Readme PDF

Vensim 5.
10a ReadMe notes Page 1 of 35
Release Notes (README) for Vensim
These are the release notes for Vensim, with changes noted by version number in reverse chronological order.
NOTE All documentation for Vensim 5 is available online (Help>Vensim Manual) and can also be accessed
from our website. On the Macintosh the documentation is installed separately and can be opened in a web browser
or via the Help command (which simply opens a browser).
5.10a Changes
The number of downloaded files for installing has been decreased. There is now 1 for the program, 1 for sample
models and 1 for the help file (this one is actually the biggest). For Vensim DSS the program file includes both the
single and double precision builds as well as the DLL so it is larger than for other configurations.
New Subscript Functions (Pro/DSS Only) The functions GET DIRECT SUBSCRIPT, GET ODBC
SUBSCRIPT and GET XLS SUBSCRIPT have been added. These allow you to define subscript ranges based on
the content of supporting files. More information on these is contained in Chapter 4 of the Reference Manual.
ODBC Changes (DSS Only) A new method (called :BIND) has been added for connecting models to databases.
This is designed for database tables that contain a number of different variables as fields. For more information
see Chapter 14 of the DSS Reference Supplement.
Converting a variable to a shadow variables will also change its color if the variable is using the default color.
Bug Fixes
Stacked graphs would show odd pixelation on the right when a shortened time range was selected.
DLL Only: get_varattrib would return type al l for Unchangeable Constants.
Right clicking on a Variable then selecting the Equation button would leave the variable invisible after closing the
Equation Editor on some monitors.
Checking a model would sometimes bring up the Equation Editor with the Functions, Subscripts or More tab
showing up as empty.
Mac Only: Command + T and Command + U would sometimes also insert U and T into a document.
Mac Only: Graphs embedded in sketches would not always draw when entering one view from another.
Mac Only: The arrow keys were not working in SyntheSim mode to move the selected slider.
Pro/DSS Only: Subscript elements repeated in a subscript definition were not always being detected.
Pro/DSS Only: Equations using both Macros or WITH LOOKUP and :EXCEPT: exclusions were not working.
The GET DIRECT... function (and the GET XLS... functions on the mac) were leaving non .xls files open after
reading them.
Engineering fix notes: 5.10x3 (Pro/DSS Only) Recursive subscript definitions would sometimes issue spurious
messages about subranges containing elements not in the main range and prevent simulation of the model.. (Mac
only) The Mac close button has been deactivated on dialogs. 5.10x2 fixes: 1) a timeout problem that could cause
simulation results not to be saved to a file in SyntheSim mode. 2) (Mac only) problems associated with closing
dialog boxes using the Mac built in close button in the upper left hand corner.
Vensim 5.10a ReadMe notes Page 2 of 35
5.10 Changes
Vensim is now available for the Macintosh under OSX. Models are completely transferable between platforms
and your Vensim license allows you to choose between either the Windows or the Mac versions each time you
download. Some functionality, notably the display of embedded metafiles in models, is not available on the
Macintosh.
We have also changed the system we are using to build Vensim on Windows. Most of this is transparent but you
may see some slight numerical differences when working with the optimizer. The help files and readme notes
have also changed somewhat in appearance.
The Exact hide option is now available for model variables and arrows. This can be useful for emphasizing
different links by creating more than one arrow connection between two variables.
Dots only custom graphs will now vary the size of dots according to the line width setting, or use fat lines
(Tools>Options>Graphics) if no line width is set. If a dot shape and size has been set (via the .vgd file directly)
that setting will be used.
DSS Only: The VDF2DATA and VDF2LIST commands now allow the specification of a time range. Note that if
you were using a Codepage identifier with either of these commands that will cause problems given the new
argument list.
Random functions that have a min/max specification the prevents them from returning a value with the chosen
distribution will now return NA instead of a uniform deviate on the specified range. Normally this only happens
when the min/max specified are inconsistent with other parts of the random number specification.
Movement of tool windows and scrolling by dragging the scrollbar for all windows is smoother. SyntheSim
changes should also be noticeably smoother for models that contain very granular (for example 0/1 switch)
constant scales.
Bug Fixes
DSS Only batch commands could fail when running with larger models.
When the toggle for Show Behavior was on creating a new run with a different name could cause Vensim to close.
Models with Input Output objects could cause Vensim to close during simulations and games.
Numbers put out in the normal format were not consistently rounding on the final digit.
Custom graphs with line widths would have the widths apply to the wrong lines when some variable and run
combinations were not available.
Stack graphs embedded in sketches could cause problems in SyntheSim.
Pro only: In the Equation Editor the "All" and "Simple" function types were transposed.
Importing Excel data with more than 32768 rows was not working.
The Model>Partial Simulation menu item would always say the model had errors and not complete.
Changing the run name and then changing a constant by clicking on the slider rails in SyntheSim could cause
Vensim to close.
On some computers executing optimization with Payoff Sensitivity set could cause Vensim to close.
DSS Only: The LISTVAR control would use the first value when it was not changed by the user.
In SyntheSim if a variable was overridden to be a constant after changing views and returning to the view where
the variable was overridden the slider would not be available.
If the "More" tab on the Equation editor was selected in a model with no subscripts when the Equation editor was
reopened the displayed tab was incorrect and instability could result.
Numbers displayed in the Pretty format were not being consistently rounded. This may result in some differences
in reported values in tables.
5.9e Changes
The convention for treating floating point errors in sensitivity simulation has changed so that NA is stored instead
of the last good value. Percentiles and other computations are done on the restricted data set.
DSS Only: The Pre/Post options specified for a simulation are no longer invoked when the model is run from a
Venapp or command file or through the DLL. Use SPECIAL>RUNCOMMAND to run such scripts.
DSS Only: When opened from a packaged application with a calling program the Vensim DSS DLL behaves the
same as the Vensim Model Reader DLL – always referencing the calling package.
Bug Fixes
The document tool would sometimes return a blank page when documenting multiple selections or a whole view.
When opening Vensim sometimes a ghost window sizer would appear on a sketch or some toolbars would not be
visible.
DSS Only: The COLORCIRCLE and COLORRECT controls could cause Vensim to close when the screen was
refreshed in Venapp.
Units checking in equations with :EXCEPT: would report spurious errors.
Reform/Clean and View>As Text would fail on models containing spurious metafile or bitmap data.
The truncation of error and warning output was excessively restricting what displayed when optimizing.
The Sensitivity Graph tool would not label the x axis for Time values above 1000.
Pro/DSS Only: Using the AddEq button in the Equation Editor with a subscripted Level would make all rates
inflows for the new equation.
Starting a Game with a model using Data variables could cause Vensim to close.
Date Labels would not always appear in the Table tool.
DLL Only: The Stop button on the work in progress window was not responding.
5.9d Changes
The Installation program has been modified to make it easier for use with Vista and Windows 7. Administrative
rights are no longer required for installation. If you are logged in as an administrator Vensim will be installed to
program files. If you are logged in as a standard user Vensim will be installed into the local application data
folder. Sample models and supporting files will be installed into a public folder or your home directory for
standard users. Note that when installing Vensim DSS or the Vensim Model Reader as a standard user the Vensim
DLL will be put in the same directory as the program, not in a system directory. This means you will need to
move it to a different directory or add the program directory to your system PATH in order to use the DLL. If
you install as a Standard User there will be a menu item to uninstall Vensim since Vensim will not show up in the
list of installed programs.
