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spected tires, Inspected=0. For inspected tires, Customizing Graphics

Inspected=1. Set the attribute value equal to 1 in
the Operation field of the Inspection location to Background graphics can enhance the look of
indicate an inspected tire. your models and provide valuable visual infor-
mation to convey meaning and lend credibility to
At some other location in the model, ProModel
your models. Several file types can be imported
makes a routing decision based the tire’s inspec-
from various sources including CAD drawings.
tion status. The example above shows that the
entity, tire, will route to either Inspect or
Machine_2 based on the attribute value. How to Import a background
Another use for entity attributes is for assigning graphic:
entity characteristics such as number of times
reworked, color, model type, lot size, order num- 1. Choose Background Graphics from the Build
ber, etc. You may do this to reduce the number menu.
of system entities defined. 2. Select Front of Grid or Behind Grid.
In the following example, to show that you 3. Choose Import Graphic from the Edit menu.
reworked a casting, each entity that goes through
the location Rework has its “Reworked” attribute
set equal to 1.
Front of Grid When the grid is on, the grid
lines will not cover or obstruct the imported
graphic.
Behind Grid The imported graphic will be
behind the grid lines when the grid is on.
You may paste any *.BMP or *.WMF image cop-
ied to the Windows clipboard on the Layout by
choosing Paste BMP or Paste WMF from the Edit
menu.
Once you select Import Graphic from the Edit
menu and select the desired file and type, Pro-
Model imports the image into the layout. Once
this procedure is complete, you may select or
activate the graphic by clicking with the left
mouse button on the graphic. You may then drag
the mouse to move the graphic to the desired
position on the layout. You may stretch or com-
press the graphic to the size you desire using any
You may assign values to entity attributes in the
of its four sizing handles.
Operation field in the Processing edit table, the
Logic field in the Arrivals edit table, and the ProModel allows you to import *.BMP, *.WMF,
Move Logic in the Routing edit table. *.GIF, and *.PCX file types. BMPs and WMFs
can also be copied to the clipboard from other
applications and pasted directly into the back-
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ground. To import a CAD drawing, you must record defined afterwards for the same location
save it to one of the file formats described above. where you batched them.

Batching & Unbatching Entities

Batching refers to congregating or consolidating
multiple entities of the same or different type for
processing or movement purposes. Batching
may be either temporary or permanent. For tem-
porary batching, use the GROUP statement. For
permanent batching, use the COMBINE state-
ment.

Temporary Batching Using

Once you accomplish the purpose for which you
GROUP/UNGROUP grouped the entities, such as moving them, you
The GROUP statement allows you to group enti- can unbatch the entities using the UNGROUP
ties together and ungroup them at a later time. statement as shown next. Note that after the
You may group entities by individual entity type ungrouping takes place, you must define pro-
by defining a process record for the type to cesses for each potential entity that could have
group, or group them irrespective of entity type been in the group (alternatively you could define
by defining an ALL process record. To combine an ALL process record).
multiple entity types in which you must control
the quantity of each type requires controlling the
routing which sends parts to the grouping loca-
tion. ProModel maintains all of the identities and
attributes of the grouped entities and allows them
to remain with the individual entities after an
UNGROUP command.
To illustrate how GROUP/UNGROUP works,
suppose we want to consolidate 20 incoming
entities into a group called Batch. If the current
location performs no additional operation steps
once you group the entities, you can simply use
the statement “GROUP 20” to group the 20 enti-
ties and then specify an output of 1 Batch in the COMBINE Statement
routing. If, on the other hand, the current location ProModel uses the COMBINE statement to accu-
performs additional operation steps after the mulate and consolidate a specified quantity of
grouping occurs, use the statement “Group 20 as entities into a single entity, optionally with a dif-
Batch” and define no output routing for the ferent name. The entities may be the same type of
grouped entities. Instead, the entities become a entity or they may be different. Combined enti-
new entity called “Batch” that needs a process ties lose their identities and attributes and you
cannot ungroup them later. When defining the
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location, the location capacity where you use the

COMBINE statement should be at least as large
as the combined quantity. The following shows
the correct syntax for combining 5 Castings into a
single entity called Pallet (the location, Out,
should have a capacity of at least 5).

Note that the loaded entity, Gear, has “LOAD” in

the Routing Rule field as shown here. This tells
ProModel that the gear only goes to Loc2 when a
Load command requests it.

LOAD/UNLOAD Statements
Another method of batching and unbatching
involves the LOAD and UNLOAD statements.
As with the GROUP statement, ProModel main-
tains the identities and attributes of the batched
entities. Therefore, when you use the UNLOAD
statement, each entity still has its attribute assign-
ments.
The difference between LOAD and GROUP is Since the example does not specify an entity type
that LOAD requires a “base” entity on which you as part of the LOAD statement, ProModel will
load other entities that might represent a pallet or load entity type waiting for the LOAD request.
container. Also, the entities you are going to load, To control which entity types the model loads,
travel to the loading location on an “If load use the “IFF” option with the LOAD statement
request” routing rule. (e.g., LOAD 4 IFF Entity()=gear).
In the following example, four Gears are loaded Once the batch moves to its destination, the
onto a pallet. Pallet is the entity which issues the model uses the UNLOAD statement to break it
LOAD statement. In addition, the example into individual components (Gear and Pallet).
includes a time element (LOAD 4 in 10 min). You must define a routing for the entity Gear
This means “load 4 gears or wait 10 minutes, after the UNLOAD takes place. Typical uses for
whichever occurs first.” If after 10 minutes only LOAD/UNLOAD are palletizing operations,
3 gears arrive, the entity loaded with the 3 gears AGV systems, and AS/RS systems.
continues.
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ACCUM Statement
The ACCUM statement is short for “accumu-
late.” Its use is slightly different than the GROUP
and LOAD statements. ACCUM does not “batch
together” entities, but rather holds entities at a
location until a certain number accumulate. It
behaves much like a gate restricting entities until
a certain number arrive at the location. After the
required number accumulate, ProModel releases
them for downstream processing. This allows
you to model a certain type of batching which
involves simply the accumulation of parts and
their subsequent release—all at a single location.
When using the ACCUM statement, make sure
the capacity of the location where you are using If you want the entity coming from Process B to
the ACCUM statement is at least as large as the have priority and go to Process C first, define a
amount accumulating. priority in the destination field for the routing of
Process B. In the following example, we entered
Modeling Priorities a priority of 10 for the routing of the entity Cast-
ing at the location Process_B.
Priorities are an important part of modeling any
system. They range from determining which
location has priority for processing parts to
choosing the appropriate resource. Priorities
allow you to determine the order in which events
occur in the simulation. The three most common
uses of priorities deal with choosing processing
destinations, selecting resources, and prioritizing How to enter a priority for a destina-
downtimes. tion:

Choosing a Processing Enter a priority value directly in the destination

field, making sure there is a comma separating
Destination
the destination and priority.
When one downstream destination exists and
or...
there are two or more upstream entities compet-
ing to get there, you can use priorities. In the fol- Click the Destination... button and enter the prior-
lowing example, two entities at different ity in the appropriate field.
locations are both trying to get to Process C.

Selecting Resources
Similar to the previous example, this type of pri-
oritizing refers to which of two or more pro-
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cesses, requesting the same resource will have After defining a variable, you may display it any-
priority in capturing the resource. In the Opera- where on the layout screen by simply clicking
tion field, in conjunction with the USE or GET with your mouse in the desired position with the
statements, the process with the higher priority variable highlighted in the edit table.
number gets the resource first.
How to show system throughput on
Downtimes and Preemption the screen:
ProModel uses priorities in conjunction with
resource or location downtimes to determine 1. Define the variable “thruput.”
which defined downtime takes priority. Down- 2. Display the variable on the screen.
times with priorities that are 99 or less do not
interrupt or “preempt” the activity, but begin 3. In the processing edit table, increment the
variable by one each time an entity leaves the
after the current process completes. Downtimes
system.
with a priority of 100 or higher preempt the cur-
rent activity. After the downtime, the activity
resumes from where it left off.
Another common, on-screen statistic is work in
Displaying Statistics On Screen process (WIP). To show this statistic on the
screen, follow the first two steps above. To accu-
Effective use of statistics lends meaning and rately indicate the WIP in your model, increment
credibility to simulation models. This section is a variable as entities enter the system and use the
designed to show ways of displaying statistics on decrement statement as they exit the system.
screen while the simulation is running. It also
provides examples you can incorporate into any
How to display the total system time
model.
for entities:
Displaying on-screen statistics is valuable for
adding model clarity as well as providing a way
1. Assign the simulation clock time to an entity
to keep track of what is happening in the model.
attribute at the beginning of your simulation.
The technique used for displaying statistics is to
define variables within your model, perform cer- 2. Subtract that attribute from the current clock
tain functions on those variables (e.g., addition, time at the ending location and assign it to a
subtraction, etc.), and then display those vari- variable you can display.
ables on the screen.
ProModel defines variables as symbols (e.g., x, y,
and var1) that hold numeric values. They are For example, to display total system time for
defined in the Variables edit table. When defin- entities in the system, define a variable and an
ing variables, you must include the following attribute. The entity attribute, Input_Time,
information: records the time an entity entered the system.
•Name (may be alphanumeric combination) The variable, Sys_Time, records the elapsed time
•Type (real or integer) each entity spent in the system (clock-input
•Initial value (may be any value) time). By displaying the variable on the layout,
290 Chapter 6:
Modeling Tips

you will have a dynamic value showing system

time of the exiting entity. Stores

Creating Pull Systems

Types of Pull Systems Process 1

A pull system is a system in which locations pro-
duce parts only on downstream demand. There
are two types of pull systems:
Process 2 OrderQue
•those based on limited buffer or queue sizes.
•those based on more distant “downstream”
demand.
The first method, that of limited buffer sizes, is Creating the Pull System
quite easily to model using ProModel. By simply
Now let's examine the ProModel steps to build
defining limited capacity locations, a preceding
this pull system.
location will not send parts until capacity is avail-
1. Define four locations: Stores, Process_1,
able. This method works fine for most pull sys-
Process_2, and OrderQue.
tems. The second method, triggering part
2. Define two entities: Order and Unit.
movement, based on more distant downstream
3. Define the processing as shown previously.
demand requires use of the SEND statement to
4. Define the arrivals. Schedule Units to arrive
trigger part movement.
at location Stores. Schedule Orders to arrive
There are additional ways to model pull systems at location OrderQue.
using ProModel. As you review the modeling
5. The entity Order “drives” the system by
requirements of your own pull system, you
sending Units to Process_1 to fulfill the
should verify that these constructs will satisfy
order. In the operation logic at OrderQue,
your needs.
use the SEND statement to send a Unit to
This section shows how to use the SEND state- Process_1 from location Stores. A corre-
ment to model a pull system. The diagram below sponding SEND rule must be used as a Rout-
shows the pull system we will model. Orders for ing Rule for Unit at Stores.
finished goods arrive at the OrderQue. The arriv- 6. After the SEND statement in the operation
ing order triggers the release of a unit from the logic at the OrderQue, use a JOIN statement
location Stores. The order continues to wait at to join a Unit to an Order. A corresponding
OrderQue until the unit goes through Processes 1 JOIN rule must be used as a Routing Rule
and 2. At Process_1, Unit processes for two min- for Unit at Process_2.
utes. At Process_2, Unit processes for four min- 7. Place the processing times for the Unit at
utes. Finally, the Unit joins to the requesting Process_1 and Process_2.
order waiting in the OrderQue.
 ProModel 291
User Guide

When you finish, the processing and routing

should appear as shown below.

 Process Table Routing Table

Entity Location Operation (min) Blk Output Destination Rule Move Logic
Unit Stores 1 Unit Process_1 SEND 1
Unit Process_1 WAIT 2 1 Unit Process_2 FIRST 1 MOVE FOR .5
Unit Process_2 WAIT 5 1 Unit OrderQue JOIN 1 MOVE FOR .5
Order OrderQue SEND 1 Unit TO Process_1 1 Order EXIT
JOIN 1 Unit

Making Assemblies
An assembly occurs when you attach specific
items or entities to another entity such as a base
part or frame. To assemble entities, use the JOIN
statement. Implementing JOIN is a two-step pro-
cess:
1. Employ the JOIN statement at the designated
assembly location.
2. Use the JOIN routing rule for all joining
entities.
It is helpful to designate one of the joining enti-
ties to be the “base” entity which issues the JOIN
statement. In the following example, “Comp” is
the base entity. All other joining entities must
Several other ProModel statements similar to
travel to the assembly location on an “If Join
JOIN exist such as GROUP/UNGROUP, COM-
Request” routing rule. Note that for “Monitor”
BINE, LOAD, and ACCUM. You generally use
traveling to the assembly location, the word
these statements for temporary or permanent
“JOIN” appears in the Rule field. This indicates
batching. To learn more about these statements,
that “Monitor” will go to the location Assembly
see the discussion on Batching and Unbatching
only if a JOIN statement requests it elsewhere in
earlier in this section.
the model.
For more information see “Join” on page 504.
292 Chapter 6:
Modeling Tips
 ProModel 293
User Guide

Chapter 7: Building the

Logic

Logic Builder How to access the Logic Builder:

The Logic Builder provides a quick and powerful
Click the right mouse button in the logic window
way to create valid statements and expressions in
or expression edit field. Or click the Build button
logic windows or fields. It takes you through the
on the logic window’s toolbar.
process of creating statements or expressions, as
well as providing point-and-click access to every
element defined in your model. The Logic
Builder knows the syntax of every statement and
function, and allows you to define logic simply
by filling in the blanks.

Using the Logic Builder

When the Logic Builder is opened from a logic
window, it remains on the screen until you click
the Close button or close the logic window or
table from which it was invoked. This allows you
to enter multiple statements in a logic window
and even move around to other logic windows
without having to constantly close and re-open
the Logic Builder. The Logic Builder closes
automatically when pasting to an expression
field.
You can move to another logic window or field
while the Logic Builder is still up by right click-
ing in that field or logic window. The Logic
Builder is then reset with only valid statements
and elements for that field or window, and will
paste the logic you build into that field or win-
dow.
294 Chapter 7:
Logic Builder

How to build a statement or double-click on the statement name. Other com-

expression: ponents of the Logic Builder are as follows:

logic text box

1. Right click in an expression field or logic
window to open the Logic Builder or click on parameter entry field
the Build button in a logic window.
2. Select the statement or expression you
want to use from the list box. When opened
from a logic window, you have the option to
click on the Build Expression button to create
only an expression.
3. Enter the parameters for the statement or parameter buttons
expression. These may be expressions using
model elements and/or functions or other keypad &
statements. Parameters may be edited or logic buttons
entered manually in the Parameter Entry
field. Parameter buttons Below the logic text box are
4. Paste the results into the logic field or win- one or more buttons to control which parameter
dow by clicking the Paste button. to enter for the statement or expression. Parame-
ters can be expressions, statements, or functions.
These buttons only appear when parameters may
be required by the statement, and may change
Logic Builder Components when you select a different statement. The name
When invoking the Logic Builder from a logic of the currently selected button appears immedi-
window, you have the option of building either ately below the row of buttons and indicates
statements or expressions. Different buttons and whether or not the parameter is optional.
lists appear in the Logic Builder as you use the Parameter entry field This edit field allows
Logic Builder’s options depending upon whether you to enter or edit the current parameter. This
you are selecting a statement or building an only appears when parameters may be required
expression. The Logic Builder shown at the by the statement. As soon as something is entered
beginning of this section shows a statement being in this field, the Logic Builder switches to build
selected for building. mode to allow selection of functions or elements
At the top of the Logic Builder is a display (logic of the model.
text box) of the statement or expression you are
building exactly as it will appear after it is pasted
into the logic window. A brief description of the
selected statement or function is displayed in the
logic text box. This description is replaced with
the statement or function syntax when you type a
parameter, click a parameter or logic button, or
 ProModel 295
User Guide

Keypad button Click on this button to display tion of numbers, model elements, and/or func-
the numeric keypad for entering numbers in the tions, but does not include statements.
parameter entry field without using the keyboard.
Statement selection list Choose which state-
ment you wish to use from this list. Only valid
statements are displayed for the logic window or
field you are using.
Paste button This button pastes the text of the
logic text box into your logic window or field. It
is only available once the minimum requirements
of the statement or expression have been com-
pleted. The Paste button closes the dialog if you
are pasting to a field.
Logic buttons These buttons can be used to Clear button This button clears whatever you
insert logical operators and other punctuation in have done since the last paste and allows you to
the parameter entry field above. When you click start over.
the button, the operator is inserted at the cursor
Close button Closes the Logic Builder without
position in the field. A button appears only when
pasting the current logic text box.
the currently selected parameter can use that par-
ticular logical operator. Help button Launches the context sensitive help
system.
•Logical & String Operators:
Logic Elements When editing an expression in
the parameter entry field, the Statement selection
list is replaced by Logic Elements. The box on
•Time Unit Operators:
the left lists logic and model element types. The
box on the right lists individual selections from
the logic or model element type selected.
Category This combo box allows you to select
which type of statements appear in the statement
selection list below it. You can select all or a
specific type.

Build Expression button This button allows you Return and Cancel Buttons When editing the
to create only an expression. It displays the logic parameters of a function or nested statement, two
elements list (see below) for you to create the additional buttons appear to the right of the
expression. An expression consists of a combina- parameter edit box: Return and Cancel.
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Logic Builder

•Return button This button (available only replaces the parameter name in the logic text box.
when required parameters have been The parameter name reappears when the entry
entered) returns to the previous parameter field is cleared. The names of optional parame-
entry field and pastes the function or state- ters are not displayed in the logic text box.
ment at the last cursor position.
An optional shortcut to begin editing the state-
ment’s first parameter is to double click on the
statement name in the statement list box.

•Cancel button Aborts editing of the func- Selecting Logic Elements

tion or nested statement and returns to The Logic Elements list box, containing model
editing the previous statement or function. elements and functions, appears with a selection
list box to its right. A number pad element is
Selecting Statements included in the list, which can also be accessed
using the Keypad button.
The first thing to do in creating a statement with
the Logic Builder is to select the desired state- When you click on an item in the Logic Elements
ment from the statements list box. You can list, the model elements or functions related to
restrict the list of statements to choose from using that item are listed in the selection box on the
the Statement Type combo box above the state- right. For example, when you click on Entities,
ment list. If you are just starting to use Pro- the selection list is entitled Entities and it con-
Model, you may want to select the Basic tains all the entities defined in the model.
Statements type to list only the most commonly
used statements.
To select a statement, left click on the statement
name in the list box. The statement name appears
in the logic text box along with a brief descrip-
tion. The parameter buttons also appear just
below the logic text box.
Before you begin editing the parameters of the
statement, you can select a different statement.
However, once you begin defining a parameter,
you must click the Clear button to abandon that
statement and select another.

