SMS:Map Module Overview

The Map module provides tools for creating, managing and editing feature objects. Feature objects are geometric entities, meaning they have a defined position or shape, and the attributes associated with those entities. Feature objects with related attributes are grouped into layers or coverages. The coverage definition includes a "type" that determines the attributes available for the objects in the coverage. The principal application of coverages in the SMS is to facilitate the representation of a numerical simulation in a representation that is independent of a specific discretization (a specific set of nodes and elements or cells). This allows the modeler to interact with a much smaller set of entities and reduces redundant effort in the modeling process.

The map module also provides the tools to create and edit GIS like data and conceptual models as well as data for other purposes. Conceptual model is a geometry (mesh/grid) independent representation of the numeric model domain and/or boundary conditions and they can be converted to model geometry and boundary conditions. Conceptual model is also a high level representation used to define attributes used in the Mesh or Cartesian Grid generation process such as bathymetry source, materials information, and boundary conditions.

Functionalities

See the article Map Module Display Options.

Project Explorer

The following Project Explorer right mouse click menus are available when the right mouse click is performed on a Map Module item.

Map Module Root Folder Right-Click Menus

Right-clicking on the Map module root folder in the project explorer invokes an options menu with the following options:

• New coverage – Opens the New Coverage dialog.
• Clear Coverages – Deletes all coverages.
• Display Options – Opens the Display Options dialog.

Coverage Item Right-Click Menus

Right-clicking on a Map item in the Project Explorer invokes an options menu with the following module specific options:

• Type – Change the coverage type.

Right-click options for the coverage may also include options applicable only to the specific coverage type.

Menus

The following menus are available in the Map Module:

Standard Menus

See SMS Menus for more information.

Module Specific Menus

• Feature Objects Menu

How do I?

To learn more about how to use the Map Module go to the Tutorials section.

Tools

The following tools are contained in the dynamic portion of the Tool Palette when the Map Module is active. Only one tool is active at any given time. The action that takes place when the user clicks in the Graphics Window depends on the current tool. The following table describes the tools in the map tool palette.

Tool	Tool Name	Description
File:SelectMeshNodestring.bmp	Select Feature Point or Node	The Select Feature Point or Node tool is used to select stand alone feature points or the ends of arcs. A single point is selected by left-clicking directly on it. Multiple points can be selected at once by dragging a box. To drag a selection box, left-click and hold the button while dragging the mouse to the appropriate dimensions; release the button to enclose and select the contents. Additional points can be appended to the selection list by holding the SHIFT key while selecting by any method. Selecting new points without holding the SHIFT key will first clear the selection list and then add the newly selected points. A selected point can be removed from the selection list by holding the SHIFT key as it is reselected. Pressing the ESC key will clear the entire selection list. Right-clicking will open a menu specific to this tool. Feature points are locked so they are not accidentally dragged. When a single point is selected, its location is shown in the Edit Window. The coordinates can be changed by typing in the edit field. The Graphics Window’s status bar will display information on the selected items depending on the settings find through the File | Info Options command in the File menu. Selected points can be deleted by selecting the Edit | Delete menu command on the Edit menu, by pressing the DELETE or BACKSPACE keys, or from the right-click menu. Arcs attached to the deleted points are deleted. This tool is available when one or more feature points exist.
File:Tool CreateVertices.GIF	Create Feature Point	The Create Feature Point tool is used to place new feature point in the current coverage. A single point is created at a time by left-clicking at the coordinate desired. The newly created point is selected to allow Z Coordinate changes in the Edit Window. This tool is always available, however, creating a feature point is only allowed while in plan view.
File:Select Feature Vertex icon.bmp	Select Feature Vertex	The Select Feature vertex tool is used to select one or more vertices on an arc. These vertices define the shape of the arc. The vertex may have a "z" elevation specified, but no other attributes are associated with the feature vertices.
File:Create Feature Vertex icon.bmp	Create Feature Vertex	The Create Feature vertex tool is used to create a new vertex on the interior of an arc. The vertex is created at the current arc location, but can be selected and moved to change the shape of the arc. The vertex may have a "z" elevation specified, but no other attributes are associated with the feature vertices.
File:Select Feature Arc icon.bmp	Select Feature Arc	The Select Feature Arc tool is used to select one or more existing feature arcs. This is typically done to assign attributes to an arc or delete the arc. A single arc is selected by left-clicking directly on it. Double clicking on the arc will bring up the arc attributes dialog or that arc. Multiple arc can be selected at once by dragging a box. Additional arcs can be appended to the selection list by holding the SHIFT key while selecting by any method. Selecting new arcs without holding the SHIFT key will first clear the selection list and then add the newly selected points. A selected arc can be removed from the selection list by holding the SHIFT key as it is reselected. Pressing the ESC key will clear the entire selection list. Right-clicking will open a menu specific to this tool. Feature arcs may have elevations associated with the arc as an entity. This is independent of the node and vertex elevations. When a single arc is selected, its elevation is shown in the Edit Window. The coordinates can be changed by typing in the edit field. Multiple feature arcs may also be selected to create a feature arc group to associate attributes with a string of arcs rather than a single arc. These arcs must connect end to end. The arc group is created from the Feature Objects menu command. The Graphics Window’s status bar will display information on the selected items depending on the settings find through the File | Info Options command in the File menu. Selected arcs can be deleted by selecting the Edit | Delete menu command on the Edit menu, by pressing the DELETE or BACKSPACE keys, or from the right-click menu. Nodes attached only to the deleted arcs are deleted. This tool is available when one or more feature arcs exist.
File:Create Feature Arc icon.bmp	Create Feature Arc	The Create Feature Arc tool is used to create a new feature arc.
File:Select Feature Arc Group icon.bmp	Select Feature Arc Group	The Select Feature Arc Group tool is used to assign attributes to a string of arcs. The group must be created before it can be selected as a group. The attributes of the group then operate just as if the group was a single arc.
File:Select Feature Polygon icon.bmp	Select Feature Polygon	The Select Feature Polygon tool is used to select polygons to assign attributes to them. The attributes associated with the polygon depends on the coverage type. Double-clicking on the polygon will invoke the polygon attributes dialog for the polygon. Multiple polygons may be selected just as with arcs and nodes. The polygons must be created using the Feature Objects menu command.
File:Select 1D Grid Frame icon.bmp	Select 1D Grid Frame	The Select 1D Grid Frame tool only appears when the coverage is associated with a 1D grid model (Cascade or GENESIS).
File:Create 2D Grid Frame.bmp	Create 2D Grid Frame	The Create 2D Grid Frame tool is used to create a new grid frame for the creation of Cartesiona grids. The grid frame is defined by clicking three times in the graphics window. The first click defines the origin. The second click defines the I axis of the grid frame (both extents and direction). The third click defines the extents of the J axis. The direction is set to be perpendicular to the I axis.
File:Tool GridFrame.GIF	Select 2D Grid Frame	The Select 2D Grid Frame tool allows the user to select a grid frame and alter its position, orientation and size.

Related Coverages

The attributes of entities on a coverages belong to a list of attributes associated with a type of coverage. For more information see the article Coverages.