argus_details2


	Argus ONE - finite-element and finite-difference pre and postprocessors Argus ONE Categories: model interfaces and modeling shells, modflow programs *Argus ONE Description (Cont'd)*

	Build a Conceptual Model in Argus ONE Calculating Complex Equations Using Argus ONE Export to All Numerical Models Using Argus ONE Argus ONE Postprocessing and Graphics

	Build a Conceptual Model of Your Problem Domain in Argus The Argus Open Numerical Environments (Argus ONE) enable you to begin your work by creating a conceptual model of your problem domain. For each of the domain characteristics, you define Information, Data or Maps Layers, which are databases containers and into which you then import your information. If your problem domain definition involves many parameters or is made of many geological formations, each having many parameters defining it, you can create as many information layers as required to store all of the different information types. By setting relations and links between information and data layers you create a data flow model which enables you to define new entities needed to describe your problem domain. Thus you can create relations such as the thickness of a geological formation by subtracting its top and bottom topography maps. Each object you create or import into information layers is a GIS object having a graphical representation and a data representation which you can edit on screen. *Dynamic Information Linking* Linking your data flow to numerical grids and meshes enables you to make your data available for your numerical model. By storing your conceptual model and your information in linked layers and not directly on your grids and meshes, Argus ONE allows you to refine your meshes and grids while it automatically reassigns the data to them. Argus ONE is the only product in the market that supports dynamic information linking.

Creating a conceptual model is performed by just clicking buttons in the Layers Dialog to create layers and naming the layers to reflect their contents. Each layer can be assigned as many layer parameters as needed which serve as the layer's database fields. Thus if for instance your information file holds the Kx, Ky, Kz components of the distribution of a physical parameter, you can create three layer parameters to hold each of the components.

To transform the conceptual model to a model of your specific problem domain all you have to do is to import your information files into the layers you've defined. Argus ONE supports many file formats for importing your information, such as DXF, Argus ONE contour format, and scattered data. The information you import is stored as dynamic objects having both database and graphical representations, enabling you to view and edit their "shape/location" as well as their values.

The following picture demonstrates how a contour map representing the spatial distribution of a parameter such as topography, bathymetry, concentration, or initial head distributions can be imported into the Argus Open Numerical Environments Workplace.


	The following picture demonstrates how a scattered data file representing the surveyed distribution of a parameter can be imported into the Argus Open Numerical Environments Workplace.

Calculating Complex Equations Using Argus ONE
To easily calculate complex expressions use Argus ONE's expression editor and the abundance of functions supplied. You can calculate the "thickness" of a geological formation, the mass through an element or a block, the length of a "river" or "fault" crossing an element or a block and the mass it contributes to them. You can also interpolate any parameter onto a grid or a mesh. Using these powerful tools will save you many programming hours. Argus ONE (spreadsheet-like) expressions can contain Mathematical, Trigonometric, Logical, Search, GIS, Grid, Mesh, Block, Node and Element functions. To create expressions, use algebraic and boolean operators.

Mathematically Manipulate Your Data
Manipulating your information is easily performed by combining your database structure and the abundance of functions and operators available through Argus Open Numerical Environments (Argus ONE) expressions. Argus ONE expressions allow you to easily perform math, trig, string, GIS, logical, search and other operations on information stored in your Argus ONE layers. Argus ONE expressions are also available in the export template thus allowing you even greater control over your output format.

Expressions allow you to compute entities such as:

Thickness of a geological formation
Artificial distributions of physical parameters
Effective mass entering an element, node or block
Automatically assign boundary condition types and values to elements, nodes, and blocks
Control element and block size (mesh/grid density)
Calculate your model's output mass balance
Calculate your local matrices
View initial conditions distribution
Any relation between your information, data, mesh and grid layers

Creating Expressions:

Manipulating your information is performed by creating expressions in the Expression dialog presented below. The expression below calculates the saturation level in an unsaturated zone based on a retention curve (van Genuchten, 1980), for flow in a vertical cross section.

