What improvements would you like to see in Vensim?

Use this forum to post Vensim related questions.
EwoutH
Member
Posts: 39
Joined: Sun Apr 19, 2020 7:34 pm
Vensim version: PRO

Re: What improvements would you like to see in Vensim?

Post by EwoutH »

This is probably a huge feature, but some kind of input parameter fitting from a validation set would be extremely interesting to have in Vensim. This way, you can for example have validation data for (output) variables A, B and C, that can be used to estimate (input) variables X, Y and Z. It could also be used to fit a model on a historic data or on a known scenario.
Administrator
Super Administrator
Posts: 4573
Joined: Wed Mar 05, 2003 3:10 am

Re: What improvements would you like to see in Vensim?

Post by Administrator »

It sounds to me like you are describing optimization (which is already in Vensim).
Advice to posters seeking help (it really helps us to help you)
http://www.ventanasystems.co.uk/forum/v ... f=2&t=4391

Units are important!
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-27509559
EwoutH
Member
Posts: 39
Joined: Sun Apr 19, 2020 7:34 pm
Vensim version: PRO

Improvement: Optionally don't save .2mdl files

Post by EwoutH »

We're using Git for version control with our team. The current settings help a lot to make the text readable.

On every save a .mdl2 file is also saved however, and has to be manually disabled to not commit to Git. Could there be an option not to save such backup files?
Administrator
Super Administrator
Posts: 4573
Joined: Wed Mar 05, 2003 3:10 am

Re: Improvement: Optionally don't save .2mdl files

Post by Administrator »

EwoutH wrote: Mon Feb 28, 2022 9:19 amOn every save a .mdl2 file is also saved however, and has to be manually disabled to not commit to Git. Could there be an option not to save such backup files?
Why don't you configure GIT to ignore the file instead?
Advice to posters seeking help (it really helps us to help you)
http://www.ventanasystems.co.uk/forum/v ... f=2&t=4391

Units are important!
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-27509559
EwoutH
Member
Posts: 39
Joined: Sun Apr 19, 2020 7:34 pm
Vensim version: PRO

Re: What improvements would you like to see in Vensim?

Post by EwoutH »

That indeed also works, it's just nice to reduce the clutter (by default).
tomfid
Administrator
Posts: 3806
Joined: Wed May 24, 2006 4:54 am

Re: What improvements would you like to see in Vensim?

Post by tomfid »

You can configure Vensim to keep backup files (.2mdl, .3vmf, etc.) in another location (C:\temp or whatever). First entry in Tools>Options>Paths.
lhungerf
Junior Member
Posts: 3
Joined: Fri Mar 27, 2020 11:03 pm
Vensim version: PLE

Re: What improvements would you like to see in Vensim?

Post by lhungerf »

I use Vensim to teach a very short intorduction to modeling for MPH students. In the newest version, the documentation all shows the previous version. If I chose the old version of sketch, it is several versions ago. It would be good if the manual matched the new version or if I could tell the students how to set their version to match the one in the manual. This adds a layer of confusion - but I'm hoping that I just haven't found the right option to change? I also couldn't find a way to have them download the version that matches the manual.
Thanks!
Laura
tomfid
Administrator
Posts: 3806
Joined: Wed May 24, 2006 4:54 am

Re: What improvements would you like to see in Vensim?

Post by tomfid »

We'll catch up soon - there's just been a lot of change very recently. There are one or two more big changes in the pipeline - the equation editor and custom graph editor - and then things should settle down.
rubynguyen
Junior Member
Posts: 14
Joined: Mon Apr 18, 2016 4:33 pm
Vensim version: DSS

Re: What improvements would you like to see in Vensim?

Post by rubynguyen »

Is it possible to click on a ghost variable and go to its original view/place? This feature in Powersim is really helpful to track down how the ghost variable is created. Thanks!
Administrator
Super Administrator
Posts: 4573
Joined: Wed Mar 05, 2003 3:10 am

Re: What improvements would you like to see in Vensim?

Post by Administrator »

rubynguyen wrote: Fri Mar 18, 2022 5:08 pm Is it possible to click on a ghost variable and go to its original view/place? This feature in Powersim is really helpful to track down how the ghost variable is created. Thanks!
Select the shadow variable and press F3.
Advice to posters seeking help (it really helps us to help you)
http://www.ventanasystems.co.uk/forum/v ... f=2&t=4391

Units are important!
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-27509559
Travis
Senior Member
Posts: 137
Joined: Tue Jul 15, 2008 8:42 pm

Re: What improvements would you like to see in Vensim?

