Export Grid/Mesh Data to Shapefile Dialog Box

The Export Grid/Mesh Data to Shapefile dialog box is used to export values of cells or elements to a Shapefile. Any data that can be used to color the grid or mesh can be exported as a Shapefile. To display the Export Grid/Mesh Data to Shapefile dialog box, select File|Export|Shapefile|Grid Data to Shapefile... or File|Export|Shapefile|Mesh Data to Shapefile...

The data sets, boundary conditions, and other features that can be exported are displayed in a tree view labeled Items to export. The user can select any of these items by checking the checkbox next to the name of the desired item.

For boundary conditions, such as Recharge, that vary with time the user must also select the times at which the data should be exported. This is done in the table labeled Times to export. The number of rows in the table is controlled by the edit box labeled Number of times to export.

For most data, the Shapes that can be exported will be either 2D polygons, 2D points, 3D polyhedrons, or 3D points. (3D polyhedrons are represented as MultiPatch shapes in the Shapefile.) This is selected in the box labeled Export as...

A data set with a Boolean data type can be used to filter what locations are exported by selecting it as the Filter. For example, in a MODFLOW model, you could select the Active data set to only export shapes at active cells.

•If 2D polygons is selected, the polygons will represent the outline of the element in top view for data sets that are evaluated at elements (all data sets in MODFLOW and some in PHAST). The polygons will represent the cell around the node in top view for data sets that are evaluated at nodes (some data sets in PHAST).

•If 2D points is selected, the points will be located at the center of the element in top view for data sets evaluated at elements. The points will be located at the nodal position in top view for data sets evaluated at nodes.

•If 3D polyhedrons is selected, each polyhedron will represent an element for data sets that are evaluated at elements. The polygons will represent the cell around the node for data sets that are evaluated at nodes.

•If 3D points is selected, the points will be located at the center of the element for data sets evaluated at elements. The points will be located at the nodal position in top view for data sets evaluated at nodes.

Horizontal Flow Barriers i MODFLOW are exported as either 2D polyline shapes or 3D triangle strip shapes at the boundaries between cells.

The user can use the default file names for the Element, Node or Horizontal Flow Barrier Shapefile to be exported or can select a new file name in the edit boxes for the file names.

If local grid refinement is being used, data from either the parent grid or one of the child grids can be exported.

Shapefiles exported from ModelMuse do not contain information about the projection used for the model. You may need to supply the projection to use the Shapefile correctly.