Digitising network objects

New network objects can be created on the GeoPlan,

the Long Section window, or on the appropriate grid view. Networks are version controlled objects: see Managing version controlled objects.

Detailed information on creation of individual object types can be found in the topics below.

Digitising objects on the GeoPlan

The procedures below are for creating nodes, links, polygons, and object groups in the GeoPlan.

To add a node object to the GeoPlan

    When adding nodes on the GeoPlan window, new nodes added close to the end of existing links that are not already connected to a node will be snapped to the link end.

  1. Click the New node (New node) icon on the Tools toolbar.

    The cursor changes to the Add Node cursor .

  2. Click the GeoPlan in the position where you want the new node.

    The Create New Node dialog is displayed.

  3. On the Create New Node dialog:
    1. Enter a unique node ID. (Node ID will be automatically populated if automatic node name generation is switched on.)
    2. Select the type of node to be created.
    3. If inserting a node into an existing link, check the Split box, and select the link to be split.

      These selections are already made if the node type must always split an existing link, and are dimmed if no alternatives are available.

    4. If required, set a flag for new link lengths.
    5. Click OK.

      6. The new node is created and displayed on the GeoPlan.

Note: Unless an option is set to stop this, the properties sheet for the new node is opened. You can enter additional properties now or later. If you change any node properties, click OK to save them. You can click Cancel to exit the property sheet without making any changes. The new node will not be removed.

To insert a new node into an existing link

    You have the option of adding a node into an existing link if you click the link on the GeoPlan window while in Add Nodes mode. InfoWorks WS Pro will split the current link to create two new links connected to the new node. All parameters for the two new links will be the same as those for the replaced link, except for the length, which will be automatically recalculated.

    Nodes created via the Long Section window will always be inserted into an existing link.

  1. Click the New node (New node) icon on the Tools toolbar.

    The cursor changes to the Add Node cursor .

  2. Click an existing link on the GeoPlan or Long Section where you want to add the new node.

    The Create New Node dialog is displayed.

  3. Enter a unique node ID and select the appropriate type.
  4. In the Split Existing Link area, make sure the Split checkbox is checked.

    This box will automatically be checked if creating a node in the Long Section window, or if the node type must always split an existing link.

    The dropdown box showing the link is dimmed if no alternatives are available.

  5. If required, set a flag.

    Setting the flag to #D will ensure that the new link lengths are calculated from the GeoPlan.

  6. When finished, click OK.

    The new node is created and displayed on the GeoPlan.

Note: Unless an option is set to stop this, the properties sheet for the new node is opened. You can enter additional properties now or later. If you change any node properties, click OK to save them. You can click Cancel to exit the property sheet without making any changes. The new node will not be removed.

There is no automatic re-assignment of customer points or spatial data. You will have to carry out this re-assignment yourself.

To create a link

    Note: If you connect either end of a link to a node which does not yet exist, or has no positional data, the link will be connected to the origin of the coordinate system at one end. If both ends have no positional data, the link will appear as a dot at the origin. To give the link a valid position you must change the position of its connected nodes.
  1. Click the Gifs/Shared/iwnlink.gif (New link) icon on the Tools toolbar to turn on Add Links mode.

    The cursor changes to the Add Link cursor .

  2. Click the node at the from end of the new link.

    If there is more than one node beneath the cursor, a dialog is displayed allowing you to select the from node. If you are unsure, zoom closer on the GeoPlan to separate the icons, and start again.

  3. The cursor is now attached to the from node by a red line.
  4. If you want the link to contain bends, clicke or more intermediate points .
  5. Click the to node to complete the link.

    The Create New Link dialog is displayed.

  6. Select the link type and, if necessary, enter a suffix .
  7. Click OK.

The new link is created and displayed on the GeoPlan.

Note: Unless an option is set to stop this, the properties sheet for the new node is opened. You can enter additional properties now or later. If you change any node properties, click OK to save them. You can click Cancel to exit the property sheet without making any changes. The new node will not be removed.

