Modelling tool user interfaces

The tables below compare some main features of the user interfaces of the selected modelling tools that relate to their ease of use. These include approximate comparisons of typical model run times and the computing power needed to run them, as well as how easy it is to export and view various model outputs and test different parameter value options for sensitivity analyses and/or calibration.

The combination of how long it takes to set up a model, how long it takes to run a model, how long it takes to access model outputs of interest, and how long it takes to test and refine the model all influence what can be achieved in the time that is available for a modelling projects. Some modelling tools may run very quickly, but take a relatively long time to set up and don't have an efficient way to change and test multiple parameter value options, making calibration a time consuming manual process. Other tools may take long to run, but can be set up to do a number of parameter testing runs and even scenario runs at once, allowing the modeller to attend to other work in the meantime (however they may have to do so on another computer if the model runs require a lot of computing power!).

Interface comparison overview

Interface characteristic	WRSM-Pitman	SPATSIM-Pitman	ACRU4	SWAT2012	MIKE-SHE
Graphical user interface (vs code prompt)	yes	yes	yes	yes	yes
Catchment map display (visualise linkages)	no	yes	no	yes	yes
Model run times
Estimated model run time for a 30 year run, ~300km^2 catchment (Note: will depend on model set-up complexity & computing power!)	seconds to minutes	seconds to minutes	seconds to minutes	tens of minutes	hours
Computing resources needed
Comparative rating of computing power needed to achieve workable run times.	light	light	light	medium	intensive (need good GPU)
Model set-up ease & efficiency
Automated creation of model units & connections from map inputs (vs fully manual creation)	no	no	no	yes	yes
Input parameter values and change values for batches of models units (e.g., all HRUs of a cover type)	(limited)	yes	no	yes	yes
In-built database of suggested parameter values (e.g., for common vegetation types, soil types, etc.)	no	no	yes	yes	no
User can build own parameter databases for use across multiple models	no	(limited)	no	yes	yes
Model set-up transparency (i.e., is it very obvious what the model is doing/assuming?)
Interface makes the user interact with every component & parameter entry option during model set-up (vs having default parameter values pre-entered & not forcing user to view them)	yes	yes	yes	no	yes
Tool checks connection errors	(limited)	yes	(limited)	yes	yes
Batch runs & calibration tools
Facility for batch runs, parameter sensitivity analyses, uncertainty analyses & auto-calibration	no	yes	no	yes	yes
Accessing model output
Output viewer tool for streamflow	yes	yes	yes	yes	yes
Output viewer tool for water balance fluxes and stores	(limited)	yes	no	(limited)	yes
All water balance components that are calculated by the model can be exported	no	no	yes	yes	yes
Batch export of water balance fluxes for model's basic spatial units	no	yes	yes	yes	yes
Automated extraction of water balance fluxes for different spatial scales (e.g., by cover class area, by subcatchment, full catchment)	no	no	no	(limited)	yes

Formats for input-output data

Interface characteristic	WRSM-Pitman	SPATSIM-Pitman	ACRU4	SWAT2012	MIKE-SHE
Graphical user interface (vs code prompt)	yes	yes	yes	yes	yes
Catchment map display (visualise linkages)	no	yes	no	yes	yes