In GeoSTORM software, the Profile Plot command allows the user to view the pipe profile plot, including pipe profile paths and connecting nodes (i.e., manholes, junctions, storage areas, and terminal outfalls). The user can also perform stormwater analysis using this command.
Follow the steps below to use the Profile Plot command:
- From the Results ribbon menu, select the Profile Plot command.
- The Profile Plot dialog box will be displayed.
The following sections describe the Profile Plot command and how to interact with the above dialog box.
Plot Specifications
This panel of the dialog box contains different sections that define specifications for the pipe profile paths.
Selecting Pipe Profile Path
The table under the Define Profile Path section displays the pipes or routing reaches that make up the pipe profile path. The user can select from a pipe/routing reach/manhole/junction at both ends of the pipe profile path. The software will then automatically determine the connected pipes/routing reaches between them that make up the pipe profile path.
Follow the steps below to manually select the pipes/routing reaches to be defined as the pipe profile path:
- Click the [Pick] button to select the pipe/routing reach/manhole/junction from the Map View that make up the pipe profile path.
![Define Profile Path section - [Pick] button](https://knowledge.civilgeo.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Profile-Plot-Command-Image-3.png)
- The Profile Plot dialog box will temporarily disappear, allowing the user to select the specific pipe/routing reach/manhole/junction from the Map View.
- Once finished, press the [Enter] key or right-click and select Done from the displayed context menu.
- The dialog box will be redisplayed, and the total number of selected pipes/routing reaches will be shown in the Total selected read-only field.
- The selected pipe profile path will also get added under the Select profile path dropdown combo box.
Pipe Profile Path Table
After selecting pipe/routing reach/manhole/junction at both ends of the pipe profile path, the table under the Define Profile Path section displays the list of all the user-selected pipes/routing reaches and their associated properties. The user can also select from the already saved pipe profile paths from the Select profile path dropdown combo box.
The following options and properties are provided in the table available under the Define Profile Path section:
- Lock/Unlock
This table column contains a padlock icon that defines whether a row is locked or unlocked. Unlocking a row allows the software to compute properties for the pipe/routing reach, as well as allows the user to manually edit the invert elevation entries. By default, the rows are unlocked.
- Pipe/Reach ID
This read-only table column lists the pipe or reach IDs for the selected pipe profile path.
- Upstream Invert Elevation
This editable table column defines the pipe/reach upstream invert elevation. If the row is locked, then this entry is displayed as a read-only field.
- Downstream Invert Elevation
This editable table column defines the pipe/reach downstream invert elevation. If the row is locked, then this entry is displayed as a read-only field.
- Maximum Ground Cover
This read-only table column defines the computed maximum ground cover measured from the top of the pipe (crown) along the length of the pipe/reach.
- Minimum Ground Cover
This read-only table column defines the computed minimum ground cover measured from the top of the pipe (crown) along the length of the pipe/reach.
- Element Length
This read-only table column defines the pipe/reach element length.
- Element Slope
This read-only table column defines the computed pipe/reach element slope.
Notes:
- Clicking the [Clear] button will clear the current pipe profile path from the Define Profile Path Additionally, the populated data in the table will be emptied.
- Clicking the [Delete] button displays a confirmational dialog box. This dialog box allows users to delete the selected pipe profile path.
Saving Pipe Profile Paths
The user can save the currently selected pipe profile path for the user-selected pipe profile path elements. Clicking the [Save Profile Path] button displays the Save Profile Path dialog box that allows the user to name and save the current pipe profile path.
Note that within the current scenario, the IDs of the pipe profile paths that are to be saved must be unique. Therefore, if the user defines the same pipe profile path ID as an existing path, the software will confirm whether to overwrite the existing pipe profile path.
Profile Computation Options
This section allows the user to select the elevation source from which to extract the elevation data for determining the pipe profile path.
If the Profile Computation Options checkbox is unchecked, the options contained within this section will be disabled (i.e., grayed out). The following two panels are available in this section:
- Primary Elevation Data
- Secondary Elevation Data
The Primary Elevation Data and Secondary Elevation Data panels are used to define the primary and secondary (if available in the project) elevation data sources for extracting the elevation data. Depending on the selected elevation data source type, the content of these panels changes to include the additional elevation data information.
When a secondary elevation data source is available, the software forms a concave hull around the primary elevation data source to identify its bounds. For locations where elevation data from the primary data source are unavailable, the software will use elevation data from the secondary data source.
Note that the user cannot utilize the same data source to define both the primary and secondary elevation data.
The user can click the [Swap Sources] button to swap the selected elevation source from primary elevation data to secondary elevation data and vice versa.
