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Vensim Help

Sketch tools are grouped into a Sketch toolset.

sketch_toolbar

The Sketch tools in the built in Sketch toolset are:

Lock — sketch is locked.  Pointer can select sketch objects and the Workbench Variable but cannot move sketch objects.
Move/Size — move, sizes and selects sketch objects: variables, arrows, etc.
Variable — creates variables ( Constants, Auxiliaries and Data).
Stock — create variables with a box shape (used for Levels, a.k.a. Stocks or State Variables).
Lookup — create lookup table type variables.
Arrow — creates straight or curved arrows.
Flow — creates Rates (a.k.a. Flows) consisting of a variable, perpendicular arrows, a valve and, if necessary, sources and sinks (clouds).
Existing Variable — adds an existing model variable and the causes of that variable to the sketch view.
Shadow Variable — adds an existing model variable to the sketch view as a shadow variable (without adding its causes).
Merge — merges two variables into a single variable, merges Levels onto existing clouds, merges Arrows onto a variable to split an Arrow, and performs other operations.
Input Output Object — adds input Sliders and output graphs and tables to the sketch.
Sketch Comment — adds comments and pictures to the sketch.
Unhide Wand — unhides (makes visible) variables in a sketch view.
Hide Wand — hides variables in a sketch view.
Delete — deletes structure, variables in the model, and comments in a sketch.
Equations — creates and edits model equations using the Equation Editor.
Reference Modes use to draw and edit reference modes.
Appearance use to modify sketch object appearance.
Layout use to align, size and space sketch objects.

 

To build a model, first select a Sketch tool by clicking on it with the mouse.  You can also select a tool by pressing a character on the regular keyboard (not the numeric keypad).  Use 1 for the first tool, 2 for the second and so on (0 is the 10th, Q the 11th,  W the 12th and so on).  Note that this only works when the Build window is active.  

Move the mouse to the sketch view and click once with the left mouse button to apply the tool (for Arrows and Rates, first click once, then move the mouse and click once again).  

NOTE : Sketch tool selection is sticky.  That is, the Sketch tool you chose stays active until you choose another — just keep applying it to the sketch.