GMS:What's New in GMS 7.0

The following is a list of the more significant changes in GMS 7.0.

1. MODFLOW enhancements

   Lots of work has been put into the MODFLOW interface in GMS.

   1. New MODFLOW packages
      • SFR2
      • ETS1
      • DRT1
   2. Support for quasi-3D confining beds. Including support for VKCB parameters.
   3. Reading of any MODFLOW 2000 simulation

      GMS can now read any MODFLOW input files that MODFLOW can read. A modified version of MODFLOW 2000 is used to read the simulation files and translate them into GMS format. Simulations prepared outside of GMS can now be imported into GMS much easier.

   4. More support for MODFLOW parameters
      • GMS has supported MODFLOW parameterization for a long time, but more support for the standard MODFLOW method of parameterization has been added in GMS 7.0. Parameter clusters and parameter instances are now supported.
      • STR parameters are now supported.
   5. Import of double-precision MODFLOW output files

      If MODFLOW is compiled in double precision mode, GMS can read the double precision output files that MODFLOW generates.

   6. Preserving unsupported MODFLOW files

      If GMS doesn't include an interface to a package used in a MODFLOW simulation, GMS can still import the simulation and, when saved again, will include the unsupported packages in the name file and copy the associated files to the new location. Thus, although you may not be able to edit the unsupported package inputs in GMS, it is easy for you to use GMS for the packages it does support.

   7. Additional GMG options supported

      GMS 7.0 now supports the following GMG solver options: IADAMP, IUNITMHC, DUP, DLOW, CHGLIMIT

2. MODPATH version 5.0

   We upgraded the version of MODPATH distributed with GMS to the latest version, 5.0.

3. Support for the Transport Observation Package (TOB) with MT3DMS. You can now see the computed mass flux through boundary conditions.
4. New Tutorials

   MODFLOW SFR2

   MODFLOW Advanced Parameters

   MODFLOW DRT

   MODFLOW ETS

5. Model menus stay when changing modules

   The model menus (MODFLOW, MT3D etc) don't dissappear when you switch modules in GMS, making it easier to work.

6. Safer saving via temp directories

   GMS now exports your model files (MODFLOW, FEMWATER etc.) to a temporary directory first, and then, when everything is saved, removes the old files and moves the new files from the temporary directory to the actual directory. This prevents problems where files get corrupted because a problem is encountered in the middle of the save operation and only part of the files get saved.

7. Support for Windows Vista

   Although previous versions of GMS would run on Windows Vista, there were issues with the graphics and fonts.

8. Arc Hydro Groundwater export

   Arc Hydro Groundwater is a new product that is integrated with ESRI's ArcGIS and supports MODFLOW and ground water modeling. GMS can export data in a geodatabase consistent with the Arc Hydro Groundwater standard.

9. Map projections (coordinate system) interface overhaul

   GMS now uses Global Mapper's standard interface for reprojecting from one coordinate system to another.

10. Updated ArcObjects libraries

    The ArcObjects libraries in GMS have been updated to the latest ESRI offers.

11. Updated graphics engine

    The GMS graphics engine has been overhauled to take advantage of graphics cards and hardware rendering.

12. Updated CAD engine

    The code that supports import, export and display of CAD data has been overhauled. The latest CAD file formats are supported, and now CAD data is displayed in full 3D.

13. Materials

    The Materials dialog was improved to have a simplified table interface

14. Export animations as Google Earth kmz files

    You can now export an animation in GMS to a kmz file to read into Google Earth.

15. UTEXAS enhancements
    1. Laterally varying unit weight
    2. Solid Cross Sections -> Coverage

       If you have a solid model of your dam or slope, you can cut a cross section through it and convert that to a map coverage to use for UTEXAS or SEEP2D.

    3. Material Properties
16. Separate color ramps for different objects

    Prior to 7.0, all objects used the same color ramp. Now the following objects can all have different color ramps:

    1. Contour Options for all modules
    2. Borehole sample data
    3. Scatter data
    4. Vector arrows
17. Registration/Copy Protection overhaul

    Licensing and registration has changed considerably. 30-day evaluation passwords can be requested automatically and received in seconds with an internet connection.

18. New image file format: ECW

    GMS can now read ECW image files.

19. Code rewrites, bug fixes, more testing

    A lot of the changes in GMS 7.0 are in code that doesn't impact the visible interface, but nevertheless results in improved software quality. Lots of bugs have been fixed. GMS 7.0 has more automated testing than all previous versions of GMS, helping to improve software quality.