Importing EPANET data
Introduction
EPANET v2 networks can be imported into InfoWorks WS Pro. You must first export your EPANET model as text files. InfoWorks WS Prodoes not import the binary format (.NET) files.
The EPANET software package simulates hydraulic and water quality behaviour in pressurised pipe networks. EPANET is produced by the United States Environmental Protection Agency. For further information, see the EPANET 2 User Manual.
Models created in older versions of EPANET can also be imported, but it is strongly recommended that you convert them to Epanet Version 2. To convert your old models, load them into EPANET 2, then export the network. See the EPANET documentation for how to do this.
Exported EPANET models can include the following text file types:
- Input file (.INP) - contains details of all the objects in the network; may contain coordinate information; required
- Map file (.MAP) - contains coordinate information and labels only; optional
- Scenario file (.SCN) - not used by InfoWorks WS Pro
If you include a map file in your import, it is possible that coordinate information in the map file will conflict with coordinate information in the input file. You can choose whether or not to overwrite existing coordinate information in the input file with coordinates from the map file.
Procedure
To import a network from EPANET files:
- Right-click the model group in either the Model Group window or Explorer window.
- From the context menu, choose Import | Model from
Epanet v2 Files.
This displays the Start page of the Epanet Import wizard. This page displays a basic introduction. To access the InfoWorks WS Pro help system before beginning the import process, click the Help button or press F1.
- Click Next to continue.
- On the Input File page, type in the name of the EPANET input (.INP) file, or search for it using the Browse button.
- Click Next to continue.
- If the selected .INP file does not contain coordinates, the Map File page will be displayed. (If the selected .INP file includes a coordinates
section, the Names page will be displayed, in which case skip this step.)
- Optionally include
an EPANET map (.MAP) file: type in the name or use the Browse
button.
Some input files contain details of an associated map file as part of the network data. In this case, the map file name will be filled in automatically.
- Click Next to continue.
The Names page will be displayed.
- Optionally include
an EPANET map (.MAP) file: type in the name or use the Browse
button.
- On the Names page, choose names for the network, control set, and demand diagram that will be created. The suggested names are based on the input file name.
-
Click Next to carry out the import process.
When import is complete, the Finished page will be displayed, showing feedback information about the import.
At the end of the import, three new items will be added to the database:
- A network, with the name that was selected on the Names page.
- A control data set, with the name that was selected on the Names page.
- A new demand diagram, called Epanet Import, in a new demand diagram group with the name that was selected on the Names page.
After import is complete
Once the EPANET data has been imported, you will probably have to do some tidying up and add some additional data to complete the imported network.
Feedback from the import process is displayed on the Finished page, the last page of the Epanet Import wizard. This feedback is saved in the description data for all three imported items:
- Network
- Control set
- Demand diagram
To access this description, right-click the item (network, control set, or demand diagram) and choose Properties from the context menu. Then go to the Description page of the Properties dialog.
The Epanet conversion notes topic discusses some of the issues involved in the import process.
