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Introduction

This page includes tips and tricks for working with the GeoPackage Vector format (supported since the TUFLOW 2023-03-AA Release). GeoPackage is a widely supported, open GIS database format, built upon an SQLite database (data is stored as a single file with the extension .gpkg).

This database format has several benefits, including:

Multiple GIS layers can be stored in the single file database. For example, all GIS input layers can be stored in a single GeoPackage file.
Supports spatial indexing, greatly reducing loading and viewing times making it much faster to work with in GIS packages.
Faster to write from TUFLOW than the shapefile format.

For more information see the 2023 Release Notes.

Database Organisation

There are many ways to organise model inputs when using GeoPackages. This allows modellers to decide how they structure their inputs files, for example some options include:

a single database for an entire project,
separate database for an existing or developed case, or
separate databases for each type of input (e.g. elevation, materials, culverts).

To define the database for TUFLOW to refer to the following command is used:
Spatial Database == /path/to/database

This command can be repeated multiple times throughout control files, TUFLOW will change which database it looks to based on the last time the above command has been referenced.

Referencing a GeoPackage Database

To reference a GeoPackage Database:

To specify a GeoPackage Database for subsequent inputs, use the following command. A new database can be specified multiple times throughout control files, TUFLOW will change which database it looks to based on the last time the above command has been referenced. This command can be used in the .tcf, .ecf, .tbc, .tgc, .qcf, .tef.
Spatial Database == gis\2d_zsh.gpkg ! Sets GeoPackage Database
Read GIS Z Shape == 2d_zsh_L ! References the 2d_zsh_L layer from 2d_zsh.gpkg
Spatial Database == gis\2d_mat.gpkg ! Sets GeoPackage Database
Read GIS Mat == 2d_mat_R ! References the 2d_mat_R layer from 2d_mat.gpkg
To specify a GeoPackage Database for the entire model, add the following command to the beginning of the .tcf. This database will then be the default for all inputs in all control files. There is no need to reference the database again in the other control files.
Spatial Database == <path_to_database>

Note: The commands are localised to their relevant control file with the exception of the .tcf which acts as a global command (local spatial database will take precedence). If no database is referenced in the other control files, the database referenced in the .tcf will be used.

Referencing a GeoPackage Layer

There are many ways to reference a GeoPackage Layer. The following commands can be used in the .tcf, .ecf, .tbc, .tgc, .qcf and .tef.

To specify a table in a .gpkg, use ">>":
Read GIS Z Shape == gis\2d_zsh.gpkg >> 2d_zsh_L
To specify more than one table in a .gpkg in the same command line, use "&&". This is similar to "|", however there is no need to reference the database again.
Read GIS Z Shape == gis\2d_zsh.gpkg >> 2d_zsh_L && 2d_zsh_P
"&&" can be used in conjunction with "|":
Read GIS Z Shape == gis\2d_zsh_R.gpkg | gis\2d_zsh.gpkg >> 2d_zsh_L && 2s_zsh_P
To specify a .gpkg file path only. It will assume the table name is the same as the .gpkg database name. The following are equivalent:
Read GIS Z Shape == gis\2d_zsh_L.gpkg
Read GIS Z Shape == gis\2d_zsh_L.gpkg >> 2d_zsh_L
To specify all the tables in a .gpkg, use the command "USE ALL" with ">>":
Read GIS Z Shape == gis\2d_zsh.gpkg >> USE ALL

If the GeoPackage Database is specified to use for subsequent inputs, the commands will become:
Spatial Database == gis\2d_zsh.gpkg ! Sets GeoPackage Database

To specify a table:
Read GIS Z Shape == 2d_zsh_L
To specify more than one table in the same command line. The following are equivalent:
Read GIS Z Shape == 2d_zsh_L | 2d_zsh_P
Read GIS Z Shape == 2d_zsh_L && 2d_zsh_P

Note: If the .gpkg for the model is referenced in the .tcf (using the 'Spatial Database' command), it does not need to be referenced again in the other control files. However, if the the model is not contained in a single .gpkg, the separate databases must be referenced accordingly.

Outputs

Result and check file vector outputs can be written into separate databases or grouped, with 'grouped' being the default. Grouped databases will group by output folder location, for example, the check file folder will contain one GeoPackage Database that contains all check file layers within it. Separate databases will group geometries together, for example, PLOT_P, PLOT_L, PLOT_R will be written to one database. The following command can be used to set the output to either separate or grouped:
Spatial Database Output == SEPARATE | {GROUPED}

This is a huge benefit in terms of file organisation. The below shows a TUFLOW 'Check' folder from a model using the GeoPackage (grouped). The same 'Check' folder for a model using Shapefile would have 44(!) items in it.

QGIS Tips & Tricks

Convert TUFLOW Model GIS Format

The Convert TUFLOW Model GIS Format tool has been developed to convert the GIS formats for an entire models (input files and control files). For example, if you have a model currently set up using the SHP vector format and FLT raster format, you can automatically convert it to GPKG and TIF. This tool works both ways for any TUFLOW supported format and will automatically show in the 'Processing Toolbox' if you have the TUFLOW Plugin installed.

Configuring a New Project

QGIS is used to configure TUFLOW projects with the TUFLOW plugin. To configure a new TUFLOW project with GeoPackage as the GIS format, use the TUFLOW plugin:

Open the 'Configure TUFLOW Project' tool by selecting Plugins > TUFLOW > Editing > Configure / Create TUFLOW Project.
Select the required CRS for the project.
Click 'Browse...' to select the folder location containing the TUFLOW folder. This creates the default TUFLOW model directory and sub-folders.
Click 'Browse...' to select the location of the TUFLOW single precision executable file.
Select 'GPKG' as the GIS Format.
Select the required TUFLOW Engine and box options.
Click 'OK'. This will configure the TUFLOW project using GeoPackage.

Updating Layer Names

Updating a GPKG Layer Name

QGIS Browser Panel

The QGIS Browser Panel is the recommended location to view, access, open and edit layers with a GeoPackage Database. It is possible to:

View layers inside a Geopackage Database.

Move a layer from one GeoPackage Database to another.

Move a shapefile into a GeoPackage Database. QGIS will automatically convert it to a Geopackage layer.

Note: The File Management Pluggin provides more options for handling GeoPackage databases in QGIS.

Setting a Brower Panel Favourite

For quick access, a project folder can be set as a favourite in the QGIS Browser Panel.

Right click in the Toolbar panel and tick on 'Browser Panel' from the 'Panels' options.
Within the QGIS Browser Panel, right click on 'Favorites' and select 'Add a Directory...'.
Navigate to the project folder and select it.

File Management Plugin

Increment a Layer

GeoPackage Tips

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