Components

The interface designer contains graphical components that can be dragged and dropped into your simulations to provide specific functions. All of the components are grouped into categories based on the component's purpose. To view the components, you must first create a model, and then click on the Interface tab (note that the Interface tab is not visible until a model is created). Next, you will see the component categories listed in stacked horizontal tabs in the component panel on the left side of the screen. The categorical tabs are accessed by clicking the Add a Component tab.

When a component has been added to your sim, the properties of the component, such as size and color, can be changed. Each component is described below, and is grouped within the same category as they are found in the component panel. Click on a component name in the list below to view all properties available for that component.

Charts, Tables, and Data Components

The 'Charts, Tables, and Data' Components are used to display and compare data. Click on a component below to view the property options.

• Line Chart - Displays quantitative data over a period of time.
• Time Bar Chart - A bar graph that compares quantitative data over a period of time.
• Comparison Bar Chart - A bar graph that compares quantitative data in current time.
• Area Chart - Displays quantitative data over time; typically used to compare two or more series.
• Pie Chart - Used to compare quantitative data; typically used to compare two or more series.
• Sparkline - Used to show directionality of data at a glance.
• Legend - Labels the data on your charts.
• Data Table - Used to display and compare information in a table format.
• Financial Table - Used to display financial data of any kind in a neat text based label.
• Model Explorer - Displays a computer generated diagram of model structure. It can also show current model behavior.
• Value - Used to show data for a single item at a single point in time as text.
• Range Controller - Used to allow selections of subscripts within an array.

Decision Inputs Components

The 'Decision Inputs' components allow users to make selections or enter data. Click on a component below to view the property options.

• Drawable Line Chart - A drawable line chart used to set look-up graphs that are decisions. Using this tool, users can draw the behavior of a function.
• Radio Button Decision - Allows users to make a choice between a set of predefined options.
• Slider Decision - Used to make a continuous decision that has a minimum and a maximum.
  
• Text Decision - A text input used to make a decision by a user.
  
• Checkbox Decision - Used to make a decision when there are only two decisions are required to be made.
• Scenario Selector - Used to set multiple decisions and interface variables at once.

Text, Images, and Video Components

The 'Text, Images, and Video' components are used for displaying images, texts, videos. Click on a component below to view the property options.

• Image - Used to upload and display JPEGs, PNGs, or GIFs.
• Text - Used to display multiline text with limited HTML support, and to perform some basic actions.
  
• Text Entry - Used to store text entered by a user.
• Video Player - Used to play externally hosted .FLV files, .MP4 files, and YouTube videos.

Actions and Navigation Components

The 'Actions and Navigation' components are used to navigate throughout sim pages (example: a hyperlink) and trigger actions (example: a button). Click on a component below to view the property options.

• Button - Used to trigger actions or navigate sim pages.
• Hit Area - Similar to a button, this component is used to trigger actions, or navigate sim pages.
• Link - Used to navigate between sims pages, or the internet.
• Tab Navigator - A container that is used to hold other components. Use it by drawing other components inside of it.
• Timer - Used to trigger actions at regular intervals.

Drawing Objects Components

The 'Drawing Objects' components are used for drawing vertical lines, horizontal lines, rectangles, ellipses. Click on a component below to view the property options.

• Ellipse - Draws an ellipse.
• Rectangle - Draws a rectangle.
• Vertical Line - Draws a vertical line.
• Horizontal Line - Draws a horizontal line.

Advanced Components

Advanced Components are only available to sim authors with Basic, Premium, Professional, or Enterprise accounts. Click on a component below to view the property options.For information about upgrading accounts, click here.

• Login Components - Creates a login box to enter a username and password.
• Run Table - Displays an archive of simulation run results. The run table also provides the ability to reopen archived simulation runs.
• Custom Component - Used to custom design a flash or flex component for your sim.
• Compare Runs Table - Used to select simulation runs to be displayed in a graph.
• Histogram - Displays the run results of a specific group (for sims with user access groups).
• Run Filter Selector - Used to limit runs displayed in a runs table or compare runs table based on attributes of the run.
• Run Limiter - Used by the sim author to limit the number of sim runs per user.

Note that the Interface screen is not visible until a model has been created for your sim.

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