Tuflow and estry manual Version 3

2.2Data Input

2.2.1Structure

Figure 2 .1 illustrates the data input and output structure. Text files are used for controlling simulations and simulation parameters, whilst the bulk of data input is in GIS formats. The GIS approach offers several benefits including:

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  the unparalleled power of GIS as a “work environment”;
  
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  the many GIS data management, manipulation and presentation tools;
  
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  input data is geographically referenced, not 2D grid referenced, allowing the 2D cell size to be readily changed;
  
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  substantial cost savings in not having to develop a specialised graphical interface;
  
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  efficiency in producing high quality GIS based mapping for reports, brochures, plans and displays;
  
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  handover to clients requiring data in GIS format; and
  
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  better quality control.
  

A GIS system is used to set up, modify, thematically map and manage the data. At the time of writing the recommended GIS is MapInfo, however, applications using other GIS platforms is planned. It is also intended to offer the ArcGIS shape file (.shp) format in a future release as an alternative to the .mif//mid format.

For time-series data and other non-geographically located data, spreadsheet software is used.

Figure 2.1 TUFLOW Data Input and Output Structure