Profile Design Checks
This section allows the user to define the design checks to be utilized in reviewing the pipe profile path.
The following options are provided in this section:
- Recommended maximum allowable ground cover above pipe
This checkbox entry field allows the user to define the value for the recommended maximum allowable ground cover above the 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.
Notes:
- This checkbox option is disabled (i.e., grayed out) if there is no terrain elevation surface defined in the model.
- If the computed ground cover is larger than the value defined in this entry, the corresponding cell will be displayed in red color.
- Recommended minimum allowable ground cover above pipe
This checkbox entry field allows the user to define the value for the recommended minimum allowable ground cover above the 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 due to vehicular travel or freezing during the winter season.
Note that this checkbox option is disabled (i.e., grayed out) if there is no terrain elevation surface defined in the model.
- Recommended maximum allowable peak pipe velocity
This checkbox 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.
Note that if the computed velocity is larger than this entry, the corresponding cell will be displayed in red color.
- Recommended minimum allowable peak pipe velocity
This checkbox entry field allows the user to define the minimum allowable peak pipe velocity during the storm peak to prevent the build-up and deposition of solids.
Note that if the computed velocity is less than this entry, the corresponding cell will be displayed in red color.
- Recommended maximum and minimum allowable pipe slopes
This checkbox entry field allows the user to define the maximum and minimum allowable pipe slopes from a design perspective. Clicking the [Define] button will display the Allowable Pipe Slopes dialog box that provides an editable table, allowing the user to edit the maximum and minimum allowable pipe slopes along with pipe diameter values.
After editing the required table values, the user can click the following buttons:
- [Calc] – This button will cause the software to compute the maximum and minimum pipe slopes using the predefined equations.
- [Reset] – This button will restore the default values in the table.
- [OK] – This button will save the user’s changes and close the dialog box.
- [Cancel] – This button will discard any changes made by the user and close the dialog box.
Note that if the pipe slope is outside the defined allowable pipe slopes, the corresponding table value will be displayed in red color.
- Recommended maximum pipe capacity ratio
This checkbox entry field 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 pipe. The user can adjust the value for the recommended pipe maximum capacity ratio using the spin control.
Notes:
- The user can enter different values ranging from 50 to 100.
- If the computed ratio for a pipe is above the defined value, the corresponding cell will be displayed in red color.
- Recommended maximum allowable reach velocity
This checkbox entry field allows the user to define the maximum allowable reach velocity during the storm peak.
- Recommended minimum allowable reach velocity
This checkbox entry field allows the user to define the minimum allowable reach velocity during the storm peak.
- Recommended minimum allowable reach slope
This checkbox entry allows the user to define the minimum allowable reach slope from a design perspective.
Resetting Profile Design Checks
The [Reset] button allows the user to reset the options available in the Profile Design Checks section to their default values. Clicking the [Reset] button displays the following confirmational dialog box.
Click the [Reset] button again to reset the design check values back to their default values. To abort the process, click the [Cancel] button.
Profile Plot Manhole/Junction Labels
This section allows the user to define manhole/junction labels in the published pipe profile path.
The following options are provided in this section:
- Manhole/Junction ID
This checkbox option is used to include the manhole/junction ID with a vertical leader above the manhole/junction in the published pipe profile path.
- Horizontal station, format
This checkbox option is used to include the horizontal station with a vertical leader above the manhole/junction in the published pipe profile path. The user can select a horizontal station format from the following horizontal station formats listed in the adjacent dropdown combo box:
- 100
- 1+00
- 1000
- 1+000
- Starting station
This entry field is used to define the starting horizontal station for the leftmost manhole/junction. The default horizontal station value is 100. The value defined in this entry field is saved at the project level.
- Rim elevation
This checkbox option is used to include the rim elevation with a vertical leader above the manhole/junction in the published pipe profile path. The corresponding label displayed in the published pipe profile path is Rim Elev.
- Invert (sump) elevation
This checkbox option is used to include the invert elevation with a vertical leader above the manhole/junction in the published pipe profile path. The corresponding label displayed in the published pipe profile path is Invert Elev.
- Pipe/reach invert elevations
This checkbox option is used to include the invert elevations of the pipes/reaches connected to the manhole/junction with a vertical leader above the manhole/junction in the published pipe profile path. The corresponding labels displayed in the published pipe profile path are Pipe In and Pipe Out.
- Max HGL elevations
This checkbox option is used to include the HGL (Hydraulic Grade Line) elevations in the pipes/reaches connected to the manhole/junction with a vertical leader above the manhole/junction in the published pipe profile path. The corresponding labels displayed in the published pipe profile path are HGL In and HGL Out.
