EFMSim projects are saved to disk in a series of folders and files (Figure). The top-level folder uses the root name of the project file, which is housed in the top-level folder (ProjectName.prj) with files that track data import status (SimulationData.xml), contain animation properties for open simulation maps (Animation.xml), and stores details about open layout maps such as zoom extents, open layers, layer visibility, layer symbology (layoutconfiguration.xml). The project file contains information such as project name, software version at time of creation for compatibility management, project properties, pointer to database tables for different model components.
Figure. Folder and files of an EFMSim application.
The data_and_variables subfolder has a Hierarchical Data Format (HDF) file (Data_and_variables.h5) containing imported data and computed variables per layout. An additional and separate HDF file is generated for each time step that is preprocessed (Data_and_variables_timestep.h5).
The geometry subfolder has a HDF file (ProjectName_geometry.h5) containing geometric data for the study area, layouts, and boundary conditions, if applied.
The model information subfolder has a database file (ProjectName.h2.db) that stores model parameters associated with ecological communities and logic. A “lobs” subfolder is generated automatically to store large data (e.g., long strings that exceed normal character limits of their associated data fields; “lobs” is short for “large objects”). More information about the H2 database is available at https://h2database.com/html/main.html.
The maps subfolder contains copies of basemaps associated with the project.
The simulations subfolder contains model results (SimulationName_AlternativeName.dss, SimulationName_AlternativeName.h5, SimulationName_AlternativeName_boundaryconditions.h5) for all simulations and associated alternatives.