How do I open an existing WaterGEMS model inside ArcMap?

First, open ArcMap. Then, click the WaterGEMS V8i menu, choose "Project" > "Add Existing Project". Select your WaterGEMS model and then click the blue folder icon in the next window, to attach a geodatabase. A separate geodatabase is necessary for ArcMap to interact with the WaterGEMS model. It is recommended that you save a new geodatabase. For example, name it MyModelgdb.mdb and save it in the same folder as your WaterGEMS model.  Note: If you get a message that says "WaterGEMs project canot be a geodatabase" this means that the name you tried to give your geodatabase has the .wtg extension in it. Simply remove the extension and your new geodatabase will be created.   Ensure that you assign the correct coordinate system/spatial reference, before clicking OK in the window that shows the blue folder icon. When you click OK, the Table of Contents will be populated with the WaterGEMS element types and your model should appear. You may need to use the zoom extents button or zoom to an element using the search button at the top of the WaterGEMS properties window.

Note: your WaterGEMS model must be saved in V8 XM or V8i format already (.wtg file). If you are trying to open a WaterCAD V7 and below model, you must first open it in the Standalone platform of WaterGEMS V8i and save it in V8i format.

How do I create a new WaterGEMS model inside ArcMap

First, open ArcMap. Then, click the WaterGEMS V8i menu, choose "Project" > Add new project. Choose a location to save the WaterGEMS model and then click the blue folder icon in the next window, to attach a geodatabase. A separate geodatabase is necessary for ArcMap to interact with the WaterGEMS model. It is recommended that you save a new geodatabase. For example, name it gdb.mdb and save it in the same folder as your WaterGEMS model. Ensure that you assign the correct coordinate system/spatial reference, before clicking OK in the window that shows the blue folder icon. When you click OK, the Table of Contents will be populated with the WaterGEMS element types and you can now lay out or import your WaterGEMS model.

How can I convert my GIS to a WaterGEMS model inside ArcMap?

First, follow the steps above for creating a new WaterGEMS model. Then, use Modelbuilder to import the GIS. Modelbuilder is located under the "Tools" menu inside the WaterGEMS V8i menu. Select ArcGIS geometric network or ArcGIS Geodatabase features as the data source type, select your geodatabase features to import and follow the subsequent steps. 

What is a Geotable?

A geotable is similar to a flextable, but determines which fields/attributes are included in the WaterGEMS geodatabase when working inside the ArcGIS platform. ArcMap interacts directly with the personal geodatabase associated with the WaterGEMS model, not the WaterGEMS database (.wtg.mdb). The fields selected in the geotable are the fields linked between the WaterGEMS model database and the geodatabase. ArcMap can then apply symbology effects from the available geotable fields.

What are some operations that I should NOT be performing in WaterGEMs for ArcMap?

 There are two operations that you should NOT perform when in WaterGEMS for ArcMap session:

1. DO NOT add your own field to a WaterGEMS layer (Pipe, Tanks, Junction, etc...).
2. DO NOT add files or manipulate anything in the WaterGEMS geodatabase file.

Performing either of these operations could potentially corrupt the feature class in the WaterGEMS geodatabase or cause some kind or disconnect between the geodatabase and the WaterGEMS project files making the files unreadable.

Can I add field to a WaterGEMS layer without corrupting the feature class or geodatabase?

Yes, you can add your own custom fields to a layer in your feature class but, it needs to be done through the WaterGEMS interface. What you'll need to do is click on the WaterGEMS toolbar and find the Tools menu. Off the Tools menu you should look for User Data Extensions and select it. This will open the user data extension manager where you can create a field for any one of your WaterGEMS elements. Details about how to use this feature can be found in the help documentation by searching the keywords "User Data Extension" or can be found here for "Creating Formula Based User Data Extensions".

Which versions of WaterGEMS support which versions of ArcGIS?

* Officially certified for this version only. 

I've integrated WaterGEMS with ArcGIS and I have the correct versions, but I don't see the WaterGEMS menu. Why?

In ArcMap, right click in the gray area at the top-right corne. You should see several WaterGEMS entries available to add as toolbars. At a minimum, make sure "WaterGEMS layout toolbar" is selected. 

If I'm working in ArcMap without a WaterGEMS model open, am I still using a WaterGEMS license?

For version 08.11.00.30 and below, you will still be using a WaterGEMS license. To prevent this from happening, you would need to first un-integrate WaterGEMS from Arcmap by using the "WaterGEMSXMUnreg.exe" file, located in the installation folder. Please be sure you have the latest cumulative patch set applied, before attempting this.

In the next version of WaterGEMS, license usage will only be recorded if you have an open WaterGEMS project in your ArcMap session.

After working on a project in ArcGIS mode and saving an .mxd, why does the WaterGEMS model not appear when reopening the .mxd? 

The .mxd file is not linked to the WaterGEMs files so, after reopening the map, you must load the WaterGEMS project, under WaterGEMS > View > Project Manager. 