- Max EGL elevations
This checkbox option is used to include the EGL (Energy Grade Line) elevations in the pipes/reaches connected to the manhole/junction with a vertical leader above the manhole/junction in the published pipe profile path. The corresponding labels displayed in the published pipe profile path are EGL In and EGL Out.
Profile Plot Pipe/Reach Labels
This section allows the user to define pipe/reach labels in the published pipe profile path.
The following options are provided in this section:
- Pipe/reach ID
This checkbox option is used to include the pipe/reach ID below the pipe/reach in the published pipe profile path.
- Pipe/reach length
This checkbox option is used to include the pipe/reach length below the pipe/reach in the published pipe profile path. The corresponding label displayed in the published pipe profile path is Len.
- Pipe diameter, units
This checkbox option is used to include the pipe diameter below the pipe in the published pipe profile path. The user can select a pipe diameter unit from the following unit formats listed in the adjacent dropdown combo box:
US Units Metric (SI) Units Inches mm Feet cm Meters
The corresponding label displayed in the published pipe profile path is Dia.
- Pipe/reach slope, format
This checkbox option is used to include the pipe/reach slope below the pipe/reach in the published pipe profile path. The user can select a pipe/reach slope format from the following slope formats listed in the adjacent dropdown combo box:
- %
- ft/ft (or m/m)
The corresponding label displayed in the published pipe profile path is Slope.
- Minimum ground cover
This checkbox option is used to include the minimum ground cover label below the pipe/reach in the published pipe profile path. The corresponding label displayed in the published pipe profile path is Min Cover.
- Maximum ground cover
This checkbox option is used to include the maximum ground cover label below the pipe/reach in the published pipe profile path. The corresponding label displayed in the published pipe profile path is Max Cover.
- Maximum pipe/reach flow rate
This checkbox option is used to include the maximum flow rate below the pipe/reach in the published pipe profile path. The corresponding label displayed in the published pipe profile path is Max Flow.
- Maximum pipe/reach velocity
This checkbox option is used to include the maximum velocity below the pipe/reach in the published pipe profile path. The corresponding label displayed in the published pipe profile path is Max Vel.
- Maximum capacity ratio
This checkbox option is used to include the maximum capacity ratio below the pipe/reach in the published pipe profile path. The corresponding label displayed in the published pipe profile path is Max Cap.
Profile Results
The Profile Plot section under the Profile Results panel allows the user to view the profile plot along with the computed results displayed in the table under the plotted pipe profile.
The following options are available on the Profile Plot section header:
- Increase/decrease label font size
The user can increase or decrease the label font size in the profile plot using the label font size formatting buttons.
These changes are remembered for each pipe profile path. Therefore, each pipe profile path can have its own font sizes defined.
- Add/remove grid space
The user can add/remove grid space to/from the top or bottom of the profile using the grid space formatting buttons.
- Base scenario
This dropdown combo box allows the user to select a specific scenario from the available scenarios contained within the project. By default, the current scenario, along with the corresponding pipe profile path, is displayed.
Note that if the user selects a scenario that does not contain a valid pipe profile path, the Profile Path dropdown combo box is displayed cleared. Additionally, nothing will be plotted in the pipe profile plot.
- Compare with
This dropdown combo box allows the user to select the scenario(s) with which the base scenario can be compared. The HGL and EGL of the selected scenarios under this dropdown combo box will be plotted in the pipe profile plot if the EGL and HGL Hide/Show buttons are enabled.
- Profile Path
The Profile Path dropdown combo box lists all the pipe profile paths that are valid for the selected scenario. Note that this dropdown combo box displays the last defined pipe profile path if the user just switched from the Plot Specifications panel.
- Publish
The [Publish] button allows the user to print or export the profile plot to a PDF, graphic, or CAD file.![[Publish] button](https://knowledge.civilgeo.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Profile-Plot-Command-Image-21.png)
Clicking the [Publish] button displays the Publish Plot dialog box.
Refer to this article in our knowledge base to learn more about exporting profile plots.
Profile Plot Toolbar Commands
The toolbar commands available under the Profile Plot section allow the user to adjust the display properties of the profile plot.
The following toolbar commands are available under the Profile Plot section:
- Undo/Redo
The Undo command is used to reverse the last changes made by the user. The Redo command is used to reverse the changes just made by the user using the Undo command.
- Maximize/Minimize Plot
This command is used to maximize or minimize the profile plot.
- Show Profile View Outline
This command is used to enable or disable the display of the profile view outline.
- Manhole/Junction/Storage Area/Terminal Outfall Labels Hide/Show
This command is used to enable or disable the display of the manhole, junction, storage area, or terminal outfall labels in the profile plot.
