Problem

Is it possible to import or open a competitor product model in SewerGEMS, CivilStorm, SewerCAD or StormCAD? Or export to the formats acceptable by these competitor products ?

• InfoSWMM (Innovyze)
• InfoWorks CS / ICM
• Mike Urban
• MOUSE
• Hydra
• WinStorm
• H20 Map Sewer
• Other

Solution

A direct import into the OpenFlows product is not available, because it would not be feasible to support the model database format of all versions of all competitor products. So, we rely on standard formats such as EPASWMM and LandXML, as a more reliable approach. Therefore it is often a matter of checking what standard formats the competitor product is able to export to. It is also important to understand any assumptions on their export routine (especially in cases where there is no comparable element type to map) so you're aware of what things might be "lost in translation".

SewerGEMS and CivilStorm allow import of SWMM V5 and LandXML files. Whereas SewerCAD and StormCAD allow import of only LandXML files. A user will need to export their model files into one of these formats. Then, the user can import file into the OpenFlows product by going to File > Import > LandXML or File > Import > SWMM V5 (or in the standard "attach existing model" if working inside ArcGIS). Note that if the competitor product supports a scenario feature, the SWMM5 and LandXML formats would only describe one scenario, so you may need to focus on one of those scenarios, or import them as separate models, then combine later with Submodels.

Also If you wish to export model data from OpenFlows products into other formats like EPA-SWMM files or Landxml files then SewerGEMS and CivilStorm have capabilities to export the model in SWMM V5 formats of EPA-SWMM files and Landxml files, however StormCAD and SewerCAD doesn't have option to export files in EPA-SWMM formats, it can export data only in Landxml file formats through File>Export. If you have StormCAD or SewerCAD and wish to export the data in SWMM file formats and don't have access to SewerGEMS or CivilStorm then please contact Bentley Technical support to get it done. 

The user will want to compare/check the following items:

a)  Number of facilities (pipes, wet wells, pumps, manholes, catch basins, catchments, etc.)
b)  Total length of pipes, values for pipe roughness
c)  Node elevations: Min, Max, Invert, etc.
d)  Pump elevations, pump curve --> 1 point, 3 points, multiple...
e)  Controls:  for SewerCAD models only
f)  Patterns:  If pattern name is "1", double check the pattern data.  Count the total number of patterns and double-check the data.
h)  Initial Status:  check for pump, pipe and valves at the minimum.

If the product does not support exporting to LandXML or SWMM V5 (for whatever reason) and if you have access to that software, you may be able to export your element data to shapefiles. Export or copy/paste the tabular data like pump curve, demand pattern to spreadsheet software like MS Excel. Once you have data in shapefile, DXF, Excel, etc., you can use ModelBuilder (Tools > ModelBuilder) to Import your data into a blank model (or update an existing model). ModelBuilder could also be used to access data stored in other formats such as a database or spreadsheet.

See Also

Importing or Exporting to WaterCAD, WaterGEMS, HAMMER from other softwares 

How to convert SewerGEMS element notes to EPA SWMM descriptions 

Using ModelBuilder to Import External Data

Updating Pump Definitions using ModelBuilder