Conversion of Stella Models to Vensim and Free vensim models

[rkkalaga]

IS there any tool to convert Stella Models to Vensim compatible ones? Where can I download FREE models for K-12 Science?

[Administrator]

There is a section in the help system about Stella to Vensim conversion. Do a search for Stella.
http://www.vensim.com/documentation/ind ... ?24290.htm

I cannot help regarding the free models for K12 science. You could try specifying in a little more detail what you need (I have no idea what K-12 science means).

[rkkalaga]

Thanks for your kind response. I wanted to have models available for teaching Physics and chemistry to high school students.

[tomfid]

Hartmut Bossel's books, like Systems Zoo 1, might be good for that
http://www.amazon.com/Hartmut-Bossel/e/ ... r_dp_pel_1

[tomfid]

There's a utility called Stel2Ven for converting Stella/ithink models. It usually takes a bit of manual work to clean up the result, but gets 98% of the job done. You have to rebuild the diagram manually, but that's actually pretty easy. It's included in the standard Vensim installation.

Another good option, with more advanced students, is to give them a Stella listing and ask them to recreate the model in Vensim. It's surprising how much you can learn from recreating a model in another language; I still do it from time to time.

Is there a particular library of Stella models that you're interested in using?

Tom

[tomfid]

Forgot to mention - there's a Vensim conversion guide as part of the Road Maps series
http://sysdyn.clexchange.org/road-maps/rm-toc.html
See bottom of page.

Tom

[rkkalaga]

So very kind of you all for your responses. I will check them and get back.

[karankhosla]

I agree with Tom, building a Stella model from scratch in Vensim is a great way to learn about the software and the system you're studying in general.

I have seen a lot of Stella models recently, which have been built without any attention to units or basic modeling fundamentals. Though I enjoy using both Stella and Vensim, building a model in Vensim forces a certain amount of modeling discipline on you; features like reality checks, the equation and unit checking/diagnostic engines are excellent.

Beware, the discrete functions in Stella and Vensim operate slightly differently, so its better to take a fresh look at the system structure when converting a model to Vensim.

Best Wishes,

Karan

[e_coufal]

I have a model in Stella and want to convert it to Vensim. From the Vensim model to another system. Do I need a license to convert the file over?

Thanks

Eric

[Administrator]

All software is licenced, are you asking if you'd need a paid Vensim licence? The answer to this is yes if you the conversion is classed as commercial use.

[tomfid]

In general what you do with a Vensim model is subject to copyrights held by the model's author, not by Ventana. You'd have to get in touch with the author for that.

You may need a Vensim license to edit and run the model in Vensim (including the .dll), if you can't use the free Model Reader for some reason.

If your target is another platform, why convert to Vensim first? Are you using SDEverywhere or something like that?

[oseiasgomes]

Hello,
I am doing a search, and I have a template that is in Stella 9.01, and I want to convert it to Vensim.
Does anyone know how I can do this conversion?

[tomfid]

Vensim is now supporting XMILE, so you can do the following:
- make a copy of the file
- change the extension from .stmx to .xmile (or just .xml)
- in Vensim, use File>Open and change the filter to show XMILE models
- open your model

This may not work, for two reasons:
- Stella 9 is an earlier version of the XMILE standard
- there are some glitches in our first implementation

If it fails, post or email the model and we'll take a look.

[mhpb]

Hi,
I'm using vensim PLE but there is no option for importing .xmile file (in Vensim, use File>Open and change the filter to show XMILE models). Could you please let me know if this is because of the PLE version?

[Administrator]

That's a bug, you should be able to import XMILE in PLE. It will be fixed in the next release.

[mhpb]

That's a bug, you should be able to import XMILE in PLE. It will be fixed in the next release.

Ok, thanks then I have to wait.

[SniperAssassin]

Hi,

I apologize in advance if this is not the correct thread to pose this question. I have a DSS version of Vensim and a model built on STELLA which is saved as a .XMILE file. I tried opening the .XMILE model file as mentioned above (Open > .XMILE file) and Vensim created a converted file but there is nothing in the file. Its size is 0 KB. Am I doing something wrong?

[Administrator]

If you can upload the model we can take a look. Vensim should read them without problems. Or email it to us of 3 or is sensitive.

It could be a non standard "something" in the file, or one of the xml tags not being closed properly.

[SniperAssassin]

If you can upload the model we can take a look. Vensim should read them without problems. Or email it to us of 3 or is sensitive.

It could be a non standard "something" in the file, or one of the xml tags not being closed properly.

Thanks for your prompt help with this. Is there a mail address I could mail it to? There is an error message when I try to attach it here, which says that the extension is invalid.

[Administrator]

If the extension is xmile, you should be able to upload it now. If not, less us know the file extension and I'll add it.

[SniperAssassin]

Thanks, here it is.

[SniperAssassin]

Thanks, here it is.

It says 'ERROR The upload was rejected because the uploaded file was identified as a possible attack vector.' . Cannot seem to upload it.

[Administrator]

Is the file extension xmile?

You can email it to vensim@vensim.com as well, make sure you quote your licence details in the email.

[SniperAssassin]

Yes, the file extension is .XMILE. Will send it ASAP.

[SniperAssassin]

Is the file extension xmile?

You can email it to vensim@vensim.com as well, make sure you quote your licence details in the email.

Just FYI, I have sent the model over.