SMS:Datasets
A data set is a set of values associated with each node, cell, vertex, or scatter point in an object. A data set can be steady state (one value per item, one time step) or transient (one value per item, multiple time steps). The values in the data set can be scalar values or vector values. Certain types of objects in SMS have an associated list of scalar data sets and a list of vector data sets. Each of the following objects in SMS can have both scalar a vector data sets:
Data sets are used for both pre- and post-processing of models. For example, a scalar data set associated with a 2D mesh can represent starting values of elevations or initial water surface elevations for a surface water modeling problem. Another data set associated with the same mesh may represent computed water surface values. Data sets can be used to generate contours, vector plots, functional surfaces and animation sequences. The commands for manipulating data sets are located in the Current Model's Data menu.
Generating Data Sets
Data sets can be generated in a variety of ways such as:
- Output from a surface water model (water level, velocity, concentration, transport, etc.)
- Tabular values in a text file entered by the user or exported from another application such as a GIS
- Created by interpolating from a scatter point set to a grid, or mesh
- Generated by performing mathematical operations on existing data sets with the Data Calculator
One advantage of the data set approach for managing information is that it facilitates transfer of information between different models with differing resolution. This is accomplished through scatter sets and interpolation. Grids and meshes can be converted to a 2D scatter set. When an object is converted to a scatter set, all scalar data sets associated with the object are copied to the new scatter set. The data sets can then be transferred from the scatter set to other objects of any type using interpolation.
Right Click Menus
Data sets are displayed and managed in the Project Explorer. See the Project Explorer article for more information.
Active Data Set
Each module in SMS has a set of values designated as the "active data set." The active data set is an important part of model visualization in SMS. Each time the display is refreshed, the contours and other display features are generated using the active data set. Left-clicking on a solution or data set in the Project Explorer makes that item "active". The icons used to identify the different data sets shown in the Project Explorer are as follows:
| Data Set Type | Inactive Icon | Active Icon |
|---|---|---|
| Elevation | File:SMS Inactive Elevation Data Set.bmp | File:SMS Active Elevation Data Set.bmp |
| Scalar | File:SMS Inactive Scalar Data Set.bmp | File:SMS Active Scalar Data Set.bmp |
| Vector | File:SMS Inactive Vector Data Set.bmp | File:SMS Active Vector Data Set.bmp |
If the active data set is transient then the time steps are displayed in the Time Step Window.
Solutions
Solutions are output from a numerical model that SMS supports. Solutions are shown in the Project Explorer as a folder. If a solution is transient then the time steps are displayed in the Time Step Window. The solution may contain text files such as the *.out and *.prt files produced by a model. These files can viewed by right clicking on the item and selecting View File from the pop up menu, or you can double click on the item.
Folder
The data sets and solutions are organized by folders. The user can create new folders and move data sets, solutions, and folders to other folders anywhere on the Project Explorer. Folders can be created by right clicking on the certain items in the Project Explorer and selecting New Folder in the menu. A data set or folder can be deleted simply by selecting the folder and selecting the Delete key or by right-clicking on the item and selecting the Delete option in the corresponding pop-up menu.
Related Topics
Modules: Mesh Module · Cartesian Grid Module · Scatter Module · Map Module · GIS Module · Particle Module
Models: ADCIRC · BOUSS-2D · CGWAVE · CMS-Flow · CMS-Wave · FESWMS · FVCOM · Generic Mesh Model · GENESIS · HYDRO AS-2D · PTM · SRH-2D · Steering · STWAVE · TABS · TUFLOW
