WMS Tutorials Introduction – Basic Feature Objects

v. 11.1

WMS 11.1 Tutorial

Introduction – Basic Feature Objects
Learn about, create, edit, and manage feature objects in WMS, and import and use
GIS data

Objectives
Define the term "Feature Objects". Create, edit, and manage feature objects and coverages in WMS.
Import GIS data and convert the data to feature objects in the map module. Use images to create
feature objects from scratch.

Prerequisite Tutorials Required Components Time

 None  Data  30–60 minutes
 Map

Page 1 of 15 © Aquaveo 2021

WMS Tutorials Introduction – Basic Feature Objects

1 Introduction ............................................................................................................... 2
2 Getting Started ........................................................................................................... 3
3 Creating and Editing Feature Objects ..................................................................... 3
3.1 Creating Feature Arcs .......................................................................................... 4
3.2 Inserting Vertices and Snapping Arcs ................................................................. 4
3.3 Deleting an Arc ................................................................................................... 5
3.4 Converting Vertices to Nodes ............................................................................. 5
3.5 Converting Nodes to Vertices ............................................................................. 6
3.6 Building Polygons ............................................................................................... 6
3.7 Assigning Attributes ............................................................................................ 7
4 Using Shapefiles to Create Feature Objects ............................................................ 8
4.1 Importing a Shapefile and Mapping to Feature Objects ...................................... 9
5 Using Background Images to Create Feature Objects ......................................... 10
5.1 Create a New Coverage ..................................................................................... 11
5.2 Importing Images .............................................................................................. 11
5.3 Manually Digitizing Feature Objects ................................................................ 11
5.4 Assigning Feature Polygon Attributes ............................................................... 13
6 Display Options ........................................................................................................ 14
7 Conclusion ................................................................................................................ 15

1 Introduction
Feature objects are points, lines, and polygons organized in coverages by different
attribute sets such as drainage features, land use, soils, travel time paths, cross sections,
and so on. The primary coverage in WMS is the drainage coverage, which holds drainage
boundary polygons, stream lines, and outlet nodes. Most of the other coverages are
secondary to the drainage coverage and are used to “map” other hydrologic parameters
such as travel time or curve numbers.
Feature objects are equivalent to GIS vector data. Importing from GIS databases is one
way to create coverages in WMS. Feature object coverages can also be digitized directly
from the screen, using a georeferenced image in the background as a guide. This tutorial
demonstrates both methods, focusing on using various tools and assigning attributes.
This tutorial teaches the basics of creating and importing feature objects and managing
different coverages. It discusses and demonstrates:
 Creating and editing feature objects
 Defining feature object attributes
 Creating coverages
 Specifying attribute sets
 Using shapefiles
 Using images to create feature objects
 Managing multiple coverages

Page 2 of 15 © Aquaveo 2021

WMS Tutorials Introduction – Basic Feature Objects

2 Getting Started
Launching WMS at the beginning of each tutorial is recommended. This resets the data,
display options, and other WMS settings to their defaults. To do this:
1. If necessary, launch WMS.
2. If WMS is already running, press Ctrl-N or select File | New… to ensure that the
program settings are restored to their default state.
3. A dialog may appear asking to save changes. Click Don’t Save to clear all data.
The graphics window of WMS should refresh to show an empty space.
4. Switch to the Map module.
5. Click Open to bring up the Open dialog.
6. Browse to the feature\feature\ folder and select “FeatureObjects.jpg”.
7. Click Open to import the image and exit the Open dialog.
An image similar to Figure 1 will appear in the Main Graphics Window. This image
depicts different examples of feature objects. This tutorial will use them to trace and
create feature objects.

Figure 1 Example feature objects depicted in the imported image

3 Creating and Editing Feature Objects

The Terrain Data , Drainage , and Map modules are where the feature objects
are created and manipulated. All feature objects are made from a set of points and the
lines (arcs) connecting the points. There are three main types of feature objects: points,
arcs, and polygons. The following sections show how to create and edit the different
types of feature objects.