NOTE: Uninstalling as a standard user may put up a dialog with a message about a shortcut referring to a location
that no longer exists, this does not cause any problems.
The Vensim Error Log and Initialization setting default locations have also been changed. The default
initialization settings will be kept in the Vensim folder of Application Data (usually c:\documents and
settings\username\application data=}) . The error file will be put there, or in the Local variant on Vista/7 if it
can’t be opened in the same directory as the Vensim executable.
The Reset and Reset All buttons in SyntheSim now return Constants and Lookups to the values they had on entry
to SyntheSim rather than the values set in the model equations. Alterations of Constants and Lookups from change
files, live spreadsheet links, database queries and changes made in simulation setup mode are now retained to
support this reset.
In simulation setup model Lookups are now a slightly different color from Constants so as to more easily
distinguish them.
When starting SyntheSim if an error occurs the error log opens and displays the error in addition to showing the
dialog indicating there were problems with the simulation.
When checking a model only the first 128 errors and 128 warnings are reported preventing long lists of errors
which are slow to display. The same applies to simulating a model.
The Runs Compare tool no longer requires the Time Axes for Data variables to be identical.
Bug Fixes
Subscript Ranges requiring quotes were not displaying their elements in the Equation editor when selected from
the dropdown under the Subscripts tab.
When adding the first point in the Lookup Editor by entering numbers if the x value was out of range of the
displayed x axis the software would stop responding.
DSS Only: In Venapps message functions during screen setup would cause the application to hang.
Units errors in :EXCEPT: equations would sometimes cause Vensim to close during units checking.
Not all right hand side variables were consistently displaying unit assignments when errors were reported for
Level equations during units checking.
The Units Equivalent tab on the Model>Settings dialog was opening with the globally defined units equivalents,
not those specific to the model.
Deleting a selection of variables from the model would fail and only delete from the current View when the
selection included Time or another built in control variable.
PLE and PLE Plus only: Adding in a Shadow variable would not display the variable until the view was refreshed.
Pro/DSS Only: Input Sliders were sometimes disappearing in SyntheSim mode when subscript or run selection
changes were made.
Long comments in sketches would sometimes cause the variables to disappear from the View with the comments,
but remain in the model.
Models using both GET XLS CONSTANT and GET XLS DATA would sometimes fail to start SyntheSim.
Using the Runs Compare tool multiple times could case Vensim to stop responding.
5.9c Changes
None
Bug Fixes
Variable names ending in international or far eastern (non-ASCII) characters were being truncated when entered.
5.9b Changes
The help files can now go to the background (behind the main Vensim window).
Bug Fixes
Vensim DLL Only: Floating point exceptions generated through math function (exp, ln, etc) would cause
unpredictable behavior in the calling application.
DSS Only: The Venapp Editor would cause entered commands to repeat when editing buttons and other command
objects.
Printing and exporting of Sketch Views with IO objects and sliders would introduce extraneous markings.
Some of the nonstandard valve shapes were not showing on sketches (these would appear simply blank).
Bitmaps embedded in sketch views were printing the wrong size (too small).
DSS/DLL Only: When using commands file patch with an & or other special character in them were not being
handled correctly.
5.9a Changes
The Reset to Full Range button on the Time Axis tab of the Control Panel resets to the simulation range. Clicking
again will expand this to include the embedded data range if this is bigger.
Clicking on variable names in embedded graphs will select them into the workbench. When embedded graphs are
not displaying output the variable and tool name (or custom graph name) are now displayed.
The highlighting format for selected Arrows has changed in order to make it easer to see what is selected.
The list of models most recently open has been extended to include the last 10 models.
In SyntheSim mode the colors for Lookup variables has been changed to a lighter blue, and overridden variables a
lighter red to make graphs easier to read.
Bug Fixes
Models using nested macros would sometimes cause Vensim to close when adding or pasting in new variables
using those macros.
Models using string variables in GET XLS… call would sometimes fail to open.
DSS Double Precision only: Floating point errors during simulation would sometimes cause SyntheSim (or simply
behavior displayed on Sketches) to stop responding.
DSS Only: The ALIASSCREEN command in Venapps was not working.
DSS Only: Sometimes screens in Venapps would not full populate all buttons.
DSS Only: The SIMULATE>SETVAL command was not working with String Variables.
Pro/DSS Only: When using csv files for changes lines with the first row empty where putting out an error message
instead of being ignored.
The positioning of the cursor within the Equation Editor was incorrect when there were syntax errors.
Tables with large number of time points using Date labeling would sometimes fail to open with a memory error.
Units checking on VECTOR LOOKUP was returning the units of the second rather than the first argument.
Work in progress graphs would not always update properly during a simulation, and could go blank in Venapps.
5.9 Changes
Pro/DSS Only: An option to display the time axis on graphs and time in the Table tool as Dates instead of decimal
values has been added. This makes it easier to present things in a format that your audience may be more
comfortable with. The settings for this are on the Time Bounds tab of the Model Settings dialog and their display
is toggled on and off in the Time Axis tab or the Control Panels. Details on the settings are in Chapter 3 of the
Reference Manual.
Pro/DSS Only: An additional ordering option "Comp" has been added to the Document tool. This will, to the
extent possible, output the equations in computational order.
DSS Only: Note that the version number for external functions and compiled simulations has changed again. You
will need to recompile your external functions with the new vensim.h file – no other changes are required relative
to 5.8c versions.
The x-axis scaling on the Lookup Editor has been changed to be tighter around the first and last value.
Pro/DSS Only: An alternate vector search technique SVECTOR has been added to the optimizer. This allows
search over an arbitrary vector in the parameter space. See Chapter 10 of the Reference Manual for more details.
Pro/DSS only. Subscript error checking on self looping functions, including ALLOCATE AVAILABLE has been
improved.
Bug Fixes
Setting TIME SLOP to NA could cause problems with importing data.
Pro/DSS Only: Using Lookup variables as if they were normal variables inside of a SUM function was not always
generating an error message.
Opening files with 4 letter extensions would not always work.
DSS Only: The IFTHENELSE command in Venapps was not working correctly.
DSS Only sketch displays in Venapps would sometimes remain blank, graphs fail to populate and SyntheSim
effects fail to display.
DSS Only: Compiling models using the VECTOR SELECT function was not working.
Graphs created automatically during Reality Check simulations would not always display, and sometimes would
show invalid results.
Importing data from spreadsheet files containing variables with special characters requiring quotes was not always
working consistently.
Importing data from text files with time running down and values missing in the final columns would sometimes
ignore data values after a gap in the data.
DSS Only: Commands where some elements required quotes, most notably SIMULATE>SETVAL with a special
variable name, were not being parsed correctly.
On models with embedded sliders or graphs sometimes clicking OK on the Model>Settings dialog would cause
Vensim to hang for a period of time and not refresh the sketch.
