Running models : Single window run time environment

The single-window Model Run Environment

Controlling a simulation and displaying results is performed within the Model Run Environment (MRE). The single-window MRE provides flexible self-contained access to all the controls needed to perform a simulation and to display the results.

It is divided into a number of sections. In the upper left corner is the "Run Control". In the lower left corner is a tabbed panel containing the model "Explorer". On the right hand side are four notebook pages, which can each contain one or more "helpers". Helpers are used to display the behaviour of a model whilst it is running, for example, a graph of a variable, or a data table. Helpers are also used to provide data for the model, for example, using "Input sliders".

To add a helper to a page, select the required helper from the "Add" menu. The three most commonly used helpers can be selected using these buttons on the tool bar:

the plotter;

the data table; and

the Input sliders.

The pages can be divided vertically or horizontally, to allow more than one helper to be display on each page, and pages can be added or removed. Once one or more helpers have been added to the pages, and are arranged as you wish, the configuration can be saved to a file, for use the next time the same model is built.

  • To save the current configuration of helpers, chose the "Save configuration…" item on the "File" menu, or use the save button on the tool bar.
  • To load a previously saved configuration of helpers, chose the "Load configuration…" item on the "File" menu, or use the open button on the tool bar.
  • A new configuration can be selected, to remove all the currently displayed helpers.

Arranging pages, and panes

Add notebook

Creates a new notebook, initially with four pages, in the current pane
     

Add notebook page

Adds a page to the notebook containing the current pane
     

Divide pane vertically or horizontally

Splits a pane into two new ones separated by a sash which can be dragged

Adding helpers

Add plotter

   

Add table

   

Add sliders

   

Add other helper

Manipulating layout

Copy display to clipboard

Copies helper window to Simile's clipboard; also copies its graphics to system clipboard for pasting into other graphical applications
     

Cut display to clipboard

As above but also removes helper window from the pane
     

Paste display from clipboard

Inserts a copy of the helper window from the clipboard to the current pane, with the same setup
     

Delete display or helper

Removes helper window from pane, or deletes pane if it is already empty
     

Print display contents Prints the graphics of the helper in the current pane

Saving and restoring configurations

New configuration

Sets MRE to its initial state of one notebook with four empty pages
     

Open configuration

Loads a previously saved configuration. Model components referred to by the helpers in the configuration should exist in the current model.
     

Save configuration

Saves a configuration for reloading later, or for inclusion in a model package.

In: Contents >> Running models

 

Running models : Working with visualisation tools : Save and restore

Helper configurations

You will probably be working with a particular model over a period of time, testing it, modifying it and exploring its behaviour. Often, you will want to have the same displays each time you run a simulation. Simile enables you to save a particular configuration of helpers in a file, and re-load them on a subsequent occasion.

Helper configurations

You will probably be working with a particular model over a period of time, testing it, modifying it and exploring its behaviour. Often, you will want to have the same displays each time you run a simulation. Simile enables you to save a particular configuration of helpers in a file, and re-load them on a subsequent occasion.

Each configuration can contain one or more instances of one or more types of helper, each instance linked up to particular variables in the model. You can have several configurations for the same model. You can also use the same configuration for different models - perhaps slightly different versions of one model - so long as the variable names are the same. For this reason, configurations are stored in separate files, and not in the file used to save the model itself.

New configuration

Any existing helpers are closed and removed by selecting a new configuration. It is only necessary to name the configuration when saving it, in which case any suitable name and directory can be chosen in the usual way.

Save configuration

The procedure for saving configurations differs, depending on whether the single or multiple-window run time environment is selected.

Load configuration

The procedure for loading configurations differs, depending on whether the single or multiple-window run time environment is selected.

In: Contents >> Running models >> Working with helpers