Page 3 of 15 © Aquaveo 2021

WMS Tutorials Introduction – Basic Feature Objects

3.1 Creating Feature Arcs

Use the “Vertices, Nodes, and Arcs” section of Figure 1for sections 3.1 through 3.5.
While creating a feature arc, press Esc to cancel, Backspace to back up one vertex, Enter
or single-click to make a vertex, and double-click to end the arc. When WMS creates an
arc, each end is a node and all points in the middle are vertices.
1. Select “ Drainage” in the Project Explorer to make the coverage active.
2. Using the Create Feature Arc tool, click on the image near point “1”.
3. Double-click on the image near point “2” to end the arc.
4. Click at point “3”, directly on top of the newly created arc.
5. Double-click at point “4” to end the arc.
Notice how WMS automatically links the new arc to the existing arc and creates a node at
the point of intersection, splitting the existing arc into two arcs.
6. Click at point “5”.
7. Double-click at point “6”.

3.2 Inserting Vertices and Snapping Arcs

If two arcs very close to each other should share a common node, WMS has a tool to
snap these nodes together.
1. Click Display Options to bring up the Display Options dialog.
2. Select “Map Data” from the list on the left.
3. On the Map tab, turn on Vertices and click on the button to the right of the check
box to bring up the Point Properties dialog.
4. Enter “5” as the Radius.
5. Click OK to close the Point Properties dialog.
6. Click OK to close the Display Options dialog.
7. Using the Create Feature Vertex tool, click on the first arc next to where it
is labeled “7”.
A vertex is inserted here, making it possible for the “5-6” arc to be “snapped” to this
location.
8. Using the Select Feature Point/Node tool, right-click on node “5” and select
Clean… to bring up the Clean Options dialog.
9. Turn on Snap selected nodes.
10. Click OK to close the Clean Options dialog.
At the bottom left of the WMS screen, notice the prompting to “Select a snapping
point…” (Figure 2).
11. Select the newly created vertex “7”.

Page 4 of 15 © Aquaveo 2021

WMS Tutorials Introduction – Basic Feature Objects

Figure 2 Select a snapping point

WMS snaps the two arcs together and changes vertex “7” to a node (Figure 3).

Figure 3 Vertex 7 becomes Node 7 after snapping Node 5 to it

3.3 Deleting an Arc

Now that the main arc has two nodes along its length, delete the center arc only.
1. Using the Select Feature Arc tool, select the arc between nodes “3” and “7”.
Notice that WMS highlights the selected arc.
2. Press the Delete key—or right-click and select Delete —to delete the arc.
3. If asked to confirm deleting the arc, click OK .
Arcs can be created between two existing nodes by doing the following:
4. Using the Create Feature Arc tool, click on node “3”.
5. Click on node “7” to re-form the arc.

3.4 Converting Vertices to Nodes

WMS uses vertices and nodes for different purposes. For example, nodes can have
attributes while vertices simply define the shape or position of the arc. Changing a vertex
to a node—or a node to a vertex—is sometimes necessary.
1. Using the Create Feature Vertex tool, click on the 3–7 arc anywhere
between nodes “3” and “7”.
A dot should appear, indicating the location of the new vertex.
2. Using the Select Feature Vertex tool, right-click on the new vertex and select
Vertex → Node.

Page 5 of 15 © Aquaveo 2021

WMS Tutorials Introduction – Basic Feature Objects

A red node should appear at this location (Figure 4). The 3–7 arc is now broken in half. It
is now possible to define attributes (e.g., a drainage outlet) at this location.

Figure 4 The new node appears as a red dot below Node 7

3.5 Converting Nodes to Vertices

Just as vertices can be changed to nodes, nodes can be changed to vertices. Doing so can
leave the project with a cleaner representation of its feature arcs. For example, instead of
managing and assigning attributes to two arcs, converting a node to a vertex merges the
two arcs together.
1. Using the Select Feature Point/Node tool, right-click on the new node and
select Node → Vertex.
The node has been changed back to a vertex.

