Software

[Patrick Houel]

True 2013.03.16 Released

I am pleased to announce the release of True 2013.03.16 (Temporal Reasoning Universal Elaboration)

http://www.true-world.com/ is a free System Dynamics software (freeware)

It enables you to build System Dynamics models by installing a single program.

New features :

- you can now backup, upload and download (sharing) your models
- you can now import a Vensim model (not all the functions can be translated and not all the models can be imported)
- new interface and new toolbars
- new stock and flow appearences
- new stock and flow shadows with dynamic causality links
- new multi view
- new functions : SetGlobalProcedure, CallGlobalProcedure, SawtoothN/P, Triangle/S/Cos, SinusPulse
- new 3D primitives : Bones, SuperTorus, Fountain

Illustrations :

stock and flow shadows with dynamic causality links

shadow.gif (214.35 KiB) Viewed 507 times

Spider made with bones

spider.gif (19.76 KiB) Viewed 507 times

All the best,
Patrick Houel
patrick.houel@true-world.com

[Roberta Spencer]

From The Climate Interactive team:

We are pleased to announce the launch of a new version of the C-Learn simulation for the web.

C-Learn enables you to explore the level of emission reductions it will take to address climate change across three different groups of countries. This updated version is built on a new platform, so those familiar with the old version of C-Learn will notice slight changes to the interface. The Forio Simulate platform that we have switched to allows you to embed the simulation on an existing website and create a free account to save your scenarios for later.

We've also improved the ability to use C-Learn for running the World Climate Exercise and added a new feature that calculates how annual emission reductions equate to the percent change above or below 2005 levels of CO2 in 2050.

To check out the new version of C-Learn, run the World Climate Exercise, watch an introduction video to C-Learn and more, please visit http://www.climateinteractive.org.

All the best,
The Climate Interactive team
Email: info@climateinteractive.org

[Thomas Fiddaman]

Vensim 6.0b is now available for download or purchase in the Vensim store. This is a minor release, adding CSV import/export functionality and containing improvements to the treatment of data keywords and WITH LOOKUP variables, Mac bitmap display, and other bug fixes.
http://vensim.com/download/
http://vensim.com/store/

Version 6.0 introduced a new look and new features, while preserving language and file compatibility with older releases.
- Interface Changes
- A new Equation Editor layout
- Improved Toolbars and Cursors
- Optimization Features
- Stochastic optimization : optimize over an envelope of Monte Carlo simulations
- Discrete constraints on optimization parameters, so you don’t waste time determining whether to build 2.6 or 2.7 factories.
- Extended payoffs with non-Gaussian errors, logarithms, and mixed calibration/policy variables.
- Markov chain Monte Carlo & simulated annealing
- Extended payoff report information with MAPE and Theil statistics
See http://www.vensim.com/documentation/version_6_0.htm for the full release notes, with a video introduction at http://vensim.com/video.html.

You can upgrade to the latest version of Vensim easily – just follow the Upgrade link at http://vensim.com/download/ and enter your license code. Can’t find it? No problem – contact us for help.

If you don't have a recent version of Vensim, there are some interesting new features, including:
- Significant upgrades to the Help system, including improved indexing and nearly 100 sample models illustrating the use of almost every built-in function
- Native Mac support (licenses are portable across platforms)
- GET DIRECT functions that can access spreadsheets and other delimited data files, like the GET XLS functions without the overhead of launching Excel.
- The option of observing integer constraints in the ALLOCATE AVAILABLE function
- great for managing allocation of discrete items like customers or aircraft.
- Enhancements to the document tool and SyntheSim functionality with lookups in large models
- On-the-fly configuration of subscripts (arrays) with the GET DIRECT SUBSCRIPTS or GET ODBC SUBSCRIPTS functions
- great for matching model detail to your data.
- :EXCEPT: statements that let you handle exceptions to subscripted equations more easily.

