To activate an Analysis tool, simply click it. The tool is highlighted briefly and a window opens that displays the output of the tool. (If it takes a few seconds to activate the tool, the cursor will change shape while the tool is activated.) For some tools, depending on the options set, a dialog box might appear before the tool output is shown. For example the Graph tool can be configured to bring up the Custom Graph Editor when it is invoked. If the tool you select is unable to complete the requested action, an error message will be given.
Precisely how a tool functions depends on the option settings for the tool as well as the settings in the Control Panel and Subscript Control. The most important factors influencing the behavior of the tools are the Workbench model, the Workbench variable, the loaded datasets, and the selected time range.
Model
The Workbench model is the centerpiece around which tool operation is controlled. Determination of causality and structural relationships is all done in the context of the Workbench model. If you have several models open (in several Build windows), the Workbench model is the model that is currently active.
Variables
Most tools operate on variables. The basic variable a tool operates on is the current Workbench Variable. If this variable is subscripted, a single name can have multiple values.
Vensim looks at all subscripts as they appear in the Workbench Title Bar. Subscript Constants are used directly. When Vensim encounters a Subscript Range, the tool queries the Subscript Selection dialog for that Subscript Range. (This Subscript Selection dialog might or might not be visible.) Vensim uses all matches between the desired Subscript Range (which can be a Subrange) and the selected Subscript Constants.
Because Vensim treats subscripts in this way, a single name in the Workbench can cause the tool to refer to multiple values. Alternatively, if there are no Subscript Constants selected, the tool might not refer to any values. In this case, you will receive a message stating that since nothing is selected, nothing is being done.
Not every tool uses detailed subscript information. The Tree Diagram and Outline tools, for example, operate only on the variable name itself. For this reason you might, for example, have no trouble creating a tree diagram but be unable to create a strip graph.
Datasets
In addition to finding variables, tools that attempt to display simulation results or data must also be able to locate datasets. The tool searches the Dataset Control dialog to determine which datasets are currently loaded. If no datasets are loaded, some tools will not operate. Clicking on these tools will display an error message.
Time Ranges
The Strip, Graph, Gantt, Stats, and Table tools all use Start time, End time, and selected Time Base as specified in the Time Axis Control dialog. The Table and Document tools also use Special time to determine what output to provide. You can configure the bar graph to operate on Start, End, or Special time.
NOTE When you use the Equation Editor tool on the Analysis Toolset it simply opens the Equation Editor and not a tool output window. Similarly the Text Editor tool simply starts the Text Editor.
