The Project Explorer (which could also be referred to as a "Data Tree") is a dockable window that appears by default on the left side of the SMS screen. This window displays a hierarchical tree structure representing all of the data currently being managed in an SMS simulation. The project explorer includes the following functionality:
The data tree includes one "Module type" folder for each type of data, including:
scatter sets
images
map data (coverages)
mesh
cartesian grids
boundary fitted grids
CAD entities
Each of these folders in the Project Explorer may contain several sub folders. For example, a simulation may includes several scattered data sets, each of which would consist of a folder under inside the "Scatter Sets" folder. Further, all data associated with a specific scatter set,, such as data sets of elevation or water level, are displayed as entities inside the scatter set folder.
Most of the interaction with Data Sets is accomplished with the Project Explorer. Data sets are listed below the object they are related to. If the active data set is transient, the available time steps are managed through the Time Step window at the bottom.
The explorer also includes tools to allow the user to split a vector data set into two component scalar sets, or combine two scalar data sets to create a vector data set. This is sometimes done to allow interpolation of vector quantities.
The user may select the current module by selecting a scatter set, grid, mesh or coverage entity in the tree. The selected entity also becomes the current entity when multiple entities may be loaded (like scatter sets or coverages). by selecting the folder or entry in the project explorer.
A toggle box appears to the left of each object in the project explorer. This toggle turns allows the object to be turned on/off without accessing display options.
Right clicking in the project explorer invokes an options menu for the data tree. This menu includes the following:
The user may select the current module (active menus and tools are based on the current module).
Conversion of visible entities to CAD format. This data is stored in its own folder in the tree by layers.
Tree management including collapsing, expanding, checking for display and unchecking for display.
Allows the user to set the Program Preferences.
Right clicking on a module folder in the project explorer invokes an options menu for that object. This includes accessing the display options and creating a new object of this type (such as a new coverage or new scatter set).
Right clicking on a geometric entity such as a mesh or scatter set in the project explorer invokes an options menu for that object. This includes:
duplicating the object (if that is legal)
converting the object to another data type (e.g. Mesh -> Scatter Set, Map -> 2D Mesh, . . .)
renaming the object
deleting the object
performing a coordinate conversion on that object
specifying metadata for that object.
allows access to the Info dialog which displays characteristics of the data set. These characteristics include statistics such as maximum, minimum, and range as well as mean and standard deviation. The name of the active data set can be edited from the Info dialog.
allows access to add or view metadata associated with the data set.
By right clicking on the background of the project explorer, the user is presented with