Interface: Frames, Menus, Toolbars, Pallets

In this section we explain each element of the Nova interface.

Frames

Nova has two frames, as shown below.

Main Frame

  1. Toolbar (discussed below)
  2. Simulator controls: Sets the time parameters and runs the simulation; see Program Execution.
  3. Programming Pane: Used for specifying global variables and functions; for submodels, also used to specify Properties and Methods.
  4. Model Canvas: Design platform for component-based models.
  5. Dashboard: Contains controls and visualizing elements for use during simulation execution.
  6. Console: provides interactive access to the Nova runtime interpreter.
  7. Capsule set: lists main and submodel capsules used in this project.

 

Script Frame

  1. Toolbar: buttons for loading and saving NovaScript files; also duplicates of the simulation controls found on the main frame.
  2. Script Pane: contains the current NovaScript program.
  3. Console Pane: duplicate of the Console Pane on the main frame.

 

File New Project Clears the system and creates a new project
  Open Project Opens a previously saved project
  Recent Files Shows recently opened project for selection
  Reload Rereads the current project into Nova
  Browse Model Library Opens a browsing window to allow selection of a project from the model library
  New Nova Window Opens a new empty main frame
  Save Project Saves the current project
  Save As Saves the current project, possibly in a new file
  Import Imports a selected project as a submodel
  Export Exports a submodel for import into another project
  New Main Model Creates a new main model layer, making the current main model into a submodel
  New Sub Model Creates a new submodel layer
  Save Canvas as Image Creates a jpg image of the current main frame
  Exit Exits Nova
Edit Undo Undo the last gesture
  Redo Redo the last undone gesture
  Cut Remove the currently selected components and copy to the clipboard
  Copy Copy the currently selected components to the clipboard
  Paste Paste contents of the clipboard to the model canvas
  Delete Remove the currently selected components without copying
  Select All Select all components
Tools Snap to Grid Realigns all components with the underlying model canvas grid.
  Arrow Snap Redraws all arrows to have minimal length.
  Convert to Pins Converts selected Terms to Pins.
  Create Phantoms Adds phantom components corresponding to those currently selected
  Edit Component Equations Opens the Component Equation Panel, which permits editing of all component equations on the current level.
  Arrows On In this mode all arrows are visible.
  Arrows Highlight In this mode only those arrows for the component under the mouse are visible.
  Arrows Off In this mode no arrows are visible.
  NovaScript Frame Toggles script frame visibility.
  Information Toggles the information pane, containing documentation for the current level.
  About (windows) Shows version number, etc.
Window Cycle Through Windows Cycles focus through all open Nova windows
  Bring All to Front Moves all Nova windows forward on the desktop
Help Nova Help Website Brings up this document in a web browser

 

Toolbars

Main toolbar: The main toolbar duplicates functionalities found in menu items

Pallet toggles and contextual help: The next three buttons toggle (open/closed) the Component, Plugin and Code Chip pallets; these pallets are discussed below; the fourth button enables/disables contextual help.

Simulation controls and execution/development modes:

Execution toolbar:

 

Pallets