[Scott Fortmann-Roe]

I am pleased to announce the release of Insight Maker 3.0. This release coincides with Insight Maker crossing 10,000 registered users!

InsightMaker.com is a powerful, free System Dynamics modeling tool that runs completely in the browser. It enables you to build, run and share System Dynamics models without downloading or installing a single program.

The focuses of this release are:

* A redesigned interface making it easier to find preexisting models.
* Extensive vector mathematics operations.
* Agents Based modeling features to complement the classical System Dynamics methods. System Dynamics methods and Agent Based techniques are fully integrated together in Insight Maker and able to interact seamlessly together.
* A wide range of usability changes and stability improvements.

These features are added to Insight Maker's traditionally very strong System Dynamics support and feature set that includes:

* Classical System Dynamics functions
* Full set of System Dynamics components such as Stocks and Flow
* Sensitivity testing
* Extensive Units support
* 1st Order and 4th Order differential equation engines
* Macros and Scripting Features to extend the capabilities of Insight Maker
* Web interface to build and runs models without software download needed
* The ability to share a model as a webpage simply by sending a link
* Free and Open Source

The following are two perspectives on InsightMaker.com:

Gene Bellinger, who manages SystemsWiki.org and hosts the Systems Thinking World discussion group on LinkedIn, comments that, "To claim that Insight Maker is awesome would be an understatement. Insight Maker is the only free web-based multi-user modeling and simulation environment available today. And because of what the environment presents. it does more to promote the development and sharing of systemic insights than any product in existence to date."

Geoff McDonnell, Director of Adaptive Care Systems in Australia, uses Insight Maker to help conceptualise Health Care problems, explain why current policies don’t work and and identify differences in policy options using simulations as what-if experiments. McDonnell comments that "Insight Maker is great for firstly making our ideas clear in a map, converting the map into computational model, displaying behaviors over time and performing scenario runs. It can now Support agent based scenarios, storytelling and sensitivity analysis and run large models quickly. I’m amazed at how quickly the web-based service has improved in the last two years”

To learn more about this free modeling tool, go to InsightMaker.com or check out extensive tutorials and guides at Systems Wiki.

[Joanne Egner]

****************************************************************************
Announcing STELLA and iThink Version 10
Now even easier to build, share and learn from dynamic models
****************************************************************************
Key new features in this major release of STELLA and iThink:

• Side-docked panels allow you to define model entities while still viewing
  the model diagram
• Expanded array capabilities including support for multi-dimensional arrays
• The new data manager allows you to archive and recall simulation results
• Embedded modules make it easier to create hierarchical models
• Improved conveyor leakage supports multiple leakage flows
• Expanded find functionality easily locates model entities
• New graphical function options provide more flexibility defining values
• New statistical built-in functions including stochastic distributions
• Support for the new industry standard XMILE format
• A new more powerful modeling engine (STEAM)

To learn more or to place an order, visit
http://www.iseesystems.com or call (603) 448-4990

[Stephanie McCauley]

The latest versions of our C-ROADS desktop application (http://climateinteractive.org/simulations/C-ROADS) and C-Learn web-based simulation (http://forio.com/simulation/climate-development/index.htm) have just been released.

C-ROADS is one of the best tools out there to quickly analyze the long-term effects of different combinations of country and regional climate change mitigation proposals. In this latest version, we've updated the model with the latest data, given you even more graphs and controls, and resolved a few minor bugs that have surfaced. We've even made a video about the updates:http://climateinteractive.org/videos/c-roads-cp-video-tutorials-1/video-8-c-roads-new-features-v3.008.030

With the latest round of the ongoing international climate negotiations less than two months away, we hope these updates will leave you primed to take up the most ambitious course of action to address climate change in whatever sector you work in. To get C-ROADS you can request a login to download it: http://climateinteractive.org/C-ROADS%20download or if you are already a registered user, you can login and navigate to the download page to get the updated version.

