Share a simulation analysis

Export a simulation analysis result to share with others. A simulation can be shared in the following ways:

• As a collection of TIFF images as the simulation progresses.
• As a collection of multidimensional CRF raster datasets.
• As a video using an animation.
• As a single image at a moment time. Use the Capture To Clipboard button in the Output group of the Share tab to capture the current simulation status.
• In a project, map, or layer package.

  Note:

  Rasters used to define depth and infiltration are not included when shared as a layer package.

Export a collection of TIFF images

You can export a simulation as a collection of TIFF images. To do this, complete the following:

1. On the Simulation tab, in the Export group, click Analysis Results .

   The Export Simulation pane appears.

2. Under the File heading, provide the following:
   • Name Prefix—The leading characters of the resulting file's name.
   • Location—The location to save the file. Provide a location in the text box, or click Browse to browse to the location where you want to save the file.
   • Vertical Units—The vertical unit that will be used to generate the result.
3. Under the File heading, for Format, choose TIF files.
4. Under the Water Levels heading, set the simulation values to export from the available options:
   • Water Depth—A single-band raster containing values for the depth of the water above the analysis elevation surface, for example 0.1m.
   • Water Absolute Height—A single-band raster containing values for the absolute height of the top of the water surface. This is calculated by adding the absolute height above sea level of the analysis surface with the depth of the water (such as 0.1m) at that location. For example, if the analysis surface is at 20m above sea level and the water depth is 0.1m at a location, the absolute height of the water surface would be 20.1m.
   • Water Velocity Vector—A two-band raster containing U-V component values that represent the net vector of water moving out of the cell. These values are used for symbology and determining the magnitude and direction of the water flow.
   • Water Speed—A single band raster containing values for the speed of the water—for example 2.1 meters per second.
5. Set the interval of the export from the available options:
   • Using the layer's cache interval—Export all cached images at the default step interval. This is the default.
   • Number of iterations—Split the analysis into an equal number of sections. For example, a number of 10 for a 30-minutes scenario would export an analysis result for every third minute of simulation time.
   • Time step—Only export the images that occur at a set interval of time, for example, every 15 minutes.
   • Current State (only)—Export one image showing the currently displayed state.

   An informational warning appears at the bottom of the pane indicating what will be generated.

6. Optionally, check the Include the simulation initial state option to include the starting image.

   By default, this is not included.

7. Click Export.

   A progress dialog box appears. When the export is finished, click View exported file(s) in the pane to see the exported simulation file in your operating system's file explorer.

A collection of TIFF images in the same coordinate system as the scene is saved to the specified location. Each image is uniquely named using the Name Prefix value, an underscore, the simulation value type, another underscore, and the simulation time stamp in decimal seconds. For example, a frame showing water depth at 4.5 seconds would be named NamePrefix_WaterDepth_000450.tif and another frame at 2 minutes, which is 120 seconds, would be named NamePrefix_WaterDepth_012000.tif.

Tip:

To export the analysis as an animation, export the simulation with a granular time step, such as every minute, and compile the images using time.

Export a collection of multidimensional CRF raster datasets

You can export a simulation as a collection of multidimensional CRF raster datasets. To do this, complete the following:

1. On the Simulation tab, in the Export group, click Analysis Results .

   The Export Simulation pane appears.

2. Under the File heading, provide the following:
   • Name Prefix—The leading characters of the resulting file's name.
   • Location—The location to save the file. Provide a location in the text box, or click Browse to browse to the location where you want to save the file.
   • Vertical Units—The vertical unit that will be used to generate the result.
3. Under the File heading, for Format, choose CRF.
4. Under the Water Levels heading, set the simulation values to export from the available options:
   • Water Depth—A single-band raster containing values for the depth of the water above the analysis elevation surface, for example, 0.1m.
   • Water Absolute Height—A single-band raster containing values for the absolute height of the top of the water surface. This is calculated by adding the absolute height above sea level of the analysis surface with the depth of the water (such as 0.1m) at that location. For example, if the analysis surface is at 20m above sea level and the water depth is 0.1m at a location, the absolute height of the water surface would be 20.1m.
   • Water Velocity Vector—A two-band raster containing U-V component values that represent the net vector of water moving out of the cell. These values are used for symbology and determining the magnitude and direction of the water flow.
   • Water Speed—A single band raster containing values for the speed of the water, for example 2.1 meters per second.
5. Set the interval of the export from the available options:
   • Using the layer's cache interval—Export all cached images at the default step interval. This is the default.
   • Number of iterations—Split the analysis into an equal number of sections. For example, a number of 10 for a 30-minutes scenario would export an analysis result for every third minute of simulation time.
   • Time step—Only export the images that occur at a set interval of time, for example, every 15 minutes.
   • Current State (only)—Export one image showing the currently displayed state.

