Options Backstage Page

In CivilGEO's software, the user can control various settings at the project and application levels which can be used for modeling a project. These settings can be viewed and modified from the Options backstage page under the File ribbon menu.

The Options backstage page is further divided into Project Options and Application Options.

The following sections describe different options available under the Project Options and Application Options.

Project Options

The Project Options allow the user to control various project-level settings of the model. The changes made within the Project Options change the overall setting at the project level. These changes are temporary and automatically updated based on the settings applied to the project.

The following table summarizes the Project Options available in each CivilGEO software:

The different sections under the Project Options are as follows:

General Preferences

This section is common in GeoHECHMS, GeoHECRAS, and GeoSTORM. Refer to this article in our knowledge base to learn about the options available under the General Preferences section.

HEC-HMS Options

The options available under this section are as follows:

Note: This section is only available in GeoHECHMS.

• HEC-HMS analysis engine
  This dropdown combo box entry allows the user to select which HEC-HMS analysis engine version should be used for the analysis computations.

This section also provides the option to choose the default hydrology methods for different HEC-HMS elements.

• Subbasin Methods
  The available subbasin methods are Infiltration, Runoff, Baseflow, Storage, and Canopy. To learn more about these subbasin methods, refer to this article in our knowledge base.

• Subbasin Results Roundup
  In GeoHECHMS, the user can set the decimal digit precision for subbasin output results such as Impervious, Curve Number (CN), and TOC/Lagtime.

• Subbasin Initial Abstraction Ratio
  The Initial abstraction ratio entry field allows the user to manually adjust the initial abstraction ratio for subbasins.

• Reach Routing Methods
  The available routing methods are Kinematic wave, Lag Time, Lag Time & Attenuation, Modified Puls, Muskingum, Muskingum Cunge, Normal Depth, and Straddle Stagger. To learn more about these reach routing methods, refer to this article in our knowledge base.

• Reach Loss/Gain Method
  The available reach loss/gain methods are Constant Loss/Gain and Percolation Loss. Note that the Percolation Loss method is only active when Modified Puls or Muskingum Cunge is selected as the reach routing method. To learn more about Reach Loss/Gain methods, refer to this article in our knowledge base.

• Storage Area Routing Methods
  The available Storage Routing methods are Outflow Curve, Outflow Structures, and Specified Release.

• Storage Area Storage Methods
  • If Outflow Curve is selected as the Storage Routing method, the available Storage Methods will be Elevation-Area-Discharge, Elevation-Storage-Discharge, and Storage-Discharge.
  • If Outflow Structures or Specified Release is selected as the Storage Routing method, the available Storage Methods will be Elevation-Area and Elevation-Volume.
• Diversion Methods
  The available diversion methods are Constant Discharge, Inflow Diversion Table, Lateral Weir, Pump Station, and Time Series. To learn more about these diversion methods, refer to this article in our knowledge base.

• Source Discharge Methods
  The available source discharge methods are Constant Discharge and Discharge Hydrograph.

• Meteorology Precipitation Types
  The available precipitation types are Frequency Storm, HMR52 Storm, Inverse Distance Weighted, Rain Gage, Rainfall Distribution, SCS Storm, Specified Hyetograph, and Standard Project Storm. To learn more about meteorology precipitation types, refer to this article in our knowledge base.

• Meteorology Precipitation Data Source
  This dropdown combo box entry is used to select a precipitation data source which can be used to retrieve the rainfall data for the selected storm frequency and storm duration. The dropdown entry provides the option to choose the precipitation data source for the USA, Austria, Ontario, and Germany.

• Meteorology Evapotranspiration Types
  The available meteorology evapotranspiration types are Annual Evapotranspiration, Monthly Average, and User-Defined. To learn more about meteorology evapotranspiration types, refer to this article in our knowledge base.

Decimal Digit Precision

This section is common in GeoHECHMS, GeoHECRAS, and GeoSTORM. This section allows the user to set the decimal digit precision for various model variables. Note that the Decimal Digit Precision section is common for both the Project Options and Application Options.

The software contains the following model variables:

Clicking the [Reset] button resets the decimal digit precision to default values.

HEC-RAS Analysis Engine

This section allows the user to select which version should be used for the analysis computations. To learn more about the HEC-RAS Analysis Engine section, refer to this article in our knowledge base.

Note: This section is only available in GeoHECRAS.

Default Values

The options available under this section are as follows:

Note: This section is only available in GeoSTORM.