C-Learn, our web-based climate simulation, is similar to C-ROADS in many ways but is slimmed down to suit educational settings. With this latest update we have configured the C-Learn interface, so that it can be easily used with our World Climate Exercise (http://climateinteractive.org/simulations/world-climate), which puts groups in the seats of climate negotiators as they try to negotiate a global climate agreement.

[Anthony Kennedy]

Vensim 6.0A is now available for download or purchase from the Vensim store.

Release Version 6.0a includes fixes for several problems introduced with new features in Version 6.0.

These include:
- Equation Editor
- Icons
- Optimization
- Excel import

See the full release notes at http://www.vensim.com/documentation/index.html?version_6_0a____september_2012.htm.

Tony.

[David Sorokin]

MapSys is an advanced software for building models of social and business systems using the System Dynamics methodology. This methodology was originally developed by Jay Forrester at MIT in the early 60's and since then has gone through many decades of progress.

Using MapSys, the user will be able to build models of any size in a powerful visual environment using drag and drop tools. You build a MapSys model by dragging and dropping elements such as stocks and flows on the work area and connecting them with links. Using an easy to use Equation Editor you can define the mathematical equations for each variable. MapSys has many visual clues that show you if your model is ready for simulation. You may simulate your model at any point and view the results graphically or numerically.

To download MapSys follow this link

http://www.facebook.com/groups/382630985130297/

By joining this Facebook group you will become a part of global MapSys users.

[Anthony Kennedy]

Vensim 6.0 is now available for download or purchase in the Vensim store.

Version 6.0 introduces a new look and new features.

- Interface Changes
- A new Equation Editor layout
- Improved Toolbars and Cursors
- Optimization Features
- Stochastic optimization : optimize over an envelope of Monte Carlo simulations
- Discrete constraints on optimization parameters, so you don’t waste time determining whether to build 2.6 or 2.7 factories.
- Extended payoffs with non-Gaussian errors, logarithms, and mixed calibration/policy variables.
- Markov chain Monte Carlo & simulated annealing
- Extended payoff report information with MAPE and Theil statistics

See http://www.vensim.com/documentation/version_6_0.htm for the full release notes, with a video introduction at http://vensim.com/video.html.

You can upgrade to the latest version of Vensim easily – just follow the Upgrade link at http://vensim.com/download.html and enter your license code. Can’t find it? No problem – contact us for help.

If you're not current with 5.11, there are some interesting new features, including:

- Significant upgrades to the Help system, including improved indexing and nearly 100 sample models illustrating the use of almost every built-in function
- Native Mac support (licenses are portable across platforms)
- GET DIRECT functions that can access spreadsheets and other delimited data files, like the GET XLS functions without the overhead of launching Excel.
- The option of observing integer constraints in the ALLOCATE AVAILABLE function
- great for managing allocation of discrete items like customers or aircraft.
- Enhancements to the document tool and SyntheSim functionality with lookups in large models
- On-the-fly configuration of subscripts (arrays) with the GET DIRECT SUBSCRIPTS or GET ODBC SUBSCRIPTS functions
- great for matching model detail to your data.
- :EXCEPT: statements that let you handle exceptions to subscripted equations more easily.

[Toralf Alsaker]

Powersim Software release the free edition Studio 9 Express

Studio 9 Express is our offer to everyone who is interested in learning to build simulation models and for users who would like to have an extended demo period.

Powersim Studio 9 Express gives ability to build and run simulations with a wide set of functionality.

•Build simulation models and run scenarios
•Translate models into multiple languages to share around the world
•Use automatic unit control
•Share models with other Studio 9 users
•Connect to spread sheet datasets
•Access a function library of more than 200 functions

The Studio 9 Express has some limitations compared with Studio 9 Professional:

•A model can have maximum 50 variables
•A model with array variables can have maximum 150 elements
•Available in 32-bit version
•The license will last for 6 months, to ensure that the user always has the latest edition

Models made in Express will work after the license period is expired.

Download link: http://www.powersim.com/main/products___services/download/express/