Editing Statement Parameters

Building a statement is simply a matter of filling
in the parameters. To enter a parameter, click the
appropriate parameter button below the logic text
box. The parameter name is displayed above the
parameter entry field. Whatever you type in this
field or select from the Logic Elements list
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User Guide

How to place a model element in Nested Functions & Statements

the parameter entry field: When you select a function as the parameter for
your statement, you must also define that func-
1. Left click on the desired element type in tion’s parameter(s). In defining the function’s
the Logic Elements list box. The elements for parameter(s), you may use another function
that type will be placed in the selection list which will also require defined parameters. This
box.
second function is called a nested function. In
2. Left click on the desired element to paste addition, a function may be nested within a
it into the parameter entry field at its current nested function. Functions can be nested as many
cursor position. Note that the element is high- levels as you like. In this way, the logic builder
lighted in the parameter field; clicking on helps you create complex expressions that would
another element will replace it.
be difficult to enter manually.
Control statements such as IF...THEN and
WHILE...DO contain parameters that are them-
How to place a function in the selves statements. These are called nested state-
parameter entry field: ments. For example, an IF...THEN...ELSE
statement might look something like this:
1. Left click on the desired function type or
on All functions in the Logic Elements list box. Nested IF, THEN, ELSE
The functions for that type will be placed in
the selection list box.
If (Variable1 > 10) Then
2. Left click on the desired function to paste it
{
into the parameter entry field at its current
< Statement1 >
cursor position. The Logic Builder jumps into
< Statement2 >
build mode for that function’s parameter(s).
}
Note that two new buttons are placed to the
right of the parameter edit field: Return and Else
Cancel. {
3. To fill in the function’s parameter(s), repeat < Statement3 >
steps one and two. If you do not want to use < Statement4 >
this function, abandon it by clicking on the }
Cancel button.
4. Once the function’s parameters are com-
plete, click on the Return button. The param-
One or more statements may appear in the block
eters you just completed will be pasted into
the function’s parameter entry field, and the between the curly braces. The Logic Builder
completed function with its parameters is allows you to define the first statement of the
pasted into the original statement’s parame- block. To add other statements to the block, place
ter entry field. the cursor in the logic edit window where you
want the next statement and use the Logic
Builder to write the statement and paste it in. For
298 Chapter 7:
Logic Builder

example, in the following Logic Builder window, ments without worrying about syntax and place-
an IF...THEN...ELSE statement is being built. ment of nested statements and functions.

Creating Expressions or Pasting

Logic/Model Elements Only
In addition to creating statements, the Logic
Builder can also be used to create just an expres-
sion or to simply paste a particular element such
as a variable or resource name. You may not need
to create a complete statement, or the field may
not accept statements. Pressing the Build Expres-
sion button allows you to build and paste expres-
sions, including individual logic or model
element names, into your logic window or field.
The expression being built or element being
selected is displayed at the top of the window in
the logic text box. Use the parameter edit field to
The ELSE statement is built with the parameter
build the expression. You can use model ele-
button labeled Else and the statement following
ments and/or functions in your expression. When
THEN is built using the button labeled State-
you are finished, click the Paste button to place
ment. When you click on the parameter button
the expression or selected logic/model element in
labeled Statement, the statement list box is dis-
the logic window or edit field.
played where you can select from the list of valid
logic statements. Click on paste in the above
example and you get:

The parameters of nested statements may be

model elements or functions, and within those
functions you may have nested functions. This
allows you to easily build complex control state-
 ProModel 299
User Guide

Operation Logic double-clicking in the field or clicking on the

Operation button. Alternatively, the Logic
Operation logic defines what happens to an entity Builder can help build logic and is accessed by
when it enters a location. Operation logic is clicking the right mouse button inside the opera-
optional, but typically contains at least a WAIT tion field or logic window. All statements, func-
statement for the amount of time the entity should tions, and distributions available in the operation
spend at the location. For modeling purposes, the field are discussed in detail, including examples,
exact nature of the operation (joining, grouping, in “Statements and Functions” on page 439.
etc.) is irrelevant. What is essential is to know
what happens in terms of the time consumed, the Example
resources used, and any other logic that impacts
system performance. For operations requiring
Each entity processes the operation statements
more than a time and resource designation, defined for it at a particular location, indepen-
detailed logic may need to be defined using dent of other operations performed on other enti-
IF...THEN or action statements. ties at the same location. The following example
presents the operation logic for an entity joining
Special operation statements are provided to
an entity, EntB, and renaming the entity as EntC.
define the activities that are to occur. By using
operation logic, any of the following activities
can be defined:
•Detain an entity for a specified length of
time while an activity is performed.
•Detain an entity until one or more resources
are obtained.
•Detain an entity until one or more additional
entities are joined to it.
•Detach one or more entities from the current
entity.
•Consolidate one or more entities into a
group.
•Separate an entity into two or more entities.
•Detain an entity until a particular system
condition is reached.
•Destroy an entity.
•Create one or more new entities.
•Execute a block of logic (assignment of vari-
ables, etc.).
•Signal the start of some other action in the
system (e.g., place an order).
•Make some decision about further routing.
Statements can be typed directly into the opera-
tion field, or inside a larger logic window after
300 Chapter 7:
Preemption Process Logic

Preemption Process Logic How to create a preemption pro-

cess record:
With Preemption Process Logic, ProModel
makes it possible to control preemption rather
1. Using the same entity and location names,
than limit you to default preemption priority lev- create a process record somewhere follow-
els and values. This feature pertains only to the ing the process record where the preemption
preemption of entities using a location. It does may occur.
not include preemption of downtimes.
Normally, if an entity or downtime attempts to
preempt an entity that is using a location, the
location is immediately preempted (assuming it is
preemptable). Once the location finishes the pre-
empting activity, the original preempted entity
regains possession of the location and resumes
processing where it left off. 2. Click on the Entity button to display the
Entities dialog shown here.
To override this default preemption procedure, in
the case of entities that are preempted by another
entity or a downtime, ProModel allows a Pre-
emption Process Record to be defined which
postpones the actual preemption of the location
until after the current entity explicitly releases it.
The Preemption Process Record, allows you to
control if and when the location is given up. In
the case of a preemptive request for a location,
the preemption process record allows the entity to
be routed elsewhere if desired. If a preemption
process is defined, the actual preemption does not
occur until the preemption process explicitly
3. Check the Preemption Process option box
frees the location.
and click OK.
After the location is given up, the entity may (1) 4. Click on the Operation button to enter the
elect to use an alternative location to complete preemption logic. You can use any valid
the process, or (2) seek to regain access to the operation logic including delays. It is recom-
same location to complete the process. mended that you enter a comment as the
first line in the logic indicating that this is a
While an entity is executing a preemption pro- preemption process. This will make the record
cess, it cannot be preempted by any other entity easily identifiable as a preemption process.
or downtime.
 ProModel 301
User Guide

Please note returns the index number of the preempting

entity.
When a preemption occurs, the entity looks for- TIMELEFT() Returns the amount of time remain-
ward and then from the beginning of the process ing if the preemption occurred during a WAIT or
list trying to find a preemption process that USE statement. It returns a time value in default
matches the same entity and location (a process time units (real). If multiple entities are pre-
with ALL as the entity name will match any empted from a location, it returns the longest
entity). If a match is found, the preemption pro- remaining time for all of the entities.
cess gets executed. Otherwise the default pre-
emption occurs. Only the first preemption
Please note
process encountered will be executed in the event
that multiple preemption processes are defined
with the same entity and location names. The values returned by these functions must be
checked before any processing delay occurs since
they are updated whenever a preemption takes
place. If the values must be referred to later, they
Possible Effects of Delayed should be assigned to the entity’s attribute or to a
local variable.
Preemption
Several circumstances can be created through the
use of preemption process records. An entity
delaying a preemption, for example, may find at Preemption Process Example
the conclusion of the delay that the preemption is
In this example, a Gear may be preempted in its
no longer required, or that it faces an even higher
occupancy of the Lathe. This preemption may be
preemption priority.
because of either a preempting entity or down-
In cases where an entity has multiple locations or time. Before the actual preemption takes place,
resources from which to choose, a preemptive the operation time for the Gear is interrupted and
request for any one of them is not necessarily a the Gear immediately begins processing the oper-
commitment to select that particular location. If ation logic defined in the preemption process.
any of the alternative locations becomes avail-
In the preemption process, the remaining opera-
able, the entity will select it and withdraw the
tion time is stored in Attr1. The Gear routes to
preemption request.
Lathe_Backup where it finishes processing.
Because the backup lathe is not as efficient as the
Functions for Defining Logic in a other Lathe, it takes 50% longer to process the
Preemption Process Gear on Lathe_Backup. Therefore, we multiply
the time left to process the Gear by a factor of
The Preemption Process Logic feature includes
1.5.
the following functions for use in the preemption
logic.
PREEMPTOR() Identifies whether a downtime or
entity is making the preemptive request. It returns
a 0 if the preemptor is a downtime, otherwise it
302 Chapter 7:
Routing Move Logic

Process Table Routing Move Logic

Entity Location Operation (min)
To accommodate the use of multiple resources
Gear Lathe WAIT 10 min
for entity movement, the Move Logic window
Gear Lathe Attr1=TIMELEFT()
allows you to define the method of movement as
Gear Lathe_Backup WAIT Attr1*1.5
well as any other logic to be executed upon
movement.
Routing Table
Once the route condition or rule has been satis-
Blk Output Destination Rule Move Logic
fied for allowing an entity to route to a particular
1 Gear Mill FIRST 1
location, the move logic is immediately executed.
1 Gear Lathe_Backup FIRST 1
The entity does not actually leave the current
1 Gear Mill FIRST 1
location until a move related statement (MOVE
FOR, MOVE ON, or MOVE WITH) is executed
or until the move logic is completed, whichever
happens first. This allows the entity to get one or
more resources, wait additional time, or wait until
a condition is satisfied before actually leaving the
location.
Any statements encountered in the move logic
after a move related statement are executed after
the move is complete, but before the entity actu-
ally enters the next location. This is often useful
for freeing multiple resources used to transport
the entity.
When you access the Processing module in the
Build menu, the Routing edit table appears with
the Move Logic button in the right hand column
as shown here.
 ProModel 303
User Guide

When you click the Move Logic the following MOVE WITH This statement is used to move an
Move Logic window appears. entity using a designated resource, such as a fork-
lift. With the OR operator, you can designate
alternative resources for making the move. In this
case, the statement captures the first available
alternative resource designated in the expression
and makes the move. If one of the resources is
already owned by the entity, that resource will be
used. Please note that you cannot use the AND
operator to capture (and move with) more than
one resource with this statement. To move an
entity with multiple resources, you must use a
GET statement to capture the additional
This window allows you to manually edit the
resources.
logic or click on the Build button to use the Logic
Builder. It also provides other convenient but- This statement also allows you to set the priority
tons for editing and printing the move logic. (p1) for accessing the designated resource. If the
resource is already owned by the entity, this pri-
ority is ignored.
Move-Related Statements
If the resource is static, a time (FOR <time>) may
Admissible statements in the Move Logic win- be specified for the move.
dow include the new move-related statements
listed here. A brief description of how each state- The resource used to make the move is only freed
ment functions in ProModel follows the list. See if the THEN FREE option is used.
“Statements and Functions” on page 439 for MOVE ON <path network> Use this statement
complete syntax, description, and examples of to move an entity along a path network.
these statements.

MOVE statements

MOVE FOR <time>

MOVE WITH<res1>{,{p1}} {FOR <time>} {THEN
FREE}
MOVE ON <path network>

MOVE FOR <time> Used to specify the amount

of time required to move the entity. If the <time>
is zero, events for other entities occurring at the
same simulation time will be processed before
any additional logic is processed for the current
entity.
304 Chapter 7:
Routing Move Logic

Please note This processing sequence allows you to GET or

JOINTLY GET one or more resources before the
Not entering no move related statement in the move and optionally FREE one or more
Move Logic window causes entities to move resources at the end of the move. Please note that
immediately to the next location when the move if a move related statement is not encountered in
logic is completed and begin executing the opera- the logic, an implied MOVE will be assumed and
tion logic for that location. executed at the end of the logic.

Related Logic Statements

In addition to these routing specific statements,
all statements and functions allowed in exit logic
may be used in the Move Logic window. Note,
however, that the LOCATION() function returns
the current location when executed before the
MOVE statement and returns the destination
location when executed after the MOVE state-
ment. Additional statements permitted before a
move-related statement include: WAIT, WAIT
UNTIL, GET, JOINTLY GET, and USE.
See “Statements and Functions” on page 439 for
full description, elements explained, and exam-
ples.

Statement Processing
Statements executed before a MOVE related
statement are processed after the entity claims the
next location but before the entity actually
departs from the current location.
Statements executed after a MOVE related state-
ment are processed after the move has been com-
pleted but before the entity enters the location. If
there is no move logic, the entity continues pro-
cessing until it encounters an implicit WAIT.
However, if “MOVE FOR 0” is placed in the
move logic, the event list is broken and other pro-
cesses scheduled to occur at the same time are
executed. Once these processes are executed, the
entity enters the destination location.
 ProModel 305
User Guide

Shift & Break Logic Off Shift & Break Logic Logic executed at the
instant the location or resource actually goes off
line.
Shift & Break Logic
Shift and break logic are optional and are defined How to determine the sequence
in four distinct logic windows. Each logic win- of events
dow is executed in a specific sequence through-
out the simulation run. You can define logic that 1. When a location or resource is scheduled
controls how resources and locations go off duty to go off line due to a break or the end of a
or off line and what happens once they are off- shift, the pre-start logic for that particular
line. location or resource is executed.
To define shift or break logic, click on the Logic 2. After executing the pre-start logic, which
button in shift assignments to display a submenu may contain conditional (WAIT UNTIL) or time
of four shift events for which logic may be (WAIT) delays, the location or resource is
taken off line, assuming it is either available or
defined. Selecting an event from the submenu
the priority is high enough for preemption.
displays a standard logic window. You can enter
separate logic for each of these four events to be 3. At the instant the location or resource is
executed when the event occurs. See Sequence of taken off line, the Off-Shift or Break logic is
Events below. executed.
4. After executing this logic, the location or
resource waits until the time defined in the
shift file expires before going back on line.

You may want to use the Logic Builder to help Please note
you enter the logic. Just click on the Build button
in the logic window. If the off-shift and break nodes are not specified
in the Resource Specs dialog, the resource will
Pre-Off Shift or Pre-Break Logic Executed
stay at the current node. If no resources or loca-
whenever the location or resource is scheduled to
tions are assigned to a shift, the shift is ignored.
go off shift or on break. This occurs before the
location or resource is checked for availability,
and is executed regardless of availability. This
logic may be used to check certain conditions
before actually taking the resource or location off Functions and Statements
line. The logic is executed for each resource and ProModel uses several functions and statements
location listed as members for this shift assign- specifically for off-shift and break logic: SKIP,
ment record. This allows some members to be PRIORITY, DTLEFT(), FORLOCATION(),
taken off line while others may be forced to wait. FORRESOURCE(), and RESOURCE(). Follow-
(Pre-off shift and pre-break logic may be referred ing is a brief description of each. For more
to in this manual as pre-start logic when speaking details, see “Statements and Functions” on
of either one.) page 439.
306 Chapter 7:
Shift & Break Logic

SKIP If used in pre-start logic, it causes the off-

shift or break time (including any off-shift or
break logic) to be skipped so that the location or
resource never goes off line. If used in the off-
shift or break logic, it causes the off-line time
defined in the shift file to be skipped. This
allows you to specify a WAIT statement for the
off-line time and then SKIP the off-line time
defined in the shift file.
PRIORITY This statement provides an alternative
way to specify off-shift or break priorities. It also
allows the priority to be changed after some time
being off-shift or on break. If the priority is
changed to a value lower than the current value,
the system will check if any preemption may
occur at that time. This statement is not allowed
in pre-off shift or pre-break logic.
DTLEFT() This function returns the remaining
off-shift time based on when the location or
resource is scheduled to go back on shift as
defined in the shift file. It may be used in off-shift
and break logic to adjust the actual time that the
location or resource is off-line.
FORLOCATION() This function returns TRUE if
the member for which the shift or break logic
being executed is a location. This may be
fol0lowed by a test using the LOCATION() func-
tion to determine the precise location.
FORRESOURCE() This function returns TRUE if
the member for which the shift or break logic
being executed is a resource. The RESOURCE()
function may then be used to determine the pre-
cise resource if multiple resources are listed as
members.
RESOURCE() This returns the name-index num-
ber of the resource currently processing the off-
shift or break logic.
In addition to these functions, the LOCATION()
and DTDELAY() functions are particularly use-
ful when defining off-shift and break logic.
 ProModel 307
User Guide

Chapter 8: Using Auxiliary

Tools

Tools Menu ProModel is running, you will be prompted to

close ProModel prior to running the License
The Tools menu gives you access to powerful Manager.
tools to help you through the model building pro-
cess. Options Allows you to set various directory
and display defaults.
Customize Allows you to customize the Tools
menu.
Additional Tools Tools can be added to the
Tools menu by using the Customize option.
These tools are discussed in the latter part of this
chapter.

Expression Search Allows you to perform glo-

bal search and replace functions on expressions
throughout any part of the model.
Graphic Editor Allows you to create, edit, rear-
range, or delete library graphics for use as enti-
ties, locations, resources and background
graphics.
Stat::Fit Launches Stat::Fit and allows you to fit
analytical distributions to user data.
3D Animator Launches 3D Animator if it is
installed. If 3D Animator is not installed, a dialog
will provide information about purchasing 3D
Animator or obtaining a demonstration version.
License Manager Launches the license man-
ager. Since license changes cannot be made while
308 Chapter 8:
Expression Search

Expression Search Modules to Search Check the modules you

want to search. “Other” includes all other edit
The Expression Search feature is used to find or tables and some dialog boxes where text is
replace text entered into logic windows and entered for defining the model, such as attributes
expression fields, such as location downtime or arrays.
logic or location capacity. Name fields can be
Search Notes Check this box to include Notes
found, but not replaced. Reference fields can be
fields in the text search.
found and replaced. However, when the name of
a location, resource, or entity is changed, the user Whole Words Only Check this box to search for
will be prompted to automatically change all ref- only whole words or groups of whole words that
erences to the new name. There are three types of match the text to find. For example, searching for
searches: Find expression, Replace expression, “Attr” without the Whole Words Only box
and Search Next expression. checked will find “Attr1” and “Attr2” whereas a
search with the box checked would find neither.
Text to Find Enter the text expression you want
to find.