• Manhole sump depth
  This entry field allows the user to define the sump depth required at the manhole. The sump depth of a manhole represents the vertical offset from the manhole bottom invert elevation to the lowest invert of the connected pipes.

• Minimum Time of Concentration (TOC)
  This spin control entry allows the user to define the minimum time of concentration (in minutes) to prevent high runoff estimates for small subbasins. If the software computes a TOC less than the value specified in this entry, the software will use the defined Minimum TOC. Note that this entry is not applicable for the EPA SWMM hydrology method.

• Maximum Time of Concentration (TOC)
  This checkbox spin control entry allows the user to define the maximum time of concentration (in minutes) that will be utilized in the runoff computations. If the software computes a TOC greater than the value specified in this entry, the software will use the defined Maximum TOC. If this entry is unchecked, then the computed TOC is not maximum value limited.

• Subbasin - Initial abstraction ratio
  This entry field allows the user to manually adjust the initial abstraction ratio for subbasins.

• Manhole freeboard depth
  This entry field allows the user to define the freeboard height of the manhole. The freeboard height is the distance between the rim elevation of the manhole and the water surface level.

Warning Checks

The options available under this section allow the user to check whether the defined model is outside the bounds of acceptable engineering practice. These values are used to generate warning messages in the report output.

Note: This section is only available in GeoSTORM.

• Maximum allowable ground cover
  This entry field allows the user to define the maximum ground cover over a pipe. This entry is used to check that the pipe is not placed too deep below the terrain surface, where an excavator cannot dig the required trench depth to bury the pipe.

• Minimum allowable ground cover
  This entry field allows the user to define the minimum ground cover over a pipe. This entry is used to check that the pipe does not come too close to the terrain surface, preventing the pipe from being crushed when vehicles travel over it or freezing during the winter season.

• Maximum allowable peak pipe velocity
  This entry field allows the user to define the maximum allowable pipe velocity during the storm peak to prevent pipe joints from separating and to provide sufficient flow to flush debris. In cases where the pipe velocities are larger, anchor collars may be required.

• Minimum allowable peak pipe velocity
  This entry field allows the user to define the recommended minimum pipe velocity during the storm peak to prevent the build-up and deposition of solids.

• Maximum & minimum allowable pipe slopes
  This read-only field allows the user to define the maximum and minimum allowable pipe slopes from a design perspective. Clicking the [Define] button displays the Allowable Pipe Slopes dialog box that allows the user to define the recommended maximum and minimum pipe slope from a design perspective.

• Peak depth/element depth capacity
  This spin control entry allows the user to define the ratio of peak depth to element depth to make certain that there is a reserve built into the flow link (i.e., pipes, channels, etc.) elements. If the computed ratio is larger than the value specified in this entry, the output value will be colored red.

• Peak flow/design flow capacity
  This spin control entry allows the user to define the ratio of peak flow to design flow capacity to make certain that there is a reserve built into the flow link (i.e., pipes, channels, etc.) elements. This entry defines the percentage ratio of peak flow computed for the pipe by EPA SWMM to Manning’s pipe flow equation for the pipe. If the computed ratio is larger than the value specified in this entry, the output value will be colored red.

• Peak headwater depth/culvert height ratio (HW/D)
  This entry field allows the user to define the ratio of headwater depth to culvert height for the corresponding culvert set, expressed as a ratio (HW/D) where HW is the total depth of water (measured from the invert of a culvert), and D is the interior height of the culvert barrel.

• Maximum allowable gutter spread
  This entry field allows the user to define the maximum allowable gutter spread at a catch basin inlet. If the computed gutter spread is larger than the value specified in this entry, the output value will be colored red.

• Reset
  Clicking the [Reset] button resets the warning check values to default values.

Application Options

The Application Options allow the user to control various application-level settings of the model. The changes made within the Application Options change the overall settings of the project at the application level. These changes will always be applied by default to the project when it is prepared.

The following table summarizes the Application Options available in each CivilGEO software:

The different sections under the Application Options are as follows:

General Preferences

This section is common in GeoHECHMS, GeoHECRAS, and GeoSTORM. Refer to this article in our knowledge base to learn about the options available under the General Preferences section.

HEC-HMS Options

This section and its underlying model variables are similar to the HEC-HMS Options section of the Project Options, except for the Lock selected engine for imported models checkbox option. This checkbox option causes the software to lock the selected HEC-HMS analysis engine for analysis computations in all imported models. By default, this checkbox is checked. Refer to the Project Options part of this article to learn more about these model variables.

