Each HEC-MetVue model alternative has its own project file located in the /forecast name/metvue/ folder. All changes to HEC-MetVue settings within the forecast are saved to this location. Each Map Window within the alternative has its own node beneath the model alternative node. When a forecast is opened, HEC-MetVue loads and extracts data for each Map Window. This data is reloaded after each data extraction.

Read/write constraints must be configured within the HEC-MetVue application.

Map Window Data Handling

During data loading, HEC-MetVue reads the input settings specified in the Alternative Editor's Input Settings tab and converts the input data into a Triangulated Irregular Network (TIN). This allows the data to be spatially displayed and edited within each Map Window. To display a Map Window, simply select its node in the forecast tree.

Map Window Actions

Selecting a Map Window node activates a set of tools in the Actions tab:

  • Reload Original Data - Reloads the original data into the Map Window.
  • Edit Display Options - Opens a dialog to adjust how data is displayed.
  • Edit MetVue Options - Opens HEC-MetVue settings dialog.
  • Calibrate TIN - Adjusts TIN values to align with observed point readings.
  • Transform TIN - Applies spatial transformations like rotation or translation.
  • Modify TIN Z Values - Adjusts TIN values by a factor or increment, or sets TIN to a specific value.
  • Temporal Transformation - Changes data to a different time interval.
  • Undo - Revert recent edits.
  • Redo - Reapply recent edits.
  • Launch Edit Tracker - Opens a history of edits for review or import/export.
  • Save Time Series - Saves basin-averaged data as HEC-DSS, text, or other formats.
  • Save TIN Data - Saves edited TINs either individually or in aggregate.
  • Save Projected TIN Data -Saves TIN data with new resolution and projection.

TIN Status Tracking

The Map Window icon (lightning bolt) indicates the current TIN status:

Icon

TIN Status

Data loaded correctly (no preprocessing needed)

Data was preprocessed (transformation or fill applied)

Data failed to load

Data has user edits

Data has been computed

Edit Tracking

HEC-MetVue automatically tracks any edits you make within a Map Panel. However, edits made inside of a forecast will be discarded once the forecast is closed. The History dialog allows you to view all changes made to the data, activate specific edits by checking the box in the Is Active column, delete unwanted edits, or rearrange their order of application.  

HEC-MetVue Computes in HEC-RTS

HEC-MetVue, when run standalone, doesn’t include a compute function. Within HEC-RTS, a special compute engine executes a four-step process:

  1. Data Loading – Reads and displays input.
  2. Data Editing – Applies user or automated edits.
  3. Temporal Transformation – Changes time-step and data type (e.g., INST-VAL, PER-AVER).
  4. Data Saving – Outputs modified data in desired formats.

For basin-average time series, spatial averaging is applied as an additional step during saving.

Additional Resources

Refer to the following guides for more information on using HEC-MetVue for real-time forecasting.