Numeric displays

Use a numeric display object to display the current output value for the associated model entity. Numeric displays are useful for getting a precise reading of what's going on in the model as a simulation unfolds.

Tip: To have numeric displays update only once per time period during a simulation rather than every time the value changes, select the Update Numeric Displays Once per Time Period check box (in the Model Preferences dialog box).

You can place numeric displays on the Interface, Map, and Model layers.

When you add a numeric display to your model, you define it by associating it with an entity in your model. Then you select how you want the entity's value to be displayed and whether or not you want the entity's name to appear. You can also choose to include a navigation arrow on the numeric display.

To place a numeric display on the diagram

1. On the Interface, Map, or Model layer toolbar, click the numeric display tool.

2. Click the diagram to place the numeric display.

   

3. To specify the properties for the numeric display, double-click the numeric display icon, or right-click the icon and then choose Open from the menu that appears.

   The Numeric Display dialog box opens.

4. Use the options in the Numeric Display dialog box to define the properties of the numeric display. For more information, see To define a numeric display.

For more information about placing and editing numeric displays, see Working with objects.

Notes: You cannot resize a numeric display.

You can select to have the name of the associated entity displayed on the numeric display, but you cannot otherwise define or edit the numeric display's name.

To define a numeric display

1. Open the Numeric Display dialog box for the numeric display that you want to define.

2. Select the entity that you want to associate with the numeric display.

   Tell me how

   • To add an entity to the "Selected" list, double-click its name in the "Allowable" list, or select it and then click the button. The entity's name turns gray in the "Allowable" list.
   • To remove an entity from the "Selected" list, double-click its name in the "Selected" list, or select it and then click the button.
   • To exchange an entity in the "Allowable" list for the one in the "Selected" list, select the entities in each list and then click the button.

   Tip: If the "Selected" or "Allowable" list has multiple entities, use drag-select, SHIFT+click, CTRL+click (Windows), or Command-click (Mac) to select multiple entities in either list.

   Tip: You can also add an entity to a numeric display by dragging it from the Find palette.

3. If you selected an arrayed entity, the Choose Subscript dialog box opens so that you can select which element in the array to control with the numeric display.

4. Use the rest of the options in the Numeric Display dialog box to define the numeric display. For detailed information about all of the options, see Numeric Display dialog box.
5. When you are finished, click OK.

To navigate to the associated entity

If the numeric display was defined to include a navigation button (by selecting the Show Navigation Arrow check box in the Numeric Display dialog box), a navigation () button appears on the numeric display icon.

• To navigate to the associated entity on the Model layer, click the navigation () button.

  The software displays the Model layer and highlights the entity icon for the associated entity.

To restore numeric displays to their initial values

Use the following procedure to restore all numeric displays to their value at the start of the current run (their value at the end the previous run, if any).

Note: If Retain Ending Values check box is not selected (in the Numeric Display dialog box), the numeric display is blank at the end of a run, so restoring does nothing.

• From the Interface or Model menu, choose Restore > Numeric Displays.

See Also