Frames, Menus, Toolbars

In this section we explain each element of the Nova interface.

Frames

Nova has two frames, the Design Frame and the Runtime Frame. As these names suggest, the Design Frame provides tools for creating and building a Numerus model. Once this model is built, the Runtime Frame provides the means to control and view the running simulation, in addition to special analytical tools of use to numerical models.

Design Frame

File:Mainframe.png

a. Toolbar: (discussed below)
b. Simulator controls: Sets the time parameters and runs the simulation; see Program Execution.
c. Programming Pane: Used for specifying global variables and functions; for submodels, also used to specify Properties and Methods.
d. Model Canvas: Design platform for component-based models.
e. Dashboard: Contains controls and visualizing elements for use during simulation execution.
f. Console: provides interactive access to the Nova runtime interpreter.
g. Capsule set: lists main and submodel capsules used in this project.

Script Frame

a. Toolbar: buttons for loading and saving NovaScript files; also duplicates of the simulation controls found on the main frame.
b. Script Pane: contains the current NovaScript program.;
c. Console Pane: duplicate of the Console Pane on the main frame.

Menus

File	New Project	Clears the system and creates a new project
	Recent Files	Shows recently opened project for selection
	Reload	Rereads the current project into Nova
	Browse Model Library	Opens a browsing window to allow selection of a project from the model library
	New Nova Window	Opens a new empty main frame
	Save Project	Saves the current project
	Save As	Saves the current project, possibly in a new file
	Import	Imports a selected project as a submodel
	Export	Exports a submodel for import into another project
	New Main Model	Creates a new main model layer, making the current main model into a submodel
	New Sub Model	Creates a new submodel layer
	Save Canvas as Image	Creates a jpg image of the current main frame
	Exit	Exits Nova
Edit	Undo	Undo the last gesture
	Redo	Redo the last undone gesture
	Cut	Remove the currently selected components and copy to the clipboard
	Copy	Copy the currently selected components to the clipboard
	Paste	Paste contents of the clipboard to the model canvas
	Delete	Remove the currently selected components without copying
	Select All	Select all components
Tools	Snap to Grid	Realigns all components with the underlying model canvas grid.
	Arrow Snap	Redraws all arrows to have minimal length.
	Convert to Pins	Converts selected Terms to Pins.
	Create Phantoms	Adds phantom components corresponding to those currently selected
	Edit Component Equations	Opens the Component Equation Panel, which permits editing of all component equations on the current level.
	Arrows On	In this mode all arrows are visible.
	Arrows Highlight	In this mode only those arrows for the component under the mouse are visible.
	Arrows Off	In this mode no arrows are visible.
	NovaScript Frame	Toggles script frame visibility.
	Information	Toggles the information pane, containing documentation for the current level.
	About (windows)	Shows version number, etc.
Window	Cycle Through Windows	Cycles focus through all open Nova windows
	Bring All to Front	Moves all Nova windows forward on the desktop
Help	Nova Help Website	Brings up this document in a web browser

Toolbars

Main toolbar

The main toolbar duplicates functionalities found in menu items

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Pallet toggles and contextual help

The next three buttons toggle (open/closed) the Component, Plugin and Code Chip pallets; these pallets are discussed below; the fourth button enables/disables contextual help.

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Simulation controls and execution/development modes

Simulation controls: Capture, load, etc. for executing simulations
Stats Selector: Enables use of R statistical package within Nova
Timeline view: Timeline view allows forward/backward simulation execution.
Automode: When enabled, cause automatic re-execution of simulation when an input parameter changes.
Top-level capture: When checked, capture always occurs at the top level regardless of the current model level in view.

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Execution toolbar

Simulation Runtime: user-specified clock parameters and integration method; displays current model time during execution.
Simulation Speed: determines real-time simulation speed.