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Topics

• Edit Mode
• Creating and Arranging Widgets
• Exporting Dashboards
• Graph Types

• Text Panel
• Bar Chart
• Pie Chart
• Line Graph
• Histogram
• Gantt Chart
• Financial Analysis
• Custom Chart
• Date and Time Display
• Model Documentation

• Model Input
• 
  

  Dashboards are accessed from the Toolbox. (View menu > Toolbox > Add > Statistics > Dashboard).

  The Dashboard window allows you to view graphs and statistics for the model as it runs. It is especially useful for comparing objects side by side.

  Note: Not all statistics make sense for all objects. If a selected object does not have the statistic specified, the graph will not display data for that object.

  Dashboards are accessed from the Toolbox. (View menu > Toolbox > Add > Statistics > Dashboard).

  The Library Icon Grid will change to display all of the dashboard widgets that can be created:

  

  Dashboard Graph Types: The list of Dashboard Graphs displayed in the Library Icon Grid are just a starting point, a list of presets. Graphs may be customized to display additional information by editing the Graph's properties.

  Edit Mode

  

  When you first create a Dashboard, it will be in edit mode. This allows you to move and resize the Dashboard's widgets. Unchecking the Edit Mode will lock down all widgets and allow you to interact with the Model Input objects. The edit mode may also be changed through the right-click menu.

  Creating and Arranging Widgets

  To add a widget from the Library Icon Grid click and drag the widget to the dashboard window or left-click once on the desired widget to enter creation mode, then left-click again on the Dashboard to create a new widget. Right-click or press the Escape key to exit creation mode.

  To arrange widgets, left-click on the widget you wish to move. Sizers will appear around the outside of the widget. Click and drag the widget to move it, or click and drag on one of the sizers to resize the widget.

  Hold the Control key down and click on dashboard widgets to select multiple widgets.

  Arrow Keys - Arrow keys may be used to moved Dashboard widgets. Select the desired widget(s) then use the up, down, left or right arrow keys to move the widget(s) 1 pixel. Hold the shift key while pressing the arrow keys to move the widget(s) 5 pixels at a time.

  Copy and Paste - Select a single or multiple model input widgets and press Ctrl + C to copy them. Press Ctrl + V to paste into the same Dashboard, another Dashboard in the same model, or Dashboards in other instances of FlexSim. This only works for Model Input widgets, not for Statistics Widgets.

  Locking to an Edge

  Widgets can be "locked" to the right edge of the dashboard window by right clicking on the widget and selecting "Lock to Right," and can be locked to the bottom edge of the dashboard by selecting "Lock to Full Height." Sides that are locked will show yellow sizers. If a widget is locked, that widget will resize as the window is resized in that direction. Moving the widget will break any locks on it, as well as right clicking and selecting "Remove Locks." Right clicking on the dashboard and selecting "Remove Locks" will remove all locks any widgets have on the dashboard.

  Exporting Dashboards

  

  - Exports dashboard to CSV, HTML or PNG formats. Saving CSV files will only save the Dashboard Data. Saving to HTML will save the Dashboard with its layout to an HTML file that allows you to move, resize and explore the widgets (see image below). Choosing Export All Dashboards to HTML will create one HTML file with all dashboard widgets contained in it. These HTML files are completely self contained and may be opened on any computer with a web browser (though some web browsers may not be supported). After resizing and arranging widgets in the HTML view, the file may be saved again to preserve the layout. Individual widgets may be exported to these formats as well by right-clicking on the widget.

  Exporting Model Inputs: Model Input objects, like buttons and fields, will not be exported using the Dashboard's Export to HTML. Only when exporting as PNG.

  

  Graph Types

  Dashboard Graph Types: The list of Dashboard Graphs displayed in the Library Icon Grid are just a starting point, a list of presets. Graphs may be customized to display additional information by editing the Graph's properties.

  Text Panel

  

  Displays text data in a table format. This panel can be used to display state values, statistics and custom data.

  Bar Chart

  

  Pie Chart

  

  Pie Charts are only available when recording object State data.

  Line Graph

  

  The Line Graph displays data over time. Specify a start time and a time interval between updates.

  Histogram

  

  The Histogram is only available for Tracked Variables.

  Gantt Chart

  

  There are two types of Gantt Charts:

  • State Gantt Chart (displayed above) - The State Gantt chart shows a time graph of what times and object was in a specific state. State changes in 0 time are not recorded.
  • Item Trace Gantt Chart - shows what time an item is created and which objects the item travelled through and at what times. Item Trace charts record data even when an item is in an object for 0 time, however, that data is not graphically displayed on the chart. Export the chart's data to CSV to see the full history.

  Financial Analysis

  

  The Financial Analysis graph allows you to specify financial values for objects and flowitems in your model. Individual objects and groups may be added to this graph any number of times. Positive and negative values may be defined for each value. Negative values will be displayed in red surrounded by parentheses.

  Custom Chart

  

  The Custom Chart allows you to graph any kind of numeric data in either a table of values, bar chart, or line graph. Rather than adding only objects to this chart, you can add objects, nodes, tables, global variables, bundles etc. For more information, see the Custom Chart page.

  Date and Time Display

  

  The Date and Time Display graph can display the model's current run date and time in multiple formats:

  • No Format - Displays the current model time beginning from Day 1 at the model start time (as defined in the Model Settings window).
  • Use Default Format - Displays the current model time using the format defined in the Model Settings window.
  • Custom Format - This option allows you to define a custom format for the date (displayed above).

  Model Documentation

  

  The Model Documentation graph is a custom HTML widget that gives you a blank canvas to add in any custom HTML or flexscript code. Adding flexscript code, you can display any information you want using the pd(), pf(), pt() and pr() commands. These commands will create HTML code to display on the graph.

  Model Input

  

  Previously, custom user interfaces to control or view variables and parameters from the model was only available through Graphical User Interfaces. Dashboards now have the capability of handling a lot of the same interface requirements as GUIs.

  For more information on each ModelInput widget, see the Model Input page.