The Numeric Display

On the Interface level and Map/Model level, you'll use the Numeric Display to display the current output associated with assigned model variables. The Display is useful for getting a precise reading of what's going on in the model, as a simulation unfolds.

 
Surface Operations:
Click to select the Numeric Display from the Objects palette. Click once to deposit it on the Diagram. Numeric Displays are not re-sizable. They can be re-positioned by clicking-and-holding, then dragging them to a new location.

 
Dialog Operations:
Double-click to open the Numeric Display's Define dialog. An unassigned display dialog looks like the one in Figure 6-76.

Figure 6-76
Numeric Display Dialog -- Unassigned Variable

To move a variable from the Allowable to the Selected list, either double-click it, or select it, then click the >> button. This will automatically replace a previously selected variable. To remove the variable in the Selected list, select it and then click the << button.

Once you've assigned a variable to the Numeric Display, the dialog will transform itself to look like Figure 6-77.

Below the Selected box are two pop-up formatting menus. Click-and-hold, then choose the formatting option(s) as desired.

A check box in the dialog offers you the ability to have the Numeric Display "Retain Ending Value." If you elect this option, the ending value for the variable associated with the Display will continue to be displayed after the simulation has ended. If the option is not elected, the Display will "go blank" at the end of the simulation.

Figure 6-77
Numeric Display Dialog - Assigned Variables

If you select the "Retain Ending Value" option, and you decide that you'd like to clear the data from Displays, you can do so by choosing Restore Numeric Displays from the Interface menu.

The "Show Name" check box in the dialog allows you to selectively show the name of the variable that has been assigned to the numeric display. When Show Name is not checked, the name of the variable will not appear in the numeric display. You can then place the display next to the model variable to create an elegant diagram-level output device.

The final check box in this dialog is located under the Allowable list. When the "Show Navigation Arrow" check box is checked, a triangular, downward pointing arrow will appear on the right side of the Numeric Display surface. Clicking on this arrow will navigate you down to the display's corresponding variable on the Map/Model level.