	0.015
23	Estuarine Aquatic Bed	0.015
24	Perennial Ice/Snow	0.01
25	Tundra	0.03

Map Activity

This tool builds a dataset with values copied from one dataset and activity mapped from another. The tool has the following options:

Input Parameters

• Value dataset– Select the dataset that will define the values for the new dataset.
• Activity dataset – Select the dataset that will define the activity for the new dataset.

Output Paramters

• Output dataset – Enter the name for the new activity dataset.

Current Location in Toolbox

Datasets/Map Activity

Scalar to Vector

The Scalar to Vector tool converts a pair of scalar datasets to a vector dataset. The input components can be Cartesian (X,Y) or spherical (magnitude/direction). In the case of spherical input components, the direction component uses the Cartesian direction convention (positive X axis is 0.0 with the direction increasing in the CCW direction).

Direction datasets which are relative to different conventions (Meteorologic or Oceanographic) would need to be converted to Cartesian using the Angle Convention tool.

Input parameters

• Input type – Specify the type of conversion that will take place (Cartesian or Spherical).

This defines the way the tool will interpret the other input parameters.

• • "Vx and Vy" – This option will designate the input dataset values as Vx and Vy.
  • "Magnitude and Direction" This option will designate the input dataset values as magnitude and direction.
• Input Vx or magnitude scalar dataset – Select the scalar dataset to use for the Vx or magnitude input.
• Input Vy or direction scalar dataset – Select the scalar dataset to use for the Vy or direction (Cartesian) input.

Output parameters

• Output vector dataset name – Enter the name for the new vector dataset.

Current Location in toolbox

Datasets/Scalar to Vector

Related Tools

• Angle Convention
• Vector to Scalar

Smooth Datasets

The Smooth Datasets tool creates a new spatial dataset that approximates an input dataset but has values that do not violate rules of how fast they can vary. The values can be limited by slope or area.

When limited by slope, either the minimum or the maximum value is preserved. Values at locations adjacent to the locked or updated value in the mesh are computed based on the distance between the location and its neighbors and a maximum specified slope. If the neighboring value exceeds the slope, the maximum or minimum to satisfy the slope limitation is computed and assigned to the neighbor location. This process then propagates to neighbors of this location.

The area method assumes that the values represent size or nodal spacing functions. Since this is not as intuitive as physical slope, the smoothing prevents the size from changing too fast based on a target area change ratio. Typical area change ratios allowed historically vary from 0.5 to 0.8. Higher area change ratios result in more consistent element sizes (slower transitions).

Input parameters

• Input elevation data set – Select which elevation dataset in the project will be the input.
• Anchor – Select which type of anchor for the smoothing process.
  • "Minimum value" – Sets the minimum elevation to be the anchor for the smoothing process.
  • "Maximum value" – Sets the maximum elevation to be the anchor for the smoothing process
• Smoothing option – Select which type of smoothing option will be used. The option selected will add options to the dialog.
  • "Elemental area change" – Smooths the dataset (size function) by limiting the area.
    • Smoothing area change limit – Sets a limit to how much of the area is changed by smoothing.
    • Smoothing minimum cell size – Sets the minimum cell size for the smoothing.
  • "Maximum slope" – Smooths the elevation dataset by limiting the slope.
    • Smoothing maximum slope – Sets the maximum potential slope to the smoothing.
• Subset mask data set (optional) – Select a dataset for the subset mask (optional).

Output parameters

• Output dataset – Enter the name for the new smoothed dataset.

Current Location in toolbox

Datasets/Smooth Dataset

Related Tools

• Point Spacing
• Smooth Datasets by Neighbor

Smooth Datasets by Neighbor

The Smooth Datasets by Neighbor tool creates a new spatial dataset that is a smoothed version of the input dataset. The tool has options to average the points value with its neighbors, or use an IDW interpolation of the neighbor values.

By default the tool will update the value at a point using only points directly connected to the point. An option allows all points with in two layers of connection to be used.

Input parameters

• Input dataset – Select which dataset in the project will be the input.
• Number of levels – The amount of levels to the dataset. Currently the tool supports 1 or 2.
• Interpolation method – Sets the interpolation method for the smoothing. The option selected may add options to the dialog.
  • "Average" – Sets the interpolation method to averaging the nodal neighbors.
  • "IDW" – Sets the interpolation method to Inverse Distance Weighing (IDW).
• Weight of nodal neighbors – The final interpolated value at a point will be the value at the point multiplied by (1 - weight of nodal neighbors) plus the interpolated value from the nodal neighbors multiplied by (weight of nodal neighbors).
• Subset mask dataset (optional) – Select a dataset for the subset mask (which is optional).