Post by Travis »

I like this idea a lot. I don't think F3 finds the *original* variable. Doesn't it find the next use of the variable, which could possibly be another ghost. Going straight to the "definition" would be useful. And if it is a heavily used variable, you could have to press F3 many times to find the original.
Mizik
Junior Member
Posts: 2
Joined: Tue Aug 16, 2022 2:08 pm
Vensim version: PLE

Re: What improvements would you like to see in Vensim?

Post by Mizik »

Administrator wrote: Thu Dec 12, 2019 10:47 am
aliakhavan89 wrote: Thu Dec 12, 2019 10:23 amCan we have a separate/dedicated section to report bugs and provide feedback in this forum?
You can post directly into the Vensim section. Sub-dividing the forum makes it harder to search.
aliakhavan89 wrote: Thu Dec 12, 2019 10:23 amAlso, from your side, it would be useful to include a feedback button in the software's menu. Sometimes, users feel more relaxed to report issues directly to you and you definitely can gather the data more efficiently and systematically.
Sadly we would be inundated with questions that have already been answered many times. The FAQ on the website lists the questions we are asked most often and even though we suggest that users look at the FAQ first, they rarely do.
Where is this forum FAQ section? I can not find. Thank you
Valuation and business modeling manager
Cloud-based business management solutions
ERP you need
Administrator
Super Administrator
Posts: 4573
Joined: Wed Mar 05, 2003 3:10 am

Re: What improvements would you like to see in Vensim?

Post by Administrator »

Mizik wrote: Wed Aug 17, 2022 8:25 am Where is this forum FAQ section? I can not find. Thank you
https://vensim.com/faq/
Advice to posters seeking help (it really helps us to help you)
http://www.ventanasystems.co.uk/forum/v ... f=2&t=4391

Units are important!
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-27509559
Mizik
Junior Member
Posts: 2
Joined: Tue Aug 16, 2022 2:08 pm
Vensim version: PLE

Re: What improvements would you like to see in Vensim?

Post by Mizik »

Administrator wrote: Wed Aug 17, 2022 1:06 pm
Mizik wrote: Wed Aug 17, 2022 8:25 am Where is this forum FAQ section? I can not find. Thank you
https://vensim.com/faq/
Got it! Thank you!
Valuation and business modeling manager
Cloud-based business management solutions
ERP you need
tshazis1
Junior Member
Posts: 3
Joined: Thu Oct 06, 2022 9:50 am
Vensim version: PLE

Re: What improvements would you like to see in Vensim?

Post by tshazis1 »

Curser over a buildin functions, a description pop up with some explanation and details of the function.

Improvements on the help function, use a layman's language. Now it's written by developers for the developers.
geo_curious
Member
Posts: 38
Joined: Tue Mar 14, 2023 2:05 am
Vensim version: DSS

Re: What improvements would you like to see in Vensim?

Post by geo_curious »

I would like to see the new Tornado graph improved, under the Sensitivity2All feature. The outputs are great, but the graph is not a tornado in v10.0.0.
Administrator
Super Administrator
Posts: 4573
Joined: Wed Mar 05, 2003 3:10 am

Re: What improvements would you like to see in Vensim?

Post by Administrator »

geo_curious wrote: Thu Jul 27, 2023 3:01 pm I would like to see the new Tornado graph improved, under the Sensitivity2All feature. The outputs are great, but the graph is not a tornado in v10.0.0.
Try selecting one of the other measures rather than MAD (such as payoff). This will give you the tornado you are looking for.
Advice to posters seeking help (it really helps us to help you)
http://www.ventanasystems.co.uk/forum/v ... f=2&t=4391

Units are important!
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-27509559
geo_curious
Member
Posts: 38
Joined: Tue Mar 14, 2023 2:05 am
Vensim version: DSS

Re: What improvements would you like to see in Vensim?

Post by geo_curious »

Administrator wrote: Thu Jul 27, 2023 3:05 pm
geo_curious wrote: Thu Jul 27, 2023 3:01 pm I would like to see the new Tornado graph improved, under the Sensitivity2All feature. The outputs are great, but the graph is not a tornado in v10.0.0.
Try selecting one of the other measures rather than MAD (such as payoff). This will give you the tornado you are looking for.
That was it. Thank you.
donpierson
Junior Member
Posts: 2
Joined: Wed Feb 23, 2022 10:16 am
Vensim version: DSS

Re: What improvements would you like to see in Vensim?