Accessing Functions
Argus Open Numerical Environments' graphical user interface enables you to access all functions available through menus thus reducing syntax errors. Moreover, when you approve an expression, Argus ONE tests the expression for syntax and mathematical errors and informs you of the nature of your error. The following screen shot shows the Functions menu of a grid type layer.


	*Accessing Information Parameters* All the layers you create to store your information are called by their names and are available through menus so that you do not have to memorize your layer names. The following screen shot shows the Layers menu presenting the available layers and layers' parameters (fields).

Export to All Numerical Models Using Argus ONE
Whether you develop your own numerical models, use public domain models or work with commercial models, Argus ONE enables you to do all your pre and postprocessing in one friendly environment and export the data you linked to your grid and mesh to all your models. Using the Export Template dialog, you create an export template for each of the models you use and save it to disk. Whenever you need to export your data to a model, just load the appropriate export template form disk and choose the Export menu. Using export templates, Argus Open Numerical Environments users export their data to different models such as:

All USGS public domain models such as MODFLOW, MOC, SUTRA, etc.
Commercial numerical models such as: COSMOS/M, MATLAB, ECLIPSE, etc.
Self Developed models.

Export Data to Any Model
Exporting your meshes or grids and all data associated with them to ASCII files for your numerical model is accomplished using export templates. Each Argus MeshMaker module is equipped with a default export template specifying the default format Argus ONE will export your meshes or grids when you export your project.

Define Your Own Format
Export templates give you full control over your export file format. This enables you to directly export the information you've created in Argus MeshMaker to any numerical model you use in the exact file format the model requires.

In an export template, you can specify into which files you want to redirect the output, which parameters you need to export, set the delimiters, set the format of a parameter, loop over nodes, elements and blocks, calculate new expressions during export, set the number of characters in a line, etc.

Define Export Templates for Many Models
You can name each export template you create, save it to disk, and load it when needed. This enables you to maintain as many export templates as you need for the various models or versions of a model you use.

The export template is created using the Construct Export Template dialog. The template is written in a scrip- like language. You can either use the dialog buttons to construct an export script, or write an export script in you favorite text editor and load it later into Argus MeshMaker.

Dynamic Export Templates
You can create dynamic templates like those used by Argus MeshMaker. Dynamically-defined templates are constructed of script commands and script command arguments that are resolved during the export process. Script commands can invoke Argus ONE expressions thus allowing you full access to the parameters you created while creating your conceptual model and dynamic links. For instance, if you use the command "Loop over Parameters" (Parameters is the loop iterator) in a script, Argus MeshMaker will loop over the number of parameters (information fields) linked to nodes or elements in your mesh layer while exporting it and export all of them. Free export templates are available for downloading.

Argus Postprocessing and Graphics
Using the new postprocessing tools, you can present and investigate your model results in the same window you've created your model input. The six new scientific visualization methods are: 3D Surface, Color Map, Contour Map, Vector Diagram, Particle Pathlines, and Cross Section.

Visualize Model Input and Output
The Argus Open Numerical Environments (Argus ONE) supports postprocessing as well as preprocessing. Argus ONE is the only pre and postprocessing environment that can be utilized with all numerical models you use and develop.

Being fully integrated within the Argus ONE workplace, these postprocessing capabilities allow you to visualize and investigate your model results in the same environment you prepare your model input.

Site Visualization
Visualization tools in Argus ONE also allow you to visually investigate the data you prepare using the preprocessing tools of the application. Thus, for example, you can create a 3D surface describing the nodal values of a geological formation roof, of the bathymetry of a lake, or perform a full site characterization.


	Continue Tour of Argus ONE


	Argus ONE Overview Argus ONE Detailed Description Argus ONE Prices Argus ONE Demo


	[ Home ]

[ Products ]

[ Order ]

[ Contact ]

[ Catalog ]


	Scientific Software Group P.O Box 708188 Sandy, Utah 84070 Phone (801) 208-3011 Toll Free (U.S.) 1-866-620-9214 Fax (801) 302-1160 E-mail info@scisoftware.com Copyright 1998 Scientific Software Group All rights reserved

Argus ONE Description (Cont'd)