Modules and Sectors

Modules and Sectors allow you to organize your model into different parts and to isolate those parts for Partial Simulation. Modules are described in detail in Working with Modules.

Sectors

Use sectors to group functionally-related building blocks together. This allows you to run simulations using only those building blocks, separate from the rest of the model.

Sector Use Examples

Here are some examples of uses for sectors in a business organization:

A manufacturing sector
A marketing sector
A human resources sector
A financial sector

In a model of a food web, each major trophic level might be represented by a different sector.

Running a model with sectors

When you run a model that contains sectors, you can

run the entire model, including all sectors
run selected sectors.

Adding a sector

On the Build toolbar, click the Sector tool. If it's not showing, click the dropdown arrow next to the Module tool.
Click the diagram to place the sector.

Notes: A sector can't overlap another sector.
You can place a sector over existing building blocks.

Working with sectors

The primary use for sectors is to group functionally-related chunks of model structure. This allows you to run only those building blocks together, separate from the rest of the model.

Tip: Choose which sectors to run from the Partial Simulation Setup tab of the Model Settings panel.

To select a sector, click the sector's border or title bar. The sector will be highlighted, and its properties will appear in the Properties panel.
To move a sector, click and drag the sector's border or title bar.
To resize a sector, select it. The handles will appear. Drag its handles as needed.
To rename a sector, click its name plate. The name plate will highlight and become editable.
To add a building block to a sector, drag it into the sector. You can also move or resize an existing sector so that it encloses the building blocks you want to include.

Note: To be considered part of the sector:
A building block must be completely enclosed within the sector's frame. All building blocks must be placed in the sector while it's unlocked.
To lock or unlock a sector, click the Lock / button in the upper right corner of the sector.
To select all blocks and objects within a sector, click the Select All button in the upper left corner of the sector.

Tip: Use the Select All button to check which blocks are included in the sector.

To lock or unlock a sector

When a sector is locked, any building block that's part of the sector will retain its position relative to the sector when you move or copy the sector. In addition, if you resize a locked sector, you can't decrease its size to the point where any of the contained building blocks aren't fully contained within the sector's borders.

To lock a sector, click in the upper right corner of the sector.
To unlock a sector, click in the upper right corner of the sector.