To add new nodes and links quickly on the GeoPlan window

    You can add single links or nodes using the appropriate tools as described previously. The problem with adding links using the simple method is that the two end nodes must already exist. There is a method that allows you to add nodes and links at the same time, to create a run of nodes and links quickly.

  1. Click the New link (New link) icon on the Tools toolbar.
  2. Hold down the Ctrl key and click the GeoPlan to add the from node.

    This displays the Create New Node dialog.

  3. Add an ID for the node and ensure node type and system type are correct (if appropriate).
  4. Click OK.

    If the node property sheet opens, you can edit the properties now, or close the sheet to continue adding nodes and links.

    You will see the cursor is attached to the newly created node with a red line.

  5. To create bends in the link, release the Ctrl key and click intermediate points.
  6. Hold down the Ctrl key again and click to add the new to node.

    This displays the Create New Node dialog again.

  7. Enter the details for the new node and click OK.
  8. If the property sheet appears, edit the properties if required and click OK.
  9. When, eventually, the Create New Link dialog is displayed, select the type and enter a suffix to make the link ID unique. If you do not enter a suffix, one is generated automatically.
  10. If the link property sheet is now displayed, you can edit link properties now or leave until later. Once you have closed the link property sheet, you can continue adding more nodes and links.
Tip: Rather than using Ctrl and click, you could simply click an existing node at either end of your new link.

To create a polygon or polyline

    New polygon and polyline objects are created on the GeoPlan window using the appropriate tools. See the Polygon and polyline objects topic for a list of appropriate creation tools for each type of polygon and polyline.
    Tip: Polygon objects can also be imported via the Open Data Import Centre.

    For object groups, refer to Creating object groups.

    Individual object types may have specific editing issues. Refer to the help for these objects for more information.

  1. Click the appropriate creation tool on the Tools toolbar.
  2. Click with the left mouse button to add the first point of the polygon or polyline to the GeoPlan.
  3. Click one or more intermediate points to add vertices.
  4. If you need to delete the previously drawn line, press the Backspace key. (This action can be repeated to delete each line in turn.)
  5. To finish marking out the polygon or polyline, double-click the mouse button:
    • For a polyline, the end point is added at the last point clicked on before the double-click.
    • For a polygon, double-clicking closes the polygon.

The appropriate property sheet is displayed. Object properties can be changed now or later.

If the new object is directly adjacent to an existing polygon or polyline, vertices of the new object can be snapped to vertices of the adjacent object. Individual points or a series of points can be snapped together.

When creating polygon and polyline objects it is also possible to:
  • Snap a vertex to the vertex of an existing polygon or polyline object.
  • Snap a run of vertices to another object.

Bear in mind that this functionality is generic to all types of polygon and polyline object, and may not always be appropriate. (Note that intermediate vertices in links cannot snap to other vertices.)

Once points are snapped together, they can be moved as a single point, as long as snapping mode is on.

To snap to existing vertices

    When creating a new polygon or polyline object, it is possible to snap vertices in your new object to vertices in existing polygon and polyline objects.

  1. Ensure that snapping mode is switched on.
  2. Click the appropriate creation tool on the Tools toolbar (see Polygons and Polylines).
  3. Click the left mouse button to add each new vertex.
  4. To snap the new point to an existing vertex in another object, move the cursor close to the existing vertex.
  5. When the cursor is close enough to the existing vertex, a cross will be drawn over the vertex.
  6. Click the left mouse button and the new point will be snapped to the existing vertex.

Once the points are snapped together, they can be moved as a single point, as long as snapping mode is on.

To snap to a run of vertices

    When creating a new polygon or polyline object, it is possible to snap a series of vertices in the new object to a run of vertices in an existing polygon or polyline object.

