Available now as a free upgrade for Bentley SELECT subscribers, WaterGEMS users will benefit from dozens of new features that make V8i much faster, powerful, and easier than ever!
Video: Learn what's new in WaterGEMS V8i - presented by Dr. Tom Walski
What's new in V8i (SELECT Series 1)? | What's new in V8i? | What's new in V8 XM? | FAQs
Key new features in WaterGEMS V8i (SELECT Series 1)
DARWIN SCHEDULER MODULE
Darwin Scheduler is a new optimization module included in WaterGEMS. Darwin Scheduler helps engineers find the optimal pump scheduling strategy by optimizing your choice of energy use or cost. It handles both variable and constant speed pumps.
SCADACONNECT MODULE
SCADAConnect 25-signal is now included in WaterGEMS. SCADAConnect links your WaterGEMS models with your Supervisory, Control, and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system, creating real-time system simulators that boost your confidence in models as reliable decision-support tools.
PRESSURE ZONE MANAGER
The Pressure Zone Manager automates the process of identifying the multiple pressure zones of a water distribution system and their characteristics.
The Flow Balance feature allows users to visualize their model results by pressure zones so that they can easily determine the areas with excessive or insufficient pressures, for example.
ENHANCED SCENARIO COMPARISON
The Scenario Comparison Manager is an excellent way to track scenarios and compare different strategies, especially since differences between scenarios can be subtle.
Modelers can visualize these differences in a detailed table to compare variations in properties from one scenario to another, or directly on the network drawing to easily and quickly identify which elements are different between scenarios.
QUICKER PROFILE CREATION
The enhanced profile creation process allows users to pick each end of the profile path, as opposed to having to pick every pipe along the path. WaterGEMS will automatically select the profile path.It also offers modelers the choice to add waypoints to guide WaterGEMS select the right profile path.
SYSTEM HEAD CURVE FOR CLOSED SYSTEM SUPPORTED
System head curves can now be created for closed systems using a Pressure Dependent Demand alternative, function, and calculation option.
UPDATED GIS AND CAD INTEROPERABILITY
WaterGEMS can now support the following versions when running within ArcGIS, AutoCAD, or MicroStation:
- ArcGIS 9.3.1
- AutoCAD 2010
- MicroStation 08.11.07.163
Prior versions of ArcGIS, AutoCAD, and MicroStation are also supported.
PERFORMANCE IMPROVEMENTS
- Better performance for large models.
- Faster Genetic Algorithm calculations.
- Pressure engineer improvements.
Key new features in WaterGEMS V8i
UPDATED GIS AND CAD INTEROPERABILITY
Support for ProjectWise V8i: Manage WaterGEMS files using the ProjectWise project team collaboration system.
Support for ArcGIS v9.3 platform: Run WaterGEMS on the ArcGIS 9.3 platform (ArcGIS license required - if you don't have any ArcGIS license, you can choose to run WaterGEMS on its stand-alone platform).
Support for AutoCAD 2009 platform: Run WaterGEMS on the AutoCAD 2009 platform (AutoCAD license required - if you don't have any AutoCAD license, you can choose to run WaterGEMS on its stand-alone platform).
Support for MicroStation V8i platform: Run on the MicroStation V8i platform (MicroStation license required - if you don't have any MicroStation license, you can choose to run WaterGEMS on its stand-alone platform).
IMPROVED MODEL BUILDING
Easier model maintenance with GIS-ID property: The new GIS-ID property can be used for maintaining associations between records in your source file and elements in your model.
ModelBuilder improvements (to create new models or update existing ones from various different data sources):
- Oracle spatial support for ModelBuilder.
- Possibility to import a subset of data using where queries. This allows users to filter the data to import only the information they need, without having to change the data from its original format.
- Automatic creation of selection sets containing model elements that were either added or updated.
- Update the currently selected scenario or create a new child scenario during the data import process. Using a child scenario allows you to see the changes that were made by ModelBuilder during the last model-build operation.
EASIER MODEL MANAGEMENT
Demand Control Center improvements enable users to filter by zone and analyze statistics.
Improved performance on large all-pipe models.
Easily and quickly create a prototype for new element by right-clicking any element in the drawing view and selecting the ‘Create Prototype’ menu option.
New Merge Nodes in Close Proximity tool to automatically merge duplicate nodes and reconnect conduits.
ENHANCED OPERATION MODELING
Award-winning Darwin Calibrator module for leakage detection: Engineers can now also use the included module to leverage flow and pressure data to find locations for detailed sonic leak detection.