5.8d Changes
A Japanese language option is now available for menus and common dialogs. Use Tools>Language to select this.
Bug Fixes
Printing with IO objects on the screen could still cause trouble.

Pro/DSS Only: Using a changes file to start a game would cause spurious error messages each time the game
continued.
Pro/DSS Only: Basing simulation on other simulations for changes, resuming or gaming, was not working
consistently.
Pro/DSS Only: Answering yes to updating subscripts in the Equation Editor could cause Vensim to close.
Pro/DSS Only: Using a causes tree on a variables with an :EXCEPT: formulation could cause Vensim to close.
Pro/DSS Only: The search and replace windows in the toolbar of the text editor would not activate when the
editor was first opened.
Pro/DSS Only: Using the toolbar paste function in the Text Editor could lead to incorrect display.
DSS Only: Venapp using 3d or ribbon graphs were not working correctly.
Pro/DSS Only: Search and replace was not properly refreshing in the Text Editor.
DSS Only: The SPECIAL>SUBSCRIPT command was not changing subscript selections in Venapps.
DSS Only: Venapp commands with empty arguments were not being properly parsed.
The minimize/restore/delete box on maximized sketches and tools would sometimes draw on other windows not
part of Vensim.
Pro/DSS Only: Trying to change the first String Variable in a model via the constant changes dialog would not
work.
Changing a name on the left hand side in the equation editor when that name also appeared on the right hand side
would not change it on the right hand side.
5.8c Changes
In custom graphs and tables the wildcard *B has been added to mean the bottom or last loaded run.
DSS Only: The setup for compiled simulations and external functions has changed so that it is no longer necessary
to create separate libraries for Vensim DSS, the Model Reader and the Vensim DLL. It is also no possible to have
more than one model compiled for quick simulation in the same directory. To accommodate this, the version
number on external functions has changed. To update your external functions you will need to recompile with the
new vensim.h and replace the set_gv function if it exists. If you replace any calls to vensim_error_message,
vensim_execute_curloop and vensim_allocate_simmem with the callbacks passed in VENGV, you will also be
able remove vensim.lib from the link list and have a more portable external function library. See the sample
venext.c for more details. A number of the Vensim DLL functions can now be accessed from external functions.
Vensim DSS/DLL Only: vensim_get_info can be passed 24 to get the list of maps between wildcard names and
Excel files in use with a model.
Pro/DSS Only: Optimization sensitivity files now use the Euro Number switch to determine format.
Bug Fixes
Printing or copying with SyntheSim active or with IO objects on the screen would cause Vensim to close.
Unchanging constants set to negative numbers would cause a syntax error to be reported.
PLE Only: The Equation Editor was not working with Reality Check statements.
Pro/DSS Only: Vensim would open models with the built in graph definitions even when a custom graph set had
been used the previous time the model was active.
DSS Only: Using MENU>LOADRUN in Venapps with SyntheSim active would cause the Venapp to lock.
Nested macro calls to macros with output variables were not working.
The exact hide attribute on comments was being lost after a model was closed and reopened.
Run labels on wildcard runs were not being properly saved.
DSS Only In Venapps SPECIAL>REFRESH was not updating graphs embedded in Sketches.
Reader Only: Initialization settings were only being read when a toolset file was included in a published model.
Pro/DSS Only: Answering Yes to changing subscripts on a variable in the equation editor would cause errors
when that variable was used in a macro function (user defined or built in).
Pro/DSS Only: Reading changes files with the ~~| format on a separate line would generate an unnecessary
warning message.
Pro/DSS Only: Using the File>Load Custom command in the Text Editor would cause Vensim to freeze.
5.8b Changes
A Chinese (Simplified) interface is now available for Vensim. To access it go to Tools>Language and select
Chinese. Then close and reopen Vensim.
Pro/DSS Only: A new Exception syntax has been added for subscripted equations. This will allow you to write
one equation and specify that some subscripts will use another equation rather than having to create specific
subranges for the most common equation. See the section on Exception Equations in Chapter 2 of the Reference
Manual.
Not PLE: For hidden comments an option has been added to use only the exact hide level. This allows you to set
up comments that will appear in sketches only when a specific hide level is reached. This can be convenient for
commenting on the last structure uncovered as successive detail is revealed.
Reader Only: When opening a package (.vpm) if the ini file settings are recorded in the package these will be used
to make the model operate as in the same way it operates in the development environment. Most importantly
warning suppression, line colors and custom graph fonts will be the same.
The internal macro naming convention has changed. Macro names now take the form
#lhs>macroname>macrovar# where lhs is the left hand side variable name (that is the variable the macro is used
in the equation of). This means, for example that SMOOTH in the equation:
smoothed income = smooth(income,smooth time)
will become #smoothed income>smooth# instead of #smooth(income,smoothtime)# Note that
these names will normally only appear if you select the option to show macro variables.
Pro/DSS only: Macros definitions can now contain calls to other macros previously defined, or built in. For
example a DELAY9 macro can be constructed from 3 DELAY3 calls.
When a floating point error (overflow or divide by 0) occurs in SyntheSim all the graphs are now highlighted
yellow to indicate the error. The message identifying where and when the error occurs appears at the bottom, also
highlighted in yellow.
The accuracy of timing with SIMULATION PAUSE has been improved over all value ranges. The expression
simulation pause=Desired simulation time /
((FINAL TIME - INITIAL TIME) / SAVEPER)
is a useful one where desired simulation time is expressed in seconds.

Pro/DSS only: Messages displayed during a simulation related to data and variable range exceptions can now be
selectively suppressed. Details on this are in the Constant Input Files section of Chapter 8 of the Reference
Manual.
Bug Fixes
If the option to accept Enter in the equation editor was set then hitting enter would add a large number of blank
lines to the equation.
Work in progress graphs would sometimes not update completely.
DSS/Reader Only: In Venapp Showvars in screens were not getting the final values at the end of the simulation.
Variables beginning with # were being lost from sketches when opening models.
Limited time versions of Vensim were not opening on some Windows Vista computers.
When an Input Output Slider was active in SyntheSim the Reset Current Slider Val command was not working.
When a simulation was started using the Simulation Control Dialog the active sketch tool was not being reset to
the Pointer tool.
In SyntheSim mode as sliders dragged graph lines would sometimes draw outside of the words and remain on the
screen.
Scales on SyntheSim onscreen graphs were affected by values outside the simulation time range from other loaded
runs.
Loading a simulation run with embedded data variables outside the time range of the simulation would not allow
visibility of all data values.
The Esc (or Ctrl+C) keys were not stopping simulations where Work In Progress graphs were active.
Pro/DSS Only: Using 2d output with the table tool and Causes/Uses selected would lead to incomplete output.
Entering SyntheSim with a model that had floating point errors would leave Vensim with the wrong toolbar
active.
DSS Only: Running command files would not release unused memory during the execution of the command file.
5.8a Changes
Pro/DSS only: The Text Editor Find and Entrain functionality will highlight text now.
DSS only: A C# example has been added for use with the Vensim DLL. This is installed (in folder csharp) when
the DLL install option is chosen.
Bug Fixes
Double clicking on a model with Vensim closed would cause Vensim to open then close again (DSS and Model
Reader only).