3.6 Building Polygons

For this section, use the “Polygons” section on the imported image.
1. Using the Create Feature Arc tool, click on point “1” of polygon “A”.
2. Click on points “2” through “10” and then click again on point “1” to close the
arc.
3. Click Yes if a warning appears asking to convert the arc to a generic feature arc.
4. Do the same for points “1” through “3” on polygon “B”.
Now there are two closed arcs. To change them into polygons, do the following:
5. Right-click on the “ Drainage” coverage in the Project Explorer and select
Build Polygon.
6. Click OK when asked to use all arcs.
The two polygons should now be drawn with a thicker line instead of the thinner arc lines
(Figure 5). Polygons are built from their constituent arcs. The appropriate topology is
established when the polygon is built.

Page 6 of 15 © Aquaveo 2021

WMS Tutorials Introduction – Basic Feature Objects

Figure 5 The polygons have thicker lines

3.7 Assigning Attributes

Each of the nodes, arcs, and polygons were created with default properties or attributes.
WMS allows changing the attributes of feature objects.
1. Using the Select Feature Arc tool, hold down the Shift key and select all five
arcs in the “Vertices, Nodes, and Arcs” section of the image.
2. Select Feature Objects | Attributes… to bring up the Feature Arc Type dialog.
This dialog allows choosing the type of arc for the selected arc(s).
3. Select Stream and click OK to close the Feature Arc Type dialog.
4. Turn off “ FeatureObjects.jpg” in the Project Explorer.
5. Click anywhere outside of the feature objects to deselect all of them.
6. Click Display Options to bring up the Display Options dialog.
7. Select “Map Data” from the list on the left.
8. On the Map tab, scroll to the bottom of the list below the Coverage type drop-
down and turn on Stream Arrows.
9. Click OK to close the Display Options dialog.
Notice that the arcs are now colored blue. Each arc portion should have a blue arrow
indicating flow direction for the stream. The original direction in which the arc was
created determines the way the stream flows (though the flow direction can be reversed).
It is best practice to create stream arcs from downstream to upstream.
Notice that the lower node on the arc looks different now. WMS has automatically
changed it to a drainage outlet instead of a generic node.

Page 7 of 15 © Aquaveo 2021

WMS Tutorials Introduction – Basic Feature Objects

10. Using the Select Feature Point/Node tool, double-click on the lower outlet
node (Feature Point ID “2C”) to bring up the Drainage Feature Point Type
dialog.
Notice that in the Type section, Drainage outlet is selected. This dialog can be accessed
by selecting any feature object (point, line, or arc) and then selecting Feature Objects |
Attributes… or by double-clicking on the object.
11. Click OK to close the Drainage Feature Point Type dialog.
Just as the attributes of arcs and nodes can be changed, the attributes of polygons can be
changed.
12. Using the Select Feature Polygon tool, double-click anywhere inside
polygon “A” to bring up the Drainage Feature Polygon Type dialog.
13. In the Type section, select “Drainage boundary” and click OK to close the
Drainage Feature Polygon Type dialog.
The boundary of polygon “A” should remain a thick colored line (Figure 6).
14. Double-click anywhere inside polygon “B” (the triangle) to bring up the
Drainage Feature Polygon Type dialog.
15. In the Type section, select Lake/Reservoir and click OK to close the Drainage
Feature Polygon Type dialog.
16. Click outside either polygon to deselect all polygons.
Polygon “B” should have a light blue border (Figure 6).

Figure 6 Polygons after the type attribute is set

4 Using Shapefiles to Create Feature Objects

One of the most important features of WMS is the ability to automatically create feature
objects using shapefiles. Importing shapefile data can be done in different ways.

Page 8 of 15 © Aquaveo 2021

WMS Tutorials Introduction – Basic Feature Objects

Additional options may be available, depending on which external software (e.g.,

ArcGIS) is installed.
Before proceeding, reset to a blank project.
1. Click New .
2. Click Don’t Save when asked to save changes.

4.1 Importing a Shapefile and Mapping to Feature Objects

1. Switch to the GIS module.

2. Right-click on “ GIS Data” in the Project Explorer and select Add Shapefile
Data... to bring up the Select shapefile dialog.
3. Select “streams.shp” and click Open to import the shapefile and close the Select
shapefile dialog.
The shapefile should appear similar to Figure 7. Note that the DBF and SHX files (in this
case, “streams.dbf” and “streams.shx”) must always be in the same directory as the SHP
file or the shapefile will not work properly.

