Flow-chart

Here is a synthetic flowchart of tasks proposed to use inp.PINS as a link between GIS and SWMM:

1. Install inp.PINS (MapWinGIS ActiveX maybe needed to install also - http://mapwingis.codeplex.com)

2. Prepare your data for importing - inpMaker module of inp.PINS:

2.1. Organize GIS data in shape files (each type of swmm object should be in a shape file)

2.2. Define the importing parameters for each object - 1) select the object in the lateral tree-view 2) define each shape file path with the help of an OpenFile Dialog 3) define object characteristic parameters by selecting in the drop down box the correspondent column shape file attribute [Ex: 1) Junctions 2) C:\...Junctions.shp 3) Name: Shp_Column_Attribute_Name, Description: Shp_Column_Attribute_Description, Invert_Level, ...]

2.3. Take advantage of inpTools: create nodes; from nodes / to nodes link assignment; subcatchment connection

2.4. If you are modelling open channels: Tsect built link XS with DEM analysis

3. Make inp file!

4. Open inp file in SWMM and take the advantage of inp.PINS; maybe still some work to do, like defining rainfall and other "non visual" SWMM objects.

5. Perform SWMM modelling.

6. Import SWMM results to GIS with inpFlood module of inp.PINS:

6.1. Define input file paths: inp; rpt; (DEM - not necessary if you use link XS)

6.2. Define output file paths: flood plains points and polygons - these information is calculated by inp.PINS by analysing max depth of link extreme nodes and DEM / link XS.