6.1. Selecting Elements

MINEDW provides several tools for selecting nodes and elements. Selection is essential when performing these tasks:

  1. Assigning and editing element properties (e.g., hydraulic conductivity, storage zones, recharge zones, evaporation zones).

  2. Assigning and editing node-related boundary conditions (e.g., constant heads, pumping wells, variable-flux boundaries).

  3. Moving nodes within the finite-element mesh.

  4. Adding pinch-outs for improved vertical discretization.

  5. Refining and extending the mesh.

6.1.1. Selecting Elements in 2-D

When an element-based plot is displayed, you can select elements using these methods:

  • Click Selection: Use the Select tool to click individual elements in the View Pane. - Right-click to deselect an element. - Press Esc to clear all selections.

  • Rectangle Selection: Click the Select tool, then click and drag to define a rectangle. - Right-click and drag a rectangle around selected elements to deselect them.

  • Polygon Selection: Click the Select tool, then click the Select with Polygon tool (see Mouse Tools). - Draw a polygon around the desired area and press Enter to close it.

After selecting elements, press Enter to open one of these dialog boxes:

These dialogs edit recharge zones, evaporation zones, or geological zones.

../../_images/fig-select_recharge_zone.png

Figure 6.1 Select Recharge Zone dialog box

Recharge Zones To edit recharge zones: 1. Use a 2-D Plane plot item. 2. Change Color By to Recharge. 3. Select elements, then press Enter. 4. In the Select Recharge Zone dialog, assign a zone from the drop-down list.

../../_images/fig-select_evaporation_zone.png

Figure 6.2 Select Evaporation Zone dialog box

Evaporation Zones The process is similar to recharge zones: 1. Change Color By to Evaporation in a 2-D Plane plot. 2. Select elements, press Enter, and assign a zone from the dialog. For details, see Boundary Conditions.

Geological Zones Use a 2-D Element or 3-D Element plot item to assign geological properties. - Select elements, press Enter, and the Select Geological Zone dialog opens (Select Geological Zone dialog box). - To apply changes across multiple layers, specify the target layer in the attribute panel (Select Geological Zone dialog box with multiple-layer option).

../../_images/fig-select_geological_zone.png

Figure 6.3 Select Geological Zone dialog box

../../_images/fig-select_geological_zone_multiple.png

Figure 6.4 Select Geological Zone dialog box with multiple-layer option

Exporting Selections Export selected element numbers using the Export function in the Select Geological Zone dialog. The output file lists selected element IDs.

6.1.2. Selecting Elements in 3-D

Elements and zone properties can also be assigned using a 3-D .DXF file.

  1. Add a DXF plot item to the View Pane:

    • Select List → File Data → DXF.

    • In the Attributes tab, expand File and choose the DXF file.

  2. If the DXF contains multiple units:

../../_images/fig-attributes_dialog.png

Figure 6.5 Attributes dialog box

  1. Assign zones:

    • Click the symbol next to To Zone to open the DXF to Zone dialog (DXF to Zone dialog box).

    • Select the desired zone from the drop-down.

    • Choose Volume (for 3-D geologic units) or Face (for structures like faults).

    • Selection modes:

    • Whole → selects only elements fully inside the DXF object.

    • Center → selects elements if their centers are inside the DXF object.

../../_images/fig-dxf_to_zone.png

Figure 6.6 DXF to Zone dialog box

6.1.3. Exiting Selection Mode

  • To exit Select mode, click the View Mode button.

  • To deselect all elements, press Esc.