Product(s):	WaterGEMS, WaterCAD, StormCAD, SewerCAD, SewerGEMS, CivilStorm, PondPack, HAMMER
Version(s):	08.11.xx.xx and higher

Problem

What file types are supported for background layers for the standalone platform for the water or storm-sewer products?

Solution

Backgrounds can be added using the Background Layers manager, from View > Drawing Views > Backgrounds

The supported file types include:

CAD Files
- V8i and earlier: .DXF
- CONNECT Edition up to Update 4: .DXF, DGN, DGNDB, imodel
- CONNECT Edition Update 4 and newer: .DXF Only
  - Note: for DWG and DGN files, you will need to convert to DXF first, using another application such as AutoCAD.
ESRI Shapefiles (.SHP + .SHX +.DBF)
Raster picture / images - .BMP, .JPG, .JPEG, .JPE, .JIFF, .TIF, .TIFF, .PNG, .GIF, .SID
- Note: MrSid (.SID) files are no longer supported starting with the CONNECT Edition Update 1 releases (10.01.XX.XX) for technical reasons because of the introduction of Bing Maps.
- In older versions, MrSid backgrounds were only supported in the 32-bit version of the OpenFlows product. How do you run a hydraulics and hydrology product in 32 bit mode?

Bing Maps

Starting with CONNECT Edition Update 1, Bing Maps can also be added directly in the Background Layers manager: How to add background aerial and road map images to your model

World file support for background images

Some image formats support associated world files, starting with the CONNECT Edition release. When attaching a background image file that has an associated world file present, the image will now be spatially located automatically (ie. georeferenced).

Currently the following file formats support an associated world file:

bmp
jpg
jpeg
jpe
jfif
tif
tiff
png
gif

The World file extension is based on the image's extension. One convention is to use the first and last letter of the image's extension and add a "w" (eg. .jpg>.jgw). Another convention is to append the image's extension with a "w" (eg. .jpg, .jpgw).

When opening the file, the Image Properties dialog will automatically enter the coordinates from the World file in the editable (Drawing) fields.

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Background File Locations

The Standalone platform expects background files such as Shapefiles to be stored in a local folder or network drive. If you are trying to store your background layer files in a central location, here are some possible alternatives/workarounds:

1) Use a file server (network drive)

2) Consider Bing Maps backgrounds, which can now be overlayed automatically after specifying the model Coordinate System.

3) Use the ArcGIS Pro integrated platform and add backgrounds via ArcGIS Online