Using Version 10 Models

When you open a version 10 model with an interface, that interface will be translated to the new format. Because the interface capabilities differ somewhat from those supported in V10, you may need to make some adjustments. The most significant difference is that Stella now breaks up interfaces into distinct pages, while V10 used one large page and then allowed navigation around that page.

Before Opening in Version 1.1

Before you open an interface in Version 1.1, open it in STELLA or iThink version 10. Set the page size on the interface so that the pages formed contain what you expect. If you didn't use a consistent page size in Version 10, it may be useful to rearrange the content so each page contains a coherent set of objects.

Once everything is put in pages on the interface window, it's very easy to move things around and line them up. However, when there are things on different pages than you expect, you'll need to cut and paste them to get them onto the right page.

The pagination used when converting will look for the page that contains the largest amount of an object. So, for example, if you have a graph that is 2/3rds on page 3 and 1/3rd on page 4, it will end up entirely on page 3. Because of this, you don't need to worry about anything slightly crossing a page boundary, but you may want to fix up object locations after translating.

No going back

Version 1.1 of Stella uses the XMILE 1.0 format. Version 10 used a precursor file format that's different. The display information, especially the interface, is substantially changed. Once you've started editing a model with Version 1.1, there's no practical way to go back.

Version 9 Models

If you have a model that was developed in STELLA or iThink Version 9 or earlier, you'll need to first open it in STELLA or iThink version 10.1.2 and save it. Version 1.1 won't directly open Version 9 and earlier models. If you have an older version model, but don't have access to version 10.1.2, we'll be making a translation capability available on our web site.

Noteworthy Differences

Text Boxes

Blank text boxes being used for borders will contain the gray text “Enter text here” when in editing mode. It won't display in presentation mode, or when published. To remove it in editing mode, open the panel of the text box and press the space bar once.

Video

All video is delivered using the new html5 video playback standard. This means that the movies must be in a true mp4 format. Renaming a .avi or .mov file to .mp4 will not work. Different web browsers also have slightly different support for mp4 encoding (see, for example, information about Chrome). You should publish and try viewing your video with different browsers to be sure it works.

Button Actions

There's now a single type of button with different actions associated with it. These are translated automatically from old button types, but not all are supported. If the old button type or action isn't supported, it'll be translated to a button with no actions.

Object Colors

Version 10 automatically changed the font colors for text boxes and sliders when the background was very dark. For example, if the background in V10.1 was black, text boxes and sliders would automatically be set to white. If you used a dark background, you can go to the Interface Settings Properties Panel and set the font color for all pages to a light color (alternatively, you can change the background color to a light color).

You can also change the color for individual objects or selections of objects using the Styles Tab.

Process Frames

Process frames and process connectors are no longer supported. If you had an interface including these, the place they appeared in the interface will be blank.

Exporting Tables

Tables on the interface layer that are used for exporting data will no longer work in Stella Architect. Copy tables from the interface to the Model diagram. Double click on the table to open the table panel and click on the Mark for Export option. Then reestablish the export links.

Locked Tables and Graphs

Locking tables and graphs in version 10 was used to prevent data from being overwritten. The data in tables and graphs would not change once they were locked, even if the runs were deleted. In Stella Professional and Architect, to keep runs in a table or graph, you can select what runs appear in the graph.

Story Endings

A navigation button needs to be added to stories for exiting as there is no built in way to return to the main interface anymore.