New air release valve element to more accurately handle pumping over high points.
Flushing simulation to help utilities and municipalities plan, analyze, and optimize flushing programs to control and improve water quality in their water distribution systems. Engineers can optimize flushing programs with multiple conventional and unidirectional flushing (UDF) events in a single run.
RESULTS INTERPRETATION
Ability to create Google Earth (KML) files for results display.
Key new features in WaterGEMS V8 XM
INTEROPERABILITY AND MODEL BUILDING
New MicroStation platform: Build, edit, run, and visualize your water model leveraging MicroStation's geospatial engineering environment.
All-inclusive ArcMap interface: Access FlexTables, the Scenario Control Center, and every other WaterGEMS feature without ever leaving ArcMap.
Enhanced geodatabase integration: new transparent integration eliminates intermediate synchronization, benefiting data integrity and performance.
Stand-alone LoadBuilder module: You can now use LoadBuilder directly from the stand-alone interface to allocate demands using geospatial water consumption data sets.
Stand-alone TRex: Extract elevation information from DEM's, CAD contour files, shapefiles, and spot elevations directly from the stand-alone interface.
Thiessen polygon creator: Automatically create thiessen polygons around your model nodes to support demand assignment (LoadBuilder) methods that require service polygons.
DATA MANAGEMENT
Query-based selection sets: Manage persistent and dynamic element groups using advanced multi-parameter SQL queries.
Network Navigator: A powerful new utility to find and fix network topology and connectivity issues resulting from inconsistent source data.
Enhanced Undo/Redo support: Lay out elements, use FlexTables, and edit data with unlimited confidence with undo/redo support across your entire model.
Copy/Paste support from external sources: The new WaterGEMS V8 grids allow bi-directional Copy/Paste support. Great with spreadsheets and FlexTables!
OPERATIONS MODELING
Criticality analysis: Evaluate the consequence of failure across your entire system, and discover the assets with the highest hydraulic and operational impact.
Pressure-dependent demands: Calculate demands as a function of pressure to effectively model intermittent supply scenarios, sprinkler heads, and water loss.
New isolation valve element: Use this new element to model system segments, perform trace analyses, and find vulnerable infrastructure assets.
New hydrant element: Model hydrants as independent nodes leveraging the new pressure-dependent demands, and fire flow navigator features.
New variable-speed pump battery element: Model complex batteries of variable speed pumps using a single simplified element that correctly models series and parallel installations as a whole.
FIRE FLOW AND DEMAND MANAGEMENT
Fire Flow Navigator: Run system-wide fire flow analyses, and navigate your entire network to evaluate flows, velocities, and pressures for every element.
Hydrants: Model hydrants as independent nodes leveraging the new pressure-dependent demands, and Fire Flow Navigator features.
Demand Control Center: Globally manage simple, composite, and pressure dependent demands across your entire model.
Unit demand engineering libraries: Develop and maintain your own area, count, discharge, or population-based unit demands for quick demand estimation.
MAPPING AND PRESENTATION
Thematic mapping: Use property-based element-sizing, color-coding, and annotation, to easily visualize and map your input data and modeling results.
Background layer manager: A new utility to organize, group, customize, and display DXF, shapefile, BMP, JPEG, TIFF, PNG, GIF, and MrSID backgrounds.
GIS-style symbology: Configure your model to display zoom-dependent symbol sizes that dynamically change while navigating your model.
Advanced contouring: Superimpose unlimited contour maps directly on your system layout, and streamline map production with the new contour definitions.
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Frequently asked questions about WaterGEMS
When is WaterGEMS V8i going to be available?
WaterGEMS V8i is available now! Bentley SELECT subscribers can download it right away.
Is WaterGEMS "GIS-Centric"?
Yes, but WaterGEMS goes way beyond "GIS-centric" models. Even though WaterGEMS seamlessly integrates with ArcGIS, it also integrates with 3 other platforms. Learn more about WaterGEMS' superior interoperability technology.
Is the support for MicroStation included?
Yes. Support for MicroStation platform comes standard with WaterGEMS, as well as the stand-alone, ArcGIS, and AutoCAD integration features.
Do I need MicroStation, ArcGIS, or AutoCAD licenses available to use WaterGEMS?
Not at all. WaterGEMS is all about interoperability. While competing "GIS-Centric" offerings require an ArcGIS license to run your model, WaterGEMS gives you four options out of the box, including a stand-alone interface that doesn't have any platform pre-requirement.
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