Replace
Choosing replace gives you these options in addi-
tion to the find options:
Prompt on Replace Check this box if each
time ProModel finds a match, you want Pro-
Model to ask if you want that particular match
How to perform an expression changed to the replacement text. The prompt will
search: give you the option to replace that particular
match, skip that particular match, or to cancel the
• Select Expression Search from the Tools search altogether.
menu. New Text Enter the text you want to replace the
search text.

Expression Search Sub-Menu Search Next

Choices Choosing Search Next in the Expression Search
submenu will resume the most recently canceled
search. For example, suppose you begin a search
Find and then break out of the search to adjust some-
A dialog box gives you the following options thing in the model. If you want to continue the
after choosing Find from the Expression Search original search, you can select Search Next and
submenu: ProModel will start the search again at the place
you stopped searching.
 ProModel 309
User Guide

Find Expression entire line on which the text was found, with the
search expression highlighted.
The Find Expression option allows you to find
each occurrence of an expression in a model.

How to find an expression:

1. From the Tools menu, select Expression

Search.
2. Select Find... from the submenu.
3. Supply the necessary details in the Find How to find the next match of a
dialog box shown below. Clicking Select All or text expression:
Deselect All button will check or uncheck
every module.
• Click on Search Again
4. Click OK.

Replace Expression
The Replace Expression option allows you to
find each occurrence of an expression in a model
and replace that expression with a new expres-
sion.

How to replace an expression with

another expression:

1. Select Replace... from the Expression

Search submenu.
2. Supply the necessary details in the
Replace dialog box shown below. Clicking
Once the Expression Search has found the first
occurrence of an expression, a dialog box will
appear giving information on exactly where the
text was found. Then ProModel will display the
following dialog, including a box displaying the
310 Chapter 8:
Expression Search

Select All or Deselect All button will check or Important Notes Regarding
uncheck every module.
Expression Searches
1. Not every field of every module is included.
Fields such as statistics, text in graphics, or
yes/no fields which may not be edited cannot
be searched for or replaced. To replace
record identifiers, see number six.
2. Under “Modules to Search,” the Other
option refers to information entered in places
not listed in the dialog box, including the
Simulation Options dialog box.
3. Notes fields are not part of the actual model
data, therefore they are not automatically
included in the search. Notes also include
comments in the model. If you want to
search or replace Notes fields, check the
3. Click on OK. If you have chosen “Prompt Search Notes option in the Find or Replace
on Replace,” ProModel will then display the dialog boxes.
following dialog box if it finds the text you 4. The Whole Words Only option interprets
specified. words loosely enough to distinguish words
not separated by spaces. For example,
searching for “Attr1” in the expression
Attr1=Attr1+Attr2, would find both occur-
rences. You can search for expressions
longer than a whole word, such as
“Attr1=Attr1+Attr2,” as whole word expres-
sions. To find a portion of a name, like
4. Choose: “Attr” in “Attr1,” deselect the Whole Words
Only option.
Yes to change the text and search for the 5. Once the Expression Search has found the
next match. first occurrence of an expression, a dialog
box will appear giving information on
Change All to change every match. exactly where the text was found. This
includes a box displaying the entire line on
No to skip this match and search for the next which the text was found, with the search
match. expression highlighted. In some cases the
box may be too small to display the entire
Go to Module to edit the text directly.
line. To see the hidden portion of the text,
Cancel to leave the match intact and stop left click with the left mouse button on the
searching. text, and use the left and right arrow keys to
scroll the text horizontally.
 ProModel 311
User Guide

6. The Replace feature cannot be used to

change an element identifier. To change all
occurrences of a model element name (such
as a location name), change the name of the
element where it is defined and all other
expressions containing the name, as well as
any references to this record, will be changed
automatically.

Local Find and Replace

In the process of creating logic, you may need to
search for specific text. The local find and
replace button in the operation logic window
opens a dialog that will allow you to search the
logic for specific text.
312 Chapter 8:
Graphic Editor

Graphic Editor a set of icons representing the graphics in the

graphics library.
The Graphic Editor allows you to create, edit,
rearrange, or delete library graphics within a par-
Graphic Tools
ticular graphics library file. You can also copy Library Edit
Button Bar
graphics from one library to another. Graphics Buttons
from several libraries can even be merged into a
single graphic. Each graphics library is saved
with the grid size and scaled used to create the
graphics.

Graphic Icons

Edit Window

Each of the tools in the Graphic Tools button bar

is discussed in this section, including the proce-
dures for creating and editing a graphic’s compo-
How to access the graphic editor nents (called “objects”) using the drawing tools.
from within ProModel:
Graphic Editor Menus
• Select Graphic Editor from the Tools menu.
The Graphic Editor menu bar includes the fol-
lowing menus:
File The File menu allows you to open a graph-
How to access the graphic editor
ics library for editing and saving a current library.
from the program manager: It also allows you to print a single graphic or an
entire library.
• Double click the Graphic Editor icon in the
ProModel Group. This method allows you to Edit The Edit menu provides functions for
use the Graphic Editor as a separate applica- selecting and duplicating one or more objects that
tion from ProModel. comprise a library graphic. In addition, it pro-
vides functions to import and export graphics
from other applications.
Graphics The Graphics menu is for manipulat-
Overview ing one or more objects that comprise a library
The Graphic Editor consists of a menu bar, a graphic. With this menu, you can group several
Graphic Tools button bar, a Graphic Library objects together, flip and rotate objects, and alter
menu, Library Edit buttons, an Edit window, and the color, fill pattern and line style of objects.
 ProModel 313
User Guide

You can also adjust the dimensions of the entire Save As Brings up the Save As dialog box for
graphic. saving the current Graphics library file under a
new filename. Graphic Library files have the file
Options The Options menu controls the editing
extension GLB.
environment. With this menu you can use a grid
to help you align component objects, edit that Print Graphic Prints the graphic in the Edit win-
grid, and require objects to snap to it. Finally, the dow only.
Options menu allows you to zoom in and out on
Print Library Prints the entire current graphic
the graphic so you can edit the graphic at differ-
library.
ent sizes.
Exit Quits the Graphic Editor with an option to
Window The Window menu allows you to
save the current library if changes have been
arrange the windows (or iconized windows) cur-
made since the last save.
rently displayed on the screen such that all win-
dows are visible at once. It also allows you to Recently Opened Files Lists the five most
bring any individual window to the forefront of recently retrieved graphics libraries. Selecting
the display. This is particularly useful when you one of these options will retrieve the listed graph-
are opening multiple graphic libraries and want to ics library.
view all libraries simultaneously.
Opening a Graphics Library File
File Menu All individual library graphics are loaded from
and saved to the current graphics library, which,
by default, is the one specified for the current
model. However, other graphic libraries may be
opened for editing at any time. The name of the
current library is displayed in the title bar of the
window for each library. More than one library
can be opened and viewed on the screen at a time.
Opening more than one graphic library simulta-
neously facilitates copying graphics between
New Creates an empty graphics library. libraries.
Open Brings up the Open Library Graphics dia-
log box for specifying which graphics library file How to open another graphics
to retrieve. Graphics library files have the file library file:
extension GLB.
1. Choose Open from the File menu.
Close Closes the current graphic library. If the
graphics library has been changed since the last 2. Enter or select the name of the desired
save, you will have the option to save it. graphics library.
3. To view all open graphic libraries, choose
Save Saves an open graphics library under the
Tile or Cascade from the Window menu.
current file name or prompts you for a name if the
graphics library has not been named.
314 Chapter 8:
Graphic Editor

Please note Printing an Individual Graphic

A history list is given at the bottom of the File How to print an individual graphic:
menu so you are able to quickly retrieve the last
five libraries opened. 1. Double click the mouse on the desired
graphic’s icon, or select the graphic’s icon
and click the Edit button.
2. Select Print Graphic from the File menu.
Closing a Graphics Library File
3. Choose the desired options from the result-
When you are finished working with a graphics ing Print dialog box and click OK.
library, you can close it to save screen space and
memory. This option will not affect the graphic
library used with any model.
Printing an Entire Graphics Library
How to close a graphics library
file: How to print an entire graphics
library:
• Choose Close from the File menu.
1. Select Print Library from the File menu.
2. Choose the desired print options from the
Library Print dialog box and select OK.
Saving a Graphics Library File
Once a graphic has been created or edited and
placed in the current library, the library file must
be saved in order to make the changes permanent. Please note

How to save a graphics library file: If more than one graphic library is open, Pro-
Model will print the active graphic library only.
• Select Save from the File menu to save the
library with the same name.

Edit Menu
How to save a graphics library file Use the Edit menu for selecting and duplicating
with a new name: the individual objects comprising a library
graphic. You may also use it to exchange graph-
• Select Save As from the File menu to save ics with other applications. To use the Edit menu
the library with a new name. functions, load the graphic you wish to edit by
 ProModel 315
User Guide

selecting its icon from the library and clicking the Export Graphic Exports the graphic in the Edit
Edit button, or double click the icon. window to a WMF or BMP file.

Importing a Graphic

How to import a graphic into a

graphic library:

1. Select the box to which you would like to

add the graphic in the library. If you want to
create a new graphic, choose the blank box
at the end.
2. Select Import Graphic from the Edit menu.

Cut Removes the selected object(s) and makes a 3. Enter the name of the graphic you would
like to import.
temporary copy that may be pasted back into the
edit window later. 4. Select OK to close the import graphic dia-
log box.
Copy Makes a temporary copy of the selected
object(s) to be pasted later. 5. Click on the Save button on the top right
side of the library window.
Paste Adds the most recently cut or copied
object(s) to the current graphic.
Delete Deletes the selected objects from the
Exporting a Graphic
current graphic.
Select All Selects all of the objects comprising How to export a graphic:
the current graphic.
Copy to Clipboard Copies the entire graphic to 1. Double-click the mouse on the desired
the clipboard as a bitmap so it can be pasted into graphic’s icon, or select the graphic’s icon
other applications including word processors. and click the Edit button.
2. Select Export Graphic from the Edit menu.
Paste WMF Pastes a Windows metafile (WMF)
from the Windows clipboard into the Edit win- 3. Enter a valid DOS name for the graphic in
dow. You must have previously copied a Win- the resulting dialog box.
dows metafile to the Windows clipboard in 4. Click the OK button in the export graphic
another application. dialog box.
Paste BMP Pastes a bitmap file (BMP) from the
Windows clipboard into the Edit window. You
must first copy a bitmap file to the Windows clip-
board.
Import Graphic Imports a WMF, BMP, PCX or
GIF file into the Edit window.
316 Chapter 8:
Graphic Editor

Copying a Graphic from One graphic. This menu item works like the button of
Library to Another the same name described later in this chapter.
Flip Vertical Vertically flips the entire graphic
How to copy an icon from one or any selected objects of the current graphic.
library to another This menu item works like the button of the same
name described later in this chapter.
1. Open both libraries. Rotate Rotates the entire graphic or any
2. Drag the graphic’s icon from the first selected objects of the current graphic 90 degrees
graphic library to the second graphic library clockwise. This menu item works like the button
(preferably left to right). of the same name described later in this chapter.
3. Save the destination library by choosing Move to Front Moves the selected object in
Save from the File menu. front of all other objects. Use this option to see an
object obscured by other objects. This menu item
works like the button of the same name described
later in this chapter (to move an object one posi-
Graphics Menu tion forward at a time, use the Graphic Tools).
The Graphics menu is for manipulating one or Move to Back Moves the selected object
more objects that comprise a library graphic. behind all other objects. Use this option to send
With this menu, you can group several objects an object obscuring other objects to the back-
together, flip and rotate objects, and alter the ground. This menu item works like the button of
color, fill pattern and line style of objects. You the same name described later in this chapter.
can also adjust the dimensions of the entire
Group Combines or groups several objects into
graphic.
a single object for sizing and editing.
Ungroup Ungroups several grouped objects so
they may be edited individually.
Line Styles Allows the user to choose the line
style including solid, dashed, line thickness, and
optional arrowheads on either end of the line.
Fill Patterns Allows the user to choose the fill
pattern for solid objects including transparent,
slant, backward slant, grid, crosshatch, vertical,
horizontal, solid, vertical gradient, and horizontal
gradient.
Line Color Allows the user to choose the line
color and create custom colors.

Flip Horizontal Horizontally flips the entire Fill Color Allows the user to choose the fill color
graphic or any selected objects of the current and create custom colors for solid objects.
 ProModel 317
User Guide

Dimension Brings up the Dimensions dialog 2. Choose Ungroup from the Graphics menu.
box for defining the graphic dimension. The
dimension can be height or width. The units can
be feet or meters.
Line Styles
Please note You may choose different styles for the lines and
borders of objects by choosing Line Styles in the
Line Styles, Fill Patterns, Line Color, and Fill Graphic Editor Graphics menu.
Color set the feature and cause the setting to be
applied to the currently selected elements.

Group
When using the graphic tools to create an icon, it
is often helpful to group several graphics into a
single graphic for editing purposes. For example,
you may create an icon using the square, line, and
circle tool and want to work with them as a single
item.

How to group objects together:

1. Use selector to select all objects you desire

to group. Hold the shift key down to select
more than one object at a time.
2. Choose Group from the Graphics menu. How to change the line style or
3. Manipulate the group as necessary. border style of an object:

1. Select the desired object(s) using the

Selector.
Ungroup
2. Choose Line Styles from the Graphic Editor
The Ungroup option allows you to ungroup sev- Graphics menu.
eral grouped objects. 3. Click on the desired style.

How to ungroup previously

grouped objects:

1. Use the selector to select the object you

desire to ungroup.
318 Chapter 8:
Graphic Editor

Please note How to change the fill pattern of

an object:
The arrowhead color is the same as the line color
and is defined through the Line Color in the 1. Select the desired object(s) using the
Graphics menu. Selector.
2. Choose Fill Patterns from the Graphic Edi-
tor Graphics menu.
3. Click on the desired fill pattern.
Fill Patterns
Various patterns may be used to fill each object
by choosing Fill Patterns from the Graphic Editor
Graphics menu. Line and Fill Color
You may also select a custom color for your lines
and graphics.

How to change line or fill color

1. Select the line or graphic you want to

change.
2. Choose Line Color or Fill Color from the
Graphics menu.
3. From the dialog below, click on the color
you wish to use.

Dimension
You can define the height or width of an object in
feet or meters from the Dimensions Dialog box.
 ProModel 319
User Guide

This will determine how large the graphic you define one dimension, the software will auto-
appears when placed on a model layout. For matically calculate the other according to the pro-
example, to change the width of a graphic loaded portions of the graphic in the Edit window. If you
in the Edit window to 5.00 feet, enter the follow- know the graphic is actually 2.00 x 1.50 feet, you
ing in the Dimensions dialog box: will need to adjust the proportions of the graphic
accordingly by using various tools from the Tools
button bar.

Options Menu
The Options menu controls the editing environ-
ment. With this menu you can use a grid to help
align objects, edit that grid, and require objects to
snap to it. Finally, the Options menu allows you
to zoom in and out on the graphic so you can edit
the graphic at different sizes.
How to change the graphic’s
dimensions:

1. Load a graphic into the Edit window.

2. Select Dimension from the Graphics menu.
3. Enter the new graphic dimension and click
OK. Grid Settings Brings up the Grid dialog box for
choosing the size, color and visibility of the grid.
Show Grid Causes the grid to appear in the
For example, a graphic of a computer is dis- background for editing purposes. If the grid is on,
played in the Graphic Edit window. The size of choosing this option will turn it off. This is the
the graphic in the Graphic Edit window is 1.40 x same as choosing Grid On in the Grid dialog box.
1.00 as shown below.
Snap to Grid Positions any object subsequently
drawn or moved on the layout on the nearest grid
line. This option works whether the grid is visible
However, the computer is really 2 feet wide. To or not.
change the graphic’s dimensions, select Dimen- Background Color Brings up the color dialog
sion from the Options menu. Type 2 for the hori- box for choosing a background color for the lay-
zontal dimension and click OK. out window.
Zoom Shrinks or enlarges your view of the
graphic by the percentage selected.
Notice the vertical dimension is automatically
adjusted to 1.43. You can only define either the
horizontal or vertical dimension of the graphic. If
320 Chapter 8:
Graphic Editor

Grid Settings 3. Define the distance per grid unit in either

feet or meters and click OK.
The grid size is changed by using the scroll bar to
the right of the grid dialog box. Move the scroll
bar up to increase the grid size and move the
scroll bar down to decrease the grid size. To Show Grid
change the color of the fine grid lines, select the
Ones button and then choose a color. To change
How to show the grid on the lay-
the color of the coarse grid lines, select the Tens
button and choose a color. out window:
Instead of viewing boxes as the grid units, you • Choose Show Grid from the Options menu.
may choose dots by selecting the dots box. You
may also choose to switch the grid, as well as the
grid snap, on in this same area.
Snap to Grid

How to have all new and edited

objects snap to the grid:

• Choose Snap to Grid from the Options

menu.

Background Color

How to change the background

color of the edit window:

• Choose Background Color from the

Options menu.

Zoom
How to change the distance per
grid unit in the Graphic Editor: How to magnify a graphic:
1. Select Grid Settings from the Options
1. Choose Zoom from the Options menu.
menu.
2. Click on the Scale button.
 ProModel 321
User Guide

2. Choose the level of magnification from the Save Saves a graphic from the Edit window to
submenu. the library. For a new graphic to be added to the
library, the blank box at the end of the library
must be selected. Otherwise, the graphic in the
Edit window will replace whichever graphic’s
Window Menu icon is selected.
The Window menu is used to manipulate the var- Delete Deletes the selected graphic from the
ious windows in the Graphic Editor and follows library.
the Microsoft Windows standard for Window
Clear Clears the contents of the edit window.
menus.

How to edit a graphic:

• Double-click on the graphic in the library.

This method clears the contents of the Edit
Tile Causes all open windows to fit in the avail- window before loading the new graphic.
able screen space. Windows that may be hidden
behind other windows will become visible. This
is useful when desiring to view more than one or...
graphic library on the screen at a time.
Cascade Causes all open windows to overlap • Select the graphic by clicking once on the
such that the title bar of each window is visible. graphic and then click the Edit button. This
method clears the contents of the Edit win-
Arrange Icons Takes all active iconized win-
dow before loading the new graphic.
dows and arranges them neatly along the bottom
of the screen.
Open Libraries Displays all graphic libraries
currently open in the Graphic Editor. To switch Manipulating Graphics
to another open library, click on the desired
Among other things, a graphic can be reduced,
name.
enlarged, combined, and reordered.

