The Plot Wizard (Display | Plot Wizard) is used to create 2D plots. The plot wizard is composed of two steps described below. In addition, the types of plots that can be created are described and illustrated below.
In the first step, the plot type is selected. The types include:
A sample and explanation are displayed for each plot type. The Next > button is undimmed if the necessary data for the selected plot type exists in the current project. If the Next > button is disabled, a help text explaining the problem is displayed below the Plot Type box.
In the second step, the attributes of each plot are set. The attributes associated with each plot type are explained below and can be located quickly by clicking on the desired plot type listed above. The options depend on the plot type and will be described below.
A Computed vs. Observed plot is used to display how well the entire set of observed values match a model solution. A 45 degree line is drawn on this plot, which represents a perfect correspondence between observed data and solution values. One symbol is drawn for each observation point at the intersection of the observed and computed values for the point. This plot can show the trend of the solution values with regard to matching the observed data. Only those points whose value is specified as observed for the selected data type will be shown in the plot. These plots are created in the Plot Wizard by setting the Plot Type to Computed vs. Observed. A sample plot is shown in the figure.
The second step contains the following options.
Coverage and Measurements. The observation coverage and measurements can be selected for each plot. If only one observation coverage and measurement exist these are used by default.
Use current solution. This option causes the plot to compare the observed values with the values of the current solution and time step for each observation point. When the active solution changes, the plot is recomputed and updated. If only one solution is in memory then this option is defaulted.
Use selected solutions. This option causes the plot to compare the observed values with the values of the specified solution for each observation point. Changing the active solution does not affect the plot.
Use time step. Because the plot shows only values from a specific time step, The Active Times Step is used by default.
A Computed vs. Observed Weighted plot is used to display how well the entire set of weighted observed values match a model solution. These weights are set by selecting the Observation item in the MODFLOW menu. A 45 degree line is drawn on this plot, which represents a perfect correspondence between observed data and solution values. One symbol is drawn for each observation point at the intersection of the weighted observed and computed values for the point. This plot can show the trend of the solution values with regard to matching the weighted observed data. Only those points whose value is specified as observed for the selected data type will be shown in the plot. This plot is not available with transient data. These plots are created in the Plot Wizard by setting the Plot Type to Computed vs. Observed (Weighted). A sample plot is shown in the figure.
Computed vs. Observed Weighted Plot Options
After the plot type is set in the First Page of the Plot Wizard, the Next button is clicked to open the Computed vs. Observed Weighted Plot Options wizard page. This page contains the following:
Coverage and Measurements. The observation coverage and measurements can be selected for each plot. If only one observation coverage and measurement exist these are used by default.
Use current solution. This option causes the plot to compare the weighted observed values with the values of the current solution and time step for each observation point. When the active solution changes, the plot is recomputed and updated. If only one solution is in memory then this option is defaulted.
Use selected solutions. This option causes the plot to compare the weighted observed values with the values of the specified solution for each observation point. Changing the active solution does not affect the plot.
Use time step. Because the plot shows only values from a specific time step, The Active Times Step is used by default.
A Residual vs. Observed plot is used to display how well the entire set of observed values match a model solution. On this plot is drawn a horizontal line along an error of zero, representing what would be a perfect correspondence between observed data and solution values. Then, one symbol is drawn for each observation point at the intersection of the observed and residual (computed-observed) values for the point. This plot can show the trend of the solution values with regards to matching the observed data. Only those points whose value is specified as observed for the selected data type will be shown in the plot. These plots are created in the Plot Wizard by setting the Plot Type to Residual vs. Observed. A sample plot is shown in the figure.
Residual vs. Observed Plot Options
After the plot type is set in the First Page of the Plot Wizard, the Next button is clicked to open the Residual vs. Observed Plot Options wizard page. This page contains the following:
Coverage and Measurements. The observation coverage and measurements can be selected for each plot. If only one observation coverage and measurement exist these are used by default.
Use current solution. This option causes the plot to compare the observed values with the residual values of the current solution and time step for each observation point. When the active solution changes, the plot is recomputed and updated. If only one solution is in memory then this option is defaulted.
Use selected solutions. This option causes the plot to compare the observed values with the residual values of the specified solution for each observation point. Changing the active solution does not affect the plot.
Use time step. Because the plot shows only values from a specific time step, The Active Times Step is used by default.
A Residual vs. Observed (Weighted) plot is used to display how well the entire set of weighted observed values match a model solution. On this plot is drawn a horizontal line along an error of zero, representing what would be a perfect correspondence between weighted observed data and solution values. One symbol is drawn for each observation point at the intersection of the weighted observed and residual (computed-observed) values for the point. This plot can show the trend of the solution values with regards to matching the weighted observed data. Only those points whose value is specified as observed for the selected data type will be shown in the plot. This plot is not available with transient data. These plots are created in the Plot Wizard by setting the Plot Type to Residual vs. Observed (Weighted). A sample plot is shown in the figure.