  1. Ensure that snapping mode is switched on.
  2. Click the appropriate creation tool on the tool bar (see Polygon and polyline objects).
  3. Click the left mouse button to add each new vertex.
  4. To snap a series of new points to points in another object, start by snapping the first point of the series to the other object:
    1. Move the cursor close to the existing point.

      When the cursor is close enough to the existing point, a cross will be drawn over the point.

    2. Click the left mouse button and the new point will be snapped to the existing editing point.
  5. Move the cursor close to the final point of the series on the existing object.

    When the cursor is close enough to the existing point, a cross will be drawn over the point.

  6. There are now two options (these options will have the same effect when snapping to a polyline):
    • Hold down the Ctrl key and click with the left mouse button to follow the existing object by the shortest route.
    • Hold down the Alt key and click with the left mouse button to follow the existing object by the longest route.

A new point will be created to match each point passed in the existing object. The pairs of points will all be snapped together.

Once the points are snapped together, they can be moved as a single point as long as snapping mode is on.

To create node polygons using Thiessen polygons

    Node polygon boundaries can be generated or updated using Thiessen polygons.

    To generate node polygon boundaries, create and select a bounding polygon within which to generate the node polygons. Boundary creation can be limited by selecting just some of the nodes within the bounding polygon. InfoWorks WS Pro can also optionally replace node polygons that already exist.

    Note: To improve the speed of node polygon generation, it is advisable to simplify polygon geometry.
  1. Draw a bounding polygon for the operation. Alternatively, import the bounding polygon via the Open Data Import Centre.
  2. Select the polygon on the GeoPlan window.
  3. If creation of node polygons is to be restricted to a selection of nodes, select the nodes in the GeoPlan, in addition to the general polygon. Alternatively, set up a selection list in advance to be included later in the process.
  4. Select Model Node polygons Create within selected polygons.

    This option is available only if a general polygon is selected.

    The Create Thiessen Node Polygons dialog will be displayed.

  5. On the Create Thiessen Node Polygons dialog:
    • If required, include a selection list.

      When creating the node polygon boundaries, only the nodes in the selection list will be used. If a selection is not specified, node polygons will be created for all nodes within selected polygons. Surrounding nodes outside of the selected polygon boundary will be used in addition to the nodes inside the polygon when creating node polygon boundaries.

    • Select whether to update existing node polygons. If the option is checked, existing boundaries will be replaced. If the option is unchecked, any node with an existing node polygon will be ignored.
  6. To complete the process, click OK.

InfoWorks WS Pro will now create Thiessen polygons for all selected nodes (all nodes if no selection was included). New node polygons are created for all selected nodes. Existing node polygons are updated if the update option was checked.

To create an object group by drawing a boundary

  1. Click the New object group (New object group) icon on the Tools toolbar.

    The cursor changes to a Subcatch cursor symbol.

  2. Mark out the sides of the object group by clicking and dragging the pointer.
  3. To delete a previously drawn line, press the Backspace key.
  4. To finish marking out the object group, double-click the mouse button.

    Once the object group has been marked out, the New Object Group dialog is displayed.

  5. Enter a unique name for the object group and select the object group type from the dialog.
  6. To create the object group, click OK.
Note: Unless an option is set to stop this, the properties sheet for the new node is opened. You can enter additional properties now or later. If you change any node properties, click OK to save them. You can click Cancel to exit the property sheet without making any changes. The new object group will not be removed.

The digitised polygon will be displayed on the GeoPlan. A symbol will also be displayed at the X and Y coordinates of the object group (set by default at the coordinates of the bounding rectangle of the polygon).

Tip: An object group polygon created via the GeoPlan will automatically contain the objects within the digitised polygon that are of the same type as the object group. For example, a reservoir group digitised on the GeoPlan will contain all reservoir objects within the digitised polygon.

For further general information on creating and editing polygon objects in the GeoPlan, see Polygon and polyline objects.