Library Edit Buttons How to change a graphic’s size:

The Graphic Editor contains four library edit but-
tons: Edit, Save, Delete, and Clear. 1. Select the graphic in the Edit window using
the selector.
2. Choose Group from the Graphics menu.
3. Select one of the small gray boxes at the
graphic edge to reduce or enlarge the
graphic size. The selector will change to a
Edit Retrieves a selected graphic from the cross-hair when you are near a gray box.
library to the edit window.
322 Chapter 8:
Graphic Editor

4. Drag the box to the desired size. 4. The image appears at the end of the exist-
ing icons.

Several graphics can be combined together to

create a single graphic. For example, a desk and a How to create a new graphic
chair are separate graphics but would be easier to library
use if they were combined to form a single
graphic. 1. Select Graphic Editor from the Tools menu.
2. Select New from the File menu.
How to combine two graphics:
3. Use the drawing tools to create any graph-
ics you wish to use in your library. You may
1. Load the first graphic into the edit window.
also copy and paste graphics from existing
2. Drag the second graphic into the edit win- libraries.
dow.
4. After you finish preparing each new
3. Position and size the two graphics as image, click the Save button on the graphic
desired. editor.
4. Click the blank box in the graphic library.
5. Click the Save button.
Naming a Graphic
Graphics can be named for resources, locations,
How to change the order of and entities, or merely for easier identification.
graphics in a graphic library: When a named graphic is chosen while building a
model, instead of entering a default name, such as
• Drag a graphic to the desired location in Loc1, ProModel will enter the graphic's name,
the library. such as Desk. If the name already exists for a
location or resource graphic, a number will be
appended (Desk1, Desk2, etc.). If the name
already exists for an entity graphic, a letter will
Create New Graphics and
Libraries

How to create a new graphic

1. Select Graphic Editor from the Tools menu.

2. Use the drawing tools to create the new
graphic.
3. Click the Save button on the graphic edi-
tor.
 ProModel 323
User Guide

be appended (ChairA, ChairB, etc.). This will •Selector

make the model easier to understand and use. •Entity Spots
•Text
•Status Lights
•Lines
•Flip Horizontal
•Arcs
•Flip Vertical
•Triangles
•Rotate
•Regular Squares and Rectangles
•Cut
•Rounded Squares and Rectangles
How to name a graphic: •Copy
•Circles and Ellipses
1. Enter the desired name at the bottom left •Paste
of the screen where it says “Name.” •Chords
2. Click the Save button to save the named •Step Back
graphic. •Pies
•Step Front
•Polygons
Please note •Line Color
•Raised Squares and Rectangles
Correct syntax for location, resource, and entity •Fill Color
names should be used when entering a name in
the Name field if the graphic is intended to repre-
sent locations, resources, or entities. Graphic
names are allowed to have spaces which auto-
matically convert to underscores “_” when used
for locations, resources, or entities.

Graphic Tools Button Bar

The Graphic Tools Button Bar contains the tools
necessary to create and edit a graphic’s compo-
nent objects. The drawing tools are the main tools
through which graphics are created and edited in
the Editing window. The drawing tools include
the following:
324 Chapter 8:
Graphic Editor

Selector How to place text in a graphic:

The Selector is a pointing device that allows you
to select one or more objects of a graphic. It also 1. Select the Text tool from the button bar.
allows you to move, size, and shape all graphic 2. Click where the text is to appear. The Text
objects. dialog box will open.

Selector

How to move an object:

1. Click on the Selector button. 3. Enter the desired text in the Text dialog box
below. Set the desired options for the text.
2. Drag the object to the desired location.
When finished, click the OK button.

How to size or shape an object: How to edit text already in the

graphic:
1. Click on the Selector button from the but-
ton bar.
• Double click on the text.
2. Select the desired object.
3. Drag the sizing points. The arrow will turn
into a cross-hair when it approaches the siz-
ing points.

Text Tool
Text may be placed anywhere in the graphic by
using the Text tool.

Text Tool
 ProModel 325
User Guide

Lines Arcs
Lines may consist of several segments and are Arcs are drawn using the Arc tool.
drawn using the line tool.

Line Tool
Arc Tool

How to draw an arc in the graphic

How to draw lines in the graphic editor:
editor:
1. Select the Arc tool from the Tools window.
1. Select the Line tool. 2. Press the left mouse button at one end of
2. Click the left mouse button where the line the desired arc.
is to begin. 3. Drag the mouse to the other end of the
3. Move the mouse to the end of the line seg- arc and release the left mouse button.
ment.
4. Click the left mouse button to create a
joint and begin the next segment.
Please note
5. Double click the left mouse button or click
the right mouse button to end the line.
To have the arc bow left, start the arc from the
top and drag down. To have the arc bow right,
start the arc from the bottom and drag up.
Please note

Lines can be drawn at 15 degree increments by

Triangles
holding the shift key while moving the end of a
line segment. Triangles are drawn using the Triangle tool.
326 Chapter 8:
Graphic Editor

Triangle Tool Squares and Rectangles

Squares and rectangles may be drawn using the
regular rectangle tool, the rounded rectangle tool,
or the raised rectangle tool.

Rectangle

Rounded Rectangle

How to draw a triangle in the

graphic editor:
Raised Rectangle
1. Select the Triangle tool from the Tools but-
ton bar.
2. Press the left mouse button where the cen-
How to draw a rectangle in the
ter of the base of the triangle is to be located. graphic editor:
3. Drag the mouse until the triangle’s base is
the desired size, but do not release the mouse 1. Select either the regular, rounded, or
button. raised rectangle tool from the Tools window.

4. Press the shift key and move the mouse to 2. Press the left mouse button at the top left
adjust the size of the other two sides. Release corner of the desired rectangle.
the mouse button when done. 3. Drag the mouse to the lower right corner
of the rectangle and release the mouse but-
ton.

How to draw a square in the

graphic editor:

• Hold the shift key while drawing or editing a

rectangle.
 ProModel 327
User Guide

Circles and Ellipses Chords and Pies

Circles and ellipses may be drawn using the Chords and pies are drawn using the Chord tool
ellipse tool. and Pie tool.

Circle/Ellipse Tool

Chord Tool

Pie Tool

How to draw an ellipse in the How to draw a chord or pie in the

graphic editor: graphic editor:

1. Select the ellipse tool from the Tools win- 1. Select the chord tool or pie tool from the
dow. tools menu.
2. Press the left mouse button at one end of 2. Press the left mouse button at one end of
the desired ellipse. the desired chord or pie.
3. Drag the mouse to the other end of the 3. Drag the mouse to the other end of the
ellipse and release. chord or pie and release the left mouse but-
ton.

How to draw a circle in the

graphic editor: How to draw a circular chord or
pie in the graphic editor:
• Hold the shift key while drawing or editing
an ellipse. • Hold the shift key while drawing a chord or
pie.
328 Chapter 8:
Graphic Editor

How to adjust the size of the 4. Click the right mouse button or double-
click the left mouse button to end the poly-
“slice” in the chord or pie after the gon.
graphic has been drawn:

1. Select a corner of the “slice” on the

graphic. Please note
2. Press the left mouse button at the corner of
the “slice.” The sides of a polygon may be drawn at 15
3. Drag the mouse to the desired position of degree increments by holding down the shift key
the “slice” and release the left mouse button. while moving the mouse to the next vertex.

Polygons Positioning Spot

Polygons are drawn using the Polygon tool. A positioning spot controls the positioning of an
entity on a location, resource, or path. It also con-
trols the positioning of an entity or resource on a
path. There are two types of positioning spots:
entity spots and alignment spots.
Entity spots can be defined for a graphic in either
the Graphic Editor or in the Locations module.
Alignment spots can only be defined for a
graphic in the Graphic Editor. In the Graphic Edi-
tor, the button showing the red circle with the
Polygon Tool white X represents the positioning spot. The
default type is entity spot. To change the type, the
user may double click on the spot to display the
Spot Type dialog. This allows the user to define
the type of positioning spot.
How to draw a polygon in the
graphic editor: A graphic may have any number of entity spots.
A graphic may also have any number of align-
1. Select the Polygon tool from the Tools win- ment spots. However, only the first alignment
dow. spot defined will be used. An entity or alignment
spot is ignored if it is inapplicable for the model
2. Click the left mouse button to begin the
first point of the polygon.
element it is used to represent. The following def-
initions explain uses of the entity and alignment
3. Click the left mouse button at each suc- spots for locations, entities, and resources.
cessive point of the polygon.
Positioning Spot
 ProModel 329
User Guide

How to place a positioning spot Status Lights

on an icon: A status light is a circle that changes color
depending on the status of a location. A status
1. Select the positioning spot tool from the light can be placed anywhere relative to a loca-
button bar. tion to show the status or current state of the loca-
2. Click on the icon where the entity is to tion. At run time, a window can be displayed
appear. showing what status each color represents.

Status Light
Location Graphics May only use entity spots.
Whenever an entity arrives at the location, the
entity graphic will be placed on the first entity
spot defined for the location. The next arriving How to place a status light on an
entity will use the entity spot defined second, and icon:
so forth. If entity spots are defined for a location
graphic in the Locations module, they are used 1. Select the Status Light tool from the button
ahead of any entity spots defined in the Graphic bar.
Editor. If no entity spot is defined for the location 2. Click on the icon where the status light is to
graphic, no entity is shown on the location. appear.
Entity Graphics Use only alignment spots.
When an alignment spot is defined for an entity
graphic, the entity graphic will be positioned so
Please note
the alignment spot of the entity graphic and the
entity spot for the location or resource graphic are
aligned. If the entity is traveling along a path, the Status lights for location graphics may also be
entity graphic will move along the path with the defined in the Locations Editor.
alignment spot and the path segment or node
aligned. If no alignment spot is placed on an
entity graphic, the center of the entity graphic is
used for alignment.
Resource Graphics May use both entity spots
and alignment spots. An entity spot on a resource
graphic may be used to locate an entity a resource
is carrying. An alignment spot can be placed on a
resource graphic so that when the resource travels
along a path, the resource graphic will move
along the path with the alignment spot and the
path segment or node aligned. If no alignment
spot is placed on a resource graphic, the center of
the graphic is used for alignment.
330 Chapter 8:
Graphic Editor

Flip and Rotate Cut, Copy, and Paste

Objects may be flipped about the horizontal axis To speed the development of complex graphics,
and vertical axis or rotated by 90 degrees using you may cut, copy, and paste objects from one
the flip and rotation tools from the Tools button area of the workspace to another. Each of these
bar. buttons works exactly the same as the corre-
sponding item from the Edit menu.
Flip Horizontal
Cut
Flip Vertical
Copy
Rotate
Paste

How to flip or rotate an object:

How to cut an object:
1. Select the desired object(s).
2. Click on the Flip Horizontal, Flip Vertical, or 1. Select the desired object(s) using the
Rotate buttons. Selector.
2. Click the Cut button. The object is
removed from the Edit window but remains in
the Graphic Editor’s internal clipboard.
Using the flip and rotate buttons is the same as
choosing flip and rotate options under the Graph-
ics menu.
The figure below shows an object that has been
How to copy an object:
flipped horizontally, vertically, and rotated
through all phases. 1. Select the desired object(s) using the
Selector.
Original Flip Horizontal Flip Vertical
2. Click the Copy button. The original object
remains on the screen and a copy is placed
on the Graphic Editor’s internal clipboard.

Rotate 90 Rotate 180 Rotate 270

How to paste an object:

1. Click on the Paste button. The contents of

the internal clipboard are pasted next to the
last object cut or copied.
2. Move the new object to the desired loca-
tion using the Selector.
 ProModel 331
User Guide

Step Back and Step Front Line and Fill Color

You can move an object behind or in front of An object’s line and fill colors can be chosen
another object. The Step Back option allows you using the Line tool and the Fill tool. You may use
to move a selected object behind another object. one of the predefined colors or create your own
The Step Front option allows you to move a custom color. Each tool’s color changes accord-
selected object in front of another object. ing to the color chosen.
For example, suppose you have five graphic
objects displayed and you want to move the top
object to the third object. You can use the Step
Back or Step Front option.

How to define the line color or fill

color:

1. Select the object(s) to change using the

Selector.
How to move an object behind or
in front of another object: 2. Click on the Line or Fill tool from the button
bar.
1. Select the object to move using the Selec- 3. Choose the desired color. The tool will
tor. change to the color specified.
2. Click on the Step Back or Step Front tool
from the button bar.
3. Continue to press the Step Back or Step Please note
Front button until the selected object is
behind the desired object.
The line color and fill color can also be defined
in the Graphic Editor Options menu.

Please note

If you would like to move an object behind or in Editing a Library Graphic

front of all objects, use the Move to Back or Move Various editing functions allow you to alter the
to Front option in the Graphics Menu. Alterna- objects that comprise a library graphic. These
tively, use the Page Up or Page Down keys. functions may be applied to the entire graphic or
to one of the objects from which the graphic is
constructed. The following is a description of
how to edit a graphic (All mouse actions are per-
332 Chapter 8:
Graphic Editor

formed using the left button unless stated other- TO... DO THIS
wise).
Change the fill pattern Choose Fill Patterns from
TO... DO THIS for a selected object. the Graphics menu and
select the desired pattern.
Select an object. Choose the Selector tool
and click on the object. Change the color of a Click on the Line or Fill
selected object. Color button with one or
Select multiple Drag in an empty region more objects selected.
objects. until a bounding rectangle
encompasses the objects. Change the line style Choose Line Styles from
for a selected object. the Graphics menu. Then
or choose the desired line
Shift+Click on each of the style.
objects you want selected Flip or rotate a Click on the flip or rotate
(Shift + Click again on a selected object. button with one or more
selected object deselects it). objects selected.
Move one or more Drag the selected object(s). Move a selected Click on the Step Front but-
selected objects. object in front of ton until the selected object
Delete selected Press the Delete key. another object. is in front of the other
objects. objects.
or Move the selected Choose Move To Front
object in front of all from the Graphic menu.
Select Cut from the Edit other objects.
menu (This method puts
the object on the clipboard or
for subsequent pasting). Press the Page Up key.
Copy selected Press the Copy button to Move a selected Click on the Step Back but-
objects. copy the selected objects to object behind another ton until the selected object
the clipboard. Then press object. is behind the other objects.
the Paste button to place a
copy of the selected objects Move a selected Choose Move To Back
into the Edit window. object behind all other from the Graphic menu.
objects.
or
or
Choose Copy from the Edit
menu. Then choose Paste Press the Page Down key.
from the Edit menu. Nudge a selected Press the Left arrow key.
Edit text. Double click on the text to object one pixel left.
bring up the text editor dia-
log box.
Change the shape of Drag one of the sizing
a selected object. points of the selected
object.
Add a vertex to a Right click on the line or
selected line or poly- polygon where the vertex is
gon. to be added.
Delete a vertex of a Right click on the vertex.
selected line or poly-
gon.
 ProModel 333
User Guide

TO... DO THIS
Nudge a selected Press the Right arrow key.
object one pixel right.
Nudge a selected Press the Up arrow key.
object one pixel up.
Nudge a selected Press the Down arrow key.
object one pixel
down.
Size a background Select the graphic, group it,
graphic proportion- then size using the handles.
ally.
Create a perfect circle Select a graphic and, while
or square. holding down the shift key,
size the graphic.
334 Chapter 8:
Options

Options Show shortcut panel at start-up Check this

option to display the shortcut panel at start-up.
Long build menu Allows the user to view the
long build menu.
Recalculate path lengths when adjusted
Recalculates the time or distance of a path net-
work or conveyor as it is graphically lengthened
or shortened.

Directories
The Options dialog contains default folders, The Directories section of the Settings dialog
selections for displaying the long build menu, allows you to specify which drives and folders to
defaults for record deletion, and the time between use for storing models, graphic libraries, and out-
auto-saves. put results.

How to change the default

folders:

1. Select Options from the Tools menu.

2. Click on the Browse button next to the
Folder name you would like to change.
3. Specify the desired folders for models,
graphics libraries, output results, and auto-
save.
4. Click OK.
Default Folders These fields contain the
default folders for your model.
Default File: Graphics Library This field Long Build Menu
allows you to specify a default graphic library file
The Long Build Menu option reorganizes the
for every new model you create.
Build menu. The long build menu takes the first
Auto-Save time interval Allows you to select section of the More Elements submenu and
how often ProModel will automatically save your places it in the Build menu. This includes
model. attributes, variables, arrays, macros, and subrou-
tines. Using the long build menu is especially
Confirm record deletion Use this option to
helpful when using these elements frequently.
have ProModel display a dialog box confirming
that the user wants to delete a record from an edit
table.
 ProModel 335
User Guide

How to display the long menu: How to specify the autosave

directory:
1. Choose Options from the Tools menu.
2. Check the Long build menu option. 1. From the Tools menu, select Options.
2. In the Auto-save field, enter the directory
path you wish to use.
3. Click OK.
Please note

To display the short menu, follow the same pro-

cedure above and uncheck the Long build menu
option.

AutoSaving Files
ProModel automatically saves the open model
every few minutes, which is useful in the event of
unforeseen crashes and power outages. ProModel
uses a model file called “AUTOSAVE.MOD” for
all autosaves and only modifies the original file
when Save is chosen from the File menu.

How to specify the amount of time

between AutoSaves:

1. From the Tools menu, select Options.

2. In the Time between autosaves field, enter
the time.
3. Click OK.

Please note

Models are always autosaved at the start of a

simulation run. To deactivate the auto-save fea-
ture, set the time between auto-saves to 0.
336 Chapter 8:
Customize

Customize 2. In the Name text box, type the name of

the item you will be referencing, as you want
You can add direct links to applications and files it to appear on the drop menu.
right on your ProModel toolbar. Create a link to 3. Click the Browse button.
open a spreadsheet, a text document, or your
4. Use the browse window to find the file or
favorite calculator–it’s your menu. application that you wish to have launched,
To create or modify you Custom Tools menu, then double click on it or click Open.
select Customize from the Tools menu. 5. The file or application name and path will
appear in the Source window.

Delete a menu item

1. In the Menu Items list, click on the name of

the item you would like to delete.
2. Click the delete button.

This will pull up the Custom Tools dialog win-

dow. The Custom Tools dialog window allows Edit a menu item
you to add, delete, edit, or rearrange the menu
items that appear on the Tools drop down menu 1. In the menu Items list, click on the name of
in ProModel. the item you would like to edit. Its properties
will appear in the Edit Item panel, on the
right.
2. Change the name that appears in the
Name text box.
3. To redirect the item to another file or appli-
cation, change the path and file name in the
Source text box by either typing in a new
source, or using the Browse window.

