USGS Model Viewer

Criterion

Explanation

General Description

Displays the results of three-dimensional groundwater models. Can display pathlines, cells or nodes that represent model features such as streams and wells, and auxiliary graphical objects such as grid lines and coordinate axes. Supports the following models:  MODFLOW-2005, MODFLOW-2000, MODFLOW-2000 with the Ground-Water Transport Process, MODFLOW-96, MOC3D (Version 3.5), MODPATH, MT3DMS, SUTRA (Version 2.1), PHAST, and UCODE-2005.

Model Domain

Groundwater

Developer

United States Geological Survey (USGS)

Hardware computing requirements

For use in Microsoft Windows environments

Minimum processor speed 300 MHz

Minimum RAM 64 MB (or larger for larger models)

Code language

Developed in Microsoft Visual C++ version 6, Visual Fortran version 6, Lahey Fortran 90, and HTML Help Workshop

Original application

Designed to directly read input and output files from 3D groundwater models listed above, thus minimizing the need for additional postprocessing

Public/proprietary and cost

Public; no cost

Physically or empirically based

Physically based

Mathematical methods used

Vector data (such as fluid velocity or specific discharge) are represented as lines oriented to the direction of vector movement and scaled to vector magnitude. Scalar data (such as hydraulic head or solute concentration) are displayed either as a solid or a set of isosurfaces:

• Thresholding explores solids by removing portions where the scalar values lie outside of a threshold range.
• Cropping explores solids or sets of isosurfaces by showing only the portion that lies on one side of a cropping plane.

For finite-difference models, Model Viewer also displays cells or nodes that represent model features (such as streams, wells, or boundary conditions) and auxiliary graphic objects (such as grid lines, coordinate axes, and bounding box).

Input data requirements

"Model data files" are the input and output files for a particular model (e.g. MODFLOW). These are read by Model Viewer but not modified.

"MV files" contain information about the display settings, model type, and names of model data files, which are modified every time the user changes a display setting.

Outputs

May be exported as:

• A BMP file – Dialog box allows resolution and size specification
• A VRML file – Dialog box is displayed for file naming. It can then be opened and viewed in a VRML viewing application
• A sequence of Windows bitmap files which can be used to create an animation (e.g. mpg, animated gif)

Pre-processing and post-processing tools

N/A

Representation of uncertainty

N/A

Prevalence

Model Viewer has been used extensively to view MODFLOW output.

Ease of use for public entities

The software is readily available.

Ease of obtaining information and availability of technical support

Technical support is available from the USGS. Points of contact for Model Viewer are Paul A. Hsieh (pahsieh@usgs.gov) and Richard B. Winston (rbwinst@usgs.gov).

Source code availability

The source code is available for download as a zip file, and can be found at the USGS Model Viewer web page:
https://water.usgs.gov/nrp/gwsoftware/modelviewer/ModelViewer.html

Status of model development

Fully developed and ready for use

Challenges for integration

See MODFLOW description