Output parameters

• Output dataset – Enter the name for the new smoothed dataset.

Current Location in toolbox

Datasets/Smooth Datasets by Neighbors

Related Tools

• Smooth Datasets

Vector to Scalar

The Vector to Scalar tool converts a vector dataset into component scalar datasets. The resulting components include both Cartesian (X,Y) and spherical (magnitude/direction). The direction component uses the Cartesian direction convention (positive X axis is 0.0 with the direction increasing in the CCW direction).

If a direction dataset relative to different conventions (Meteorologic or Oceanographic) is desired, it would need to be converted from Cartesian using the Angle Convention tool.

Input parameters

• Input vector data set – Select the vector dataset located in the project.

Output parameters

• Dataset name prefix – Enter a prefix that will be affixed to the converted datasets.
• Magnitude – Enter the name for the magnitude dataset.
• Direction – Enter the name for the direction dataset.
• Vx – Enter the name for the Vx dataset.
• Vy – Enter the name for the Vy dataset.

Current Location in toolbox

Datasets/Vector to Scalar

Related Tools

• Angle Convention
• Scalar to Vector

Raster Tools

Blend Raster to Edges

The Blend Raster to Edges tool is intended to facilitate the use of multiple topo/bathy DEMs (potentially from multiple sources) as a source for elevation data on a surface and avoid discontinuities that may exist between the DEMs.

The tool creates a new raster that is a modified version of the raster that is the second argument to the tool. The modified version transition along its active edges from the values in the raster to the values in the primary raster (the first argument).

This tool is intended to be used to pre-condition topo/bathy sources for use in the Interpolate Priority Rasters tool.

Blend raster to edges

Input parameters

• Primary raster – Use the drop-down to select the raster that will be designated as the primary raster.
• Secondary raster – Use the drop-down to select the raster that will be designated as the secondary raster.
• Blend width along edge – Where the edges of the primary and secondary rasters meet, the edges will be blended to the width specified with this option.

Output parameters

• Output raster – Provide a name for the new blended raster.

Current Location in toolbox

Rasters/Blend Raster to Edges

Related Tools

• Interpolate Priority Rasters
• Clip Raster from Elevations

Clip Raster from Elevations

Channel to clip example

Combined sources

The Clip Raster from Elevations tool creates a new raster (DEM) from a source raster creating invalid data regions in areas where the source raster data are determined to be invalid. To be invalid, the data from the source raster would be either above, or below a provide elevation raster. The side that is invalid is specified as an input parameter.

The Clip Raster from Elevations tool is intended to facilitate the use of multiple topo/bathy DEMs (potentially from multiple sources).

The example of forcing a low flow channel into a DEM illustrates one example of an application of this tool. In this case, it is common for the DEM to have the water surface elevation in regions where the low flow channel exists. These water surface elevation values should not be used in a hydraulic simulation of the area. Instead, channel bed elevations should be supplied. Local survey cross sections are often composed into a channel surface for this purpose. However, due to datum adjustments, time, and roundoff error, the surfaces may have discontinuities. Depending on the situation, the modeler may choose to invalidate the portion of the channel surface that is above the DEM to prevent numerical levees along the edge of the channel.

This tool is intended to be used to pre-condition topo/bathy sources for use in the Interpolate Priority Rasters tool.

Input parameters

• Raster to clip – This option designates the raster which will have elevation values clipped by the elevation raster.
• Elevation raster – This option selects the elevation raster to use.
• Clip elevations above or below elevations raster – Once the raster to clip and elevation raster have been specified, the tool can either clip elevation values either above or below the elevation raster's values.
  • "Clip elevations above" – This option removes values that are above the elevation values of the elevation raster.
  • "Clip elevations below" – This option removes values that are below the elevation values of the elevation raster.

Output parameters

• Output raster – Enter the name for the new clipped raster.