Three tools come already added to the Custom

Tools menu by default: QuickBar, Models to Go, Rearrange items on the menu
and Model Package Association. These tools can
be added to or deleted from the Tools menu. 1. You can rearrange the order in which
menu items appear on the Tools menu, or
Add a new menu item: add separators to divide them into logical
groups. To move an item up in the list, select
the item you wish to move.
1. Click on the New button.
 ProModel 337
User Guide

2. Click on the Up or Down button to move

the menu item’s position in the menu list.
Power Tools
Packaged with ProModel are several powerful
tools that can help you better use and understand
your ProModel software and the statistical data it
Add a Separator creates. These tools include:

1. Clicking on the Separator button adds a •ProClare

Separator line to the drop down list. In the •ProSetter
Menu Items list, this line is represented as -- •Shift Library
<Separator>--, in the Tools menu it appears as •ProActiveX
a single solid line.
Any of these tools can be added to the custom
2. The Separator line is inserted into the menu Tools menu using the steps outlined in the section
list above the highlighted Menu Item. Its
“Add a new menu item:” on page 336.
placement can then be adjusted similar to
other menu items, using the Up and Down
buttons

Please note

Custom Tool settings are saved in your Windows

Registry. They are not a part of your model file or
model package. If you have multiple installations
of ProModel Corporation products (such as a
LAN version, MedModel, or ServiceModel) your
Customized Tool menu will be available to your
other ProModel Corporation products as well.
338 Chapter 8:
Power Tools

ProClare Attributes This allows for the addition of new

attributes. The attribute name, type, and value
can also be configured.
Arrays This allows the user to add arrays, with
their corresponding name, dimensions and type.

Options
Select the Options button to customize ProClare
in these additional ways:
Always on Top This option allows ProClare to
always be on top of all other windows, which is
useful if you plan on adding a lot of new items.

ProClare is a quick way to add new variables, Auto Roll-up When enabled, ProClare is
attributes, macros and arrays into your ProModel reduced to just the title bar when the mouse cur-
Corporation product without having to leave sor is outside the window. When the cursor is
where you are in the model building process. inside the window, the window is restored to nor-
This is extremely useful if, for example, you are mal size.
into heavy logic and need to add a new variable.
With this tool you can add the new variable with-
out losing your place.

Tools
Startup Loads the default ProModel Corpora-
tion product for model building and editing. You
can choose to specify a model to be loaded.

Please note

When using the ProClare tools, if no ProModel

Corporation products is currently open, Pro-
Clare will launch the default ProModel Corpora-
tion product for you.

Variables This will allow the addition of new

variables into the model. The name, initial value,
type, and RTI stats can be set here.
 ProModel 339
User Guide

ProSetter reflect whether it is installed, and indicate if it is

the default product.

Locations
When you click on a product, it will populate the
location box with all of the locations to which
that product is installed. The default product
location will have a “(Default)” caption next to it
to indicate that it is the default.

This tool is useful only if you have more than one

ProModel Corporation product installed. This
includes having more than one installation of
ProModel, or having every ProModel Corpora-
tion product installed.
When you start this tool, it will scan all your
hard-drives for ProModel Corporation products
(ServiceModel, ProModel, MedModel, or multi-
ple installations of any one of these). To change
the default product, click which product you want
to be your default. If you have multiple copies of
a product, select which location. Having made
your selection, you must then click the “Make
Default” button to process the change. When you
make a product the default product, it will modify
the registry, indicating to Windows that this
product is now your default product. It will also
reset your icon cache to reflect the new file asso-
ciation.

Products
This tool supports ServiceModel, ProModel and
MedModel. It supports multiple installations of
these products as well.
Each product has 2 labels: Installed and Default.
Both labels say either Yes or No next to them to
340 Chapter 8:
Power Tools

Shift Library ProActiveX

For your convenience, predefined shift files are
now included with your ProModel Corporation Overview
product. When installed they will appear in a The ProActiveX spreadsheet is designed to help
Shift Library folder within your product installa- you understand how to use ProModel’s ActiveX
tion folder i.e. C:\ProModel\Shifts\shift_file.sft. components. The worksheets and macros give
These files have common nomenclature to sim- clear and functional examples of how to access
plify the process of identification and implemen- all currently enabled data elements.
tation of the proper shifts. Each shift file is The ProActiveX spreadsheet may be used “as is”
named in the following fashion: or modified to suit your specific needs. With Pro-
####x_####x_#(_###).sft. The first four num- ActiveX and a fundamental knowledge of Visual
bers tell you what time the shift starts along with Basic for Applications, you can create custom-
a letter to designate am or pm. The second four ized user interfaces for ProModel–or let our con-
numbers specify what time the shift ends along sulting division do it for you!
with a letter designating am or pm. The third
number specifies how many days of the week for ProActiveX.xls has nineteen data worksheets
which there is a shift definition. The numeral 1 corresponding to the module with the same name
means the shift occurs one day out of seven; in ProModel. Additionally, there is one hidden
seven means the shift is defined for every day of sheet with data for drop-down lists used on the
the week; a Monday through Friday schedule other sheets.
would be represented with the number five. The
last value in brackets is only used when breaks Please note
are defined for the shift. The first of these three
numbers indicates the number of breaks in a day, ProActiveX is only compatible with Excel 2000
and the next two numbers indicate the cumulative or newer.
minutes of those breaks.

Example
Worksheets
7a_330p_5_360.sft
This file name represents a shift that starts at 7:00 Drop-down lists, check boxes and text
a.m. and ends at 3:30 p.m., five days a week. boxes
There are three breaks defined, one for 15 min- Many of the worksheets in ProActiveX have
utes, one for 30 minutes, and another for 15 min- drop-down lists which make it easier to fill in the
utes. These breaks add up to a cumulative 60
required data. In all cases, the value you select
minutes of break time, represented by 360.
will be inserted into the selected cell or range of
cells. However, the assigned macros do not pre-
vent you from selecting a different column than
the one with the drop-down used.
Using a combo box with a pre-defined list is one
way to ensure consistency in the data. In most
 ProModel 341
User Guide

cases, the numeric value of the list selection is Panes and Sections
temporarily recorded on the hidden sheet (named
In each worksheet where the data columns go
Hidden Sheet). On the Simulation Options
beyond the right-hand border of a single screen,
sheet, instead of filling in a cell or range, the separate panes have been created and ‘frozen’ to
value shows in the drop-down box itself and the allow you to scroll through the columns without
numeric value is hidden in the cell behind it. moving the column that identifies the record.
The Simulation Options sheet also contains sev- The title rows have also been frozen, so that the
eral check boxes and a text box. The values for user can scroll down the sheet without losing
the check boxes are hidden in the cells behind sight of the titles.
them. The method used for hiding the values is
In each worksheet, title labels spanning more
simply to make the text color the same as the
than one column indicate that all the columns
background color.
beneath that title pertain to that type of informa-
tion. For example, on the Resources worksheet,
Not Enabled and Partially Enabled there are several columns for downtime data
A few of the worksheets have data columns which have duplicate titles, but different section
defined for methods which have not yet been labels. In some cases, the labels are used merely
implemented in the ProModel Data Object. to make the titles easier to read.
These columns have been included to acknowl-
edge that these elements were not forgotten when Controls Sheet
ProActiveX was created–these data elements will
be enabled in future releases of ProModel. The first sheet of the ProActiveX file is the Con-
trols Sheet. The options available on this sheet
Shift Editor Button are described below.

The Shift Assignments worksheet has a button to Get (All)

the far right labeled Shift Editor. Clicking on this
button will show the Shift Editor, just like when The Get button copies ActiveX enabled data ele-
you invoke the menu call from your default Pro- ments from the currently open model to the Pro-
Model Corporation product. ActiveX spreadsheet.
ProModel must be running and a model loaded.
Browse Button When all of the data has been copied to the
The General Info worksheet has a Browse... but- spreadsheet, a message box will appear saying,
ton that uses the Microsoft Common Dialog to “Process Complete.”
display a file selection window.
Build Model
Comments The Build Model button copies all ActiveX
Several worksheets have comments in the cells of enabled data elements from the ProActiveX
the title rows. These comments are included to spreadsheet to the currently open model.
give you important information about the data ProModel must be running and a model loaded.
contained in that column–like limitations or for- When all of the data has been copied to the
matting requirements. model, a message box will appear saying, “Pro-
cess Complete.”
342 Chapter 8:
Power Tools

Save Model tine then calls subroutines in other modules to

process each type of data. The order in which the
The Save Model button saves all updates to the
subroutines are called is important, since many of
loaded model. ProModel must already be open
the modules in ProModel depend on information
with a model loaded.
in other modules. For example, the Locations
module must be built before the Path Networks
Run Simulation
module, because the Path Networks module ref-
The Run Simulation button starts the simulation erences Locations.
for the loaded model. To view the simulation,
you will have to manually select ProModel from All of the subroutines in ProActiveX use the con-
your Windows Task Bar, to bring it forward. stants established in the PM_CONSTANTS mod-
ule. You will also find this module recorded in
Open ProModel the file called PM_CONSTANTS.bas. The main
purpose of the constants is to provide a method
The Open ProModel button starts ProModel, but for accessing the parameters to the ProModel
does not load a model. properties and methods data, without having to
remember the numbers associated with each table
Load Model and field.
The Load Model button gives the user an oppor- There are some other useful subroutines that are
tunity to specify a model and then open it in Pro- used throughout the program to do things like
Model. If ProModel is not already running, the showing the right error message or replacing
Load Model button will start ProModel and then Excel style carriage returns with ProModel style
load the selected model. This button gives you carriage returns.
an example of a custom dialog box.
In many cases when you look at the tables in Pro-
Model, what you actually see on the screen is a
Macros
main table and one or more sub tables.
All of the processing logic for ProActiveX is con-
The subroutines in ProActiveX must process the
tained in Excel macros. In most cases each
data for all tables simultaneously by using
macro is in a separate module. The controlling
For...Next or Do While... loops.
modules are named Get_ALL_Model_Data and
Pop_ALL_Model_Data. There are also macros in In many of the data tables, the first field is a
some of the Excel Sheet Objects. For example, Name or ID field that identifies each record in
Sheet04 (Resources) has subroutines that dynam- the table and does not allow duplicates. In the
ically fill in the Path Network drop-down list subroutines that populate these types of tables,
(using the information on the Path Networks the logic is designed to search for an existing Pro-
sheet) every time the Resources sheet is acti- Model record with the same name or ID. If a
vated. This is one method for keeping the drop- record is found, all of its fields will be updated. If
down list in sync whenever you update the data. no record is found, a new one will be appended.
In tables that have no identifying field, records
When the user clicks on the Build All button on
are always appended.
the Controls Sheet, the create_model subrou-
tine is started (found in the
POP__ALL_Model_Data module). This subrou-
 ProModel 343
User Guide

Promodel Player After the model has been loaded, the layout win-
dow of the model appears in the main browser
Promodel Player is a browser plug-in for window.
Microsoft’s Internet Explorer that allows users to
view the animation and statistics of a model.
PMplayer is automatically installed on your com-
puter as you install ProModel.

Viewing Simulation Models

To view, or “play,” a simulation model in Win-
dows Internet Explorer, you may:
•Select the model file in Windows Explorer,
then right-click on the package and select
Play from the menu that appears. Three
packages, Semiconductor.pkg, DaySur-
gery.pkg, and TollPlaza.pkg, are installed on
your computer when you install ProModel.
The are found in the following directory:
C:\Program Files\PMPlayer.
or,
•View a model via HTML links to the desired
model package. Model links are available Using Promodel Player
from the ProModel Corporation Web site at
www.promodel.com. You cannot open Pro- Simulations in Promodel Player are controlled
model Player independently of selecting a through the Toolbar.
model package.
When you open a package on your computer, or
click on a package link on the Internet, an Inter-
net Explorer window will open and you will see : Runs the animation.
the following image in your browser window
while the package is loaded:
: Pauses the animation.

: Stops the animation.

: Toggles the Animation on/off. Turning the

animation off increases the speed of the simula-
tion.
344 Chapter 8:
Power Tools

To close the Output window and return to the ani-

:Allows you to zoom in or out on the mation window, click on the red "x" on the tool-
layout. bar.

Please Note
: Toggles the Auto Zoom on/off. When
selected, this option will zoom the animation to
A user who has installed this plug-in, but has not
fit within the browser window.
installed any other ProModel Corporation prod-
ucts will not have access to any of ProModel’s
: Opens an options window, which gives you model building capability, they may only view the
several options for controlling your animation. simulation animation and the statistical output
results. Users who have a valid ProModel Cor-
poration registration key will have access to Pro-
: Opens this Help file. model Player Gold, which is described in the next
To run the model animation, click Promodel section.
Player’s play button. If you have selected to view
the output, as soon as the simulation is complete,
the output statistics and graphs will open in the
browser window. Only predefined output graphs Promodel Player Gold
will come up, the user cannot define new graphs If you have a valid registration key on your com-
through Promodel Player. puter for a ProModel Corporation product, Pro-
model Player will automatically launch Promodel
Player Gold.
The Gold version of Promodel Player is function-
ally similar to the regular version of Promodel
Player, but it contains the added functionality of
scenarios and macros.
Promodel Player Gold allows you to view values
for scenarios that are packaged with any .pkg file.
The scenario viewing area is accessible through
the green bar underneath the Promodel Player
toolbar.

If there are any bar graphs defined, as in the

Semicon report, the user can get a detailed pie
chart of the individual bar by left-clicking on the
bar of the desired statistic.
 ProModel 345
User Guide

Clicking on the arrow on the far left of the green

bar will open the scenario and macro window.

From this window you can select the scenarios

you wish to run, and view the available macros.
346 Chapter 8:
Power Tools
 ProModel 347
User Guide

Chapter 9: Running the

Model

Simulation Menu Options Select Options to bring up the Simula-

tion Options dialog box used to specify important
All of the run-time controls are accessed through run-time information such as run length, warm-
the Simulation menu located on the menu bar. up period, number of replications, and multiple
This menu contains options for running a model, replication statistics. (See “Simulation Options”
specifying multiple replication statistics, defining on page 348.)
scenario data, and other extended run-time
options. Model Parameters Choose Model Parameters
to open the Model Parameters dialog box. The
dialog box allows you to modify the current set-
tings for the RTI (Run-Time Interface) parame-
ters defined in the Macros module. (See “Run-
Time Interface” on page 242.)
Scenarios Select Scenarios to open the Scenar-
ios dialog box. The dialog box allows you to
define different scenarios using defined RTI
(Run-Time Interface) parameters. (See “Scenar-
Each of the selections available on the Simulation ios” on page 353.)
menu is explained below.
SimRunner SimRunner takes your existing Pro-
Run Choose Run to begin simulating the current Model simulation models, evaluates them for
model using the options previously selected in you, then performs tests to find better ways to
the Simulation Options dialog box. Choosing achieve the results you desire. (See “SimRunner”
Run does not save the models to the current on page 370.)
model file. However, the model data will be
saved to the file AUTOSAVE.MOD. To run sev-
eral scenarios, you must select Run Scenarios
from the Scenarios dialog mentioned below. Oth-
erwise, it will run the RTI default values.
Save & Run Saves the current model, then runs
it.
348 Chapter 9:
Simulation Options

Simulation Options General Options & Settings

The Simulations Options dialog provides you Output Path Contains the path of the output file
with a number of options to control the simula- (the name of the file is automatically created
tion, such as run length, warm-up time, clock pre- using the name of the model). ProModel records
cision, and the output. You also control the type all statistical output in this file for your analysis.
of statistics reporting you want from the simula- If this field is left blank, the default path is used,
tion, including period length and number of repli- which points to the Output directory in the Pro-
cations. Model directory.
In addition to reporting standard statistics based When you change the default path, be sure the
on one or more replications of a simulation, Pro- path you enter actually exists, or an error will
Model allows you to average statistics across occur at run time.
intervals of a single replication (batch mean) for
analyzing steady-state systems or take the aver- Define Run Length by ProModel allows you to
age of the average statistics for specific time peri- define a run length for you model based on the
ods over multiple replications (periodic) for non- duration you will test.
steady state systems. You may choose from three •Time Only The total run length in hours.
statistical reporting options.

How to open the simulation

options dialog:

1. Select the Simulation option from the

menu bar.
2. Select Options to open the Simulation
Options dialog. •Weekly Time The total run length by week,
day, and time.

•Calendar Date The total run length by a

specific calendar date and time.
 ProModel 349
User Guide

The following table shows the default precision

selections based on the time unit selected in the
General Information dialog.

DEFAULT CLOCK PRECISION

SELECTIONS
Clock
TIME UNIT Clock Unit Precision Maximum Run
Seconds (sec) Seconds .01 11,930 hrs
•Warm-up Period The amount of time to
Minutes (min) Minutes .001 71,582 hrs
run the simulation before collecting statis-
Hours (hr) Hours .001 4,294,967 hrs
tics. Usually this is the amount of time it
Days (day) Hours .001 1,030,792,128 hrs
takes for the model to reach steady state. The
warm-up period uses the same units as the
run length. Disable: Animation Use this option to improve
Clock Precision Select the clock precision run-time speed by shutting down the animation.
value from the drop down box. Then click the If you choose to disable animation, you cannot
radio button for the clock units you want to dis- choose the Generate Animation Script option.
play at run time. Disable Array Exports This option disables the
exporting of data to external arrays. This is help-
ful for skipping the array exporting at the end of
simulation, which may save time if the data being
exported is large.
Disable Cost When you select this option, Pro-
Please note Model disables all cost information collection for
in the model.
The maximum run length depends on the clock Disable: Time Series Use this option to improve
precision and time unit selected. The following run-time speed by foregoing time series statistics.
table shows the maximum run hours for each pre-
This also saves disk space used to store the col-
cision setting. lected statistics.
CLOCK PRECISION At Start: Pause To pause the simulation at the
Time Unit .01 .001 .0001 .00001 start of the run, use this option. The simulation
Seconds 11,930 hrs 1,193 hrs 119 hrs 11 hrs will pause until you select Resume from the Sim-
(sec) ulation menu in the Simulation module.
Minutes 715,827 hrs 71,582 hrs 7,158 hrs 715 hrs
(min) At Start: Display Notes Use this option to dis-
42,949,672 4, 294,967 429,496 42,949 play the notes from the General Information dia-
Hours (hr) hrs hrs hrs hrs log at the beginning of the simulation.
1,030,792,128 103,079,208 10,307,904 1,030,776
Days (day) hrs hrs hrs hrs General: Adjust for Daylight Saving This
option is only available when you have defined
Run Length by Calendar Date. When checked,
the simulation clock will account for the hour
350 Chapter 9:
Simulation Options

shift of daylight saving time in April and Octo- General: Skip Resource DTs if Off-shift When
ber. checked, the simulation will ingnore resource
downtimes if the resource is off-shift.
General: Generate Animation Script When
checked, the simulation will generate a 3D ani-
mation script for use with ProModel Corpora- Output Reporting Options
tion’s 3D Animator application. The animation
script records the graphical events of the simula-
tion for later 3D rendering in 3D Animator.
General: Common Random Numbers This
feature is a variance reduction technique used pri-
marily when running multiple scenarios, each
with multiple replications. It is intended to help
reduce the number of replications required to
determine the statistical significance of differ-
ences between scenario results. When enabled, Standard When you select Standard output
common random numbers will ensure that the reporting, ProModel collects output statistics for
sequence of starting seed values for each stream one or more replications. No interval length can
in a set of replications for one scenario is identi- be specified when using this option. From the
cal to the starting seed values for corresponding output program, statistics can be viewed for each
replications in every other scenario. replication; although, by default they are dis-
played as an average over all the replications.
For example, if you have this option disabled, the
match between starting seed values for each Batch Mean The method of batch means, or
stream in corresponding replications for each sce- interval batching, is a way to collect independent
nario will not be guaranteed. The net effect of samples when simulating steady-state systems as
this is that you may have to run more replications an alternative to running multiple replications.
to get the same confidence interval that you are The advantage over running multiple replications
able to obtain by running with common random is that the warm-up period runs only once. When
numbers. you select Batch Mean output reporting, the out-
put statistics are collected for each time interval
When common random numbers are enabled, indicated in the Interval Length field. The num-
you can theoretically establish the statistical sig- ber of intervals is determined by dividing the run
nificance of differences in output results between length by the interval length. The interval length
multiple scenarios with fewer replications than may be an expression but will only be evaluated
by not enabling common random numbers. Spe- once at model translation, so it is always a fixed
cifically, it reduces the amount of variation in dif- interval. The Number of Replications edit field is
ferences between outputs of corresponding not used when this option is selected since it
replications by ensuring that these differences are replaces the need for running multiple replica-
due to true differences in performance and not to tions.
differences due to randomness of the streams.
For more information on random number Example
streams, see “Using Random Number Streams”
on page 266.
 ProModel 351
User Guide

The Content History graph below shows that the The content history table below shows how
contents of Lathe1 varied throughout the simula- the contents of Lathe1 varied throughout the
tion. The interval length was set to 0.5 hours and simulation and from one replication to the
the simulation ran a little over 3 intervals (1 1/2 other. The interval length was set to 0.5 hours
hours). The average or mean of the intervals were and the simulation ran a little over 3 periods
2.7, 3.09, and 3.15, so the average of the inter- (11/2 hours) with two replications. The results
val averages is the batch mean or 2.98. are shown below.

