Working with submodels : Multiple-instance submodels

Multiple-instance submodels

Multiple-instance submodels are one of Simile's most valuable features, for constructing object-based models. For real-world objects, such as a tree, it is useful to be able to model several particular instances of the object, each acting in the same general way, though differing in their particular attributes.

• Fixed membership submodels have a specified number of instances
• Per-record submodels have one instance for each set of data loaded for its parameters.

• Population (variable membership) submodels offer control over the number of instances using special model elements
• Special-purpose submodels have many instances, and extra features which assist in modelling particular common phenomena, e.g., spatial grids