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 particular use with numerical models.

Design Frame

File:Mainframe.png

a. Launch Panel: Sets the simulation parameters and launches the model for execution;
b. Design Tabs: Menus containing tools for building models; each of these is discussed in detail elsewhere;
c. Model Canvas: Construction platform for component-based models;
e. Property Pane: Shows controls for specifying component properties;
f. Parameter Table: Manages sets of parameters used by the model.

Runtime Frame

a. Simulation Control Toolbar: Buttons for running the simulation and setting temporary simulation parameters;
b. Console: provides Interactive access to the Numerus runtime interpreter.
c. Analytical Tools: Available when parameters are used for parameter sweep, optimization, etc.
d. Dashboard: Contains controls and visualizing elements for use during simulation execution.
e. Runtime Parameter Table: Facilitates temporary parameter settings

Menus

Design Frame

File	New	Clears the system and creates a new project
	Open	Select and load 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 Project Window	Opens a new empty design frame
	Save	Saves the current project
	Save As	Saves the current project, possibly in a new file
	Import Capsule(s) Into Project	Imports a selected project as a submodel
	Export Current Capsule	Exports currently viewed capsule (and any dependencies) for import into another project
	Open Current Capsule as New Project	Opens a new design frame with currently viewed capsule, as main level, and any dependencies
	Preferences	Opens User Preference dialog
	Exit	Exits program
Edit	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
	Create Phantoms	Adds phantom components corresponding to those currently selected
	Duplicate Current Capsule(s)	Copies and pastes currently selected capsules into the current project
	Copy Current Capsule(s)	Copies currently selected capsules
	Paste Capsules(s)	Pastes previously copied capsules into current project
Tools	Load Parameters	Select and load a parameter set
	Edit Equations	Opens the Component Equation Panel, which permits editing of all component equations on the current level
	Capsule Program	Displays a compact description of the model's equations
	View Novascript	Displays the Novascript implementation of the current project
	Snap to Grid	Realigns all components with the underlying model canvas grid.
	Reset Arrows	Recomputes arrows
	Documentation	Opens the documentation panel.
	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.
	Connector Beads Visible	Exposes connector beads
	Connector Beads Invisible	Hides connector beads
	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

400xpx

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.

300xpx

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.

600xpx

Execution toolbar

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