When using Model>Settings after clicking OK the current View would sometimes appear blank until
View>Refresh or something else forced a refresh.
Work in progress graph were not being displayed in normal simulation mode.
Very small values of SIMULATION PAUSE were not slowing simulation speed.
Some of the Sketch Layout commands would cause an error when executed.
The Save icon on the toolbar was not saving the model when clicked.
Numbers beginning with a decimal point such as .123 were not being recognized.
Pro/DSS only: Entrain was not working in the Text Editor.
Work in progress graphs were sometimes displaying with incomplete graph lines.
DSS only: SHOWVAR controls were not updating properly at the end of a simulation.
5.8 Changes
The majority of changes in 5.8 are under-the-hood. Memory and threading management have been rewritten to
improve performance and responsiveness.
A new version of the World3 model has been included that makes running scenarios easier. See Appendix A of
the Modeling Quite for details.
The defaults scaling behavior for the graph tool when multiple variables are selected has been changed to group
variables with the same units together. Options have been added to control this.
PLE/PLE Plus/Reader only. The toolset now has two Document tools, one that documents a single equation, and
one that documents the entire model.
(Pro/DSS only) The function GET DATA MEDIAN has been added.
(Pro/DSS only) When changes to variables subscripts are entered in the Equation Editor, Vensim will attempt to
update the changed variable where it is used.
The behavior of sliders in SyntheSim mode has been changed to be smoother, and use a 0 based increment that do
not refer to the minimum bound.
Bug Fixes
The model settings dialog would not accept time units with international characters.
ODBC output files that tried to put the same variable out as both a data series and a constant at a time would fail.
Selecting Capitalize by type in the global options would cause international characters to be displayed incorrectly.
Work in progress graphs in gaming mode would sometimes start with anomalous data displayed.
Some errors in Reality Check equations, especially using a Test Input as a regular variable, were not being caught
during the model check phase.
Very long comments were not being displayed on a sketch when hovering over a variable.
Custom Graphs with the Stack option selected were not drawing correctly during a game.
DSS Only – SHOWVAR controls were not updating in SyntheSim.
The GET XLS functions could cause Vensim to close when spreadsheets contained empty but nonnull cell entries.
PLE Only – the nonfunctional Edit and View menu items related to hidden variables have been removed.
5.7a Changes
(Pro/DSS only) On the changes tab of the simulation control dialog the "Load Changes From…" button will allow
multiple files to be selected. Same for data input and command output files.
If the time axis for graphs has been set it will not be reset by a new run unless that run starts before or ends after
every currently loaded run.
When importing data from Excel files the name of the Tab rather than the name of the Excel file is used as the
default dataset name.
PLE and Plus only. When using the Shadow Variable tool in a sketch by holding down he Shift key when clicking
on a sketch location a defining variable and not a shadow variable will be added to the sketch. This makes it
possible to write equations for FINAL TIME and TIME STEP.
Bug Fixes
In the equation editor the delimiter button [()] was not working on long equations.
Unchangeable constants were not coming up with the correct type selected in the equation editor.
Graphs comparing Constraints during reality check operations were incorrectly scaled and not readable.
Excel sheet names using international characters were not being recognized in the GET XLS calls.
DSS Only: Publishing models with the scramble option checked was not working properly.
DSS Only: Publishing Venapps would check the Other checkbox when the dialog first opened.
Limited time licenses installed on computers running non-English versions of Windows would sometimes fail to
open.
When exporting a dataset the checkboxes to select time running down/across were linked to the checkboxes to put
subscripts in a separate column.
Saving models with a password was not working.
Comments on Lookup variables would sometimes have extra \! delimiters added to them.
Subscript Element names requiring quotes were sometimes being incorrectly formatted when selecting variables
for optimization and sensitivity testing.
When using the "Set" button on the Simulation Control Dialog the dataset names entered were not being recorded.
Reference mode data with reserved names (such as functions) would cause the data to fail to be loaded for display
in graphs. Reference modes for subscripted variables were not being properly retained. Clean and reform could
also cause reference modes to be lost.
In the Equation Editor subscript equivalences were not being entered and Time Bases not properly marked
(Pro/DSS only) .
5.7 Changes
Unchangeable Constants have been added. These behave exactly the same as Constants, but can’t be changed
when setting up a simulation. They are useful for preventing sliders in SyntheSim, reducing the number of things
that a model user can change, and working with the VECTOR SELECT function. Unchangeable Constants are
defined by a double equal sign ==. Models using Unchangeable Constants will not work in version of Vensim
prior to 5.7. See "Variables" in Chapter 2 of the Reference Manual for more details.
Professional and DSS only: A new function VECTOR SELECT has been added. This function can sometimes be
used in place of the PROD, SUM, VMAX and VMIN functions to improve Causal Tracing and speed simulation.
See Chapter 4 of the Reference Manual for details.
Professional and DSS only: The optimizer has been substantially modified to increase efficiency and provide more
direct control of convergence. The interpretation of the fractional tolerance specified has been changed somewhat
to accomplish this. See Chapter 10 of the Reference Manual for more details.
DLL only: vensim_get_data when called with 0 as the final argument will return the exact number of data points
required and not the maximum required for any variable.
Bug Fixes
PLE Only: Models created with hidden variables when opened in Vensim PLE would not display the hidden
variables but only the arrows.
Published model packages with international characters in the filename, or the path the file was contained in, were
not opening.
Reader Only: Venapps opening a run control dialog were not listing the loaded runs.
Importing spreadsheets saved in early Excel formats was not properly converting international characters.
Text in WingDings and other nonstandard fonts was being rendered in the Latin1 character set.
During optimization and sensitivity simulation memory usage was increasing unnecessarily.
Units checking on MIN, MAX and some other functions was sensitive to the order of arguments when one
argument was a number.
Variables graphed from Gaming runs would sometimes display anomalous points.
Exported table values when time was running down did not paste correctly into Excel.
5.6d Changes
Bug Fixes
Publishing models was creating a model marked as an application so that the package could only be opened in
Vensim DSS.
5.6c Changes
Help files are now provided as .chm files for compatibility with Windows Vista. Because of this the help system
will no longer work with Windows 95.
Pro/DSS Only: The files created during optimization with sensitivity, multiple start or vector searches are now
named the same as the run name followed by _searchtype. For example instead of vector.dat the file will be called
runname_vector.dat. Similarly instead of sensitiv.tab the file will be called runname_sensitive.tab (notice the e is
now in place). Also if you are creating reports with a payoff the prediction error report files are called
runname_1step.err and so on.
Pro/DSS Only: A new function called VECTOR LOOKUP has been added. This function takes a subscripted
variable as the specification of the Y values and specifies a range for the X axis. The input variable can be
constant or dynamic allowing more flexibility in specifying multidimensional, partially analytical and other
specialized functional forms.
The File Publishing dialog now has buttons to save and load publication information. If you are publishing with
setting different from the defaults it may be more convenient to save the settings, and then reload them each time
instead of making the changes on the dialog. In conjunction with this there is now a Venapp command
FILE>PUBLISH that creates a published model or application using a form file.