Periodic Period Period Period

Output 1 2 3
Replication 1 2.70 3.09 3.15
Avg.
Replication 2 2.20 3.13 3.01
Avg.
Pooled Average 2.45 3.11 3.08

Interval Length Enter the interval length as the

number of time units for each interval or period.
Periodic Useful primarily in terminating or non-
The interval length may be an expression but will
steady state simulations where you are interested
only be evaluated once at model translation, so it
in the system behavior during different periods
is always a fixed interval. To define unequal
(e.g., peak or lull periods) of activity.
intervals, see “Customized Reporting” on
When you select Periodic output reporting, the page 352. The time unit is defined in the General
output statistics are collected by period where the Information dialog. The interval length need only
length of a period is defined in the interval length be specified when using Batch Mean or Periodic
field. The interval length may be an expression reporting.
but will only be evaluated once at model transla-
Number of Replications Enter the number of
tion, so it is always a fixed interval. To define
replications you want the simulation to run in this
unequal intervals, see “Customized Reporting”
field. Number of replications only needs to be
on page 352.
specified when using Standard or Periodic report-
You may gather statistics for a periodic report ing.
over multiple replications. From the output pro-
gram, you can view each replication averaged
over the periods, each period averaged over the Running a Specific Replication
replications, or the pooled average (the average ProModel allows you to run a specific replication
for each period averaged over all of the replica- in order to produce time series graphs in the Out-
tions). put Program. To run a specific replication, enter
the “@” symbol in the “Number of Replications”
Example box followed by the replication number. For
example, “@5” will run only the fifth replication.
352 Chapter 9:
Model Parameters & Scenarios

Customized Reporting Model Parameters & Sce-

For customized reporting, you may want to take narios
advantage of the following statements: REPORT,
RESET STATS, and WARMUP. See “Report”
on page 542, “Reset Stats” on page 545, and Model Parameters
“Warmup” on page 579 for syntax and examples.
The Model Parameters dialog box allows you to
REPORT A general statement called from any modify the current settings for the Run-Time
logic. When the statement is called, a full set of Interface (RTI) parameters defined in the macros
statistics is saved to be viewed as a snapshot module. This provides a convenient interface for
report in the output processor. Optionally, the making model changes without using the Build
statement allows you to reset the statistics after modules. To define and run multiple scenarios
the report is saved, giving you a batch or period using RTI parameters, select the Scenarios option
for any time interval you define. from the Simulation menu (see discussion on
Scenarios later in this section). Model parameter
RESET STATS A general statement called from
settings are saved with the model for future use.
any logic and generally used in connection with
the REPORT statement. When this statement is
used, all statistics are set to zero. The output data-
base is not erased (see WARMUP).
WARMUP A general statement called from any
logic. When this statement is used, all statistics
are set to zero and the output database is erased.
Use this statement in conjunction with the WAIT
UNTIL statement to wait until specific parame-
ters in the system being modeled are at a steady
state or other conditions are appropriate to Parameter The name of the macro defined in
declare the warm-up period over. the model as the RTI (Run-Time Interface)
parameter. The parameter name does not need to
be the same name as the macro.
Current Setting The current setting of the
parameter.
Change Allows you to change the current set-
ting of the parameter.
Reset All Resets all parameters to the default
RTI setting defined in the Macros module.
Run Runs the model with the defined current
model parameter settings.
 ProModel 353
User Guide

How to define an RTI parameter: Scenarios are saved with the model for future
use.
1. Choose More Elements from the Build
menu.
2. Choose Macros...
3. Type the macro name, choose the RTI but-
ton, and select Define.
4. Define the Parameter Name.
5. Enter the Prompt (optional).
6. Select the parameter type, Unrestricted
Text or Numeric Range.
7. If defining a Numeric Range, enter the
lower and upper boundary for the range.
Add Opens the Scenario Parameters dialog box
8. Click OK. to add a scenario.
9. Use the macro ID in the model (e.g., oper- Edit Opens the Scenario Parameters dialog box
ation time, resource usage time, etc.).
to edit an existing scenario.
Duplicate Duplicates the selected scenario and
opens the Scenario Parameters dialog box, allow-
Please note ing you to give the newly created scenario a name
and edit its data.
For more information on RTI, see “Run-Time Delete Deletes the selected scenario.
Interface” on page 242.
Disable/Enable Disables or enables the
selected scenario.
Run Scenarios Runs the model with the defined
Scenarios scenarios. When running several scenarios, click-
ing on the Abort button during translation will
ProModel gives you the option of defining sev-
terminate all scenarios instead of just the current
eral scenarios for a model using RTI parameters
scenario.
specified for the model. A scenario is a set of run-
time parameters with settings defined by the user.
Using scenarios allows you to alter various model Scenario Parameters Dialog
parameters to run a series of “what-if” scenarios The Scenario Parameters dialog box is displayed
without changing the model directly. when choosing Add, Edit, or Duplicate from the
Scenarios can also be helpful for allowing other
users of you model, who may not have experi-
ence using model logic, to make changes to the
model through RTI parameters.
354 Chapter 9:
Model Parameters & Scenarios

Scenarios dialog box. This allows you to control 4. Double click on the Parameter to bring up
the specifics of a scenario. the parameter dialog box or select the
Parameter and click the Change button.
5. Type the text in the box in the Parameter
dialog box.
6. Select OK in the Parameter dialog box.
7. Repeat for every parameter desired.
8. Select OK in the Scenario Parameters dia-
log box.

Scenario Name The name of the scenario. This

name is chosen by the user and may contain any
alphanumeric characters.
Parameter The name of the parameter as
defined in the RTI (Run-Time Interface) defini-
tion dialog box invoked from the Macro editor.
Current Setting The current setting of the
parameter.
Change Allows you to change the current set-
ting of the parameter.
Reset All Resets all parameters to their default
settings.

Please note

Only macros defined as RTI parameters will be

displayed as parameters for the scenario. (See
“Macros” on page 241.)

How to define a scenario:

1. Choose Scenarios... from the Simulation

menu.
2. Choose the Add button.
3. Define the scenario name by typing text in
the Scenario Name box.
 ProModel 355
User Guide

Running the Simulation Run-Time Menus & Controls

Choosing Run begins the simulation of the cur- Once a simulation begins, a new menu bar
rent model. The model is automatically saved in a appears at the top of the screen with selections for
file called autosave.mod. Therefore, if the simu- controlling and interacting with the simulation.
lation is terminated abnormally, ProModel will As shown below, these menu items appear above
ask you if you would like to load the latest the animation speed control bar and simulation
autosave.mod file when you re-open ProModel. clock.
If you choose Save & Run, the model will be
saved in the AUTOSAVE.MOD file as well as
the <model name>.mod file.
Once you choose the Run option, a translation
status window appears, showing which data is
currently being translated. This gives you the
option to abort the simulation run at any time. As
shown below, the path networks are being
mapped.

Each of the menu selections and the tools for con-

trolling the animation are described in the
remainder of this chapter.

Run-Time File Menu

Abort Allows you to cancel model translation at The Run-Time File menu contains only one
any time during translation. selection, View Text.
Continue Allows you to continue model trans-
lation when a warning message is displayed.
Detailed Status Allows you to view more spe-
cific information about the data in translation. View Text Choose this option to bring up a win-
dow with a text listing of the current model. This
feature is extremely useful for debugging and
verifying models.

Please note

You may switch back and forth between a full size

View Text window and the animation screen by
356 Chapter 9:
Run-Time Menus & Controls

choosing the desired window from the Window Run-Time Options Menu
menu option.
The run-time Options menu has several selec-
tions that allow you to interact with the simula-
tion while the model is running. These options
Run-Time Simulation Menu are described in the following pages.

The Run-Time Simulation menu has two options:

End Simulation and Pause/Resume Simulation.

End Simulation Choose this option to end the

simulation. You will then be prompted to collect
statistics or return to the model editor without Animation Off/On Turns the animation on or
collecting statistics. If running multiple scenar- off. Off greatly speeds up the simulation. Anima-
ios, End Simulation will terminate all scenarios. tion speed may also be set with the ANIMATE
statement. (See “Animate” on page 442 for infor-
Pause/Resume Simulation Choose Pause Sim-
mation).
ulation to pause the simulation for an indefinite
amount of time. With the simulation paused, you Zoom Zooms in or out on the animation.
may begin a trace, zoom in or out, set up the next
Views Allows you to select a view, which you
pause, examine different locations in the model,
have defined while building the model. This
or interact with the model in a number of other
option is only available if you have previously
ways. Choose Resume Simulation when the sim-
defined a view.
ulation is paused to continue running the simula-
tion. Trace Options Lists events as they happen dur-
ing a simulation. This listing may be Step by
Step, Continuous, or Filtered.
Debug Brings up the Debugger Options Dialog
box for debugging the model.
User Pause Allows the user to enter a simula-
tion clock time for the simulation to pause.
User Pause by Date/Time Allows the user to
enter a calendar date and simulation clock time
for the simulation to pause. This option is only
available if you chose "Calendar Date" as the
Run Length in the Simulation Options dialog.
 ProModel 357
User Guide

Debug Option Please note

Debugging ProModel Logic Even though several threads can execute the
same logic at the same time in the simulation, the
The Debugger is a convenient and efficient way simulation processor can only process them one
to test or follow the processing of any logic at a time. So there is really only one current
defined in your model. The debugger is used to thread while all other threads are suspended
step through logic one statement at a time and (either scheduled for some future simulation
examine variables and attributes while a model is time, or waiting to be executed after the current
running. thread at the same simulation instant).
Before discussing the details of the Debug
option, it is important to understand the following
terms:
Example
Statement A statement causes ProModel to
take some action or perform some operation. This To better explain the above concepts, con-
includes statements such as GET, JOIN, and sider the following operation logic for a multi-
SPLIT AS. (See “Statements and Functions” on capacity location.
page 439 for more information).
Logic Logic refers to the complete set of state- Line of
ments defined for a particular process record, execution
downtime event, initialization logic, or termina- for Thread 3
tion logic for a simulation.
Line of
Thread A thread is a specific execution of any execution
for Thread 2
logic. A thread is initiated whenever a logic
needs to be executed. This can be an entity run-
Line of
ning through an operation logic, the initialization execution
logic, a resource running a node logic, a down- for Thread 1
time logic, or any other logic. Note that the same
logic may be running in several threads at the
same time. For example, three entities of the Logic
same type being processed simultaneously at the
same multi-capacity location would constitute The logic includes all statements shown on
three threads. previous page. Let’s assume that there are
three different entities currently executing this
A thread or logic execution can be suspended by operation logic. Each executing entity consti-
any statement, causing simulation time to pass tutes a thread. A possible scenario for this
(e.g., GET Res1, WAIT 5, etc.). After such a case is the following: Thread 1 is an entity
statement completes its task, the thread is using two units of resource Oper_3 for N(35,5)
resumed. During the time a thread is suspended, minutes. Thread 2 is an entity waiting for
other threads may be initiated, suspended, resource Oper_1 to become available. The
resumed, or completed. This is called thread last thread is a different entity which has
switching. completed 10 minutes of the 15 minute wait
358 Chapter 9:
Run-Time Menus & Controls

executed at the beginning of the logic. Note Debugger Options Dialog Box
that two entities arriving at a multi-capacity
location at nearly the same time could both The Debugger Options dialog box allows the user
execute the same WAIT or USE time in the to specify when to display the Debugger dialog
logic, only in different threads. box during the simulation run.

In general, for a logic block containing state-

ments that pass simulation time, any number of
threads can wait for the required simulation time
to elapse, corresponding to each time elapsing
statement. These threads are scheduled to resume
at some future simulation time.
There can also be many threads (any number of
threads corresponding to each of the time elaps-
ing statements within the logic) which have com-
pleted their waiting time, but await their turn to
continue execution. These threads are on hold
because the simulation engine is busy with Disable debugger Disables the debugger com-
another thread scheduled for the same simulation pletely. By default the debugger is enabled. Run-
time. There is only one thread executed at any ning the model with the debugger disabled
real time instant by the simulation engine. increases the run speed. When running multiple
replications or scenarios, or when the animation
The debugger window will display a unique iden- is disabled, the debugger will automatically be
tification number for the current, active thread. disabled.
This thread ID number will help you differentiate
between different instances of the same logic DEBUG statement Displays the Debugger dia-
block while you are debugging your models. log box every time a DEBUG statement is
encountered in an enabled process while running
the simulation. See “Debug” on page 465 for
more information.
Global Change Displays the Debugger dialog
box every time a global change occurs to a speci-
fied variable or array. The Debugger dialog box
shows the original and new value of the element.
Only one global name can be specified in this
box.
User Condition Displays the Debugger dialog
box when a defined user condition written as a
Boolean expression becomes true, for example,
when Var1=5. Only one expression can be speci-
fied in this box, although several conditions can
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User Guide

be tested by using the OR operator. See “Boolean Context Box Error Dialog Box
Expressions” on page 410 for more information.
Check Condition Allows the user to define
how often to check the user condition. The
options include:
•Before each statement The condition,
such as Var1=1, will be checked before
each statement is executed. This option is
the most precise way to tell exactly when
the user condition becomes true, but it
slows down the simulation the most.
•At each thread switch The condition, such
as Var3>17, will be checked only if a
statement from a different thread follows
the current statement being executed.
•At each thread initiation The condition, Logic Display Box Information Box
such as Att1=5, will be checked only if the
next statement to be executed is the first Error Display Box Displays the error message or
statement in a thread (the first statement in reason why the Debugger dialog box is dis-
a thread is also the first statement of a played, such as the User-Condition becoming
logic). true.
Debug button Pressing the Debug button dis- Logic Display Box Displays the statements of
plays the Debugger dialog box before the next the current logic being executed.
statement executes.
Context Box Displays the module, operation,
OK Closes the Debugger Options dialog box and and line number (in which the debugger stopped)
continues to run the simulation model. in the Information box.
Information Box Displays local variables and
Debugger Dialog Box entity attributes with non-zero values in the Infor-
The Debugger can be used in two modes: Basic mation box.
and Advanced. The Basic Debugger appears ini- End Simulation Choose this option to terminate
tially with the option of using the Advanced the simulation. This will prompt you about col-
Debugger. The Basic Debugger dialog box is lecting statistics.
shown below:
Run Continues to run the simulation, but still
checks the debugger options selected in the
Debugger Options dialog box.
Next Statement Jumps to the next statement in
the current thread. If the last statement executed
suspends the thread (e.g., the entity is waiting to
capture a resource), another thread meeting the
360 Chapter 9:
Run-Time Menus & Controls

debugger conditions may be displayed as the next tionality as the Next Thread button in the Basic
statement. debugger.
Next Thread Brings up the Debugger at the next New (Thread) Jumps to the next initiated
initiated or resumed thread. thread.
Into Subroutine Steps to the first statement in Disable (Thread) Temporarily disables the
the next subroutine executed by this thread. debugger for the current thread (see also enable).
Again, if the last statement executed suspends the
Exclusive (Thread) The debugger displays the
thread, another thread meeting debugger condi-
statements executed within the current thread
tions may be displayed first. If no subroutine is
only. When the thread terminates, the exclusive
found in the current thread, a message is dis-
setting is removed.
played in the Error Display box.
Next (Logic) Jumps to the next initiated or
Options Brings up the Debugger Options dialog
resumed thread that is not executing the same
box. You may also bring up this dialog box from
logic as the current thread.
the Simulation menu.
New (Logic) Jumps over any resumed threads
Advanced Changes the Debugger to Advanced
to the next initiated thread not executing the same
mode, provides additional options discussed next.
logic as the current thread.

Advanced Debugger Dialog Box Disable (Logic) Temporarily disables the

debugger for all threads executing the current
The Advanced Debugger contains all options in logic (see also enable).
the Basic Debugger plus a few advanced features.
Exclusive (Logic) The debugger displays only
the statements executed in any thread executing
the current logic.
Enable disabled threads and logics Enables
the threads and logics which were disabled previ-
ously.

Debugger Options Examples

Debug Statement Example

A simulation model demonstrates a proposed
flexible manufacturing system which produces
castings. A variable, WIP, is used to track the
work in process for the system. Suppose we want
to display the Debugger when the variable, WIP,
reaches a value of 300. We could place an
IF...THEN statement including DEBUG after the
Next (Thread) Jumps to the next initiated or
resumed thread. This button has the same func-
 ProModel 361
User Guide

statement incrementing the variable, WIP, as Debugger syntax

shown below:
Casting @ loc1: GET Oper_1
WAIT N(5,3)
INC Var1
Casting @ loc2: JOIN 1 Fixture
...
...
...

