Saving Changes to Modules

By default, modules are saved in the model file (.itmx or .stmx). When you save a model that contains modules, all changes made to the entire model (including changes made to modules connected to it) are also saved.

You can also:

• Save a copy of a model that contains modules by using the Save As command. When you save a model with a new name, all information defined for the model (including modules connected to it) is saved under the new name.
• Save any module in a separate file. When you save a module in a separate file, the file is saved in a "[ModelFileName]_Modules" directory within the model file's directory.
• Use a module as a template to create a new model by opening the module file and saving it as a model.

Each of these procedures is described below.

To Save Changes to Models that Contain Modules

• From the File menu, choose Save.

  All changes made anywhere in the model, including changes made to modules, will be saved.

To Save a Copy of a Model that Contains Modules

1. From the File menu, choose Save As.

   The "Save model files as" dialog box will open.

2. Navigate to the location where you want to save the new model file.

   Note: If you have modules saved as separate files they will be saved in a directory names modelname_modules, so Save As will create a new directory in this case.

3. In the "File name" box, type a name for the new model file.
4. In the "Save as type" box, select iThink document (*.ITMX) or Stella document (*.STMX).
5. Click Save. A copy of the model will be saved in the new location under the new name.

To Save a Module in a Separate File

1. Select the module to view its properties.
2. In the Properties panel, select the Save in separate file check box.

3. Choose how you want to name the module file:

   • <module icon name> – Select this option to save the module in a file named the same as the module icon's name. If you change the module icon's name later, the file name will be updated to match the changed name the next time you save the model that contains the module.
   • Enter module file name – If you choose this option, type a name for the module in the box. The module file's name won't change if you change the module icon's name.
4. Click OK.

The next time you save the model, the module will be saved in a separate (.ITMX) file according to your selection.

Note: All module files are saved as .itmx files, regardless of whether they're saved with Stella or iThink.

Modules saved as separate files can be open, edited, and run directly or modified as part of the complete model. Because module content will not change whether saved directly or as part of the containing model, it is possible to use modules with version control systems.

To Save a Module as a Model

1. From the File menu, choose Open, and then select the module file (.ITMX) that you want to save as a model.

   A message will appear that says that the template model will be converted to a model file.

2. Click OK.

   The module will appear as a model on the diagram.

3. From the File menu, choose Save.

   The "Save model file as" dialog box will open.

4. Navigate to the location where you want to save the new model file.
5. In the "File name" box, type a name for the model file.

6. Click Save.

   The module will be saved as a model. If the module contained other modules, the connections to the sub-modules will be retained.

See Also