Exporting datasets now has an option to select the character encoding for the exported files. The default encoding
is Unicode UTF8, but you may want to select another. Many versions of Excel will not work with this and it is
better to use ANSII Standard (referred to as Windows (ANSI) by Excel). For excel file format output this is the
default. Note that if you are only using regular Latin letters (A-Z, a-z) numbers and punctuation these settings do
not matter. It is only for international (from this writer’s perspective) characters that it is important. DSS Only the
MENU>VDF2TAB, VDF2DAT and VDF2XLS functions have had a character encoding argument added.
Parallel to exporting when you import a dataset that has international characters, you will be queried for the source
encoding. This is applicable only to text, not for importing spreadsheets. DSS Only the MENU>DAT2VDF and
TAB2VDF have had an encoding argument added.
Pro/DSS Only: The default analysis toolset that is built in has been changed to be the same as the old default2
toolset. If you have not modified your toolset the appearance will be slightly different as more tools will be
available.
Bug Fixes
PLE/PLE Plus Only: Selecting type Reality Check was not working in the equation editor.
Delete from model with multiple variables could sometimes cause internal data corruption.
DSS Only: Using ODBC with a VARID during output would cause Vensim to close.
DSS Only: Variables requiring quotes were not recognized in SLIDEVAR and other controls. These variables
should have the quotes around them escaped as in
SLIDEVAR,"\"simple.constant\"",15,8,15,7,,0|100|1,"",
Pro/DSS Only: If a vector search was interrupted during optimization the file vector.dat would not be available till
Vensim was closed (note that this file has also been renamed now).
DSS Only: The TEST command was not properly evaluating model values in Venapps.
Bar graphs that were made very small had bars that would disappear.
Selecting variables with embedded brackets [] would sometimes fail to quote the names properly.
Saving of a model under Windows 95/98 would fail with a message about unable to create backup.
Copying text from tool output would add extra empty lines when pasting.
Non Latin upper and lower case characters were not being properly recognized. This meant a model could have
both the variable åb and Åb. Those two should, and now will be, treated as the same so there may be some
correction required if you created variables differing only by capitalization.
Exporting simulation results to Excel format files would results in garbled international characters.
5.6b Changes
Tools and Selected Variables
Options have been added to a number of tools to work not only on the current workbench variable, but also on sets
of variables. The Graph tools can be configured to operate on the workbench variable, or on the variables selected
in the current view making it easy to quickly graph multiple variables. The Strip Graph, Table, Document, Stats
and Sensitivity Graph tools can now all be configured to operate on currently selected variables, all variables in a
view or all variables in the model.
When a tool is configured to operate on the selected sketch variables it will operate on the workbench variable if
there are no selected variable, or if the text editor is opened on the model. This makes this selection convenient for
working with the classical workbench variable, or for working with a selection of variables. For example, if you
want to make a graph of several variables simply highlight them and click on the Graph tool. The variables will
appear in a single graph. If you then want to single out a variable select it into the workbench, and click on the
graph tool again.
For Vensim PLE and PLE Plus the Graph tool, both Table tools and, for PLE Plus, both Sensitivity graph tools
have been configured to operate this way.
For the other configurations the default toolsets have been configured to operate this way but any existing toolsets
will need to be modified to change their behavior. For the Document tool these options have been added under the
multiple equation settings. For the Graph tool there is a checkbox near the bottom to operate on "Selected Vars."
For the Strip Graph, Table, Stats and Sensitivity Graph tools the old "Causes, Uses, None" choices at the top have
been replaced with a dropdown list containing – None, Causes, Uses, Selected Vars, Current View and All Vars.
If you select Current View and open the Text Editor instead of the Sketch Editor the tool will behave as if None
were selected. Similarly, with Selected Vars if there is no selection the behavior will be the same as if None were
selected.
These changes make it easy to quickly operate on a group of variables, without getting in the way of doing causal
tracing.
Templates and Autocenter/Fit to Screen
Every view using a template will open with the upper left hand corner in a fixed position. This will be true
independent of your page mark settings. While the zoom percentage from the last time you had the view open will
be retained, if zoom is set to "Fit to Screen" the sketch will not be centered. This should make it much easier to get
consistent navigation effects using templates. The font used in template objects has also been set up to refer back
to the template view, not the current view.
Bug Fixes
International characters were not going into the clipboard properly. This was especially noticeable when pasting to
Excel.
Printing of models containing international characters was not working correctly.
Models stored in directories containing international characters were not saving correctly.
Excel file names with international characters were not opening properly for GET XLS … functions.
Increments on sliders in SyntheSim mode were being set to very small numbers when blank.
DSS/DLL only – vensim_get_varnames when asked for gaming variables was missing some where only a subset
of subscripts were defined as gaming variables.
Some cells with text created from formula in spreadsheets were being ignored when importing the spreadsheet
data.
Named ranges ending in numbers were not properly recognized when using GET XLS… functions.
Changing the range on a slider in SyntheSim was not properly updating the slide position.
New variable names were not showing up properly on the variable list when that was set to be visible.
Macro Variables could not be selected into the workbench form the Variable Selection Tab of the Control Panel.
Macro variables using subscripts different from those on the LHS of the calling equation were not working
properly for element by element equation ordering required to resolve symbolic simultaneities.
Level equations that included nonstandard subscripts were sometimes being updated automatically when a new
cause is added or removed in the diagram.
When multiple subscript definitions define the same subscript range the last definition alphabetically that does not
have a map will be used to name the family.
Custom bar graphs created using subscript ranges in the names of the variables to be displayed.
Trees showing polarities or link colors were not working when the link was to a valve.
5.6a Changes
Version 5.6a contains a number of bug fixes.
Bug Fixes
File permission problems could cause errors during simulation or when saving a model.
Models would print with variable names squished together.
Translation of models to UTF8 format could cause anomalous shadow variables to appear.
In the Model Reader the up and down arrow keys were not changing hide levels.
In the Model Reader Venapp’s with SyntheSim active were not updating.
Vensim was not running under Windows 98 or ME. Note that Vensim will not run under Windows 95.
Importing data from Excel files would sometimes cause unexpected behavior.
Graphs with legends suppressed did not have sufficient bottom margins or display units when only 1 scale was
used.
Venapp Only: READUNCHG and READCIN did not force a new simulation in SyntheSim mode. Loading a
model with SyntheSim active would cause an error. Repeatedly simulating without leaving a screen could cause
buttons to not respond.
5.6 Changes
Unicode
Version 5.6 of Vensim now uses Unicode for all character encoding with files stored in UTF-8 format. This will
only have an impact for models that use characters not in the standard Latin (English) alphabet. For working with
new models it will allow you to alternative character sets, including far eastern character sets, much more easily.
If you have existing models that use alternative character sets these will need to be converted. For models stored
in .mdl format you will be asked when you open them if you want to convert the character set. If you answer yes
you will be allowed to select the appropriate character set to convert from. More details on character sets are
contained in the section on Reforming and Cleaning in Chapter 3 of the reference manual.
