Export HEC‑RAS to Shapefiles Command
It is quite easy to export a HEC‑RAS model to GIS shapefiles, allowing the HEC‑RAS model data to be shared with GIS and other software.
Follow the steps below to display the Export HEC‑RAS to Shapefiles command:
- From the Input ribbon menu, click on the Export Data dropdown menu and then select Export HEC‑RAS to Shapefiles command.
- The Export HEC‑RAS to Shapefiles dialog box will be displayed.
The following sections describe the Export HEC‑RAS to Shapefiles command and how to interact with the above dialog box.
Selecting Shapefile Type to Export
The Select Shapefile Type to Export section allows the user to select whether the GIS shapefiles should be saved into a directory folder or packaged together as a single ZIP compressed file. Using a ZIP file facilitates sharing the shapefile data with other users and for purposes of archiving the project.
Clicking on the […] browse button adjacent to the HEC-RAS shapefiles folder radio button option will display the HEC-RAS Shapefiles Folder dialog box, which allows the user to select a file path to export the GIS shapefiles.
Clicking on the […] browse button adjacent to the HEC-RAS shapefiles archive (ZIP) file radio button option will display the Export HEC-RAS Shapefiles Archive (ZIP) File dialog box, which allows the user to define the zip archive file for storing all GIS shapefiles.
HEC‑RAS Input Data
This section allows the user to select which HEC‑RAS input data to export. The checkbox option at the HEC-RAS Input Data section header allows the user to enable or disable the section and its underlying elements to be exported. Each HEC‑RAS element type is placed in its own shapefile. For example, cross sections are placed in a cross-section shapefile, whereas river reaches are placed in a river reach shapefile. Also, 3D polyline elements, such as cross sections, are written out as 3D polyline shapefiles.
HEC‑RAS Output Data
This section allows the user to select which HEC‑RAS output results to export. The checkbox option at the HEC-RAS Output Data section header allows the user to enable or disable the section and its underlying elements to be exported. In addition, the user can select which flood map profiles to export; write out the water edge points (points at the edge of the main channel of the water) as a point file; and export flood map contours and 2D flow velocity arrows in a shapefile.
While exporting flood map results, the software removes ponded areas and holes with areas less than 1000 square feet from the exported results. However, the user can interactively measure the area from the Map View by clicking on the [Measure] button.
Other Options
The Overwrite existing shapefiles checkbox option allows the software to overwrite existing shapefiles with the same file name.
Exporting the HEC‑RAS Model
After the options have been defined, click the [Export] button and the software will export the HEC‑RAS data to shapefiles.
Cross sections are exported out as 3D polylines. These 3D polylines represent the 3D horizontal stationing and elevation of the HEC‑RAS cross section geometry.
Only the current scenario (or plan) will be exported to shapefiles. Separate shapefiles will need to be created if multiple scenarios are to be exported.
