The primary user interface for SMOKE is a series of UNIX scripts. Because the basic SMOKE installation and instructions use these scripts, a key factor in using SMOKE is understanding the directory structure used for reading input files and writing output files. Additionally, it is critical that users know where to find the run scripts and other files that must be configured for a specific application of SMOKE. Section 3.2, “Directory structure” of this chapter describes the default directory structure.

Because SMOKE is based on UNIX scripts, it can also be reconfigured to use a different directory structure. This is useful if SMOKE is to be used from the MIMS interface, incorporated into another modeling system, or modified to suit the needs of a particular user. In Section 3.3, “How to change the default directory structure”, we describe what must be done to reconfigure the default directory structure to meet such needs.

In this chapter, we describe the default directory structures set automatically by the Assigns file provided with the default installation of SMOKE. We discuss a basic directory structure and an advanced structure that follow the same approach and can easily be adjusted using the Assigns file. For example, you can change a scenario name in the Assigns file, and this will automatically change all of your intermediate and output directory names. However, these two directory structures are only examples; as noted above, SMOKE is flexible enough to use any structure one wants to create. You could rework the Assigns file (or even completely remove it) if so desired, although this would be a much more complex process than changing a few environment variables. We have developed the SMOKE default directory structure based upon experience gained from many years of emissions modeling; we hope that SMOKE users will find it useful.

In addition to a default directory structure, SMOKE comes with a test case including example data files. Section 4.2, “Test case descriptions” provides descriptions about these files including where the files were obtained. These descriptions are intended to provide you with some background on the data files and a starting point for developing your own modeling files.