Prior to running the HydroSWMM Version 6 for the first time on a personal computer, it has to be installed according to the instructions in the installation guide.
HydroSWMM Version 6 can be started from the Windows Start menu, or by double-clicking on the HydroSWMM6 icon. The introductory screen, with the program logo and a progress bar will appear while the program is starting up. When starting the program in evaluation mode (i.e. when valid security is not found) one cannot save a drawing and printing is limited.
After successful start-up, the Main menu with the following items will appear (note the image is interactive, click on the individual menu items or follow the links listed below):
As a general rule, items are selected from the HydroSWMM menus by moving the mouse pointer to the specified item, and left-clicking the mouse. Some menu items have short-cut key which you can use for quick access. Those menu items that have preceding icons, can be accessed directly by clicking the corresponding icons located on either the left (vertical) or top (horizontal) toolbar. The latter, is shown below and contains the HydroSWMM specific tools (for which help is available by simply clicking on the interactive icons):
The left (vertical) toolbar contains the icons of the integrated Albion CAD - they are not shown here since they are discussed in detail in the Albion 6 help (Albion 6 CAD User Guide > Getting Started > The User Interface).
The Main menu has the following items and will be discussed in the sections that follow:
•File – To provide access to file handling theme set-up functionality
•GIS – To access the GIS (Geographical Information System) functions of the integrated Albion environment
•CAD – To access the CAD (Computer Aided Design) functions of the integrated Albion environment
•Manage Models – Access to the Quick Start box and to load, save, import active (and inactive) stormwater models
•Model Data – To edit all model related data
•External Data – To load, view, edit and save all ancillary data used by the model
•Cost data – To load, view, edit and save the cost data functions which are used for calculating system replacement values, and for planning purposes
•Analysis – To run a simulation of the model
•Profiles – To define, set up and view longitudinal elevation profiles, and to conduct floodline visualization/animation
•Web Maps – To switch on a backdrop map to the model, from sources such as Google Maps, Bing Maps and SA NGI Maps
•View – To manage zoom extents of the project
•Help – To access the online help and other support information
Note some tools/functions can also be accessed via right-click menus (when right-clicking on selected links/structures). These right-click menu items will be discussed at the relevant function description sections.