Input and output file names are controlled from within the M2D Model Control. In addition to this, the user will define the time control associated with the current model from within the Model Control. Wind forcing over the entire grid can also be assigned from within the Model Control. The options within this dialog include the following:
Optional Input Files: Although not necessary, input files can be used. By turning on the toggle next to each input file, an already-existing file can be selected by clicking on the file browse button. If none exists, the user can manually create the input file by clicking on the button to the right that identifies each file type.
Initial Conditions (*.m2i): The initial conditions file contains a line for every ocean cell in the grid with four values: cell id, initial water level, u velocity, and v velocity. Values should have metric units.
Wind (*.m2w): The wind file contains a list of time steps containing wind magnitude and direction. Each line contains three values: time (hours), magnitude (m/s), direction (degrees). Wind directions are referenced as North = 0 degrees, East = 90 degrees, etc. Clicking the Wind Control button brings up a dialog where wind magnitude and direction can be specified.
Time Specification for Vector Plot Output (*_V.m2t): The time specification dialog allows the user to specify how often to output the global solution (in hours). The vector plot output time specification corresponds to the global velocity solution file (*.m2v).
Time Specification for Global Elevation Output (*_E.m2t): The time specification dialog allows the user to specify how often to output the global solution (in hours). The scalar plot output time specified is associated with the times at which M2D will write out the global elevation file (*.m2s).
Hot Start: Checking the Hot Start Output File box allows the user to specify a time at which a file of the same format as the initial conditions file will be written. The hot start file can be later used as an initial conditions file for subsequent model runs. The user specifies a prefix for the hot start file and the time into the run at which the file will be written.
Output File Prefixes:
Global Velocity Output (*.m2v): By checking this toggle box, a global velocity solution will be written out by M2D at the times specified in the M2D Output Time Specification dialog for Vector Plot. The file extension “.m2v” is appended to the prefix specified. The file format contains a line with the time step, followed by subsequent lines for each ocean cell with four values: x-position in longitude, y-position in latitude, u velocity, and v velocity. Velocity values have units of m/s.
Global Elevation Output (*.m2s): The explanation for the Global Velocity applies here, with the difference being that a global elevation solution will be written out. The file format is the same as that of the global velocity solution file, with the exception that the u and v velocity values are replaced by the water level in meters at each cell.
Global Bottom Change Output (*.m2s): The file written out for the global bottom change file is associated with sediment transport. This file also contains the “.m2s” extension, so the prefix should be different from that for the global elevation solution file. The format is the same as the global elevation file, with the difference that the water level value at each cell is replaced by the change in the bottom elevation in meters.