Venapp and DLL Changes (DSS Only)
The Vensim Model Reader will now open published Venapps and can also be used to open applications developed
using the Vensim DLL. Vensim Application Runtime is no longer required to make use of these. Also, because
the Vensim Model Reader is free software the Vensim Minimal DLL has been discontinued. The process for
providing people with applications using the Vensim DLL has been changed substantially, and should make it
much easier for the people you send the application to. Chapter 13 of the Vensim DSS reference supplement
discusses the new processes in detail and should be referred to.
Show/Hide (Vensim PLE Plus Only)
Show and Hide are now available in Vensim PLE Plus.
Small Changes
COMLINE entries in custom tables with Tabs in them now scroll.
Using the up and down arrows to show/hide elements no longer brings up a dialog when all elements are
shown/hidden. Instead a message appears on the bottom of the window for a second.
Bug Fixes
Many index entries in the help files were not opening the correct help entries.
DLL Only: The Workbench variable returned by vensim_get_info was not being giving enclosing quote marks
when these were required.
(Pro/DSS only) Unsubscripted constant equations with a constant list terminated in a semi colon were not being
detected as errors.
The Stats tool would use the incorrect subset of time when some Time Bases were chosen.
Datasets (.vdf files) that were the result of runs with floating point errors at initial time would not move properly
between Macintosh/Intel computers.
Exporting Table tool output with a small number of columns would sometimes result in incorrectly formatted
results with values from different rows appearing in a single row.
Using Reality Check, during the grace period Constraints using > or < (instead of <= or >=) would be reported as
violated.
Excessively small Slider increments in SyntheSim (less then 1e-6of the range) would result in incorrect values for
the constant as the slider was dragged.
Initial cause arrows could be arbitrarily reshaped when switching a model between hiding and showing these.
Sketches with embedded bitmaps/metafiles would cause problems with pasting and Undo.
When optimizing the endpoint.tab file might show different values from the reported results (also the .out file).
Find/Find Again was not working on models using Templates when the variable being searched for was on
another view.
DSS Only GAME>READGVARS|tilltime was stopping early when the optional tilltime was used.
When importing .xls files containing negative numbers these would sometimes be read incorrectly as large
positive numbers.
Models in directories where the total length of the path was sufficiently long could cause instability especially
with GET XLS… function calls.
Publishing a package that included a file locked by another application would package a 0 length file.
The work in progress Window could stay open after canceling a simulation which opened an Excel file.
Excel was not being closed on exit when that option was set.
In payoff definitions, optimization control and sensitivity control files adding subscripts to a model variable that
was not subscripted the added subscripts would be ignored with no error message provided.
5.5d Changes
DLL Only: The minimal DLL now create a more complete error history in vensim.err. The multi context DLL
now creates multiple error files named vensim_ctxt0001.err and so on for the different contexts instead of sending
all messages to a single error file (context 0 still uses vensim.err).
In the variable selection dialog a new type "Orphan" has been added. Select this to get a list of variables that do
not appear on any Sketch. This is useful for building up diagrams when some model variables have not been
included in a diagram.
DSS Only added in the Venapp command SIMULATE>RUNCOMMENT.
You can now select String Variables into the Workbench and use the Table tool to see their values in different
simulations. You can also change String variables from the Constant changes dialog or by clicking on them in
simulation setup mode.
Not PLE or PLUS. The keyword :AS-RUN has been added for Custom Bar Graphs that allow you to more
completely specify line groupings. See Chapter 15 of the Reference Manual for more details.
Custom Graphs have had a :LINE-STYLE keyword added. The choices are DOT, DASH, DASHDOT and
DASHDOTDOT. You can also just fill in line width as -1, -2, -3 or -4 to get the same effect.
If you export data with subscript in their own columns in Data List Format the subscripts are ordered by family,
not using the order they appear in the model. The first row of the file lists the families that are used, this list is
alphabetical. This format should make it easier to import values into a database. Exporting to other formats is not
changed except that the number of columns exported to a tab delimited format will no longer exceed the number
required to list subscripts when a save list is used.
Changing views to one that has a Workbench tool showing will no longer change the Workbench variable.
Drag selecting in sketches now includes hidden variables so the entire are will be moved together.
Bug Fixes
When importing Excel files strings created using a formula were not showing up.
Dates in spreadsheets were being ignored for GET XLS DATA.
Format strings in custom reports and titles were not being recognized.
DSS Double Precision only: Compiling of models was not working properly.
DSS Only: SIMULATE>READCIN was reading changes in addition to changes files specified in the changes list
and not relative to the base model parameters.
DLL Only: The minimal DLL was not reading in model settings (changes and data files) when opening a model
package.
DSS Only: Calibration Payoffs using comparison to data from an ODBC query were not being recognized.
Sometimes attempting to display custom tables with no datasets loaded would cause Vensim to hang.
Exporting custom tables with formatted values would export to Excel as the wrong values.
Adding a variable by dragging the Var sketch tool to a position could result in a word with a black background
color.
Navigation buttons placed over tool output windows were not working.
The Stats tool was not scrolling its output.
Line spacing in the Stats and Table tools could be distorted when other tools were open.
The Stats tool would sometimes use more data points than the global time axis setting would indicate.
Undo was not working with sketch elements were moved or sized by selecting them and using the arrow keys.
(Not PLE/Plus) The function DELAY_CONVEYOR was not returning the correct results when the delay time
was changed. NOTE using resume on a dataset created in earlier versions of Vensim for models using DELAY
CONVEYOR may return spurious results.
Pasting into a view with an active template could result in an error message when the model was saved.
Legend fonts would get very big for graphs shrunk very small.
5.5c Changes
Template View
You can now designate a view to be the Template view. This means that the view contents will be displayed in
every other view. This is very convenient if you have created special labeling or navigation controls that you
would like to appear in every view. Instead of copying and pasting the common elements you can simply put them
in the Template view. To designate a view as the Template view (there can only be 1) use the menu item
View>Template View. To specify whether or not a view includes the template use the menu item View>Use
Template (by default the template is used). Elements from the template are read-only and the navigation links are
active independent of which Sketch tool is selected.
Models containing a template view that are opened in earlier versions of Vensim will not display the Template in
other views and its marking as the Template view will be lost, though the view itself will not be changed.
Other Changes
Navigation comments have had a next view and previous view option added to simplify common navigation
setups (especially when using a Template view).
When Rates are added to or removed from Levels and the Equation Editor is opened it will attempt to update the
equation for the Level. It will do this if there is only one equation for the Level and that equation is made up of
additions and subtractions of Rates. When a new equation is entered in this manner the equation will be
highlighted and the Cancel button relabeled to "Revert." Click on Revert to get the previous equation for the
variable
A Sketch Tools can be used a single time by pressing the mouse button on the tool and releasing it at the point you
want to apply the tool. After use the previously selected sketch tool will be reverted to.
Pro/DSS only: The payoff report now includes a list of all variables (Data, Constants and Lookups) that have
sources outside of Vensim along with the name of the source file. In the case of ODBC inputs the .vdi control file
is named.
The format string in Custom Tables (and also the Table tool) can be used to add prefixes to numbers. For example
you can simply specify $ to begin each number with $. If no proper formatting string in the form %f or %g
follows the prefix will be added to the Vensim formatted number.