Decimal Digit Precision

This section and its underlying model variables are similar to the Decimal Digit Precision section of the Project Options. Refer to the Project Options part of this article to learn more about them.

Save Options

This section is common in GeoHECHMS, GeoHECRAS, and GeoSTORM.

The options available under this section are as follows:

• Retain backup files when closing program
  If this option is checked, then the software creates and retains the project's backup file. If this option is unchecked, then closing the program automatically deletes the existing backup file from the project folder.

• Include model input files with archived projects
  If this option is checked, the software will include input files with the archived project. To learn more about project archiving, refer to this article in our knowledge base. Note that this checkbox option is not available in GeoSTORM.

• Autosaving project every
  The Autosave project every option allows the user to set the time interval at which the project will automatically be saved. To learn more about project backup and autosaving, refer to this article in our knowledge base.

• Auto clear pyramided elevation DEMs cache every
  If this option is checked, the software will automatically clear cached pyramid layers of elevation DEMs at a set interval to free up storage and ensure up-to-date data.

• Auto clear LIDAR point clouds cache every
  If this option is checked, the software will automatically clear cached LIDAR point cloud data at a set interval to optimize storage and maintain performance.

• Google Street View image compression
  This dropdown combo entry allows the user to compress the image size (in Percentage) captured from the Google Street View command. To learn more about Google Street View image capturing, refer to this article in our knowledge base.

• Clear Cache
  Clicking the [Clear Cache] button displays the Clear Cache dialog box that allows the user to clear the cache memory for previously loaded base maps, pyramided elevation DEMs, and LIDAR point clouds. To learn more about the Clear Cache dialog box, refer to this article in our knowledge base.

User Interface

This section is common in GeoHECHMS, GeoHECRAS, and GeoSTORM.

The options available under this section are as follows:

• Theme
  This dropdown combo box entry allows the user to select a theme for the application interface. The available options are: Dark, Light, and Use System Setting.

• Map background color
  This dropdown combo box entry allows the user to change the map background color with the available color options. The available options are: White, Black, Dark Gray, Medium Gray, Light Gray, Linen, Cornsilk, Light Peach, Light Blue, and Light Green.

• Mouse wheel zoom
  This dropdown combo box entry allows the user to select the behavior of the mouse wheel with respect to zooming within the application. The available options are: Wheel up zooms in, Wheel up zooms out, and No action.

• Snap aperture (pixels)
  This spin control entry allows the user to specify the size of the Snap aperture in pixels. Using this option, the software automatically snaps to the nearest adjoining complementary object within its snapping aperture.

• Snap distance
  This entry field allows the user to specify the snapping distance (i.e., radial distance) used by the software to automatically snap to the nearest HEC-HMS element within the set snap distance or range.

• Maximum number of recent projects
  This spin control entry allows the user to specify the number of recent projects displayed in the "Recent Projects" list for quick access.

• Display “Recent Projects” on application startup
  If this option is checked, the software will show a list of recent projects when the application starts.

• Confirm deletions
  If this option is checked, the software will always prompt the user to confirm the deletion of the project element(s).

• Confirm element split
  If this option is checked, the software will always prompt the user to confirm the splitting of a project element.

• Recompute dimensions on element edits
  If this option is checked, the software will automatically recompute the dimensions of the edited element whenever the user edits a model element.

• Hide “Ask Simon” link on desktop
  If this option is checked, the software will hide the “Ask Simon” AI-enabled technical assistance link from the desktop.

• Hide Google logo on Map View
  If this option is checked, the software will hide the Google logo from the map view in the application interface.

• Application update notifications
  If this option is checked, the software will enable notifications to inform users when a new software update is available.

HEC-RAS Analysis Engine

The options available under this section are as follows:

Note: This section is only available in GeoHECRAS.

• HEC-RAS analysis engine
  This dropdown combo box entry allows the user to select which HEC-RAS analysis engine version should be used for the analysis computations.

• Lock selected engine for imported models
  This checkbox option causes the software to lock the selected HEC-RAS analysis engine for analysis computations in all imported models. By default, this checkbox is checked.

To learn more about the HEC-RAS Analysis Engine section, refer to this article in our knowledge base.

Other Options

This section contains the Automatically reduce geometry points to checkbox entry that allows the user to automatically filter out unnecessary station-elevation points from project geometry. To learn more about geometry point reduction, refer to this article in our knowledge base.

Note: This section is only available in GeoHECRAS.

Default Values

This section and its underlying model variables are similar to the Default Values section of the Project Options. Refer to the Project Options part of this article to learn more about them.