Current Location in toolbox

Rasters/Blend Raster to Edges

Related Tools

• Interpolate Priority Rasters
• Blend Raster to Edges

Interpolate Priority Rasters

The Interpolate Priority Rasters tool creates a new dataset for a selected geometry (UGrid/Mesh2D/Scatter Set) by interpolating from multiple rasters according to a user specified priority. Each source is added to the list in priority order. If a value is not obtained when interpolating from the highest priority source, the tool looks for a value in the next source until either a value is found or all sources are exhausted.

It should be noted that rasters from different sources may have errors or differences from one another for a variety of reasons. Principal causes of incompatibilities between rasters include the changes between the times when each source was gathered, differences in survey methods, and slight adjustments to datums. Large raster differences can result in discontinuities in the surface. These discontinuities can have ramifications on the hydraulic results for simulations of flow over the combined surface.

Observation profiles can be extracted from the surfaces to visualize the differences. If significant differences exist, the Blend Raster to Edges tool and the Clip Raster from Elevations tool can be used to correct them.

It should be noted that the output dataset must be mapped to be the Elevation of the target geometry if that is desired. It is not mapped automatically.

Input parameters

• Grid – Allows selecting the geometry that will receive the interpolated raster values.
• Default dataset – Allows selecting a dataset in the project to use as the default values for interpolation.
• Resample algorithm – Select the method that will be used for interpolation.
  • "blinear" – Select to use the linear interpolation method.
  • "nearest_neighbor" – Select to use the natural neighbor interpolation method.
• Raster 1 (highest priority) – Select the raster that will be given highest priority during the interpolation process.
• Raster 2 – Select the raster that will be given the next highest priority during the interpolation process.
• Raster n – Additional rasters may be selected and given priority in the order they are selected.

Output parameters

• Output dataset name – Allows setting the name of the new dataset on the specified mesh, UGrid, or scatter set.

Current Location in toolbox

Rasters/Interpolate Priority Rasters

Related Tools

• Blend Raster to Edges
• Clip Raster from Elevations
• Merge Elevation Rasters

Merge Elevation Rasters

The Merge Elevation Rasters tool creates a new raster by merging two or more elevation rasters with priority into a new raster. The resolution of the resulting raster will be the resolution of the principal raster (raster 1). The extents of the resulting raster be expanded from the base of the extent defined by raster 1 to include all other rasters.

It should be noted that this operation can result in very large rasters. If a low priority raster has a coarser resolution than the primary raster, it will be super sampled to match the resolution of the primary raster in the areas where this raster extends the domain. This super sampling does not provide new data. For this reason, the Interpolate Priority Rasters tool is recommended ahead of using this operation.

Input parameters

• Raster 1 – Select the first elevation raster to be merged. This raster will be given the highest priority during the merge.
• Blend distance – Enter a distance for the edges of the raster to be blended when merged with another raster. This option can be set for each raster being merged.
• Raster 2 – Select second raster to be merged. This raster will have the next highest priority.
• Raster n – Additional rasters can be added to the merge with lowering priority. These parameters appear as needed. The last field should be left blank

Output parameters

• Merged raster – Enter a name for the new merged raster.

Current Location in toolbox

Rasters/Merge Elevation Rasters

Related Tools

• Interpolate Priority Rasters

Dataset to Raster

The Dataset to Raster tool creates a raster from a dataset on a geometry (mesh, scatter set, UGrid).

Historically there has been an option in SMS to right-click on a scatter set and convert it to a raster. This tool is more general and can be applied to more geometry types. Because it is included in the toolbox, it can also be accessed outside of the traditional framework of SMS.

Input Parameters

• Dataset – Select the dataset to convert to a raster. (This also selects the associated geometry.)
• Optional template raster – Select a raster from to define the origin and possibly the resolution of the new raster. If a template is not provided, the following arguments are required.
  • Pixel size – Enter the pixel resolution size for the new raster.
• If a template raster is selected, the following arguments are required.
  • Use raster activity – If this is selected, the new raster will be trimmed to the active region of the template raster.
  • Raster template resolution option – Options include:
    • Use template raster native resoltion – The resolution of the new raster will match the resolution of the template. (The new raster will have one pixel for each pixel in the template.)
    • Specify maximum XY resolution – Specify the resolution of the raster. (Note: if there are inactive regions in the dataset, the resulting raster may be smaller than this specified value.)
• Null value – Enter the null value for the new raster.
• Extrapolation width – Define a buffer width around the dataset geometry. This will extend the new raster in all directions by the specified width. This can be useful if the new raster is going to be used for an interpolation source, but is normally left at the default of 0.0.

