SMS:GIS Module: Difference between revisions

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{{SMS_at_a_glance_gis_module|Heading===At a glance==}}
{{SMS_at_a_glance_gis_module|Heading===At a glance==}}


The GIS module has been separated from the Map module in order to define a more integrated and separate approach to linking with GIS data.  The GIS module has two separate modes, although the primary functions are available in either mode. The main reason that the GIS data has been separated from the map module is to allow users to handle large files more efficiently when creating hydrologic models. For example the GIS module allows a user to import large files  and then select and convert to feature objects only the portions that are  needed.  The conversion to feature objects is both time consuming and  potentially memory intensive, and so managing the GIS data in this fashion is more efficient (the equivalent GIS functionality is to clip out just the parts of the data necessary for importing).
The GIS module allows the user to manage geographical information data inside of the SMS.


Some of the key functionality available in either mode includes:
It has traditionally contained external data such as ArcInfo Shapefiles and MapInfo mif/mid files. This data can be converted to [[SMS:Map_Module|Map Module Features]] for various purposes such as inclusion in a conceptual model to create a mesh/grid, or for inclusion in a simulation.
 
SMS includes two separate ways of working with or managing external GIS vector data.  The first uses internal SMS functionality to select, edit and convert GIS data to other data types in SMS.  The second includes a link to ArcObjects to allow direct management of the GIS data.  This option is described below.
 
Starting with SMS version 12.0, the GIS module was modified to be consistent with the Groundwater Modeling System (GMS) and the Watershed Modeling System (WMS).  With this merging of functionality, the GIS module is used to manage all external geographical data including:
 
* Images (tif, jpg, png, bmp, ...)
* Rasters (sometimes referred to as DEMs)
* GIS (shp, mif/mid, ...)
 
When opening a file recognized as a GIS data type, SMS will create an entry in the project explorer for that object.  The object may contain any combination of the following:
 
*image data (colors on a grid)
*raster data (values on a grid)
*vector data (vector objects)
*GIS objects (data recognized as being native to ArcInfo, MapInfo, QGIS)
 
In addition to data type, the data source for a GIS object may be static (a single file) or dynamic (a link to a web site).
 
The icon, displayed to the left of the entry of the tree indicates what type(s) of data reside in that object and whether the object is static or dynamic.
 
By right clicking on a GIS object in the project explorer, the popup menu shows the applications for the specific data type contained in the selected object.
 
Sample applications of the GIS module include:
* Display Extract a subset of data from a large file for inclusion in a simulation
* Display of background information (such as an aerial photo or map)
* Provide topographic/bathymetric data sources (digital elevation map) which can be used in place of a TIN or scatter set when creating a mesh/grid.
 
Some of the key functionality available in the GIS module includes:


* Efficient management of large datasets
* Efficient management of large datasets
Line 10: Line 38:
* Viewing attribute tables
* Viewing attribute tables
* Joining additional attribute tables based on a key field (i.e.  joining the hydrologic soils group attribute to a STATSGO/SSURGO shapefile).
* Joining additional attribute tables based on a key field (i.e.  joining the hydrologic soils group attribute to a STATSGO/SSURGO shapefile).
==Using the GIS Module with a License of ArcView®==
SMS uses ArcObjects to incorporate much of the ArcMap® functionality directly. A user can open any ArcView® supported file (coverages, shapefiles, geodatabases, images, CAD, grids, etc.) and use the ''ArcView® Display Symbology'' properties to render the GIS data and then display it in SMS.
To use SMS with ArcView®, do the following:
* Activate the GIS Module.
* Enable ArcObjects by selecting [[SMS:GIS Module Menus|Data]] | [[SMS:GIS Module Menus|Enable ArcObjects]].
* Open the desired shapefile by selecting [[SMS:GIS Module Menus|Data]] | [[SMS:GIS Module Menus|Add Shapefile Data...]] and browse for the file. The file should now appear in the [[SMS:Project Explorer|Project Explorer]].
* Right-click on the ''imported shapefile'' and select ''Properties''. The ''ArcGIS Properties'' window will appear.
* Click on the ''Symbology'' tab and the shapefile properties can be edited.
==Using the GIS Module without a License of ArcView®==
Most of the same functionality that exists for users with licenses of ArcView® is available to users without. The primary differences are that the user can only read layers that are in the shapefile format, and all of the display and symbology available with ArcView® is not available. Points, lines, and polygons are displayed in a single color and not filled. Further some of the queries for selection are not supported without a license to ArcView®.