Picture Paste of sketches now adds automatically includes Shadow variables in the set of selected variables.
Graph legends are set to a smaller font for long legends.
A new option :LINE-COLOR has been added to variables on custom graphs. Specify the color in red-green-blue
format where each component is between 0 and 255. For example
:GRAPH Test
:VAR profit
:LINE-COLOR 0-255-0
to force a green line. This option is only available when editing the .vgd file directly – it is not in the graph
definition dialog.
Model Reader Only: Time Base can be selected from the Time Axis control.
Bug fixes
Opening a model from the file manager when Vensim was not open would sometimes cause a RMS3321 error to
be reported.
Model Reader Only: Support for alternative integration techniques was not fully implemented.
Running SyntheSim on packaged models could cause Vensim to close.

DSS Only: In Venapps - A SETWBITEM command would trigger callbacks to a SETWB control. TEXTMENU
items were losing their highlighting There were memory leaks associated with editing Venapp screens and loading
toolsets. Editing of Screens containing a SETWB control could cause Vensim to close when the Venapp was run.
DSS Only: User Venapp or DLL commands to set variable values when the variable contains an ampersand &
would not work.
Starting SyntheSim for models using Excel inputs would sometimes leave a work in progress window open.
Models using '?...' filenames in GET XLS CONSTANTS/LOOKUPS functions would sometimes fail to open
causing Vensim to close.
5.5b Changes
The Vensim Model Reader has been changed so that when working with Packaged Models it will load the toolset
the packaged model was saved with. This guarantees that any embedded graphs will display as they do when
developed. The additional tools available also ensure that the custom graphs, tables and reports are displayed as
expected. The number of integration techniques available in the Model Reader has also been changed to ensure
that the simulation results are the same.
The GET XLS… functions have been redone to be more reliable, and should be significantly faster on computers
using anti-spyware software. When Excel is required Vensim will wait for it to open before proceeding.
Specifying the Row and Column letters is no longer necessary for international versions of Excel. These functions
will also work when calling the Vensim DLL from within Excel.
Auxiliary variables with embedded Lookups will now open the Lookup Editor on their own name instead of their
name with ## around it. It is now also possible to use MODTABLE controls in Venapps on these variables.
DLL Only: The command FILE>MEMFILE will cause memory files only to be used when doing simulations.
Bug fixes
Models with both TIME_SHIFT and data equations having just a constant on the right hand side would sometimes
give spurious errors.
Custom Graphs with DOTS only could sometimes fail to draw correctly.
Views with embedded graphs could show ghost outlines when auto center was enabled.
Not PLE/Plus If a backup path was set the backup was not working after the first save and local backups were
made instead.
GED VDF DATA was returning spurious values in SyntheSim mode. Documentation on usage has also been
expanded.
SyntheSim with packaged models would repeatedly give spurious messages about a run being part of a package.
The wrld3-03.vmf model had some small discrepancies with the book model that have been corrected, as well as
some general cleanup.
Runs containing data variables and discrete delays were not being read properly when moved between Mac and
PC.
Sum functions embedded in the rates of Level equations were causing extra computations that could lead to
spurious error messages.
5.5a Changes
On the table tool with time running across the second and later runs have the run name shown in the first column
as " : runname" to make it easier to determine which row is from which run. Same for the Stats tool.
You can now use Ctrl+1 to invoke the first analysis tools, Ctrl+2 for the second and so on (Shift+Ctrl to
lock/unlock). This will only work for the first 10 analysis tools.
Bug fixes
There was a backward compatibility problem in version 5.5 with some variables losing their shape. To correct
this, open the model in 5.5a or later and then save it again as a .mdl file (or use Reform/Clean if it is a .vmf file).
Custom Graphs using subscripted variables were not consistently displaying these variables.
Canceling when using the Add Variable or Add Shadow Variable tool would cause Vensim to close. A similar
problem would occur when converting a variable to a shadow variable.
Converting a variable to a shadow variable was not generating an undo action.
Selecting a password protected archive from the bottom of the File menu would fail to open the archive because of
a password mismatch even though no password had been entered.
Opening an archive in configurations other than Vensim DSS could result in an error message about external
functions even when these were not part of the archive.
For double precision Vensim DSS models using DELAY… functions could unexpectedly close during
optimization and sensitivity simulations.
The document tool with equation numbering turned on and order by group selected would skip equation numbers
between groups.
Importing data from newer .xls files would miss values depending on options settings.
Packaging large models could fail with a sub-block allocation error message.
Leading and trailing spaces on quoted variables would not allows be removed resulting in failure to select these
variables into the workbench.
5.5 Changes
Model and Application Archives
The publication of models can now be done using the menu item File>Publish. This will create an archive
containing the model and support files. This makes it more likely the people receiving the model will have
everything they need to run it, and also allows you more protection over how the model can be used. See Chapter
19 of the User’s Guide for more details.
Other Changes
Importing data from Excel files now supports current versions of Excel. If you open a file with multiple tabs you
will be asked to select the tab to work with.
Speed problems associated with GET XLS… functions on computers with Microsoft AntiSpyware installed have
been alleviated, though there is still a significant slowdown when this is active.
When in SyntheSim mode Vensim now uses memory based files. This speeds performance especially on
computers running antivirus software. You can force Vensim to use files on disk by selecting this option on the
"Sketch" tab of the Model Settings dialog.
(Not PLE/Plus/Standard) The slider dialog in SyntheSim, which is opened by clicking on the slider rails, now has
a button to open the constant changes dialog for all elements of a subscripted variable. In addition is you change
the current value and then select a different subscript the change will be retained and not discarded. There is no
change to the dialog for Constants that are not subscripted.
Not PLE - The functions GET VDF DATA, GET VDF LOOKUPS and GET VDF CONSTANTS have been
added. These allow you to access results from other models, or imported data, in a highly controlled manner. For
more details see Chapter 4 of the Reference Manual.
The GET XLS… functions can now make limited use of string variables as arguments. String variables used as
arguments can’t be subscripted and for CONSTANTS and LOOKUPS only the model value of the String variable
will be used, never a modified value read via a changes file or SETVAL command. For GET XLS DATA the
changes will be read first and will apply to the data fetch. Also, for GET XLS CONSTANTS you can specify a
transpose by appending a * to the first cell location (see the Reference Manual for details).
When you change shape on a word that you have previously sized, the size of the word is left unchanged.
Unit format and order is no longer changed when doing Model>Reform/Clean.
DSS Only - For Java users the venjava.dll file is no longer needed. The Vensim class has also been packaged in a
.jar file (vensim.jar) as com/vensim/Vensim to simplify use with other packages. The Vensim class is now
initialized with the name of the DLL file to use so that you can direct the calls to use vendlm32.dll by initializing
Vensim with "vendlm32" as the argument. See VensimApp.java for an example of this. The sample application
itself has not been put in a .jar file but you may want to do so with yours.
Pro/DSS Only – when the optimizer finds the first floating point error it will report the parameter values
generating it.
Sensitivity and optimization search constants that are used in data equations will cause an error to be reported and
the Sensitivity Simulation/Optimization will not proceed. Data equations are computed before simulation begins
and changing these constants has no impact on the computed data. This will prevent anomalous results.
