How to load GIS datasets into the interface

Your underlying topography for a 2D simulation must initially be loaded into Flood Modeller. This guide details how to do this.

1. If you are using pre-existing GIS datasets in your model, then these can be loaded into Flood Modeller either into the 'Layers' window for viewing in the map view of the interface or into the 'Project' window. In both cases, a reference to the layer will be retained in your project, although only the 'Layers' window data are shown in the map view.

   A dataset is added to the map by clicking the 'Add GIS Data' button on the main toolbar. This function is available on both the 'Home' tab and the 'MapTools' tab. You are then prompted to browse to and select one or multiple GIS layers. Clicking 'Open' in the Explorer window will add these layers.

   

   This will add your selected GIS layers to the map view and the layers will also be listed in the Layers window of the interface (lower left corner). The hierarchy of layers on the map matches the order they are listed in the layers view. If a layer is hidden behind other layers, you can move it up the hierarchy by right-clicking on the layer in the Layers window and 'Layer move' button.

   

2. The speed a GIS layer will load is affected by its file size. It is not necessary to display a layer in the map view to use it in your model. Therefore, if you have a particularly large dataset, it may be beneficial not to add this to the map view (and consequently slow the performance of the Flood Modeller interface). In this case, you can still associate your GIS layer with your project by adding to the spatial data section of the project tree view. To add a layer, right-click on the header of the spatial data section of your project and select 'Add Item' from the displayed menu. You can then browse to the relevant layer, select it and click 'Open' to add it to your project view.

3. Flood Modeller also allows you to drag GIS layers into the project view from the layers view. This does not remove the layer from the map view but instead just copies a reference to it in the project view. Dragging is done by:

   • Highlighting the relevant layer in the Layers view
   • Hovering the mouse over this layer and depressing the left mouse button
   • Moving the mouse cursor up to the project view while keeping the mouse button depressed.
   • Releasing the mouse button to add the layer to the spatial data section of the project view (Flood Modeller recognises this as a GIS layer and automatically adds it to this section irrespective, of where the mouse pointer is when you release the button).

   After a layer has been dragged to the project view, it can be removed from the map view without removing it from your project.