Ventana software support forum

I had this happen twice, once some months ago with a model that was not critical (so I just dismissed it as a bug) and now with a very important model.

THE PROBLEM:

I open the model and around 90% of it is missing from the view. It's as if most of the model was hidden. I can still run the model and see graph any variable I want (by using the custom graph functions) BUT I cannot actually do any change to the hidden parts!

Please help me cause this is driving me insane.

Details: Vensim DSS 5.9e (double precision) running on a windows XP (with I assume the latest service packs).

Thanks! let me know any further details you need. this has me baffled.

Vensim models are stored in 4 parts. First is the equations for the model which, in your case, sound like they are intact. The second is the visual information describing the layout of the different views (after that is custom graphs as startup info). It sounds like some of the sketch information was lost.

Two ways to fix the model:

If you have older versions of the model that have all the information you can open them in a text editor and copy the sketch information for the older versions and paste it at the bottom of the newer version sketch information. (just before the graph or startup info).

Use the tool to add an existing variable and select variable type orphan - this will list variables not defined on a view. Then add these to the appropriate views.

I have heard of this happening, but have never been able to find a trigger for it. Most likely it is related to either sketch comments (made using the comment tool), IO objects, or the names of variables themselves. If it is possible for you to email me a before and after model (ie before losing info and after) that might offer some more clues.

Thanks for the response. Unfortunately, I had 3 versions of this model (I do incremental versions when I change something important) and they were ALL shot. It's like something goes wrong when opening.
I have an off site backup that I'll try to see if it helps. I'll send everything via e-mail when I get hold of the backup.