The Model Linking Editor facilitates linking outputs of model alternatives to the inputs of other model alternatives. The Model Linking Editor uses the program order to define what outputs are available to any model alternative. Each model alternative selected in the program order contains a list of input and output data locations as options to link in the Model Linking Editor. Model alternatives higher in the program order can provide their outputs to model alternatives lower in the program order. Not all model alternatives have inputs or outputs for linking, for instance the Hydrologic Sampler does not require any input data locations, but it does provide output data locations. In the image below, the model alternative on the left side of the image declares (through its plugin) the input data locations that require input, and the Model Linking Editor provides the output data locations from all plugins upstream in the program order as potential sources for input (as show on the right hand side of the image).

Conceptual diagram displaying the plugin model alternative input and sources connecting to and from the Model Linking Editor (MLE).

Model Linking Editor Overview

The Model Linking Editor graphical user interface provides an easy way to link model alternatives (including observed data), and provides a mechanism where the linking will have to be done once per model alternative. From the Model Linking Editor, select the simulation to link from the Simulation list (e.g., Without Project Conditions-RR_Jan1997). The simulation selection populates the Model To Link dropdown list with the model alternatives contained in the simulation, and the list is organized based on the program order. Select a model alternative as the Model To Link; this action populates the table below with the input data locations required for the selected model alternative. This allows the user to create a map of outputs to inputs for all of the model alternatives in the simulation.

Model Linking Editor, example Simulation and Model To Link selections.

Navigation Buttons

Alternatively, click the or to select the previous or the next simulation (or model) in the list, respectfully.

Users can also click the browse to button for either the Simulation or Model To Link to elicit an Open dialog box for selecting the simulation (e.g., WPC_RTnormal_Jan1997) or model to link (e.g., HMS-(RUN)Run-1 Hour).

Open dialog box to select and open an existing simulation (left dialog) or model (right dialog).