By checking the box next to the DEBUG state-

ment in the Debugger Options dialog, the Debug-
ger is displayed when the variable, WIP, reaches Trace Options
300.
A trace is a list of events occurring over the
Global Change Example course of a simulation. For example, a trace
statement might state “EntA arrives at Loc1,
Suppose we want to know when the variable,
Downtime for Res1 begins.” A trace listing also
COUNT, is incremented. We would check the
displays assignments, such as variable and array
box to the left of Global Change and type
element assignments. A trace listing of a simula-
COUNT in the Global Change field. This will
tion run may be viewed in several ways through
display the Debugger dialog box each time
the trace options provided.
COUNT changes. It will also display the previ-
ous and changed value of COUNT.
Trace Mode
User Condition Example A trace listing is generated in one of three modes,
Suppose we want to follow a casting through the Step, Continuous, or Filtered.
entire system (i.e., from when an entity enters the
system to when it exits). We would set an Trace Off
attribute equal to a unique number in the arrival Select this option to discontinue a current trace.
logic for a single casting (Att1=3). In other
words, only one casting in the system should Trace Step
have Att1=3. We would then check the User
Condition box and enter the condition as Select this option to step through the trace listing
“Att1=3.” We would then select At Each Thread one event at a time. Each time you click the left
Initiation as the Check Condition. The debugger mouse button, the trace will advance one event.
is displayed each time a particular customer ini- Clicking and holding the right mouse button
tiates a new thread. For example, the debugger while in this mode generates a continuous trace.
may display the following information:
362 Chapter 9:
Run-Time Menus & Controls

Trace Continuous
Select this option to write the trace continuously
to the output device selected from the Trace Out-
put submenu. This is useful when you do not
know exactly where to begin or end the trace.
Clicking and holding the right mouse button
stops the trace until you release the button.

Filtered Trace...
When you view the Trace during simulation, you
see a list of all the events that occur as your
model is running.
Although it may be helpful to view every event in
the simulation, there are many times when you
will want to focus on just the events that affect
specific elements (locations, resources, variables,
etc.) of your model.
The Trace feature contains an optional, custom
filter, which allows you to pick the elements of
your model, or custom text string, that you wish
to view in the Trace window.

From the Custom Trace Options dialog, you may

choose which elements of your model you want
displayed in the Trace window.
The Custom Filter works by showing the speci-
fied elements in the trace according to the follow-
ing:
•Specified elements found in the main head-
ing of the Trace will be displayed along with
the entire contents of the sub-headings.
•Specified elements found in a sub-heading
will only display the main heading and the
sub-heading with the specified element. All
other sub-headings of the main heading,
which do not contain the specified elements,
will not be displayed.
 ProModel 363
User Guide

The Enable button in the Custom Trace Options the layout window, the zoom function will auto-
dialog must be checked for the Trace Filter to matically pan to show at least part of the layout.
take effect.

Output to File
Select this option to send the trace listing to a text
file. Trace statements are automatically written to
a <model name>.TRC file.

Animation Options
In addition to the debug and trace options, anima-
tion options allow you to control the animation
To zoom in a specific area of the simulation lay-
screen.
out, press and hold the CTRL key, then click and
Animation Off Choose this option to tempo- drag the mouse to create a rectangle around the
rarily suspend the animation. To resume the ani- are in which you would like to zoom. Release the
mation, select this option again. (The selection mouse, then the CTRL key. The layout will zoom
automatically changes to “Animation On.”) Note in on the selected area.
that running with animation off greatly increases
Views Click on this menu item to display the
the run speed, especially for models with a large
available views. Select the desired view.
amount of graphic detail. To increase the run
speed to an even faster rate, check the Disable User Pause Choose this option to enter a time
Animation in the Simulation Options before run- for the simulation to pause. The proper format for
ning the model (see “Animation Options” on specifying a user pause is hh:mm:xx where hh
page 363). represents hours, mm represents minutes, and xx
represents hundredths of a minute.
Zoom Select this option to Zoom in or out on
the animation. When this option is selected, you
may choose a preset zoom level, enter your own Run-Time Information Menu
zoom level, or choose Zoom Full to fit the entire
animation on one screen. The Zoom function The Run-Time Information menu allows you to
zooms to the center of the screen. If the zoom see the status of locations in two different ways.
factor causes the model layout to appear outside In addition, you may view the current state of all
variables and array elements. Each of these
options is defined in the following pages.
364 Chapter 9:
Run-Time Menus & Controls

Status Light Select this option to bring up the changes for those metrics dynamically as the
Status Light Legend. model runs. Configurations of one or more plot
windows can be saved and later retrieved to
Locations Select this option and choose a loca-
quickly view a customized set of graphs.
tion to view an information box with real time
information about the location. Information for Features include:
all locations may also be displayed.
•Up to six elements many be graphed on the
Variables Select this option to show the current same chart at the same time.
state of all real and integer global variables. •More than one chart may be active at a time.
Arrays Select this option to show the current •Charts can be resized.
value of all cells for arrays of up to three dimen- •Plots display a meaningful scale for both
sions. axes.
•Improved customization for graph appear-
Dynamic Plots Allows you to graphically moni- ance
tor the performance of model elements during run
•Chart settings may be saved to use over from
time and store statistical data in an Excel® spread-
one simulation run to the next.
sheet.
•Dynamic plots work with multiple replica-
tions and scenarios.
Location Status Legend
The Location Status Legend shows the different Basic Operation
colors of a location status light and the meaning
of each color. Single capacity locations may be in Please note
any of several states, while multi-capacity loca-
tions appear only as up or down. This window
The Dynamic Plot dialog is only accessible dur-
may remain open during the simulation.
ing simulation run-time. If you will be creating
saved chart views, you may wish to pause the
simulation, define Chart views, then resume the
simulation.

Starting Dynamic Plots

Dynamic plots are set up using the Information |
Dynamic Plots menu during simulation. Under

Dynamic Plots
Dynamic plots allow you to select certain metrics
for various model elements and observe value
 ProModel 365
User Guide

Dynamic Plots you will find two sub-items, New keyboards. When a subtree is fully expanded,
and Configurations… individual plottable items are shown, as below:

New opens a window similar to the one below.

Each plottable item displays a checkbox to its

left. When checked, the item is added to the list
of currently plotted items below the tree view and
the chart view begins to plot the value of the
item. When unchecked, the item is removed
from the list of currently plotted items, and the
item is removed from the chart view. Items can
also be added or removed from the chart view by
double-clicking the item. If the item was not
checked, this will check the box next to the item,
Setting up a Plot
add it to the current item list and the chart view,
and switch immediately to the chart display. If
Tree View
the item was checked, this will uncheck the box
The tree view represents a hierarchical list of all next to the item, remove it from the current item
plottable items in the model. Expanding and col- list and the chart view, and switch immediately to
lapsing of tree items works in a manner consis- the chart display.
tent with standard Windows tree controls,
including, but not necessarily limited to, double- The maximum number of statistics that can be
clicking on a parent item, clicking on plus or plotted on a single chart is six. When six items
minus graphic next to a parent item, and using the are being charted and you attempt to add an addi-
plus and minus keys on the number pad of most tional item by either clicking the box next to the
item or by double-clicking the item, nothing will
happen and no changes to the chart will take
place.

Statistic List
The item list below the tree view contains the
items currently being graphed, arranged into two
columns: a label and a statistic name. The label
366 Chapter 9:
Run-Time Menus & Controls

initially consists of only the text directly right of horizontal gridlines, and a chart title. An exam-
the item icon in the tree view, while the statistic ple of a chart view is shown below.
name is composed of the names of the items
ancestor nodes and the name of the item node
itself. For example, for the "Avg Min per Entry"
item under the Input location, the label would ini-
tially be set to "Avg Min per Entry" and the sta-
tistic name would be "Locations\Input\Avg Min
per Entry."

Please note

When you click on the Label portion of the item in

the list to select it and then click again, the label
becomes editable, and you can type over or edit
the existing text. This text becomes the new label The x-axis indicates time elapsed from the start
for the item, and will now be displayed in the leg- of the simulation, measured in clock precision
end in the chart view. units specified in the Simulation Options dialog.
The y-axis measures values of the items being
plotted. Both axes are re-scaled when necessary
so that all data points fit within the chart area.
The Remove button removes the selected item, if When in the chart view, the maximize button in
any, from the list, unchecks it in the tree view, the title bar expands the chart itself to completely
and removes it from the chart view. Clicking the fill the area within the dialog, removing the
Clear button does this for every item in the statis- “Stats to Plot” and “Chart” tabs and extra spac-
tic list. ing. This may be helpful when you want to size
Clicking the dividing lines between headings and the chart window as small as possible and still
dragging left or right resizes the columns in the view the chart update. Clicking the minimize but-
statistic list. ton will restore the chart to its normal state. The
items being plotted are color-coded and the key is
Chart View on the right-hand side of the window. Many of
the chart options such as title and colors are cus-
The chart view is where graphical representations tomizable; simply click the right mouse button
of changing model elements are displayed. It and select Properties… from the context sensi-
consists of a chart area and, optionally, any com- tive menu options.
bination of the following: toolbar, legend, x- and
y-axis scales, x- and y-axis labels, vertical and Dynamic Plot Configurations
Information | Dynamic Plots | Configura-
tions... is disabled if no saved configurations
exist for the model and no dynamic plot windows
are open. If enabled, selecting it opens a dialog
box like the one below. The dialog box consists
 ProModel 367
User Guide

of a list box containing the names of any saved ments, screen position and size to a configuration
dynamic plot configurations for the model, an with the name specified in the edit field. If the
edit field, and Load, Rename, Delete, Save, and name matches one of the configurations in the
Exit button. configuration list, this data will replace the previ-
ous data for that name.
The Save button does not actually save data into
the model file. Rather, it creates or modifies a set
of configuration data associated with a particular
configuration name in memory and tags the
model as being modified. If you exit the pro-
gram, load a model, or execute the New com-
mand from the File menu you will be prompted to
save the model. Using the Delete or Rename
buttons in the configuration dialog also tags the
model as modified.

Advanced Operation
If you select a configuration from the list and
To enhance your simulations and presentations
click Load, the indicated saved configuration of
you can turn your dynamic plots on and off using
chart(s) will be loaded, with all of the previous
the DynPlot “” statement in your model logic.
settings as far as selected data items, chart style,
Predefine the statistics to be graphed and a chart
colors, fonts, visible elements, screen position
name, then open your plot through subroutines or
and size, etc. If any of the previously selected
processing logic.
data items no longer exist in the model, they will
simply not be displayed. For example, if a statis-
tic had been selected for a location that was later
deleted from the model, it will no longer be
selected.
Double-clicking on a configuration in the list has
the same effect as selecting it and clicking the
Load button.

The Delete button removes the selected configu-

ration from the list and deletes the associated data
from the model.
The Rename button changes the name of the
currently selected configuration to the text in the
Save/Rename As edit field.

Clicking the Save button saves all settings of any

open dynamic plot windows, including selected
data items, chart style, colors, fonts, visible ele-
368 Chapter 9:
Run-Time Menus & Controls

Run-Time Window Menu subroutines are defined in the Subroutines edit

table (see “Subroutine Editor” on page 246).
The Run-Time Window menu allows you to rear-
range windows and icons and select the active
window. These functions are standard to all Win-
dows applications.

Tile Causes all open windows to fit in the avail-

able screen space. Windows hidden behind other
windows become visible.
Cascade Causes all open windows to overlap
such that the title bar of each window is visible.
Arrange Icons Causes all icons representing
How to execute an interactive
iconized applications or windows to be arranged subroutine during run-time:
neatly along the bottom of the screen.
1. Select Interact from the run-time menu.

Run-Time Interact Menu 2. Select the identifier for the subroutine from
the list box in the Interact dialog box.
The Run-Time Interact menu displays the Inter- 3. Choose the Activate button.
act dialog box. It allows you to execute interac-
tive subroutines during run-time. Interactive

Run-Time Help Menu

The Run-Time Help menu contains selections for
accessing the ProModel on-line help system. It
operates the same here as in the model editing
functions.

Index... Choose this option to bring up the Main

Help Index.
 ProModel 369
User Guide

Context Choose this option to go directly to the How to control the simulation
help screen that corresponds to the active win- speed:
dow. If no context sensitive help exists for the
active window, the Main Help Index will appear.
• Move the animation speed control bar to
About... Choose the option to display a message the left to decrease the simulation speed or
containing software version information. to the right to increase the simulation speed.

Run-Time Controls Slower Faster

In addition to the animation options discussed in

the previous section, you may pan the animation
screen in any direction, control the speed of the
simulation, and change the format of the simula-
tion clock display. These and other procedures
are discussed in this section.

How to pan through the anima-

tion:

1. Press and hold the left mouse button any-

where on the animation screen. This point
then becomes the “anchor point” by which
the entire animation is moved. Please note
2. Drag and release the mouse where you
desire the anchor point to be located. The The speed of the animation may be altered by
following diagram illustrates this procedure.
model logic with the use of the ANIMATE state-
ment (See “Animate” on page 442).

Desired Location
How to change the format of the
simulation clock display:

1. Click on the simulation clock button.

Anchor
370 Chapter 9:
Run-Time Menus & Controls

2. Select a format for the clock display. on page 84 for information on defining
views.
•Pause/Resume Simulation Allows you to
toggle the simulation’s pause on and off.
•Trace Options Lists events as they happen
during a simulation. This listing may be Step
by Step, Continuous, or Filtered.
•Dynamic Plots Opens the Dynamic Plots
window.

Please note

Right clicking to bring up the right-click menu

How to identify any location on will pause the simulation as long as the right-
the layout during the simulation: click menu is open.

• Click on a location while holding the CTRL

key. (An identifier box appears and allows
you to bring up the location information win- SimRunner
dow for that location.)
SimRunner takes your existing ProModel simula-
tion models, evaluates them for you, then per-
forms tests to find better ways to achieve the
Run-Time Right-Click Menu results you desire. Typically, most people use
simulation tools to predict and improve a sys-
Right clicking in the simulation window will tem’s performance by modeling the actual loca-
bring up a right-click menu, which gives you tion (e.g., a plant floor, a bank lobby, or
easy access to several animation controls. emergency room) or abstract process (i.e., a logi-
cal process). Through testing various “what-if”
scenarios, SimRunner can help you determine the
most ideal way to conduct operations—we call
this optimization.
When you conduct an analysis using SimRunner,
you build and run projects. With each project,
SimRunner runs sophisticated optimization algo-
•Animation Off Turns off the animation, rithms on your model to help you optimize multi-
which makes the simulation run faster. ple factors simultaneously. For each project, you
•Zooms Allows you to choose a level of will need to provide SimRunner with a model to
zoom. analyze or optimize, identify which input factors
•Views Allows you to choose a view that to change, and define how to measure system
you have previously defined. See “Views” performance using an objective function. Sim-
Runner can conduct two types of tests: Pre-Anal-
 ProModel 371
User Guide

ysis (Statistical Advantage) and Simulation 2. To select input variables, click next to each
Optimization. variable in the Selected column. SimRunner
will mark the selected items.

SimRunner Benefits
Using SimRunner will help you find accurate
solutions for your modeling needs. No longer Please note
must you sit and experiment with what you think
might work, only to find that your solution actu- SimRunner will optimize only single value RTI
ally interferes with productivity in other parts of macros.
the model. SimRunner will help you locate true
solutions by monitoring how changes affect each
part of the model. In other words, SimRunner
will not let you improve one area of your model How to define the objective func-
at the expense of another—the results you get are tion (output variables):
beneficial to the entire model.
1. Click the Outputs button.
Starting a New Project 2. In the Objective Function Setup dialog,
The following describes how to start and prepare select the category of the item(s) you wish to
a project for analysis. Remember that you must minimize or maximize.
create and validate your model prior to analyzing 3. Highlight an item in the list.
or optimizing it in SimRunner.
4. Select Maximize, Minimize, or Custom to
select the type of optimization you wish to
How to select a model: use for the variable.
5. Enter the Weighting. This number repre-
1. Click the New button on the button bar or sents the importance of Maximizing or Mini-
select New Project from the File menu. mizing the item. (The higher the number, the
2. From the Open dialog, select the model higher the importance.)
file you wish to use. 6. After you set the values for the item, click
3. Click OK. the right arrow to place the item in the
selected list. To remove an item from the
4. Once you select a model, the model’s selected list, select the item and click the left
name will appear in the Project Information arrow. (Alternatively, you may double click
dialog. on an item to add it to or remove it from the
list of selected variables.)

How to define the input factors:

Stage one: Pre-Analysis
1. Click on the Inputs button.
With the model built, the input factors selected,
and an objective function defined, you are ready
to conduct a Pre-Analysis. Also known as Statis-
372 Chapter 9:
Run-Time Menus & Controls

tical Advantage, the Pre-Analysis runs several

tests to identify the initial bias (warm-up period),
determine appropriate run-length to reach steady-
state, find the number of replications necessary to
ensure that each event occurs at least once, and
locate the model averages.

Stage two: Simulation

Optimization
Simulation Optimization is a multi-variable opti-
mization that tries different combinations of input
factors to arrive at the combination that provides
the best objective function (output) value.
Depending on the number of selected input fac-
tors and the complexity of the solution space, this
process can take a long or short time. Optimiza-
tions with many factors and complex solutions
take longer to run.

How to run an optimization:

1. Click on the Optimize! button or select

Start Optimization from the Project menu.
2. Click Play on the dashboard to begin.
 ProModel 373
User Guide

Chapter 10: Reports and

Graphs

Once your model has been built, and the simulation run, you are ready to begin making important deci-
sions about your real-world process based on your simulation’s data. To help you make the most of the
data collected during simulation, ProModel comes with a powerful, easy-to-use Output Viewer 3DR.
This Output Viewer 3DR allows you to view your date numerically, in spreadsheet format, or graphi-
cally in a variety of charts.
374 Chapter 10:
Output Viewer 3DR

Output Viewer 3DR allows you to later import the data into other data
viewing programs, such as Excel
Output Viewer 3DR organizes and displays the Data sets can also be printed using the print
data gathered during your model’s simulation. options in this menu.
You can open Output Viewer 3DR from Pro-
Model or from the Window’s Start menu in the
View Menu
ProModel program group.
The View menu lets you specify how you want
Output Viewer 3DR’s Menu bar and Toolbar
the data displayed.
give you the controls necessary to create the
reports and charts needed to help interpret your
data.