Post by donpierson »

Hi
I have two suggestions. The first is to reinstate functionality that use to exist. This is that when interactively selecting a range of time on a graph, not only is that graph changed but the time axis is set to the selected range so that subsequent graphs or table output only show that range. I find this really useful for exploring what is going on during a specific period/event in a model. If there are some who prefer this not to happen at least you could make this behavior into a selectable option.

Secondly I find myself constantly switching between the single graph tool, causes graph tool and the equation editor. Could you make the lock not only select a variable, but launch these tools on double click <b>****</b> click ctrl click etc? Maybe make this something you could customize in the options menu?

Thanks
Don Pierson
Administrator
Super Administrator
Posts: 4573
Joined: Wed Mar 05, 2003 3:10 am

Re: What improvements would you like to see in Vensim?

Post by Administrator »

donpierson wrote: Fri Nov 17, 2023 3:33 pm Secondly I find myself constantly switching between the single graph tool, causes graph tool and the equation editor. Could you make the lock not only select a variable, but launch these tools on double click <b>****</b> click ctrl click etc? Maybe make this something you could customize in the options menu?
I don't understand what you mean here, but for all the analysis tools, you do have the "Activate on variable selection" option (right click on the tool, and select the checkbox). And you can toggle "Activate on variable selection" using SHIFT when pressing a tool button.

Does that do what you need?
Advice to posters seeking help (it really helps us to help you)
http://www.ventanasystems.co.uk/forum/v ... f=2&t=4391

Units are important!
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-27509559
donpierson
Junior Member
Posts: 2
Joined: Wed Feb 23, 2022 10:16 am
Vensim version: DSS

Re: What improvements would you like to see in Vensim?

Post by donpierson »

Administrator wrote: Mon Nov 20, 2023 9:28 am
donpierson wrote: Fri Nov 17, 2023 3:33 pm Secondly I find myself constantly switching between the single graph tool, causes graph tool and the equation editor. Could you make the lock not only select a variable, but launch these tools on double click <b>****</b> click ctrl click etc? Maybe make this something you could customize in the options menu?
I don't understand what you mean here, but for all the analysis tools, you do have the "Activate on variable selection" option (right click on the tool, and select the checkbox). And you can toggle "Activate on variable selection" using SHIFT when pressing a tool button.

Does that do what you need?
Thanks this helps, but it is not exactly what I wanted. I was hoping there was a way to switch between several tools with out having to going to the tool menu. For example, simple selecting would produce a graph, but double clicking would open the equation editor, and control clicking would open the causes graph tool etc. Ideally it would be nice if you could set this up based on your personal preferences.
Administrator
Super Administrator
Posts: 4573
Joined: Wed Mar 05, 2003 3:10 am

Re: What improvements would you like to see in Vensim?

Post by Administrator »

ok, I'll raise it as a future enhancement.
Advice to posters seeking help (it really helps us to help you)
http://www.ventanasystems.co.uk/forum/v ... f=2&t=4391

Units are important!
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-27509559
Amistra
Junior Member
Posts: 12
Joined: Mon Jun 18, 2018 10:57 pm
Vensim version: DSS

Re: What improvements would you like to see in Vensim?

Post by Amistra »

I'd like to see an option in the Comment Editor that allows the text in a comment to be included in the documentation. For example, a check box "Document text" to the right of "No cause' so that when selected the comment text appears at the start of the text for a selected comment when the Document tool is used. This would be very useful for providing a description of the view and perhaps instructions, assumptions, or other notes.
Administrator
Super Administrator
Posts: 4573
Joined: Wed Mar 05, 2003 3:10 am

Re: What improvements would you like to see in Vensim?

Post by Administrator »

Amistra wrote: Mon Jan 29, 2024 5:25 pm I'd like to see an option in the Comment Editor that allows the text in a comment to be included in the documentation. For example, a check box "Document text" to the right of "No cause' so that when selected the comment text appears at the start of the text for a selected comment when the Document tool is used. This would be very useful for providing a description of the view and perhaps instructions, assumptions, or other notes.
I'll raise this as a future enhancement. Not sure how best to implement it though, as the document tool only works on variables at the moment (not on diagrams). For it to work, we'd need some way of documenting the diagrams as well.
Advice to posters seeking help (it really helps us to help you)
http://www.ventanasystems.co.uk/forum/v ... f=2&t=4391

Units are important!
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-27509559
Amistra
Junior Member
Posts: 12
Joined: Mon Jun 18, 2018 10:57 pm
Vensim version: DSS

Re: What improvements would you like to see in Vensim?

Post by Amistra »

Got it. Thanks for considering.
Post Reply