Figure 7 The imported shapefile showing the drainage basin

4. Using the Select Shapes tool, click and drag a box around all the shapes to
select them all.
5. Select Mapping | Shapes → Feature Objects to bring up the Step 1 of 3 page of
the GIS to Feature Objects Wizard dialog.
This dialog is used to map shapefile data to feature objects in WMS.
6. Click Next to go to the Step 2 of 3 page of the GIS to Feature Objects Wizard
dialog.
The spreadsheet shows each shapefile attribute in capitalized letters (e.g., DRAINTYPE,
LENGTH, SLOPE, and so on). Underneath each attribute is a drop-down containing the
WMS attributes available to map to the shapefile attributes.

Page 9 of 15 © Aquaveo 2021

WMS Tutorials Introduction – Basic Feature Objects

7. In the Mapping Preview section on the Mapping row of the spreadsheet, select
“Drainage Arc type” from the drop-down in the DRAINTYPE column.
8. Select “Stream Length” from the LENGTH drop-down.
9. Select “Stream slope” from the SLOPE drop-down.
10. Select “Not mapped” from the DMANNINGS drop-down.
This attribute cannot be mapped because there is not a corresponding WMS attribute
available to map it to because it is not an attribute of a feature object in WMS.
11. Select “Stream basin id” from the BASINID drop-down.
Review the values assigned to each attribute for each shape in the spreadsheet.
12. Click Next to go to the Step 3 of 3 (Finished) page of the GIS to Feature Objects
Wizard dialog.
13. Click Finish to close the GIS to Feature Objects Wizard dialog.
14. Turn off “ streams.shp” in the Project Explorer.
The shapefile containing streams and basins has been imported, with all the shapes
converted to WMS feature objects. The data from the original shapefile has been mapped
to WMS attributes (Figure 8).

Figure 8 Shapefile mapped to feature objects

5 Using Background Images to Create Feature Objects

WMS enables the creation of feature objects using background images as guides—for
instance, importing a soil use map into WMS.
Before proceeding, reset to a blank project.
1. Click New .
2. Click Don’t Save when asked to save changes.

Page 10 of 15 © Aquaveo 2021

WMS Tutorials Introduction – Basic Feature Objects

5.1 Create a New Coverage

Notice the default coverage, “ Drainage”, listed under the “ Map Data” folder in the
Project Explorer. This is the default coverage automatically created in any new project in
WMS. The Project Explorer enables management the default coverage, the ability to
make new coverages, delete coverages, edit coverage properties, and change the active
coverage.
1. Right-click on “ Drainage” and select Rename.
2. Enter “PracticeDrainage” and press Enter to set the new name.
3. Right-click on “ Coverages” and select New Coverage to bring up the
Properties dialog.
4. Select “Soil Type” from the drop-down on the Coverage type row in the Value
column.
Notice that the Coverage name in the field below automatically changes to “Soil Type”.
5. Click OK to close the Properties dialog and create the new coverage.
6. Select the “ Soil Type” coverage to make it active.

5.2 Importing Images

Now that a soil type coverage has been added, import the soils image.
1. Click Open to bring up the Open dialog.
2. Select “Image Files (*.img)” from the Files of type drop-down.
3. Select “soils.img” and click Open to import the image and exit the Open dialog.
A soils image similar to Figure 9 should appear.

Figure 9 Soils image showing different soil types

5.3 Manually Digitizing Feature Objects

1. Select the “ Soil Type” coverage to make it active.

Page 11 of 15 © Aquaveo 2021

WMS Tutorials Introduction – Basic Feature Objects

2. Using the Create Feature Arc tool,

3. Starting anywhere on the border of the large orange area (labeled “D”), outline
with an arc the entire region.
4. Create arcs for all the other soil type areas, being careful to not create arcs on top
of previously defined borders.
Zoom in to get a closer view of the image if needed. End an arc by double-clicking in
order to be able to select any other tools, such as Zoom , Pan , or show all. When
outlining each soil region, simply start on a previously created arc and proceed around
each border, ending when another previously created border is reached. When clicking
near an existing vertex or arc, WMS automatically snaps the new arc to the existing one.
The resulting arcs should appear similar to Figure 10.