Menu Bar
The Menu bar contains all of the tools necessary
to view your simulation’s data. The Menu bar is
located just beneath the Output Viewer 3DR cap-
tion bar, and allows access to the following
menus:
Reports and Charts
File Menu The first five selections in the View menu display
The File menu allows you to open and close data the output data in different ways:
files, export data, and print data. •Report Spreadsheets of the data collected
during the simulation. see “Creating
Reports” on page 382.
•Category Charts Bar charts of your data.
see “Category Chart” on page 391.
•State Charts Stacked bar charts of state
variables such as location and resource
states. see “State Chart” on page 392.
•Histogram Displays graphically the fre-
quency of occurrences of time plot data. see
“Histogram” on page 394.
•Time Plot Shows variables, states and
Output Viewer 3DR opens files with the .idb events over time. see “Selection Window”
extension; however, .rdb files, which are gener- on page 396.
ated by ProModel or Process Simulator can be
converted to .idb files when they are opened Sheet/Chart Properties
using Output Viewer 3DR. The title of the last option in the View menu will
Data can be exported to a .csv (comma-delim- vary between Sheet Properties and Chart Proper-
ited) file using the Export Data option. This ties, depending on whether a spreadsheet report
or graphical chart is currently displayed. This
 ProModel 375
User Guide

selection brings up a window where you can •Additional Records: The options in this
choose the data you want to appear in the open area allow you to display additional replica-
report or chart. tion information, which includes: the min
and max, standard deviation, and various
Sheet Properties - Display Items confidence interval information for the repli-
If you choose Sheet Properties while you are cations.
working with a Report, the following window
appears. The default Display Items Tab is Please note
described below.
If you are working with a database that does not
contain multiple replications, the Additional
Records field of the Sheet Properties window is
not applicable, and therefore not accessible.

Sheet Properties - Columns

The “Columns” tab for Sheet properties is
described below.

•Display gridlines with this desired

color: When this box is checked gridlines
will appear in the data sheet in the selected
color. Unchecking this box will hide all grid
lines for the data sheet.
•Display header with desired
settings: When this box is checked the
header will appear with the font styles
selected when you click the Font & Color
button. If you uncheck this box, no heading
will be displayed above the sheet.
•Caption: The text displayed in the sheet •Columns: You may choose to show or
heading. The default caption uses the follow- hide columns by checking or unchecking the
ing construct: [model name] ([scenario boxes in this list. The available columns in
name] - [replication information]). this list will vary depending on the sheet you
have selected.
376 Chapter 10:
Output Viewer 3DR

•Column Headers: Choose the font styles A view describes the way a report or chart
of the column headers. appears. For instance, you may choose to create a
•Non-scrolling columns from the left: Use category chart as explained on page 391.
this column to lock columns in place as you
scroll horizontally through your sheet data.
For example, entering “1” in this field will
lock the left-most column in place, so that it
will not scroll with the rest of the sheet’s col-
umns.
•Display time values in: By default, time
values are shown is hours, but you may
choose to have time units shown in seconds,
minutes, hours, days, or weeks.

Chart Properties
The Chart Properties dialog will vary depending
on what type of chart you choose to view proper-
ties for. See each chart type description (begin-
ning with “Category Chart” on page 391) for
more information on the options available from That chart may then be customized using the
its Chart Properties dialog. tools in the Chart toolbar, page 389, and the right-
click menu, page 379.
Tools Menu
The Tools menu allows access to the View Man-
ager and Output Viewer 3DR options.

View Manager In the example shown, the fonts, coloring and

window size were changed, but the data remains
The View Manager allows you to save custom-
the same.
ized report and chart views for quick retrieval.
The View Manager is great for creating custom
presentations. Views are associated with the
model, so the next time the model is run the same
view appears.
 ProModel 377
User Guide

This particular customized view of the chart can 1. Open a report or chart window. See “Reports
be saved using the View Manager. and Charts” on page 374 for a list of possible
reports and charts.
2. Customize the report or chart as desired using
the tools in the Chart toolbar, page 389, and the
right-click menu, page 379.
3. Open the Views Manager by clicking on the
tool in the Output Viewer 3DR toolbar, or
selecting View Manager from the Tools menu.
4. Click the New Icon, , in the View Manager
and give the view a name.
5. Click OK to save your new view.

The View Manager contains a field with the

Next/Previous View
names of your views and the following tools: The Next/Previous View options in the Tools
menu allows you to scroll through the views you
• : Creates and saves a new view based have saved in the View Manager.
on the report or chart you currently
have selected in the Output Viewer
Set as Default Style
3DR.
This option allows you to set the characteristics
• : Saves a view after you have modified of a report or chart as your default style. This is
it. helpful, for instance, if you customize the color
• : Deletes the view you have selected in scheme of a chart, and want it to apply to all the
the View Manager. charts you open.
Setting a default style is different from saving a
• : Renames a selected view. view, which will only save color and font
changes for just one report or graph.
• , : Moves the name of a selected
If a report or chart is selected when you choose
view up or down within the list in the
the Set as Default Style option, all of the font and
View Manager. This is helpful for cre-
color changes you have made to the selected
ating an ordered list of customized
report or chart will be applied to any new reports
views. The first view in the list is the
or charts you open.
initial view displayed after rerunning
the model again and opening the Out- The default style settings can be restored from the
put Viewer 3DR. Options window described next.

How to Save a Customized View

378 Chapter 10:
Output Viewer 3DR

Options 3. Click OK to close the Options window. The

default styles will be reset for reports or charts.
The Options window allows you to change basic
settings for the Output Viewer 3DR.
Window Menu
The Window menu contains useful tools for mak-
ing multiple data windows easier to view and
compare with one another.

The decimal precision can be changed to increase •Tile Horizontally Sizes and places each open
or decrease the number of digits that appear for window horizontally across the screen so
all real numbers that are displayed. none of them overlap. Since most data in the
You can choose to have the current database Output Viewer is arranged horizontally
close whenever you open a new database. within a window, this option is very helpful
Selecting the check box for Enable Multi-create for comparing data from one window with
Dialogs will leave the Select Report and Select another.
Chart windows open until you close them. This •Tile Vertically Sizes and places each open
allows you to open multiple reports or charts at window vertically across the screen. This
the same time without having to reopen the cre- makes comparing data across two or more
ation window each time. windows convenient when the data in the
This option is checked by default. If you want the window is arranged vertically.
selection widow to close when you open a report •Cascade Places windows on top of each
or chart, uncheck the box. other in an overlapping manner.
If you have changed your report or chart style as •Arrange Icons If you have report or chart
described in the previous heading, you can windows minimized within the Output
restore the default styles by using the Reset Viewer 3DR window, this options will align
Defaults menu and Reset button. them in a row along the bottom of the Output
Viewer 3DR window.
How to Reset Default Styles •Close All Closes all open windows in the
Output Viewer 3DR.
1. Select Report or Chart Defaults from the pull- •Open Windows This last field in the Win-
down menu in the Options window. dow menu displays the names of all the open
windows. This is helpful for navigating
2. Click the Reset button.
 ProModel 379
User Guide

through data windows when you have many For more information on these features see
open at one time. “View Menu” on page 374.

Help Menu Option Tools

The Help menu gives you access to the Output These tools allow you to access some of the fea-
Viewer’s help file as well as information about tures in the Tools menu as well as the Sheet Prop-
the Output Viewer 3DR. erties window.
• : Displays Sheet Properties.
Toolbar • : Displays the Options window.
The Output Viewer 3DR Toolbar gives you quick
For more information of Sheet Properties, see
access to some of the options found in the Menu
“Sheet/Chart Properties” on page 374. For more
bar.
information on the Options windows, see “Tools
Menu” on page 376.

Help Tool
• : Starts the Output Viewer 3DR Online
File Tools Help.

The File tools allow you to quickly open data

files, export data, and print files. View Manager Tools
The View Manager tools are located on the far
• : Opens an .idb or .rdb data file. right of the toolbar. These tools allow you to
• : Exports data. quickly select a view.
• : Prints the data. • : Allows you to
For more information on these features see “File select a view from the pull-down menu.
Menu” on page 374. • : Scrolls through your views.

Report and Chart Tools • : Displays the View Manager window.

The Report and Chart tools gives quick access to For more information on Views and the View
options found in the View menu. Manager, see “View Manager” on page 376

• : Creates a report.
• : Creates a category chart.
Right-click Menu
The Right-click menu provides a shortcut for
• : Creates a state chart. editing the appearance and structure of your
• : Creates a histogram. reports and charts.
The Right-click menu is available in report and
• : Creates a time plot chart.
chart windows. Additionally, the options that
appear when you right-click in the Output Viewer
380 Chapter 10:
Output Viewer 3DR

3DR vary depending on which area you right- “Category Chart” on page 391 for more
click on. information.
• Create State Chart If you right-click on a
Right-click Menu in Reports column that contains percentage values, you
can choose to have that data displayed,
When you right-click anywhere in a report win-
together with all other percentage columns
dow, the following menu appears.
on the sheet, as a State Chart. The State
Chart that’s created is the same as one cre-
ated using the State Chart option. See “State
Chart” on page 392 for more information.

Right-click Menu in Charts

•Format Cells This option brings up a win-
The Right-click menu that appears for charts is
dow that allows you to edit the size and
different than the menu for reports.
alignment of the cell fonts, and the color of
the cells. There are three areas within a Chart window that
you can right-click to bring up a different menu:
•Copy Copy transfers the contents of the
highlighted cells to the clipboard. This is • On the legend area.
useful for transferring select information to a • In the Chart area.
separate spreadsheet. • On a title or label.
•Sheet Properties This option brings up the
Sheet Properties of the current report. For Right-click Menu for the Legend Area
more information on this window see The legend area is located within the Chart win-
“Sheet/Chart Properties” on page 374. dow, and gives an explanation of the chart’s color
When you right-click anywhere in a report win- codes.
dow that contains numerical values, the Right- An example of a legend area is shown below.
click menu contains two additional options
depending on whether the values are percentage
values or not.

• Create Chart If you right-click on a column

of numerical value, including percentage
value, you can choose to have that data dis-
played as a Category Chart. The Category
Chart that’s created is the same as one cre-
ated using the Category Chart option. See
 ProModel 381
User Guide

When you right-click anywhere in the legend This could be the color of the background or
area, the following menu appears. bars in the chart.
•Toolbar Toggles the toolbar for chart win-
dows on and off. This is helpful, for exam-
ple, to make the chart appear less cluttered
during a presentation of the data or on a
printout of the chart. For more information
on the chart window toolbar see “Chart
Toolbar” on page 389.
•Chart Properties Opens the Properties win-
dow. For more information on this window
see “Sheet/Chart Properties” on page 374.
•Modify Chart Items This options opens the
chart’s data dialog, which was initial dialog
There are four areas in this menu: shown when you first created the chart. This
•Font This features lets you change the font option is only available for Histogram and
options for the legend labels. Time Plot chart types.
•AutoSize The AutoSize option resizes the For more information on the data dialog see
legend area to fit the labels in the legend. the corresponding chart descriptions, begin-
•Legend Position The position of the legend ning with “Category Chart” on page 391.
area can be moved to any one of the four
sides of the Chart window, or it can float in Right-click Menu for Titles and Labels
its own window. Titles and labels are the text within the chart area.
•Hide Selecting this option makes the leg- Right-clicking on either of these two will bring
end disappear. You can bring the legend up a Right-click menu similar to that of a chart
back by opening the Chart Properties win- area’s menu, but with two additional options.
dow in the View menu.

Right-click Menu for the Chart Area

Right clicking anywhere in the Chart window,
except for the legend area, brings up the follow-
ing window.

•Edit Title Edits the text for the title of the

chart or axes.
•Font Allows you to change the font charac-
teristics for the titles and labels.
•Color This will allow you to change the
color of the area your mouse was positioned
over when you opened the Right-click menu.
382 Chapter 10:
Creating Reports

Creating Reports 2. If the model you ran had multiple scenarios or

replications, the following window appears.
Reports contain the numerical data that is col-
lected during your simulation.

This information is presented in spreadsheet 3. From this window you may choose which sce-
form, and grouped into the following categories: narios and replications to view. If you chose to
run the simulation with Batch Mean or Periodic
• General reporting, you may also choose a Period.
• Entity Activity
4. Click on the Create button. This will open a
• Entity Costing
new window with the chosen report.
• Entity States
• Failed Arrivals
Please note
• Location Costing
• Location States Multi
If your model was run for only one replication
• Location States Single/Tank
and one scenario, the report window will open
• Locations immediately after selecting the Reports option.
• Logs
• Node Entries
• Resource Costing
• Resource States Report Window
• Resources The Report window contains the categorized
• Variables information from your simulation.
For more information on each of these categories
see “Report Data” on page 383.

How to create a report

1. Choose the Reports option from the View

menu or the Reports icon, , from the Toolbar.
The data appears in spreadsheet format, and is
grouped by the categories listed by tabs along the
top of the Report window.
 ProModel 383
User Guide

Selecting a tab will bring up a new table, and Clock Precision field of the Simulation
additional tabs can be accessed using the left and Options dialog.
right arrows, .
The caption of a report can be renamed by either Entity Activity
double clicking on it and then typing in the new Entity activity is reported for only those entities
name or opening the sheet properties window and that have exited the system.
typing a new name in the Caption area. •Total Exits The number of entities that
completely exit the system either through the
Report Data EXIT routing or when they are joined,
The spreadsheet for each button contains the fol- renamed, or combined. In some cases, enti-
lowing information. ties also exit the system when you use the
SPLIT AS, UNGROUP, or ROUTE state-
ments.
Please note •Current Quantity In System The total
number of entities remaining in the system at
The default time units shown in the report will be the time the simulation ends. These are enti-
one unit longer than the unit selected in the Simu- ties that have not exited.
lation Options dialog box. For example, if you •Average Time In System The average
select minutes in Simulation Options, the time total time the entity spends in the system.
displayed in the report will be in Hours. You may
•Average Time In Move Logic The aver-
also notice that Day is the last option available in
age time the entity spent traveling between
Simulation Options, in which case the time unit
locations, including any delays incurred in
will be in weeks for the report.
move logic.
•Average Time Wait For Res The average
time the entity spent waiting for a resource
or another entity (to join or combine). Also
General
includes time waiting in queue behind a
•Run Date/Time The date and time the blocked entity.
model was run for the displayed output.
•Average Time In Operation The average
•Model Title The name of the model. time the entity spent processing (i.e., WAIT
•Model Path/File The path and name of the or USE statements) at a location or traveling
model file. on a conveyor/queue.
•Warmup Time The amount of initial time •Average Time Blocked The average time
the simulation spent in a warmup state. No the entity spent waiting for a destination
statistics were gathered during this time. The location to have available capacity.
time unit used is one unit longer than defined
in the Clock Precision field of the Simulation Entity Costing
Options dialog.
•Explicit Exits The number of entities that
•Simulation Time The total simulation time,
have explicitly exited. Whenever an entity
including the warmup time. The time unit
exits the system, it is an explicit exit
used is one unit longer than defined in the
except in the following cases:
384 Chapter 10:
Creating Reports

- When an entity JOINS or COMBINES Entity States

with another entity, it implicitly exits the Reported by entity type for only those entities
system, and is reported as an exit in the that have exited the system.
Entity Activity report. However, for
•% In Move Logic The percentage of time
costing purposes, the entity did not
the entity spent traveling between locations,
explicitly exit, but its costing informa-
including any delay time incurred in move
tion was added to the entity it was logic.
JOINED or COMBINED with.
•% Waiting The percentage of time the
- When an entity LOADS or GROUPS with
entity spent waiting for a resource, a WAIT
another entity, and the entire LOADED
UNTIL condition, another entity to join or
or GROUPED entity exits the system,
combine, or behind other entities. (100% -
the original entity implicitly exits the
Sum of %’s for all other states.)
system, and is reported as an exit in the
•% In Operation The percentage of time
Entity Activity report. However, for
costing purposes, the original entity did the entity spent in processing at a location or
not explicitly exit, but its costing infor- traveling on a conveyor/queue. If an entity is
on a conveyor behind another entity which is
mation was added to the entire load or
blocked because the next location is unavail-
group.
•Total Cost Dollars Total Cost = cumulative
able, the time the entity spent behind the
entity cost, or the sum of costs incurred on other entity is considered % in Operation.
all locations the entity passed through + •% Blocked The percentage of time the
the sum of all costs incurred by use of entity spent waiting for a the next location to
resource + initial cost + any IncEntCost become available.
•% Total Cost % Total Cost refers to the
entity’s percentage of sum of all entity Failed Arrivals
costs The number of entities that failed to arrive at a
In the above calculations, the rate defined (per specific location due to insufficient capacity.
day, hour, minute, and second) converts to the
default time units specified in the General Infor- Locations Costing
mation dialog. •Operation Cost Dollars Operational Cost
= (Active Operation Time * Rate) + (Any
Please note IncLocCost)
•% Operation Cost Refers to the location’s
ProModel does not allow you to generate a Cost- percentage of the sum of all operation costs
ing Graph. However, if you set a variable equal •Resource Cost Dollars Resource Cost =
to GetCost (e.g., Var1=GetCost), you can gener- (Utilization * Rate) + (Times Used * Cost
ate a time series graph to track changing entity per use)
costs.
Please note

For Resource Cost, Utilization and Times Used

refer to the utilization of a resource while at a
 ProModel 385
User Guide

location. This applies only to resource use bility of overlap with any of the previous
through operation logic. three states.

Location States (Single Capacity/

Tank)
•% Resource Cost Refers to the location’s
•Scheduled Time The total amount of time
percentage of the sum of all resource costs
the location was scheduled to be available.
•Total Cost Dollars Total Cost = (Operation
This value is now in decimal format, not
Cost + Resource Cost) truncated. (Excludes off-shift time, break
•% Total Cost Refers to location’s percent- time, and scheduled downtimes.)
age of the sum of all location costs •% Operation The percentage of time the
location was actually processing an entity.
Location Setup •% Setup The percentage of time the loca-
•Name The name of the location where the tion spent in setup in order to process the
setup downtime occurred. entities.
•Entity The name of the entity that caused •% Idle The percentage of time no entities
the setup downtime. were at the location, but the location was not
•Total Setups The number of times this down.
location/entity combination resulted in a •% Waiting The percentage of time the
setup downtime. location was waiting for a resource, another
•Avg Time Per Setup (HR) The average entity, or a WAIT UNTIL condition in order
time in hours the location was down for each to begin processing or move to the next loca-
setup downtime. tion. Any delays in processing move logic
(even WAIT statements) are counted as
Location States (Multiple Capacity) waiting time and include the following state-
•Scheduled Time The total amount of time ments:
the location was scheduled to be available. •ACCUM
This value is now in decimal format, not •COMBINE
truncated. (Excludes off-shift time, break •GROUP
time, and scheduled downtimes.) •JOIN
•% Empty The percentage of time the loca- •LOAD
tion had no entities. •MATCH
•% Partially Occupied The percentage of •% Blocked The percentage of time entities
time the location has entities but was not spent waiting for a freed destination.
filled to capacity (100% of time - %Full - •% Down The percentage of time the loca-
%Empty). tion was down due to unscheduled down-
•% Full The percentage of time the location times.
was full to capacity with entities.
•% Down The percentage of time the loca- Locations
tion was down as the result of unscheduled •Scheduled Time The total amount of time
downtimes. This does not exclude the possi- the location was scheduled to be available.