GMS:Materials

Many of the data types supported by GMS (ex., elements, solids, borehole regions) have a material ID associated with each object. This material ID is an index into a list of material types. These material types often represent different types of soil or rock. A global list of material attributes is maintained that can be edited using the Materials command in the Edit menu.

The Materials are listed in a table or spreadsheet. New materials can be created by typing in the last row, or by copying and pasting from a spreadsheet, or by selecting the insert button.

Materials have an ID, name, color and pattern. If a numerical model interface is active (MODFLOW, FEMWATER etc.), the Materials dialog will show a tab control for each active model. Additional columns in the spreadsheet are added which correspond to the appropriate properties for the model.

A legend showing all the materials can be displayed in the Graphics Window. The legend can be turned on and off in the Display Options dialog.

The material names, colors, patterns, and transparencies can be exported by selecting the Export button. This will save out a "material" file with a *.mat extension. This file can be imported into GMS using the File | Open command.