Simile version 6.9 released

Changes since v6.8:

Improvements:

• Database access has now been completely overhauled. This means that model parameters can be read from a MySQL database in Linux, and reading them from an ODBC source such as .xls works in 64-bit Windows. .xlsb, .xlsm and .xlsx formats can also be used, and the data logger tool can write to any of these in Windows and to MySQL in Linux
• New 'order' function allows arrays to be sorted efficiently
• 2-D layers visualization now includes 2-D versions of the 3-D shapes from the projection viewer
• Components in a flat model can now represent components in an instance of a grid submodel according to their position on the diagram
• There is now an image component that allows arbitrary images to be placed on the model diagram
• v6.8 changed the behaviour of sliders and other input tools so they reset to default values on a model reset. v6.9 keeps the 'instantaneous' effect of adjusting inputs but whether they revert to default on model reset is now an option in preferences.
• Implicit replication in numerical array constant, e.g., [1, [2,3]] now interpreted as [[1,1],[2,3]]
• Flows between arrays and/or multi-instance submodels can now carry multiple values, and the appropriate sections are decorated accordingly
• Run environment is hidden when model is not running or ready to run

Bug fixes:

• Things that work better:
  • Iterative submodels are more reliable, especially where they contain multi-instance submodels
  • If you get the dialogue offering to abort execution of a model that is running slowly, the model keeps running while it is up, and pauses normally if it finishes a time step
  • Many other very occasional inconveniences have been fixed
• Actions that no longer cause hangs or crashes:
  • Saving or copying selection if it contained fragment-defined functions
  • Confusing a size() reference in dimensions by creation of an identically named submodel somewhere else
  • Deleting a selection containing a submodel with a size() reference in dimensions as well as the referred submodel
  • Changing the caption of a component that influences a rule-based state
  • Re-running a model with a time series event after (a) adjusting the slider and (b) adding explicit bounds
  • Re-opening the equation dialogue for an equation including a built-in lookup table with thousands of values (however large built-in tables are still a bad idea!)

Version-specific changes:

• Windows version:
  • Package now has developer certificate for simpler installation
  • Help window now always appears when requested
• Mac version:
  • Package now has developer certificate for simpler installation
  • When installing the new version, your previous name, organization and licence code will appear as the defaults in the registration dialogue
  • Better support for multi-screen setups
  • Memory management improved to fix crashes on High Sierra
  • Problem saving a previously saved file as something else in the same directory has been fixed
  • Layers menu for 2-D layers visualization now works properly
• Linux version:
  • When installing the new version, your previous name, organization and licence code will appear as the defaults in the registration dialogue
  • A 2-D layers visualization including a background photo did not save properly -- now it does
  • Installing Simile now adds a launch icon to the Science or Education app submenu

Download Simile v6.9 now!