Residual vs. Observed Plot Options
After the plot type is set in the First Page of the Plot Wizard, the Next button is clicked to open the Residual vs. Observed (Weighted) Plot Options wizard page. This page contains the following:
Coverage and Measurements. The observation coverage and measurements can be selected for each plot. If only one observation coverage and measurement exist these are used by default.
Use current solution. This option causes the plot to compare the weighted observed values with the residual values of the current solution and time step for each observation point. When the active solution changes, the plot is recomputed and updated. If only one solution is in memory then this option is defaulted.
Use selected solutions. This option causes the plot to compare the weighted observed values with the residual values of the specified solution for each observation point. Changing the active solution does not affect the plot.
Use time step. Because the plot shows only values from a specific time step, The Active Times Step is used by default.
A Parameter Sensitivity plot is used to display the sensitivity of the MODFLOW parameters. These plots are created in the Plot Wizard by setting the Plot Type to Paramater Sensitivity. A sample plot is shown in the figure.
Parameter Sensitivity Plot Options
After the plot type is set in the First Page of the Plot Wizard, the Next button is clicked to open the Parameter Sensitivity Plot Options wizard page. This page contains the following:
Parameter Type. This option changes the parameter type displayed. GMS supports most of the parameter types that are supported by the MODFLOW PES process. An exception to this is the stream package parameter.
Use current solution. This option causes the plot to compare Parameter Sensitivities of the current solution. When the active solution changes, the plot is recomputed and updated. If only one solution is in memory then this option is defaulted.
Use selected solutions. This option causes the plot to compare Parameter Sensitivities of the specified solution. Changing the active solution does not affect the plot.
An Error vs. Simulation plot is generally used with steady-state simulations and measurement types. It may be used in transient simulations. This plot can display the mean error, mean absolute error, and root mean squared error between successive solutions and observed data. Various simulations would be run after changing model parameters, such as hydraulic conductivity or recharge. The plot will show trends in the solution to see if model parameter changes are causing better calibration with measured field data. Error vs. Simulation plots are created in the Plot Wizard by setting the Plot Type to Error vs. Simulation. A sample plot is shown in the figure.
Error vs. Simulation Plot Options
After the plot type is set in the First Page of the Plot Wizard, the Next button is clicked to open the Error vs. Simulation Plot Options wizard page. This page contains the following:
Solutions. This lists all available solutions.
Move Up/Move Down. GMS initially shows the solutions in the order they were opened. However, this is not necessarily the order in which they were run. To change the order, highlight a solution and move it up or down to rearrange their order.
Observed. This lists all available measurement types that were set up in the Observation Coverage Options dialog, both constant and transient. This plot is generally performed using constant solutions and measurement types, although transient data is allowed. You should select in the combo box the measurement type that you are comparing.
Check Box Options. There are three options that can be turned on or off. They determine whether the mean error, mean absolute error, and root mean squared error plots should be shown. Because these values are an average of all observation points, their line and symbol styles are not linked to any one observation point, but can be defined by clicking on the appropriate canvas window in the dialog.
An Error vs. Time Step plot is used with transient simulations to display the mean error, mean absolute error, and root mean squared error between a solution and observed data as a function of time. This plot applies to a single Data Set in a model solution. Transient measurement types will show the average errors at each time step of the data set. Error vs. Time Step plots are created in the Plot Wizard by setting the Plot Type to Error vs. Time Step. A sample plot is shown in the figure.
Error vs. Time Step Plot Options
After the plot type is set in the First Page of the Plot Wizard, the Next button is clicked to open the Error vs. Time Step Plot Options wizard page. This page contains the following:
Use current solution. This option causes the plot to compare Parameter Sensitivities of the current solution. When the active solution changes, the plot is recomputed and updated. If only one solution is in memory then this option is defaulted.
Use selected solutions. This option causes the plot to compare Parameter Sensitivities of the specified solution. Changing the active solution does not affect the plot.
Observed. This lists all available measurement types that were set up in the Observation Coverage Options dialog, both constant and transient. A constant measurement should be used for solutions with only one time step, while a transient measurement should be used for transient solutions. You should select the measurement type in the combo box that you are comparing. If only one exists then it is used by default.
Check Box Options. There are three options that can be turned on or off. They determine whether the mean error, mean absolute error, and root mean squared error plots should be shown. Because these values are an average of all observation points, their line and symbol styles are not linked to any one observation point, but can be defined by clicking on the appropriate canvas window in the dialog.
An Error Summary plot is used to display the mean error, mean absolute error, and root mean squared error for a Solution. Error Summary plots are created in the Plot Wizard by setting the Plot Type to Error Summary. A sample plot is shown in the figure.
