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From SystemsWiki

In this segment you will become familiar with several very useful tools on the InsightMaker toolbar that were not covered in previous segments.

Contents 1 Bi-Directional Flow 2 Create a Folder 3 Converter 4 Download 5 Custom Units 6 Embed 7 Built in Functions 8 Summary 9 References

[edit] Bi-Directional Flow

A single flow may represent a flow into AND out of a stock by unchecking the box next to the Only Positive Rates box in the Flow attributes list which is visible on the right when you click on a Flow.

Fig. 1 shows the initial creation of a Flow out of a Stock.

Fig. 2 shows the direction of the Flow once you've selected Reverse on the toolbar.

Fig. 3 shows a bidirectional flow. Note that the primary direction is represented by a closed arrow and the secondary direction is represented by an open arrow.

[edit] Create a Folder

As you're modeling on a web page it will be quite easy for you to run out of room. Also when developing very involved models it is often most advantageous to abstract segments of the model into a composite thought. You can probably reduce the meaning of the previous overloaded statement to a single word, i.e., "hide".

To place a number of items in a folder as follows:

• Select a number of items by dragging around them,
• To add or remove items from the selection use CTRL+Click,
• Be sure the Links and Flows to be included in the folder are selected,
• Click on the Create a Folder element in the Add Primitives area of the toolbar,
• Edit the (name) attribute to apply the desired label to the folder,
• Click the - sign in the upper left hand corner to collapse the folder,
• Rearrange the items outside of folder as appropriate,
• Click the + sign on the left of the folder to expand it.

Fig. 4 is an example of a collapsed folder. Go to the Source and click the + sign to expand.

Notes about Folders:

• You can do multiple levels of encapsulation, i.e., folders in folders,
• If you delete a folder you will delete what's inside it,
• If you want to remove a folder without deleting it's contents then drag every item out of the folder before you delete it.

[edit] Converter

There are times when the data that describes a parameter or a flow exists only as a table of values. Converter storeS a table of input and output values. When the input takes on one of the input values, the converter takes on the corresponding output value. Once you've made a Converter part of the insight simply click in the Data field and then click the the down arrow to open the Converter Data Specification dialog and add the input and output values as appropriate.

There are two choices for how the Converter is to deal with values between what's explicitly specified in the table and these are under the Interpolaiton attribute:

• None - the output for an input value between two input values assumes the value associated with whichever value it's closest to.
• Linear - the output value for an input value between two input values is computed as the average of the nearest input neighbors.

[edit] Download

While InsightMaker is a quite capable as a modeling and simulation facility because it is web based it does have its limitations. The Download option will export the Insigtica insight in a format that can be loaded into the Simgua simulation package which is more robust than InsightMaker.

[edit] Custom Units

There are numerous units predefined for use within InsightMaker though the array of possible units is almost endless. There will be times when you need to use units which are not predefined. Selecting the Custom Units tool in the Configure section of the toolbar will open the dialog in Fig. 6.

Scale defines the multiplier to get from the Synonym to the Name unit and the Scale may be 1 which would be correct as the scale for Cubic Meters and Meters^3.

Consider Fig. 7 where population is in Individuals, births are in Individuals per year and birth rate has units Individuals per Individuals per Year.

The Custom Units definition to support this model is depicted in Fig. 8.

[edit] Embed

The Embed tool provides you with the code necessary to Embed and executable version of an Insight into a web page. See Fig. 9.

Which when code from Fig. 9 is embedded it should produce Fig. 10.

Fig. 10 - Embedded Insight [Source]

Embedding Notes:

• When an embedded insight loads it scales to fit the size of the embed window.
• You can adjust the width and height of the embed window as seems appropriate for the size of the Insight you're embedding.
• Full Screen Insight - Opens the Insight in InsightMaker in a new window. From there you can also Duplicate Insight to make a copy you can modify. You must be logged in to InsightMaker to Duplicate Insight.
• Help - Opens InsightMaker Help in a new window.
• Find More Insights - Will open a new window displaying the InsightMaker subjects page where you can browse by subject or search for an Insight.
• The embedded Insight will load when the web page loads. Anyone viewing the web page will be able to view the Insight, click on the elements and look at the item definitions in the right hand column. To Run Simulation one must be logged into InsightMaker. If they aren't the dialog in Fig. 11 will display and the person can go create an account or login to InsightMaker. On return they can click the OK button and then Run Simulation.

[edit] Built in Functions

There are numerous functions built into InsightMaker for use in the Equations Editor. Rather than duplicate the existing descriptions you can download the Simuga Manual and the description of the functions begins on Page 26.

[edit] Summary

Operational Note: When selecting a link which will take you to another window and you are likely to want to refer to the initial window, as when answering questions below, you will probably find it helpful to Right-Click on the new link and select Open link in new tab or Open link in new window. In this way you won't lose the reference to the initial window. And when you close the new window you'll be back in the initial window where you started.

Please post your answers to the following questions on the Additional Tools discussion.

• Q1: What are some of your own personal thoughts about the utility of these additional tools?

Also, if you have thoughts about how to improve this page please add your comments to the discussion page.

Prev: Create Your First Model * Next: Thoughts on Interaction

Congratulations on completing the Thoughts on Interactions learning program. It is hoped that you have developed some understanding and valuable skills that will serve you well. Have a marvelous modeling journey.

[edit] References

Additional Resources Online Courses * Content Guide * Bookmarks Feedback to Gene Bellinger