- Pipe/Routing Reach/Roadway Crossing Labels Hide/Show
This command is used to enable or disable the display of the pipe, routing reach, or roadway crossing labels in the profile plot.
- Ground Surface Hide/Show
This command is used to enable or disable the display of the ground surface in the profile plot.
- EGL Hide/Show
This command is used to enable or disable the display of the energy grade line(s) in the profile plot.
- HGL Hide/Show
This command is used to enable or disable the display of the hydraulic grade line(s) in the profile plot.
- Intersecting Pipes Hide/Show
This command is used to enable or disable the display of the intersecting pipes in the profile plot.
- Graphical Element Editing Lock/Unlock
This command is used to lock or unlock the functionality for editing graphical elements in the profile plot.
- Data Grid Hide/Show
This command is used to enable or disable the display of the data grid available under the profile plot.
Profile Plot Data Grid
The following manhole/junction and pipe/reach parameters are provided in the data grid available under the Profile Plot section:
- Manhole/Junction ID
This editable entry displays the IDs of all the manholes/junctions contained within the selected scenario. The user can rename a manhole ID for the current scenario.
Note that renaming the manhole ID invalidates the computational results and clears the analysis result fields contained in the data grid.
- Rim Elev
This read-only entry displays the rim elevation for the corresponding manholes/junctions.
- Invert Elev
This editable entry displays the invert elevation for the corresponding manholes/junctions.
- Max HGL
This read-only entry displays the computational maximum HGL for the corresponding manholes/junctions.
- Max EGL
This read-only entry displays the computational maximum EGL for the corresponding manholes/junctions.
- Pipe/Reach ID
This editable entry displays the IDs of all the pipes/reaches contained within the selected scenario. The user can rename a pipe ID for the current scenario.
Note that renaming the pipe ID invalidates the computational results and clears the analysis result fields contained in the data grid.
- Length
This read-only entry displays the length of the corresponding pipes/reaches.
- Diameter/Depth
This dropdown combo box entry allows the user to select the internal diameter of the profile pipes or the depth of the reaches.
- Upstream Invert
This editable entry displays the upstream invert elevation of the pipes/reaches. The following buttons are available in this entry:
- Match Crown: The user can click the Match Crown button to match the crown of the pipe to the largest diameter pipe that already connects to the manhole.
- Match Invert: The user can click the Match Invert button to match the pipe invert elevation to the connecting node invert elevation (or the top of the manhole sump, if defined).
- Match Sump: The user can click the Match Sump button to match the pipe invert elevation with the connecting node’s sump elevation.
- Downstream Invert
This editable entry displays the downstream invert elevation of the corresponding pipes/reaches. The following buttons are available in this entry:
- Match Crown: The user can click the Match Crown button to match the crown of the pipe to the largest diameter pipe that already connects to the manhole.
- Match Invert: The user can click the Match Invert button to match the pipe invert elevation to the connecting node invert elevation (or the top of the manhole sump, if defined).
- Match Sump: The user can click the Match Sump button to match the pipe invert elevation with the connecting node’s sump elevation.
- Slope
This read-only entry displays the slope of the pipes/reaches. If the slope is less than the recommended minimum pipe/reach slope or greater than the recommended maximum pipe/reach slope, the corresponding cell is displayed in red.
- Max Flow
This read-only entry displays the computational maximum flow rate for the pipes/reaches.
- Max Velocity
This read-only entry displays the computational maximum velocity for the pipes/reaches. If the maximum velocity is less than the recommended minimum pipe/reach velocity or greater than the recommended maximum pipe/reach velocity, the corresponding cell is displayed in red.
- Max Ground Cover
This read-only entry displays the computed maximum ground cover measured from the top of the pipe (crown) along the pipe/reach length based upon the selected terrain surface. If the ground cover is greater than the recommended maximum ground cover, the corresponding cell is displayed in red.
- Min Ground Cover
This read-only entry displays the computed minimum ground cover measured from the top of the pipe (crown) along the pipe/reach length based upon the selected terrain surface. If the ground cover is less than the recommended minimum ground cover, the corresponding cell is displayed in red. - Max Capacity Ratio
This read-only entry displays the maximum capacity ratio for the corresponding pipe/reach. If the capacity ratio is greater than the recommended maximum capacity ratio, the corresponding cell is displayed in red.
The user can click the [Assign] button to assign the changes made in the profile plot data grid. Note that the [Assign] button will be disabled if the user does not make any changes in the profile plot.
Computing Profile Results
After defining the data in the profile plot data grid, the user can directly click the [Compute] button to perform stormwater analysis and compute the results. Alternatively, the user can close the dialog box and select the Compute Analysis command from the Analysis ribbon menu to perform stormwater analysis.