Error Summary Plot Options
After the plot type is set in the First Page of the Plot Wizard, the Next button is clicked to open the Error Summary Plot Options wizard page. This page contains the following:
Use active solution. This option causes the plot to show a summary of mean error between the set of observed values with the values of the active solution for each observation point. When the active solution changes, the plot is recomputed and updated. This option is always on by default at this time
All time steps. This option shows the mean error for all time steps instead of only at the current or specified time step value.
Observed. This section shows the available list of observed values that were set up in the Observation Coverage Options dialog. Both constant and transient observed values should be available in this dialog.
A Time Series plot is used to display the time variation of one or more scalar Data Sets associated to a given point inside a model solution. In addition, if transient calibration data has been defined, a band can be shown which represents a time variant Calibration Target. Only transient data sets may be used in these plots. Time Series plots are created in the Plot Wizard by setting the Plot Type to Time Series. A sample plot is shown in the figure.
Time Series Plot Options
After the plot type is set in the First Page of the Plot Wizard, the Next button is clicked to open the Time Series Plot Options wizard page. This page contains the following:
Coverage and Measurements. The observation coverage and measurements can be selected for each plot. If only one observation coverage and measurement exist these are used by default. All Measurements can also be selected to plot all of the different measurements on one plot.
Use current solution. This option causes the plot to display the values of the active Solution for each observation point being plotted. When the active solution changes, the plot is recomputed and updated. If only one solution is in memory then this option is defaulted.
Use selected solutions. This option causes the plot to display the values of one or more specified Solutions for each point being plotted. Changing the active solution does not affect the plot.
Selected Points. Each of the observation points are shown in a spreadsheet. The show toggle determines which Observation Points will be displayed in a Time Series Plot in the Plot Window. This way, only certain points are plotted in each individual time series plot. All the points can either be turned on or off by selecting the corresponding buttons below the spreadsheet.
Calibration Target. Turn this on to display a band in the plot to define the valid calibration range. If this is turned off, only the calibration curve will be drawn.
Time interval. A starting time and an ending time of observations can be specified by two combo boxes. Only the interval chosen will be shown on the time series plot.
A Time Series plot is used to display the time variation of one or more scalar Data Sets associated to a given point selected in a model solution. Time Series plots are created in the Plot Wizard by setting the Plot Type to Active Data Set Time Series. A sample plot is shown in the figure.
Active Data Set Time Series Plot Options
After the plot type is set in the First Page of the Plot Wizard, the Finish button is clicked to create the active time series plot. For 2d and 3d grids select a grid cell and for 2d and 3d meshes select a node to display the scalar values of the data set at that location over time. You can select up to five locations to be plotted on one plot.
A Flow vs. Time plot is used to display the flow or water over time for a selected feature object or grid cell. Flow vs. Time plots are created in the Plot Wizard by setting the Plot Type to Flow vs. Time. A sample plot is shown in the figure.
S/S Flow vs. Time Plot Options
After the plot type is set in the First Page of the Plot Wizard, the Finish button is clicked to create the flow vs time plot. This plot will report the flow either by selecting a feature object defined as a MODFLOW source/sink in the map module or by selecting a group of cells in the 3d Grid. To change the plot options for the Flow vs Time Plot right-click on the plot and select the Plot Data command. The Plot Data dialog contains the following:
Feature Objects flow. This option allows you to select what data to plot when a Source/Sink feature object is selected in the Map module. By default the computed flow is plotted. If observed values exist for the feature object than those values can also be plotted along with calibration target ranges.
Grid Cell Flow. This option allows you to select what Source/Sink flows to be plotted when Grid Cells are selected in the 3D grid module. The options are: Storage, Constant Head, Drains, General Heads, Rivers, Streams, Recharge, Evapotranspiration, and Total Source/Sink flow in and out of the cells.
A Flow Budget vs. Time plot is used to display the flow or water over time for selected grid cell or for zone budget ids. Flow Budget vs. Time plots are created in the Plot Wizard by setting the Plot Type to Flow Budget vs. Time. A sample plot is shown in the figure.
Flow Budget vs. Time Plot Options
After the plot type is set in the First Page of the Plot Wizard, the Next button is clicked to open the Flow Budget Plot Options wizard page. The options on this page are discussed below. The Finish button is clicked to create the flow budget vs time plot. This plot will report the flow either by selecting a group of cells in the 3d Grid or by using the zone budget ids.
Display using. This option allows you to determined the data to plot. The Flow budget will be computed either from the selected 3D grid cells or from the selected zone budget ids in the spreadsheet.
Grid Cell Flow. This option allows you to select what Source/Sink flows to be plotted. The options are: Storage, Constant Head, Drains, General Heads, Rivers, Streams, Recharge, Evapotranspiration, and Total Source/Sink flow in and out of the cells.
When the Finish button is selected, a window is opened with the plot. Plot windows are created each time the Plot Wizard is run. See the 2D Plots discussion for information on editing plots that have been created.
Related Links:
Display Options
Model Calibration
2D Plots