This is a top level workflow. This workflow includes all of the specific workflows users will need in creating a HEC-RAS project. Newer and infrequent SMS users should start here.
To build a HEC-RAS model in SMS, use the following steps:
Set contour options in the Contours tab. The "Color Fill" option is recommended for this.
Look for inconsistent points (points with values much higher/lower than their neighbors or regions where no data points exist).
Verify that the region being modeled is covered by the elevation/depth data and there are no holes.
3. Rotate the elevation data.
Use the Rotate tool to examine the elevation data from different angles.
2. Remove erroneous points and triangles.
After reviewing the imported data, points or triangles covering regions where there are no data points should be deleted. This could include outlier points or thin triangles.
Begin creating a new arc by clicking in the graphics window at either arc end. If clicking on an existing feature node, vertex or arc, the new arc will snap to that object.
Double-click or press the Enter key to terminate the arc.
Use the Create Feature Node tool to create additional nodes alone or to split arcs.
2. Modify arcs.
Feature arcs often need to be edited after initial creation.
Use the Trim/Extend Arc dialog to select the target arc and source arc.
3. Generate domain extent arcs from other data sources.
Domain extents can be created from data outside of the Map module by converting the data to a mesh generator coverage.
1. Convert GIS objects to a map coverage.
1. Convert raster data to feature objects.
Converting raster data to feature objects can be done in one of two ways:
Right-click on the raster data and select Convert To | Feature Objects which will create a new map coverage with arcs along all contours.
Right-click on the raster data and select Convert To | Feature Objects at Elevation and enter a contour elevation to create arcs in a new coverage along the specified elevation.
Bathymetry type describes the elevation/topography source for the mesh nodes. Bathymetry types include a constant elevation value, interpolated elevation values from a scatter set, or interpolated elevation values from an existing mesh.
Material types can be assigned to a polygon using materials previously created in Materials Data dialog.