Graph Customization

[lmcburne]

I don't know how to customize the output graphs in my model.

WhatsApp-Image-20160708 (1).jpeg (53.71 KiB) Viewed 4401 times

I am using Vensim DSS for Windows 6.4c (x32).

LA Water Game 8 July DT.mdl

(7.51 KiB) Downloaded 174 times

As you can see in the attached picture, I am running the model on 7 large screens and the graphs are not readable. However, I want them to be legible from anywhere in the room. To achieve this, I want to increase the size of the labels on my graphs. I also want to change the font to a San Serif font, like Arial, instead of the default Times New Roman. How can I customize the graphs?

[tomfid]

Cool setup!

The settings are in two places:
- For toolbar graphs, right-click the tool to edit settings, and use the font selections at the right of the dialog.
- For custom graphs, the same options are in Tools>Options>Fonts2

If you need the tool settings to be portable across machines, you can either save & share the toolsets and vensim.ini file, or publish the model to a .vpm, checking the Settings and Toolset boxes in the publish dialog.

[lmcburne]

Thank you. I was able to change the settings and the appearance of the graphs. However, I saved the toolsets and publish the file, but the settings haven't transferred. When I go to reopen the .vpm file, all the changes I made go away and I have to start over.

I attached the .vpm file and the .mdI files to this message. I also took pictures of the model to show the settings that I created which are not transferring in the .vpm file. As you can see in the pictures, the graphs are on a black background with white Ariel font. However, in the .vpm file, the graphs go back to the default settings with a white background and black Times New Roman font.

How can I get the tool settings to be portable across machines?

[tomfid]

I see what you mean - your file doesn't come across with the new fonts.

One thing to try, while I look into it, and if you didn't already: before you create the .vpm, exit and relaunch Vensim. Then re-save the .vpm.

[tomfid]

See if this comes across with Arial-family fonts on the graphs:

LA Water Game 11 July DT Black TF.vpm

(35.25 KiB) Downloaded 199 times

[lmcburne]

The one you sent does not come across with Arial-family fonts on the graphs either. It shows Times New Roman fonts.

[Administrator]

What version of Vensim are you opening the package in? Is ti another instance of DSS?

If you open in model reader, the fonts come across correctly. But DSS has it's own initialization file (in %APPDATA%\vensim), you would need to copy that across to the target machine to retain the graph settings.

[lmcburne]

Both PCs are running Vensim DSS for Windows 6.4c.

What is an initialization file and how do I copy the initialization file?

[tomfid]

vensim.ini is a file containing Vensim settings, including the fonts for custom graphs. (Fonts for tool graphs are in the toolset, which is a little easier to save & share.)

If you run a .vpm in the Model Reader, it uses the vensim.ini embedded in the vpm. But if you run the same model in DSS, it uses its own settings (apparently). However, if you copy vensim.ini from your host machine (where you set things up) to the target (where you want the same appearance), the graphs should work.

I located mine via a command prompt:

appdata.png (64.05 KiB) Viewed 4362 times

You could also use search or just dive into the folders manually. Once you find it, copy it and move it to the host machine (location should be the same if the OS matches).

I think there may be a way to automate this with a cmd script. I'll take a look.

[Administrator]

You can also get at the file in explorer,

appdatavensim.jpg (37.99 KiB) Viewed 4357 times

[lmcburne]

Coping the .ini file directory worked! Thank you!