---
title: "Start a new 2D simulation"
slug: "how-to-start-a-new-2d-simulation"
description: "Learn how to start a new 2D simulation from the project panel. "
tags: ["running simulations", "2D modelling"]
updated: 2022-08-03T11:47:45Z
published: 2022-08-03T11:47:45Z
canonical: "help.floodmodeller.com/how-to-start-a-new-2d-simulation"
stale: true
---

> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://help.floodmodeller.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Start a new 2D simulation

A Flood Modeller 2D model is defined by a single 2D simulation file. The file references the spatial data that defines the model extent and topography. It also holds the boundary data that defines the water entering your modelled area and specifies the key model settings such as time-step, simulated duration and 2D solver parameters. This is an xml format file (and therefore could also be reviewed and edited using a text editor).

In Flood Modeller you can add a new 2D model to your project using the following procedure:

1. In the **Project** panel, click on the section header **Simulations** to highlight it. In the **Simulations** tab, click **New 2D Simulation**. You will be prompted to provide a filename and save location for the new simulation file in a standard browser window.

![](https://cdn.document360.io/5074bc26-a9ef-4bf4-b1de-a5c6ce628aca/Images/Documentation/newsimulation.png)

Note: You can also start a new 2D simulation by right-clicking on the **Simulations** section of the **Project** panel and selecting **New 2D Simulation** from the displayed menu.
2. Your simulation name will be added to the **Simulations** section of the **Project** panel. You can right-click the simulation name for further options, including **Open** to view the simulation details.

![](https://cdn.document360.io/5074bc26-a9ef-4bf4-b1de-a5c6ce628aca/Images/Documentation/newsimulation2.png)
3. The new file will be automatically added to your project tree view with a displayed name the same as the filename specified for it. The 2D Simulation window will also be displayed with your new model details pre-loaded in the interface. You can then proceed to fully define your new 2D model (specify input GIS data, boundary values and model parameters and settings). Note, you can drag-and-drop GIS datasets from your project into compatible input data fields in the Domains Tab of the 2D Simulation window.
4. When you have finished working in the 2D Simulation window (for example, when your model is fully defined), you can select to run a simulation immediately or save your model file and return to the main Flood Modeller interface.
5. In the main Flood Modeller interface, you can edit the displayed name of your model by right-clicking on the entry in the project view and selecting 'Properties' from the displayed menu. The model properties window is displayed, allowing you to type in a revised display name and any description you want to save with the model in your project (for example to help others reviewing your work).

![renamemodel.png](https://cdn.document360.io/5074bc26-a9ef-4bf4-b1de-a5c6ce628aca/Images/Documentation/renamemodel.png)
6. You can return to the 2D model interface to further edit or review settings by right-clicking on the entry in the project view and selecting 'Open' from the displayed menu. Alternatively, just double-click on the entry in the project view.