1st timer struggles

#1

I am an experienced SD modeller but very much a novice with web code etc. and am having no luck getting a very simple vensim model to work. I have uploaded the model and used the ‘Smart Watch’ as my example - copying the relevant information so that other than the model - and I’ve tried different ones, in case the model was a problem - but cannot get a graph to show anything. The model seems to run - loading appears on the screen and on my projects page it tells me it has been run 9 times. Are there any simple tutorials that walk you through the process, so I can get a sense of how this all works, as I suspect I am missing something very obvious and crucial. By the way I’ve updated Google Chrome so am using the latest version.

Thanks

David

#2

Hi David,

In regards to using the “UI Builder”, we have several links below to provide examples.

Note:
The new “Interface Builder” is currently in Alpha stage and is constantly in development improvement.

Here’s a YouTube video from our Forio Webinar that was conducted on July 15, 2015:
Creating Interactive Simulations Online with Vensim and Forio Epicenter

Here are other useful Epicenter UI Builder docs:
https://forio.com/epicenter/docs/public/ui_builder/


https://forio.com/epicenter/docs/public/how_to/

Regards,
Geromel

#3

Hi Geromel

Thanks but no luck. I went the the video: "Recorded Webinar: Creating Simulations and Analytic Applications on the Web with Forio Epicenter”. Very clear, very helpful, but I couldn’t get my model to work.

I used a very simple 1 stock bathtub model saved as a.vmf file. I uploaded it and then used UI Builder, following the video. From what I can understand my interface does not seem to be ‘binding’ with the model. So, for example following the video I set a up decision, a variable from the model, and then used a button to run the model, using step(1). I then set up a label ‘current year’ then added a variable called time. When I preview it, rather than seeing the current year I simply see the word ‘time’.

I then did the same using the ‘smart watch’ model that I downloaded - (model.vmf) - to see if it was the model that was causing the problem. The result was the same.

The only output I have is the variable ‘time’ but nothing. It has to be something to do with my interface not linking with the model - even though when I run it I get the ‘loading’ symbol appearing.

David

#4

Hi Geromel

Sorry to be a pain but I’m really keen to crack this as I want to start using it for some authenticated client models. So, the next thing I did was use the interface builder and it worked. That tells me my model is connecting.

While it works the interface builder builds very basic models. So, I went back to the ‘project home page’ and clicked on UIBuilder, then opened ‘index.html. It loads the introduction page with my header but the blue wheel keeps spinning and in grey is: Page/david_rees/basic2/index.html was not found 404.

As I said I really want to crack this as I have a number of clients wanting web-based models. In the past I’ve used netsim, from iseesystems, but need something more sophiticated, so really want to get Forio working for us.

Cheers

David

#5

Well this is getting very frustrating. I attended this morning’s webinar and followed the instructions to upload a Stella Pro model - I thought it may work better than my attempts to get Vensim working. However, when I use the Interface Builder, as Michael described, all I get is the blue wheel spinning away. Now I suspect, given my Vensim problems described below, that there is something in my settings that is causing the problems. However, I have no idea where to look., so can’t even get to 1st base.

Some help would be appreciated as I do want to set up some authenticated projects but given my trouble so far it ain’t looking good

David

#6

Hi David,

I apologize for the delay.

We are currently looking at your project: Stella Model to see if the issue is the model file itself.

We do see the spinning blue wheel and investigating.

We will provide you status based on our investigation.

Regards,
Geromel

#7

Hi David,

Michael Bean here. I did the webinar demoing Stella Pro today. Sorry to hear that it isn’t working for you.

I would be happy to schedule a web share with you over the next few days if you care to review with me. Feel free to email me at mbean{at}forio{dott}com and we can schedule a time.

Best, Michael

#8

That would be great Michael. I use both Vensim and Stella Pro and am keen to get some projects up on the web using Forio. However, as you can tell I’m having problems wiht both platforms. As noted I suspect the problems are at my end but I have no idea how to solve them.

I can do mornings anytime this week

Cheers

David

#9

HI David,

After reviewing your “Stella Pro” Epicenter project, we found the issue was caused by your current Stella model:
Coordinare_Demographics & Epi Model_160428.itmx

  1. Epicenter supports Stella model file name with extension .stmx
  2. The model file names should only use alpha-numeric characters;
    special characters are not supported at this time.
  3. Epicenter does not support sub-models, but we plan to support it in the future.
  4. We do not plan to support data from XLS file within the model.

Also, I went ahead and reviewed your Bathtub project that has the Vensim model: Bathtub#2.vmf

I renamed the Vensim file to Bathtub2.vmf (removing the special character #) and created an example project for you to review:
Bathtub ver2
https://forio.com/app/david_rees/bathtub-ver2

“Bathtub ver2” was created using the Interface Builder (currently in Alpha).

Please review the component properties within the Interface Builder so that you can use this as example for your future projects.

Regards,
Geromel Grate

#10

Hi Geromel

Still having problems. I tried the Bathtub version 2 and while it works fine with the Interface Builder as soon as I try and work through the UI builder I keep getting the same message ‘index.html was not found 404’. I’ve also set up a team project but getting the same problem. All is okay in Interface Builder but I keep getting the same error message as soon as I go to the UI Builder.

David

#11

Hi David,

Once a Epicenter project is edited with the Interface Builder, the project will not be compatible with the UI Builder editor which may have caused the 404 Error you are reporting.

The new Interface Builder is currently in Alpha stage and is constantly in development improvement and we will be phasing out the UI Builder in the future.

Please use the Interface Builder as your preferred Epicenter editor.

You can always reach out to support@forio.com.

Regards,
Geromel