NAME
model-builder - graphical ODE simulator
DESCRIPTION
Model Builder is a graphical ODE simulator. It allows the user to
define, simulate and analyze arbitrary systems of Ordinary Diferential
Equations.
Features
* Equation-based model definition. No need to learn to program to
define and run your models. Just type-in you differential equations
* Graphic output of simulation. You can save the graphics in the most
common formats: png, svg, pdf, etc.
* Spreadsheet view of the results. From the spreadsheet you can make
customized plots from your variables. You can also export your data to
a .csv text file
* Latex rendering of your system of equations. Check you equation in
clear mathematical notation.
* Intuitive graphical interface.
* Uncertainty analysis module. Implements a straightforward interface
for the Bayesian Melding method.
* Sensitivity analysis. Find out how sensitive your model is to
variations in parameter values.
GETTING STARTED
The best way to get started with ModelBuilder is open one of the models
included with the distribution and look at it . Yes, it’s that simple.
So, if you have already intalled it, start Model-Builder by typing in
the console:
$ PyMB followed by <enter>.
This will start Model-Buider . From now on I will assume that you know
what a system of differential equations is, otherwise you probably
should not be using Model-Builder.
The larger box on the main frame, labeled "Differential Equations" is
where we are going to start. On this text box you will write your
system of equations (or a single equation) The syntax is that of python
for mathematical expressions and functions and there are some
conventions also, which I will explain below:
* First of all, Model-Builder expects only the right-hand-side (RHS) of
you equations to be present one per line in the equations box. The LHS
is assumed to be of the form dy(t)/dt, dy_i/dt where i is an index to
the the number of equations in your model. This number i will be used
to refer to the state variables of the model ( y[i] ). This index, i,
MUST start at 0, so if your model has 3 equations, their state
variables will be y[0], y[1], and y[2] .
* Another convention is the reference to model parameters. Any number
of parameters may be included in the equations by the using this
nomeclature: p[0], p[1], and so on. These parameter must the be
specified one per line and in ascending order in the "Parameters" box.
So the first line would be the definition of p[0], the second of p[1]
and so forth.
* The mathematical expressions that make up the equations and the
parameters may include any function of the numpy python module. This
allows for the easy contruction of models with a level of
sophistication higher than that of a simple algebraic expression. Time
may be referenced in the equations or parameter expressions by the
variable "t". So if you want a parameter that is a function of time,
you can simply write in the parameter box.
* The user familiar with python will also be able to include more
advanced structures in the model specification, such as Lambda
functions for instance.
Well, with that out of the way, it remains to explain the rest of the
interface which is pretty much self-explanatory:
* The initial values box should include one number for each equation
(line) in the equations box. The numbers should be separated by spaces.
* The start time is the time value at which the equations begin to be
evaluated. The values of the state variables at this point in time are
those specified in the initial conditions.
* End time: You can figure this one out...
* Time step: this is the time-step used in reporting the output of the
simulation. The actual time step used by the numeric integrator is
variable and chosen on the fly. Its normally much finer that what you
specify here.
* Critical time steps. Most user wil leave this box empty.
* First Step: The size of the first step. Leave at 0 for automatic
determination.
* Min Step Size and Max Step Size: Respectively the minimum and maximum
value for step sizes as chosen by variable step size algorithm. Leave
at zero for automatic determination.
* Full Output check box: If this box is checked a lot of useful
information about the integration is included in the output. Check out
the output spreadsheet to see what they are.
* Show convergence message: if this box is checked, ModelBuilder will
print "Integration successful" to the console after the integration is
completed. Useful for debugging purposes only. Uncheck if you are doing
uncertainty analyses. as it will slow things down.
* Once you are done entering the necessary information for you model,
Just press the start button to calculate your model. Enjoy!
HOMEPAGE
http://model-builder.sourceforge.net/
AUTHOR
This manual page was written by Varun Hiremath
<varunhiremath@gmail.com>, for the Debian project (but may be used by
others).
December 4, 2006 model-builder(1)