Output Parameters

• Output raster – Enter the name for the new raster.

Current Location in Toolbox

Rasters/Dataset to Raster

UGrid Tools

Convert to Voronoi UGrid

The Convert to Voronoi UGrid tool creates a Voronoi UGrid from an existing geometry (2D Mesh, Scatter Set, or UGrid). The tool uses the centroid of each triangle, element or cell of the input geometry as a node in the resulting Voronoi UGrid. The cells around the edge of the UGrid are created by adding a Voronoi node at the bisection of the boundary edge and connecting that node to the node at the triangle/element/cell centroid.

These meshes can be passed into HEC-RAS 2D for analysis.

Input parameters

• Input grid – Select the geometry that will be converted to a Voronoi UGrid.

Output parameters

• Output grid name – Enter the name for the new Voronoi UGrid. This will be a UGrid because scatter sets and meshes do not support polygonal cells.

Current Location in toolbox

Unstructured Grids/Convert to Voronoi UGrid

Merge UGrids (Geometry)

The Merge UGrids tool merges two 2D geometries. These can be 2D meshes, UGrids, or scatter sets. The geometries can overlap or not. In areas of overlap, the tool honors the primary grid, deletes all elements from the secondary grid that overlap part of the primary grid plus a buffer around the primary grid. This prevents the transition zone from becoming so small that poorly shaped cells result. The tool builds transition triangle cells to fill the gap created in this process. The new geometry is created as 2D Mesh in SMS.

Limitations:

• This tool only works on 2 geometries at a time. If multiple geometries are to be merged, they must be merged incrementally.
• The Primary grid argument for this tool must be a single contiguous geometry. (It can't be disjoint). If disjoint pieces exist, they must be merged into a background surface one at a time.

This tool is designed to replace the functionality to merge meshes and scatter sets in SMS. This operation is faster, more generic, and because it is in the toolbox, will be accessible outside of the standard SMS framework.

Input parameters

• Primary grid – Select the grid that will act as the primary grid. If there are conflicts during the merge, this grid will receive priority to resolve the conflict.
• Secondary grid – Select the grid that will act as the secondary grid during the merge.
• Duplicate point tolerance – When points are compared as duplicates the distance between the points is calculated. If the distance is less than this tolerance then the points are considered duplicates. This is used for comparing points on the outer boundary of the primary grid with points in the secondary grid and trying to preserve cells in the secondary grid that are adjacent to cells in the primary grid. The default value is usually sufficient but if you find cells in the secondary grid are being deleted and you want to preserve those then try increasing the tolerance.
• Buffer distance option – Option for buffering the outer boundary of the primary grid during the merge operation.
  • Default – The tool will use 0.01 times the minimum cell edge length as the buffer distance.
  • Specified – The tool will use the user specified buffer distance.
    • Buffer distance – specify the desired buffer distance. This is the width of the transition zone between the geomtries.
• Stitch non-overlapping grids with matching boundary points – Option for merging two grids that have matching boundary points and no overlapping features. This option should only be used if the user is positive that the grids satisfy this constraint. A grid with internal holes will result from using this option when the grids overlap. The tool will run significantly faster if this option is checked.

Output parameters

• Merged grid – Enter the name of the new merged UGrid.

Current Location in toolbox

Unstructured Grids/Merge Ugrids

It is recommended to use the Smooth Datasets tool instead of this tool.

Smooth UGrid

The Smooth UGrid tool is nearly identical to part of the Smooth Datasets tool. It can be applied to a 2D mesh, a scatter set, or a 2D Ugrid. The tool only supports the slope limited smoothing as described in Smooth Datasets with a user specified anchor type.

The difference between the tools is that this tool actually creates a new geometry with the elevation values smoothed rather than just creating a new dataset on the existing geometry.

Input parameters

• Input grid – Select the UGrid to use.
• Maximum slope – Set the maximum potential slope of the UGrid.
• Anchor type – Select which type of anchor for the smoothing process.
  • "Minimum value" – Sets the minimum elevation to be the anchor for the smoothing process.
  • "Maximum value" – Sets the maximum elevation to be the anchor for the smoothing process.

Output parameters

• Smoothed grid – Enter the name of the new smoothed UGrid.

Current Location in toolbox

Unstructured Grids/Smooth Ugrid

Related Tools

• Smooth Datasets