Figure 10 All of the soil areas defined with closed arcs

5. Right-click on the “ Soil Type” coverage and select Build Polygon.

6. Click OK to use all the arcs.
Check to make sure that each soil use polygon is completely outlined. If one or more
polygons do not build correctly, check to be sure that the arcs surrounding the polygons
are completely closed. The resulting polygons should appear similar to Figure 11. Notice
how the polygon borders are thicker than the closed arcs.

Page 12 of 15 © Aquaveo 2021

WMS Tutorials Introduction – Basic Feature Objects

Figure 11 After the polygons are built

5.4 Assigning Feature Polygon Attributes

Now that the soil use polygons have been created, assign the soil use attributes to the
correct polygons.
1. Using the Select Feature Polygon tool, double-click on the largest yellow
polygon labeled “B” to bring up the Soil type mapping dialog.
Double-clicking on a feature object brings up a dialog allowing the selection or editing of
its attributes. Because a “Soil Type” coverage is being used, the automatic attribute for a
polygon is “Soil Type”.
2. In the WMS soil ID section, click Add Soil ID to List to create a new entry in the
list above the button.
3. Repeat step 2 until there are four entries in the list above the button.
Now assign soil types to the WMS Soil IDs.
4. In the Soil type properties section, select “Type A” from the drop-down in the
Soil ID 1 column.
5. Select “Type B” from the drop-down in the Soil ID 2 column.
6. Select “Type C” from the drop-down in the Soil ID 3 column.
7. Select “Type D” from the drop-down in the Soil ID 4 column.
8. Since the polygon selected was Type B (and was therefore labeled “B” on the
imported image), select “Soil ID 2” from the WMS soil ID list and click Apply.
9. Double-click on the smaller yellow polygon on the right edge of the image and
repeat steps1 and 8.
10. Double-click on the polygon labeled “A” and repeat steps 1 and 8, instead
assigning “Soil ID 1”.
11. Repeat steps 1 and 8 for the three polygons labeled “C”, assigning “Soil ID 3”.
12. Repeat steps 1 and 8 for the two polygons labeled “D”, assigning “Soil ID 4”.

Page 13 of 15 © Aquaveo 2021

WMS Tutorials Introduction – Basic Feature Objects

It is recommended to recheck the soil types to make sure they have been entered correctly,
especially on larger projects with many different types.

6 Display Options
WMS has many display options to help tailor the look of a project. It is possible to
change options such as polygon colors, presence of nodes and vertices, and legends using
the Display Options command.
1. Right-click on the “ Soil Type” coverage and select Display Options… to
bring up the Display Options dialog.
2. Select “Map Data” from the list on the left.
3. On the Map tab, turn on Color Fill Polygons and Soil Type Legends.
4. Turn off Points/Nodes and Vertices.
5. Click Soil Type Display Options to bring up the Soil Type Display Options
dialog.
6. Select “Soil ID 1” from the list on the left and click the Pattern button.
7. Select “Red” from the list of colors.
8. Repeat steps 6–7 for “Soil ID 2”, “Soil ID 3”, and “Soil ID 4”, setting them to
“Blue”, “Green”, and Yellow”, respectively.
9. Click OK to close the Soil Type Display Options dialog.
10. Click OK to exit the Display Options dialog.
11. Turn off “ soils.tif” in the Project Explorer.
The Graphics Window should appear similar to Figure 12.

Figure 12 Soil types with new display colors

Page 14 of 15 © Aquaveo 2021

WMS Tutorials Introduction – Basic Feature Objects

Feel free to continue to exploring the display options. To assign new colors to the land
uses, select the “ Land Use” coverage before opening the Display Options dialog, or
select “Land Use” from the Coverage type drop-down on the Map tab of the Display
Options dialog.

7 Conclusion
This concludes the “Introduction – Basic Feature Objects” tutorial. The basics for
creating and importing feature objects and managing different coverages were covered.
Both these concepts are central to an understanding of WMS.
The following key concepts were also discussed and demonstrated:
 Create and edit feature objects
 Set feature object attributes
 Create coverages and specify coverage attribute sets
 Import shapefiles
 Use images to create feature objects
 Manage multiple coverages

Page 15 of 15 © Aquaveo 2021