==Importing Shapefiles==
==Importing Shapefiles==
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==GIS Module Menus==
==GIS Module Menus==
See [[SMS:GIS Module Menus|GIS Module Menus]] for more information.
See [[SMS:GIS Module Menus|GIS Module Menus]] for more information.
==Using the GIS Module with a License of ArcView®==
SMS includes the option to use ArcObjects to incorporate much of the ArcMap® functionality directly. A user can open any ArcView® supported file (coverages, shapefiles, geodatabases, images, CAD, grids, etc.) and use the ''ArcView® Display Symbology'' properties to render the GIS data and then display it in SMS.
To use SMS with ArcView®, do the following:
* Activate the GIS Module.
* Enable ArcObjects by selecting [[SMS:GIS Module Menus|Data]] | [[SMS:GIS Module Menus|Enable ArcObjects]].
* Open the desired shapefile by selecting [[SMS:GIS Module Menus|Data]] | [[SMS:GIS Module Menus|Add Shapefile Data...]] and browse for the file. The file should now appear in the [[SMS:Project Explorer|Project Explorer]].
* Right-click on the ''imported shapefile'' and select ''Properties''. The ''ArcGIS Properties'' window will appear.
* Click on the ''Symbology'' tab and the shapefile properties can be edited.
Most of the same functionality that exists for users with licenses of ArcView® is available to users without and a license and a license is '''NOT''' required for most applications.


==Related Topics==
==Related Topics==

Revision as of 18:00, 10 April 2015

GIS data in SMS

At a glance

  • Open and visualize GIS data
  • Supports ESRI and MapInfo formats
  • Uses Mapobjects for ESRI files if available to use ArcGIS visualization options
  • Open and visualize raster data
  • GIS data can be converted to feature data (map module)
  • Convert raster to TIN (scatter set)
  • Interpolate data from raster to TINs /2D mesh/2D grid


The GIS module allows the user to manage geographical information data inside of the SMS.

It has traditionally contained external data such as ArcInfo Shapefiles and MapInfo mif/mid files. This data can be converted to Map Module Features for various purposes such as inclusion in a conceptual model to create a mesh/grid, or for inclusion in a simulation.

SMS includes two separate ways of working with or managing external GIS vector data. The first uses internal SMS functionality to select, edit and convert GIS data to other data types in SMS. The second includes a link to ArcObjects to allow direct management of the GIS data. This option is described below.

Starting with SMS version 12.0, the GIS module was modified to be consistent with the Groundwater Modeling System (GMS) and the Watershed Modeling System (WMS). With this merging of functionality, the GIS module is used to manage all external geographical data including:

  • Images (tif, jpg, png, bmp, ...)
  • Rasters (sometimes referred to as DEMs)
  • GIS (shp, mif/mid, ...)

When opening a file recognized as a GIS data type, SMS will create an entry in the project explorer for that object. The object may contain any combination of the following:

  • image data (colors on a grid)
  • raster data (values on a grid)
  • vector data (vector objects)
  • GIS objects (data recognized as being native to ArcInfo, MapInfo, QGIS)

In addition to data type, the data source for a GIS object may be static (a single file) or dynamic (a link to a web site).

The icon, displayed to the left of the entry of the tree indicates what type(s) of data reside in that object and whether the object is static or dynamic.

By right clicking on a GIS object in the project explorer, the popup menu shows the applications for the specific data type contained in the selected object.

Sample applications of the GIS module include:

  • Display Extract a subset of data from a large file for inclusion in a simulation
  • Display of background information (such as an aerial photo or map)
  • Provide topographic/bathymetric data sources (digital elevation map) which can be used in place of a TIN or scatter set when creating a mesh/grid.

Some of the key functionality available in the GIS module includes:

  • Efficient management of large datasets
  • Graphical selection of features
  • Mapping of selected features to feature objects in map coverages
  • Viewing attribute tables
  • Joining additional attribute tables based on a key field (i.e. joining the hydrologic soils group attribute to a STATSGO/SSURGO shapefile).

Importing Shapefiles

Shapefiles can be visualized in SMS as well as be converted to feature objects or scatter data. This can be done by using either the Shapes → Feature Objects or Polygons → TIN command in the Mapping menu. It is important to check for bad polygons when converting shapefile data. These may be polygons with zero area or with duplicate nodes. This problem can be fixed by using the Clean command in the Feature Objects menu. If using the Clean option does not fix the problem initially, try increasing the tolerance until all problematic feature objects are removed.

For additional information, see Importing Shapefiles.

GIS Module Tools

See GIS Module Tools for more information.

GIS Module Menus

See GIS Module Menus for more information.

Using the GIS Module with a License of ArcView®

SMS includes the option to use ArcObjects to incorporate much of the ArcMap® functionality directly. A user can open any ArcView® supported file (coverages, shapefiles, geodatabases, images, CAD, grids, etc.) and use the ArcView® Display Symbology properties to render the GIS data and then display it in SMS.

To use SMS with ArcView®, do the following:

  • Activate the GIS Module.
  • Enable ArcObjects by selecting Data | Enable ArcObjects.
  • Open the desired shapefile by selecting Data | Add Shapefile Data... and browse for the file. The file should now appear in the Project Explorer.
  • Right-click on the imported shapefile and select Properties. The ArcGIS Properties window will appear.
  • Click on the Symbology tab and the shapefile properties can be edited.

Most of the same functionality that exists for users with licenses of ArcView® is available to users without and a license and a license is NOT required for most applications.

Related Topics