THE NEED FOR ANIMATION Model verification Debugging Model validation Face validity Dynamic interactions Provide additional insight Presentation of model results Helps decision makers understand LIMITATIONS IN INTERPRETING ANIMATION RESULTS Small sample problem Star trek Trends over long periods of time Plots may be better TWO COMPONENTS TO ANIMATION Static component Created with drawing tools Imported from DXF files Example - conveyor belts Dynamic component Entity pictures Queues Resource pictures Transfers - routes, transport, convey Variable indicators Levels and plots ENTITY PICTURES Assign block Use assign block to specify picture assign picture=cust Picture element Add cust to picture element QUEUES Select queues icon from animate toolbox Specify name and type of queue Draw queue RESOURCE PICTURES Select resources icon from animate toolbox Specify resource Specify pictures for each state of the resource Busy Idle Inactive Failed Seize points STATIONS Represents areas into which entities are routed, transported, or conveyed Select station icon from animate toolbox Specify station name Determine station location TRANSFERS, ROUTES, SEGMENTS, AND DISTANCES Select icon from animate toolbox Draw path Straight or ragged VARIABLE INDICATORS Graphical representation of values DStats, Tallies, Counters, System variables Select icon from animation toolbox CLOCK Display the system time variable TNOW Analog Digital LEVELS Graphical representation of values DStats Utilization Availability DAVG(utilization), utilization=nr(clerk1) PLOTS Graphical representation of variables DSTATS Average number in queue DAVG(avgnumq), avgnumq = nq(clerkq1) Tallies Time in system TAVG(systime)