   An informational warning appears at the bottom of the pane indicating what will be generated.

6. Optionally, check the Include the simulation initial state option to include the starting image.

   By default, this is not included.

7. Click Export.

   A progress dialog box appears. When the export is finished, click View exported file(s) in the pane to see the exported simulation file in your operating system's file explorer.

A multidimensional CRF raster dataset in the same coordinate system as the scene is saved to the specified location. Each CRF is uniquely named using the Name Prefix value, an underscore, and the simulation value type. For example, a CRF showing water depth would be named NamePrefix_WaterDepth.crf.

Tip:

To export the analysis as an animation, export the simulation with a granular time step, such as every minute, and step through the results using the time slider to see the progression of the water depth and extent.

Export a time-aware animation

You can export a simulation as a video using an animation.

Flood simulation layers must be time-aware to connect real world time to simulation time. This allows the time-slider and animation keyframes to control the current time of the simulation. You can define how fast time progresses in the video—for example, show two hours of flood simulation time in a 20 second video—as well as pausing the simulation at important moments—for example, at the 34-minute mark when water first crosses a causeway.

The workflow is to time-enable the simulation layer, add an animation to the scene, and then iterate through the simulation configuring time for the scene and creating keyframes. When the animation is exported, the map's time will control the captured speed of the flood simulation in the video.

To create a time-aware animation for flood simulation, complete the following:

Tip:

Before creating an animation, it is recommended you finalize the simulation scenario and run it through to completion. This ensures the simulation is fully cached and you can focus on the video authoring and export process.

1. In the Contents pane, right-click the simulation layer and click Properties .

   The Layer Properties dialog box appears.

2. On the Time tab, choose the The simulation layer begins at a specific time option and set the Time Extent value to be the date and time the simulation begins.

   The default start date and time value is the most recent past hour in local time. It can be changed—for example, to a specific moment when a historic storm reached an area. Altering the start date and time value does not impact simulation analysis as it is calculated using relative time.

   The end time value cannot be edited as it is automatically calculated using the duration of the simulation layer.

3. Optionally, set the Time Zone property for the layer.

   This is recommended when working with multiple layers across various time zones.

4. Optionally, set a Time Offset value for the data.

   This allows you to align and visualize multiple temporal datasets through time.

   Learn about applying a time offset to the temporal data

5. Click OK to apply the changes and close the Layer Properties dialog box.
6. On the View tab, in the Animation group, click Add .

   The Animation tab and Animation Timeline pane appear; you'll use them to build an animation for the current scene.

7. In the scene, hover over the time slider and click the Time Disabled toggle button on the starting-time side of the slider to enable time.

   • The toggle button updates to reflect its current Time Enabled state.
   • Blue tick marks appear on the time slider to indicate the time-step value. These values are based on the cached moments of the flood simulation layer, which is configured in the Step section on the Time ribbon tab.
   • By default, the slider shifts to the beginning to display the first time step. Optionally, drag the time slider to pick an alternate start time. Alternatively, click the Step Forward / Step Back to step through each step of the simulation cache.

8. Navigate the scene so that the area of interest is fully visible.
9. In the Animation Timeline pane, click Create first keyframe.

   • The view is cropped to the default export aspect resolution. This can be changed on the Export Movie pane.
   • A keyframe appears in the pane.

10. Move the time slider to the moment of time the video should end. Optionally, navigate in the scene to a different final point of view.
11. In the Animation Timeline pane, click Append Next Keyframe to create the final keyframe.
12. On the Animation ribbon tab, in the Playback group, set the Duration value to be equal to the length of the simulation.
13. Optionally, enable time-driven visual effects for sun lighting and clouds.
14. Optionally, add dynamic overlay text to show the progression of time.
15. On the Animation tab, in the Export group, click Movie .

    The Export Movie pane appears.

16. Choose a preset option from the Movie Export Presets gallery by clicking the thumbnail—for example HD720.
17. For File Name, type the output file name including the folder path, for example, C:\Videos\FloodScenario1.mp4.
18. Click Export.

    A progress dialog box appears. When the export is finished, click Play the video in the pane to see the exported animation file in your operating system's default media player.