About model groups and their contents
Model data and results in the master database are organised into a flexible hierarchy, which groups the elements of your database into manageable units. The top level of the database hierarchy is called the model group. Each master database contains one or more model groups.
Model groups represent the main divisions within your work. Each model group defines an area of work, containing all the data needed to run a series of models on a particular network.
There are no strict rules about how a model group is defined; you can choose whatever method best suits your organisation. For example, a water company may have a model group for each modelling area while a consultant could set up a model group for each client.
You may also create additional levels in the database hierarchy by defining subsidiary model groups within a top-level model group. For example, if a model group represents a client then this may contain a lower-level model group for each major project with that client.
The contents of model groups are easily changed so it does not matter if you start with a group that turns out to be inappropriate. InfoWorks WS Pro provides simple methods for reorganising model groups.
As well as lower-level model groups, a model group can also contain run groups (which contain one or more runs), networks (definitions of the model objects), stored selections, SQL queries, and other types of group.
When created, most database items are empty. However, some database items are specially designed to contain the current state of some aspect of your work, so that this snapshot can be reused. These items are populated with data when you create them. For example:
- Layer lists - are created with details of the additional map layers currently loaded on the active GeoPlan window.
- Label lists - contain details of label settings on the GeoPlan and Long Section views
- Themes - a saved theme can be created based on a current theme in the GeoPlan window. This allows themes to be reapplied quickly as needed.
- Selection lists - are created containing a list of the currently selected network objects. Opening the selection list at a later time will reselect these objects.
- Workspaces - contain a list of currently open views and view settings.
