GMS

Tips for Exporting a MODPATH Project

MODPATH works with MODFLOW to show particle tracking information. Once you have successfully completed a MODFLOW project, you may want to share that information collected through MODPATH with your other colleagues. Exporting the MODPATH data can allow you to share specific information with them.

Typically, the Save As command in the File menu and the right-click Export command in the Project Explorer are used to export MODPATH data from GMS. When using these commands, there are some tips for getting the most out of them.

Exportin MODFLOW
Exporting MODPATH Flowlines to a KMZ File

The flowlines from a successful MODPATH run can be exported as a KMZ file using the Save As command. When doing this, pay attention to the following:

  • Use the Display Options to make the flowline more visible before exporting to a KMZ file.
  • Make certain that the projection/coordinate system of your MODPATH project has been set correctly. KMZ files require that a coordinate system be set therefore GMS cannot create a file if there is no projection.
  • Objects in the Project Explorer can be set to different projections. Be certain to review the projections of all objects when exporting a KMZ file.
Exporting Points

Using the Save As command, the particle points of the MODPATH project can be exported to a shapefile.

  • When exporting particle points from MODPATH it is important to note that endpoints will need to be exported with intermediate points.
  • Another option is to use the Text Tab Delimited Pathline File option, which prints out the location and could be quickly parsed to pull the X and Y locations for the last time step of each particle.
  • MODPATH output can be exported to a shapefile or text delimited file by right-clicking on your MODPATH particle set in the Project Explorer and selecting "Export".
  • In the "Export Particle Sets" dialog that comes up, you can then change the "Save as type" option at the bottom to the type (pathlines, points, vectors), and format (shapefile, text delimited file) you prefer.

Many of these tips apply to exporting other numeric modeling data in GMS. Try out the different export functionalities in GMS today!

Blog tags: 

3 New Features in GMS 10.5 Beta

We are happy to be announcing the beta release of GMS 10.5! Thanks to the hardworking developers here at Aquaveo there are a number of new and exciting features to this new version.

To name a few, we gathered a list of three new and improved features in GMS 10.5 beta release!

  1. MODFLOW 6 Grid Approach
    Additional functionality has been added for working with MODFLOW 6. A MODFLOW 6 model can now be built in GMS using the grid approach. The new MODFLOW 6 interface uses a simulation approach that is different from the interface for other MODFLOW applications in GMS. This approach also allows for multiple simulations to be included in a single project.
  2. TVM Package
    The TVM package is now available in GMS 10.5 for use with MODFLOW-USG Transport. The Time-Variant Materials (TVM) package allows the changing of hydraulic conductivity and storage values between stress periods. Through a transient simulation, it can also be used to change these parameters in a continuous manner not just in increments between stress periods. This will help display the different changes made to the project over time.
  3. TVM Package in GMS 10.5
  4. Tile map services (TMS) can now be used for import or background image display.
    In this new version of GMS the ability to import TMS into projects needing tile map services has been made available. This provides access to maps that can now be rendered to map tiles at fixed scales. Rather than trying to break down one large image, this helps to be able to view a map in a simpler way. It also helps to be able to pinpoint and save one particular tile of a map in case only that tile is needed as opposed to the entire image.

These are only some of the changes that have been made to the new beta release version of GMS. Explore even more of the changes by downloading GMS 10.5 beta from our downloads page.

Blog tags: 

Tips for Using the Data Calculator in GMS

The Data Calculator in GMS is a powerful tool that allows you to generate new datasets from existing data.

The Data Calculator can be used to to create datasets that show:

  • The difference between model runs
  • The minimum or maximum of two datasets
  • An aquifer's water level
  • And many other applications

To help you get the most out of the Data Calculator, here are some tips for using this tool.

Datasets can be added to the expression by either double-clicking the dataset in the Dataset section of the calculator, or selecting the dataset and using the Add to Expression button. Make certain you are selecting the correct dataset before adding it to the expression.

When adding operators to the expression, be careful. Double-clicking the operator buttons will enter the operator into the expression twice. If this happens, be sure to delete the additional operator before computing the dataset.

Operators in the Data Calculator

Review datasets before using them in the Data Calculator. This can be done before starting the Data Calculator by using any of the available tools in GMS. Once in the Data Calculator, you can review datasets by selecting the dataset and clicking the Dataset Info button.

When adding a dataset to the calculation, either specific time steps can be used or all time steps can be used. When using specific time steps, select the desired time steps before adding the dataset to the equation, or enter the dataset number followed by a colon and the number of the time step.

Using a specific time step is the default option. To use all the time steps, select Use all time steps before adding the dataset to the expression, or enter the dataset number followed by a colon and the word "all".

Now that you know a little more about the Data Calculator, try it out with your projects in GMS today!

Blog tags: 

Using Command Line Switches for the XMS Installer

If you work as a system administrator or in an IT department, you may need to know how to install GMS, SMS or WMS silently or with less visibility. Fortunately, we have a few options for this.

Previously we have discussed performing a silent install of XMS, this article will discuss options that run as command line switches. For example, when running the WMS 11.0.5 installer with no UI, you will enter the command "wms11.0.5full64bit.exe/qn" through cmd.

When installing XMS, you have the following parameters you can set:

full UI: /qf

This is the default parameter used by the installer. This means that the end user will see the full installation wizard the same way they would by running it through Windows Explorer.

reduced UI: /qr The user interface does not show any wizard dialogues.

This is a form of automatic installation that will skip all wizard dialogues, though you will still see a full UI showing that WMS is being installed.

basic UI: /qb Only a progress bar will be shown during the installation

Command line install progress bar

This option is similar to /qr but, instead of showing the full UI from our installer, it shows a progress bar with default Windows installer decorations. This takes less screen real estate while still giving you visibility into the installation process.

no UI: /qn No UI will be shown during the installation.

This option does not show any UI at all, instead opting to run the install progress in the background. This is ideal for if you are installing the software on a computer that's currently in use and don’t want to interrupt the work currently being done.

Current versions of XMS software can be found on Aquaveo's downloads page.

Blog tags: 

Pages