How to find data and results from a simulation (data scan)

The catalogue tool includes a data scan function. This can be used to fill in missing data and to identify which data cannot be identified.

Each simulation will have associated metadata to be added to the catalogue. The data sections are defined in the associated catalogue template. They are displayed in the Simulations tab of the right-hand panel. This is a tree view that can be expanded to show metadata from all loaded simulations, though only the data from the selected simulation in the main catalogue view will be visible by default.

Initially the majority of values for these metadata will not be populated. Some data can only be filled in from the automated tools, others always require manual entry. Some fields have either option – they will have a padlock icon against them. Click the padlock to release fields for manual entry.

Alternatively, the data scan function can be used to fill in metadata automatically. These data may be model input files, results data or simulation diagnostics (all located from references in simulation files).

The data scan function has two different operating modes:

• Click the data scan icon in main toolbar to scan entire catalogue

  

• Scan a subset of the catalogue by selecting data scan from the right-click menus of a catalogue section (scans all files in section) or referenced file (scans just the selected file)

  

Each data scan will produce a log file. This will detail any issues found during a scan, e.g. unrecognised or missing file references in a model file. The message box signifying the scan has completed includes an option to view the associated log. This file is a text format and will open in a standard text editor, so you may opt to view the log file later. If you have saved your catalogue file (.fmcx file), then the data scan log filename will always use your catalogue name and it will be written to the same folder as the catalogue file. If you haven’t yet saved your catalogue when you scan (not recommended) the log file will be given a temp name and be written to the Flood Modeller temp folder (usually “C:\users[username]\AppData\Local\Temp”).