Working with scenarios

Scenarios can be used to model variations of a network simultaneously without the need to create separate branched networks.

Scenarios can be applied to the currently open network or control.

Note: Scenarios are available only for networks and controls that are managed under the merge method of version control.

Creating a scenario

  1. With a network or control open, click the (Create scenario) button of the Scenarios toolbar.
    Alternatives:
    • Select Scenarios Create scenario.
    • Click the (Manage scenarios) button of the Scenarios toolbar, then click the Create button.
    • Select Scenarios Manage scenarios, then click the Create button.

    The Create New Scenario dialog is displayed.

  2. Enter a name for the scenario in the New scenario name box.

    A scenario ALWAYS originates from a base network (network in GeoPlan). However, should you want your newly created scenario to be the copy of another scenario rather than a copy of the base network, check the Copy an existing scenario checkbox. This is particularly useful if you have scenarios in which you have made a large amount of changes that you want to investigate further in subsequent scenarios. This saves you having to make all of these changes in a scenario copied from the base network.

  3. If the checkbox is ticked, select the scenario you want to make a copy of in the Scenario to copy drop-down box.

    The Notes box allows you to enter any desired notes about the new scenario.

  4. To create the scenario, click OK.

Renaming a scenario

  1. Ensure that the scenario to be renamed is the current scenario for the network or control, then click the Rename scenario (Rename scenario) button of the Scenarios toolbar.

    Alternative:

    • Select Scenarios Rename scenario.

    A dialog is displayed showing the current name of the scenario.

  2. Type in the new name for the scenario.
  3. To change the scenario name, click OK.

Deleting a scenario

    To delete a scenario using the toolbar or menus:

  1. Ensure that the scenario to be deleted is the current scenario for the network or control, then click the Delete scenario (Delete scenario) button of the Scenarios toolbar.

    Alternative:

    • Select Scenarios Delete scenario.

    A message asking you to confirm deletion is displayed.

  2. To confirm deletion, click Yes.

To delete a scenario using the Manage Scenarios dialog:

  1. With a network or control open, click the Manage scenarios (Manage scenarios) button of the Scenarios toolbar, or select Scenarios Manage scenarios.

    This displays the Manage Scenarios dialog.

  2. Select the scenario to be deleted.
    Caution: You will not be prompted for confirmation when deleting a scenario via the Manage Scenarios dialog.
  3. If you are sure that you want to delete the scenario, click the Delete button.

    The scenario is deleted.

Comparing a scenario with the base

  1. Open the Manage Scenarios dialog by clicking the Manage scenarios (Manage scenarios) button of the Scenarios toolbar or by selecting Scenarios Manage scenarios.
  2. Select the scenario to be compared with the base network.
  3. Click the Diff button.

    A report is displayed, highlighting the differences between the scenario and the base network it derives from.

  4. Close the Manage Scenarios dialog.
  5. Close the report.

Comparing two scenarios

  1. Open the Manage Scenarios dialog by clicking the Manage scenarios (Manage scenarios) button of the Scenarios toolbar or by selecting Scenarios Manage scenarios.
  2. Select two scenarios by using a combination of the mouse and the Ctrl keyboard key.
  3. Click the Diff button.

    A report is displayed, highlighting the differences between the two scenarios.

  4. Close the Manage Scenarios dialog.
  5. Close the report.

Making a scenario the base

    It is possible to make a scenario the base. This is particularly useful if you have a scenario that you are happy with and that is the final result of your feasibility study.

    Caution: You are not asked to confirm this procedure after you have clicked the Reintegrate button.
  1. Open the Manage Scenarios dialog by clicking the Manage scenarios (Manage scenarios) button of the Scenarios toolbar or by selecting Scenarios | Manage scenarios.
  2. Select the scenario you want to be the base network.
  3. When you are certain that you want to proceed, click the Reintegrate button.

    The scenario is promoted to base network and the "old" scenario disappears from the list of scenarios.

Creating a new base network from a scenario

    It is possible to copy an existing scenario and make the new network the base. This is particularly useful if a particular scenario is favoured amongst other management options and users wish to create a brand new network for this one scenario with a view to creating scenarios from it.

  1. Open the Manage Scenarios dialog by clicking the Manage scenarios (Manage scenarios) button of the Scenarios toolbar or by selecting Scenarios Manage scenarios.
  2. Select the scenario you want to copy.
  3. Click the Duplicate button.

    The Create New Object dialog is displayed, with a suggested name for the new network.

  4. Change the name if required and select a model group to be the home of the new network.

    The new base network is checked out and appears in the Model Group window. The selected scenario, and the base network from which it is derived, are still present.

Editing scenario notes

    It is possible to add to or edit the notes for a scenario after the scenario has been created.

  1. Open the Manage Scenarios dialog by clicking the Manage scenarios (Manage scenarios) button of the Scenarios toolbar or by selecting Scenarios Manage scenarios.
  2. Select the scenario whose notes you want to edit.
  3. Click the Edit Notes button.
  4. The Edit Scenario Notes dialog is displayed.
  5. Carry out the edits required, then click Save.
  6. If you also want to edit the notes for another scenario in the Manage Scenarios list, use the Next or Previous buttons to step through the scenario notes until the required notes are displayed.
  7. When you have finished editing and have saved the notes, click Close to close the Edit Scenario Notes dialog.

Viewing the properties of excluded objects

    Excluded objects are objects that are present in the base network but not in the current scenario. You can see the excluded objects on the GeoPlan as "ghost" objects.

  1. Ensure that the scenario with the excluded objects is the current scenario for the network.
  2. Click the Excluded objects grid (Excluded objects grid) button of the Scenarios toolbar.
    Alternative:
    • Select Scenarios Excluded objects grid.

    A grid window is opened that lists the excluded objects and shows their properties. The properties are read-only.

    The grid is organised in tabs to accommodate each object type.

Restoring excluded objects

    Excluded objects are objects that are present in the base network but not in the current scenario. You can see the excluded objects on the GeoPlan as "ghost" objects.

  1. Ensure that the scenario with the excluded objects is the current scenario for the network, so that you can see the excluded objects as "ghost" objects on the GeoPlan.
  2. Click the Restore excluded objects (Restore excluded objects) button of the Scenarios toolbar.

    Alternative:

    • Select Scenarios Restore excluded objects.

    A message box asks you to confirm that you want to restore the stated number of excluded objects.

    The excluded objects are restored to the current scenario.

Parent topic: Scenarios