Exporting 2D to Raster

Time varying or summary results for a 2D cloud simulation can now be exported to raster files, in TIFF format, using the Export to 2D raster option in the Results menu.

You can choose to export all the result attributes from a selected 2D simulation or only the attributes you are interested in.

If you choose to export time varying results, you can also choose to export attribute results for a single timestep at a specific time or all results at a specified timestep interval.

Note: The size of the TIFF file to be exported cannot currently exceed 2GB. This should be sufficient for most files. If the file is larger than 2GB, the export will fail. If this occurs, you can, for example, try decreasing the resolution used for export as this will help decrease the size of the exported file. Or, if you are using User units, you may want to review your unit choice as this can also affect the exported file size. See Export 2D to Raster Dialog for further information.

Coordinate Systems and Geolocation of Exported Rasters

Exported TIFF rasters use the Alternative Coordinate System defined for the network to determine their spatial location. The raster’s origin, pixel resolution and extents are written using the linear units of that system.

InfoWorks ICM automatically applies the required conversion when the Alternative Coordinate System uses non-metric units, such as US Survey Feet or International Feet. As a result, rasters exported from models that use a non-metric CRS will appear in the correct location when opened in GIS applications that use the same coordinate system.

The exported TIFF also includes projection metadata, allowing GIS software to automatically recognise the coordinate system.

Tip: Before exporting, confirm that the Alternative Coordinate System matches the real-world CRS of the model. Using an incorrect CRS may cause exported rasters to appear shifted or misaligned in GIS tools.

See Selecting the Coordinate System for details on configuring the GeoPlan and Alternative Coordinate Systems.

Exporting The Results

To export results:

1. Ensure that summary results have been downloaded for the 2D simulation whose results you want to export.

   These can be either Full (time varying and summary) or Summary only results but, to ensure that the results for the correct 2D simulation are exported, summary results must be available in your local results folder.

2. Select Export 2D to raster from the Results menu.

   The Export 2D to Raster dialog is displayed.

3. Drag the applicable 2D simulation to the Sim/SWMM sim box on the dialog.

   The Attributes box will be populated with all the relevant attributes available in the selected 2D simulation for the selected type of Results.

4. Select which type of Results is to be exported. By default, this is Time varying.
5. Ensure that the appropriate type of Unit is selected. By default, this is Native (metric) but you can switch to User if you want the results to be exported in the currently defined User units.
   Note: Using User units may change the 'scale' and therefore the size of the exported files.
   Note: Result units (Native or User) apply only to attribute values such as depth or velocity.
   Note: The spatial reference of the raster always follows the Alternative Coordinate System and its linear units (meters, US feet, etc.), regardless of the Unit setting selected for result attributes.
6. Select the attributes you want to export the results for. You can either check individual boxes in the Attribute list to limit the export to the attributes you are interested in or click Select All to export all the available attributes in selected 2D simulation.
7. In the Resolution dropdown, select the resolution that you want to be used for the exported TIFF raster image.
8. If you want to export time varying results, in the Timestep options dropdown, choose:
   • Single - to export the selected attributes for a single timestep. The Time field is enabled so that you can specify the time for the timestep whose results are to be exported.
   • All - to export the selected attributes for all timesteps. The Timestep multiplier field is enabled, which you can use to specify the timestep interval for the results to be exported. For example, specifying 3 means that results for every third saved timestep are exported.
9. In the Export path field, specify the name and location of the folder where the exported files are to be saved to. You can either type in the path or use the (Browse) button to search for the applicable folder.
10. Click Export.

    If you exported summary results, a file for each selected attribute is exported to the specified folder. If you exported time varying results, a file is exported for each selected attribute at each applicable timestep.

For guidance on choosing and configuring the coordinate system used during export, see Selecting the Coordinate System.