SMS Modules
The commands in SMS are divided based on the types of data they operate on. As you switch from one module to another module, the Dynamic Toolbar and available menu commands change. This allows you to focus only on the tools and commands related to the data you are currently working with in SMS. Switching from one module to another can be done instantaneously to facilitate the simultaneous use of several data types when necessary. Only one module is active at any given time. However, the data associated with a module (e.g. a 2D finite element mesh) is preserved when the user switches to a different module. Activating a module only changes the Dynamic Toolbar and available menu commands.
 Mesh Module |
 Cartesian Grid Module |
 Scatter Module |
 Map Module |
 GIS Module |
 1D River Module |
 Particle Module |
|
|
| Mesh Module |
| The 2D Mesh Module is used to manipulate 2D unstructured grids (referred to as a mesh inside of SMS). A mesh consists of nodes that are grouped together to form elements. These nodes and elements define the computational domain of the numerical model. In addition to nodes and elements, a mesh may assign additional information to the nodes and elements, such as material values assigned to elements and boundary conditions assigned to nodes. In general, this additional information is used as input data for the numerical model. |
|
(back to top) |
| Cartesian Grid Module |
|
The 2D Cartesian Grid Module contains tools used to construct 2D Cartesian finite difference grids. These grids consist of cells aligned with a rectilinear coordinate system.
Some models limit the grid to be defined with square cells, others limit to constant sized rectangular cells, while others add the flexibility of having variable sizes to the cells (variable row height or column width. |
It is strongly recommended that grids be created through the Map Module. The grid module currently includes interfaces for:
|
 |
|
(back to top) |
| Scatter Module |
| The Scatter Module (previously known as the Scattered Data Module) is used to interpolate spatial data values from groups of scattered data points or ordered grids (DEMs) to the other data types (i.e., meshes and grids). SMS supports three interpolation schemes including linear, natural neighbor and inverse distance weighted. The module is also used to view and edit survey data (i.e. SHOALS data). |
 |
|
(back to top) |
| Map Module |
|
The Map module provides tools for using feature objects to build conceptual models. Feature objects include GIS objects such as points, nodes, arcs and polygons. Feature objects are grouped into layers or coverages. The coverage type determines the attributes available for the objects in the coverage. |
 |
|
(back to top) |
| GIS Module |
| 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 you 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 your GIS data in this fashion is more efficient (the equivalent GIS functionality is to clip out just the parts of the data you need for import). |
 |
|
(back to top) |
| Particle Module |
|
The particle module contains tools used to work with particle data. Particles can have time varying location and scalar data.
The particle module currently includes interfaces for:
|