To create an object group from a selection of objects

    Object groups can be created from the current selection of network objects.
    Note: There is no polygon associated with an object group created from a selection of objects.
  1. Select network objects on the GeoPlan window to be included in the object group.
  2. Select Selection Create object group from selection.

    The New Object Group dialog will be displayed.

  3. On the New Object Group dialog, enter a unique name for the object group and select the object group type.
  4. To create the object group, click OK.
Note: Unless an option is set to stop this, the properties sheet for the new node is opened. You can enter additional properties now or later. If you change any node properties, click OK to save them. You can click Cancel to exit the property sheet without making any changes. The new object group will not be removed.

While adding the object group, or later, position details in the x and y fields of the grid can be added. A symbol will be displayed at the specified x and y coordinates.

Creating customer points and spacial data

  1. Click the button on the Tools toolbar to turn on the Add Customer Points / Spatial Data mode.
  2. Click the GeoPlan in the position where the new customer point or spatial data item is to be added.

    The Create New Customer Point / Spatial Data dialog is displayed.

  3. Enter a unique name and select the appropriate type of data to be added.
  4. Click OK.

The new customer point or spatial data item is created and displayed on the GeoPlan.

The property sheet may then be displayed depending on the digitisation options set in the General page of the GeoPlan Properties And Themes dialog. You can enter additional properties on the property sheet now or later. If you change any properties, click OK to save them. Click Cancel to exit the property sheet without making any changes. The new customer point / spatial data will not be removed.

To create nodes using the Long Section window

    Nodes can be created in the Long Section window. Nodes created in this way will always be inserted into an existing link.

  1. Click the New node (New node) icon on the Tools toolbar to turn on Add Nodes mode.

    The cursor changes to the Add Node cursor Add node.

  2. Click the Long Section view on the link into which you want to insert the new node.

    The Create New Node dialog is displayed.

  3. On the Create New Node dialog:
    • Enter a unique ID. (Node ID will be automatically populated if automatic node name generation is switched on.)
    • Select the type of node to be created.
    • Click OK.

      The new node is inserted into the link and displayed on the GeoPlan window and Long Section view.

      The property sheet for the node is displayed.

  4. You can enter additional properties on the Node Property Sheet now or later. If you change any node properties, click OK to save them. You can click Cancel to exit the property sheet without making any changes. The new node will not be removed.

Creating objects on the Network Grid window

  1. Select the correct grid window for the type of object to be added. (See Network object grid views.)
  2. Scroll the grid down to the append row.

    The append row is marked with a Asterisk in the left-most column.

  3. Type information for the new object in the primary key columns of the append row. In particular type in a unique ID.

    As soon as any data is entered, the icon on the left will change to Pen.

    Other parameters can be added to the append row now, but it is not essential.

  4. To save the new object, move off the current row by clicking another row in the grid.

    If the ID of the new object is not unique, a message dialog will be displayed. If this happens, click OK to dismiss the message dialog, then enter a new ID into the grid and save by clicking another row in the grid.

    Alternatively, if you want to abandon creation of the object, click the grid close button Close dialog. Dismiss the message about the duplicate object, then click Yes on the message dialog that asks you whether you want to close the grid without saving the changes.

Important note about nodes, customer points and spatial data

While adding the node / customer point / spatial data item, or later, you can add position details in the x and y fields of the grid. You can type these in or use copy and paste.

You can also set the position of the node by going to the GeoPlan and moving the node there.

If you do not enter positional data, the network object will be displayed on the GeoPlan at the origin of the current coordinate system.

Important note about links

If you connect either end of the link to a node which does not yet exist, or has no positional data, the link will be connected to the origin of the coordinate system at one end. If both ends have no positional data, the link will appear as a dot at the origin. To give the link a valid position you must change the position of its connected nodes.

Important note about object groups

While adding the object group, or later, position details in the x and y fields of the grid can be added. A symbol will be displayed at the specified x and y coordinates. There is no polygon associated with an object group created via the grid view.

Parent topic: Digitising the Network