When working in ArcGIS mode, why are the tools in the WaterGEMS layout toolbar grayed out? 

First, you must open or create a WaterGEMS model in your current map, using the Bentley WaterGEMS > Project menu. Also, you must be in editing mode to use the tools. Go to Editor > Start Editing.  

How can I enable the flow arrows and active topology colors when working in ArcGIS mode? 

Go to Bentley WaterGEMS > View > Apply WaterGEMS renderer. Once the Renderer is applied, you can use the "show flow arrows" check box, under the same menu.

What is the easiest way to color code WaterGEMS elements inside the ArcMap platform?

First select the element type layer from the table of contents. Once this is done the layer will be highlighted in blue. Next click the Bentley WaterGEMS V8 menu and choose Tools > Layer Symbology. This tool will allow you to use the familiar WaterGEMS color coding interface to automatically create ArcMap symbology entries.

How do I remove a color coding from a WaterGEMS layer?

First right click on the layer you want to remove the color coding from in the table of contents and then select 'Properties' from the pop up menu to open the layer properties dialog. Now navigate to the Symbology tab and look on the left hand side of the dialog box (see image below). Here you should see that 'Quantites' - 'Graduated Colors' is selected. All you need to do now is click on 'Features' instead of 'Quantities' and then click Apply, OK. The color coding should be removed from the layer.

How do you make elements inactive so they don't show up like you can do in the WaterGEMs standalone? 

There are actually two way to do this. 1) First make sure the WaterGEMS Renderer and Auto Refresh are on (WaterGEMS toolbar > View > WaterGEMS Renderer / Auto Refresh). Now that you have the Renderer active if you had any elements that were already set inactive they should no longer be displayed in your drawing pane. To check which elements are inactive you can add the 'Is Active?' field to your Geotable. You'll have to start an editing session in order to do this.  2) The second way you can make elements inactive so they don't display in your drawing pane is to create a color coding. Locate the layer that you want to make elements inactive for and right click on it. Select 'Properties' on the pop up dialog box and click on the Symbology tab of the layer properties dialog. Now click on the 'Categories' option on the left side of the dialog box (see image above). The 'Categories' - 'Unique values' should be chosen by default. Now in the value field choose "Is_Active" from the drop down menu and click the 'Add All Values' button to populate the symbol area. You should now see two symbols: a) <all other values> a.k.a - False or 0, indicating this symbol is linked to the color coding for the elements that are inactive and you don't want to be displayed in your drawing pane b) 1 a.k.a - True, indicating this symbol is linked to the color coding for the elements that are active and you would like to be displayed in your drawing pane. Now you can either uncheck the checkbox to the left of <all other values> or you can double click on the symbol to the left of <all other values>. If you chose to double click on the symbol then what you will be doing next is setting the color of this symbol to   "No color" in the symbol selector box and then selecting OK to close this box. Finally, you will select Apply and then OK on the Layer properties dialog box to save your changes and display your layers as you desire.

When annotating or color coding in the ArcMap platform, why aren't all the WaterGEMS attributes available?

The attributes available to color code and annotate on are based on the attributes included in the geotables. So, click the Bentley WaterGEMS V8 menu > View > Flextables. In the Flextables manager, open the "Geotable" corresponding to the element type in question. The fields shown in this table will be linked to the geodatabase and thus will be available to ArcMap for symbology. Use the yellow 'edit' button to add or remove attributes.

I'm double clicking on my elements and the properties for the element aren't appearing. Why?

In order for your element properties to appear you'll need to make sure you are double clicking on the elements in your drawing pane with the WaterGEMs arrow cursor. The WaterGEMS arrow cursor is located on the WaterGEMs layout tool and is the first icon on the bar.

What is the best procedure to take to when creating a shapefile or feature class to help ensure that when I bring a model in using modelbuilder I won't run into problems with pipes or junctions not being connected correctly?

The best way to help ensure that everything comes in correctly using modelbuilder starts when the file that you are trying to bring in is created in ArcMap. When creating the file you should make sure to turn on all your snapping options so the elements are actually connected in ArcMap and there aren't gaps between the elements. Another thing that you want to do is make sure that you are laying out the elements correctly according to WaterGEMS rules. This means that every pipe needs to have some type of node element attached at either end. Node elements include junctions, tanks, valves, reservoirs, and pumps. If possible it's also advised to create a new pipe between each two nodes elements. This means that instead of laying out all your pipes first when creating your shapefile (feature class) you would create things in the following manner:

1. Create a node element
2. Create the line element representing the pipe
3. Create the end node element for the line
4. Repeat steps 1-3 until finished.

See Also

Product TechNotes and FAQs

Haestad Methods Product Tech Notes And FAQs

[[General WaterGEMS V8 FAQ|General WaterGEMS V8 FAQ]]  

WaterGEMS V8 Modeling FAQ 

External Links

Bentley Technical Support KnowledgeBase

Bentley LEARN Server