Working with themes

The InfoWorks WS Pro thematic options allow you to view particular aspects of your data graphically.

For example, you can display a contour map based on the elevation of nodes, represent the thickness of pipes in the network by coloured lines of different width or illustrate other parameters, such as pipe roughness. You can also make changes to the way in which the network is displayed in the GeoPlan, including the display of symbols and pop-up labels, and the addition of arrows to indicate the direction of flow in links.

You can use the tabs on the GeoPlan Themes dialog to display many different parameters for nodes and links, and you can have all types of theme switched on at the same time.

Creating and saving themes

The following steps demonstrate how to use themes:

  1. Open the network in the GeoPlan view by right-clicking 'Newtown Network' in the Model Group window then selecting Open.
  2. First, you can display elevation contours:
    • Right-click the GeoPlan and select Properties & Themes. The GeoPlan Properties and Themes dialog is displayed.

      GeoPlan Themes WS

    • In the Contours row, click Edit (in the Theme column). The layer theme editor for contours is displayed. (Note that the base theme for contours is not editable, so you must create a sub theme.)
    • In the left panel of the layer theme editor, click the Add New button.
    • In the Name box, add a name for the sub theme (for example, "Elevation contours 1"). If you do not do this, a name will be added automatically that may not convey much meaning.)
    • From the Field drop-down list, select 'z (Elevation)'. A basic three-value scheme is shown.
    • Click Apply to see the new theme applied to the GeoPlan.
    • In the Ranged Themes area, increase the value count to 5 by clicking the plus button.
    • Click Apply to see the modified theme applied to the GeoPlan. You can now see that the highest point is in the south west.
    • For the highest value in the Value column, fill the adjacent box (in the Fix column) with a cross, then change the value to 200.
    • Also in the Value column, click AutoScale. Click Apply to see the modified theme applied to the GeoPlan.
    • Click AutoScale again and then Apply again, several times, to see how the various value distributions affect the representation of elevation contours on the GeoPlan.
    • Click OK to close the layer theme editor, but do not close the GeoPlan.
  3. You now need to save the theme you just created, because themes are discarded when you close the GeoPlan:
    • On the GeoPlan Properties and Themes dialog, click the Save button.
    • On the Save Options dialog, leave "Save to database object" as the selected option, then click OK.
    • In the Save Theme As dialog, expand the Newtown node and select the Theme Group section.
    • In the box at the top of the Save Theme As dialog, enter a name for the theme (for example "Saved Theme 1"), then click Save.
    • In the Select Properties To Save dialog, expand the Themes node to see that the contour theme you created is being saved, then click OK.
    • Click OK to close the GeoPlan Properties and Themes dialog.
  4. You can now apply the saved theme to the GeoPlan:
    • Close the GeoPlan and reopen it. The GeoPlan is shown without any themes.
    • In the Model Group window, in the Theme Group section, grab the theme you saved previously and drag it to the GeoPlan.
    • The contour theme is reapplied to the GeoPlan.

Turning off a theme

This can be done via the Properties and Themes dialog, or by using the Thematic Key window.

Via the Properties and Themes dialog:

Using the Thematic Key window:

Example of theme illustrating the elevation of individual nodes:

Example of illustration of pipe diameter on the network:

Example of theme showing pipe roughness:

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Related Topics button

About GeoPlan themes

Managing themes

GeoPlan window

Using property sheets