Exporting datasets to the datalist format now allows for the insertion of additional columns.
The wrld3-91 model has been replaced with wrld3-03 which is the updated version used in the most recent edition
of The Limits to Growth.
Bug fixes
DSS Double Precision Only – the use of DELAY… functions could cause odd numerical problems such as a level
going to a small (positive or negative) number after a delayed outflow.
DSS Only MODTABLE in Venapps was allowing the modification of Lookups even after a game had been
started.
Pro/DSS Only – the text editor was not displaying status on the bottom status bar after Find/Search and Replace.
Pro/DSS Only – the function INVERT MATRIX could cause Vensim to close during simulation.
Importing data from an excel format file with long strings could cause Vensim to close unexpectedly.
Pro/DSS Only - Selecting subscript specific variables into the workbench would fail if one of the subscripts
started with a single letter followed by a space.
Pro/DSS Only – FIND ZERO would cause Vensim to close when passed a number of elements argument of 0.
Pro/DSS Only - Options flags were not being properly reset on variables when the options were removed in the
text editor.
Terse format output for Lookups with reference lines was incorrectly formatting the reference line causing failure
of Model>Reform/Clean.
Use of the SIMULTANEOUS function with multiple simultaneous loops could lead to ambiguities in equation
ordering.
Variable names with leading quotes were sometimes being stored incorrectly resulting in errors reading models.
Clicking on the quoted variable name in the Table tool would not select it to the workbench.
Not PLE or PLE Plus - Locking the Table tool could result in Vensim closing with an out of memory message.
DSS Only – model compilation would fail when compiling after stopping a simulation.
DSS Only – ODBC output files would write an entire array even when the save list specified a subset of the
elements.
DSS Only – selecting the Workbench command in the graphical Venapp Editor would cause Vensim to close.
Custom Graphs or Tables with variables containing a comma , would split the variable name up after saving and
reopening the model.
Custom tables would sometimes cause Vensim to exit when there was no run loaded. Lines beginning with spaces
were also displaying a vertical bar |.
Syntax errors involving literal strings embedded in expressions were not being caught.
Not PLE/PLE Plus – string assignments in changes files were not working properly.
Sometimes after an error reading a .cin file a second simulation attempt would not report the errors in the .cin file
but simply fail to simulate.
Units and comments on String variables were being lost when models were saved and reopened.
Note PLE/PLE Plus – The sketch variable list on the right (when made visible) now allows multiple selections to
add a number of variables to a sketch at once. The variables are added one below the next wherever you click.
Importing datasets did not record the subscript count properly for the export of the dataset to be able to break
subscripts up into their own columns.
5.4d Changes
Scrolling, Positioning and Zooming
A number of new shortcuts for scrolling and zooming have been added. For the scrollable analysis tools (Outline,
Document, Table, Stats, Unit Check and so on) you can use the keyboard to scroll the windows. The arrow keys
can be used to scroll up, down, left and right. The Page Up and Page Down keys move up and down or, if you
hold down the Shift (or Control) key left and right.
When working on Sketches you can now reposition the sketch by dragging it with the right mouse button, or
holding down the Control key (or Apple key) and dragging. The sketch position will move with the mouse pointer
to the scroll extents then stop moving.
You can zoom in and out of a sketch by holding down the Shift key and dragging with the right mouse button, or
simultaneously holding down the Shift and Control (or Apple) keys and dragging. When you do this the point in
the sketch underneath the original mouse pointer position will stay in place while the sketch zooms in or out
around it. To increase the displayed size of the sketch (zoom in) move the mouse pointer up, do decrease it move
the mouse pointer down. Right and left movements do not have any effect when changing the zoom in this
manner.
Both the dragging and zooming on the sketch work regardless of which Sketch tool you are working with,
including the Lock tool. This makes it easy to navigate around within a sketch as you are editing it and also while
doing analysis or using SyntheSim.
If you have a mouse wheel you can also use this for scrolling now. The mouse wheel will control vertical
scrolling. Hold down the Shift key to control horizontal scrolling. To zoom in and out hold down the Control key
while moving the mouse wheel.
Exporting and Reusing Game Decisions (Not PLE or PLE Plus) You can now export a record of all gaming
decisions made using Model>Export Gaming or the Venapp command GAME>WRITEGVARS. You can also,
from the Game Input dialog load those decisions and rerun a game (also available via GAME>READGVARS).
This makes it easier to replicate game results and transmit the decisions made in a compact manner. See the
section Interactive Simulation in Chapter 8 and the Models menu in Chapter 16 of the Reference Manual. See the
Vensim DSS Reference Supplement for the new Venapp commands.
Pro/DSS Only. Subscripts in Changes Files: The subscript conventions for changes files have been relaxed. You
can use Subscript Ranges in Lookups and String Variables to change a range of entries. You can also use more
than on Subscript Range. For Lookups and String Variables this will replace all values with the specified numbers
or names. For Constants you can either use one number to replace everything or just supply a vector of numbers as
long as all the changes – with the last subscript varying most quickly.
Bug fixes
Evaluation licenses were expiring prematurely.
DSS Only – Button positioning on the subscript control under Venapp was not right.
Data using :RAW: could sometimes be missed when used in other equations (dependent on time range for the
model).
DSS Only: Venapps using models that had GET XLS… functions would sometimes fail to open.
DSS Only: Compiling models for SyntheSim would leave a Work In Progress window open.
DSS Only: Compiling models with FIND_ZERO could generate incorrect results.
Navigation links pointing to outside documents or web pages were being removed when views were reordered.
Sometimes opening a model would give an extraneous message that another model could not be open.
5.4c Changes
The override dialogs in SyntheSim mode now allows you to specify start times for sine waves, square waves,
exponential growth and exponential decay. This allows equilibrium or steady state operation before injecting the
changing input.
The Scaling tab of the Control panel has an option to freeze scales in SyntheSim for slider motion then change
them when the mouse button is released.
Graph Tool (Not PLE or PLE Plus) the graph tool options now allow you to suppress legends, or not display
legends for variable and dataset combinations that result in no values. The latter is helpful when you have a large
number of data files loaded, but each contains only some of the model variables.
The deletion of arrows is now supported using the Del key.
Pro/DSS only: The logic for payoff sensitivity testing has been adjusted. Parameter bounds will now return ???
less frequently during payoff sensitivity testing after optimization.
DSS Only: Model compilation now longer puts up a stop message when compiling but compiles with a work in
progress window and simulates automatically after compilation has been completed. If there is a problem with
compilation the work in progress windows will remain open (till you close the command window displaying the
error message or click on the Stop button).
Sensitivity Simulation (Not PLE) there is now an option to show warnings during sensitivity simulations. This can
be useful if you want to detect out of range behavior that might be invalidating some of the simulations.
DSS Only: In Venapps the TEST command can be used to test the current date by using *DATE* in place of a
variable name. See the DSS Reference Supplement for details.
Bug fixes
DSS Only – ODBC Connectivity - :FIELD entries associated with :SELECT statements were being ignored.
Repeated deletion of variables from inside the equation editor could cause Vensim to close.
Checking a model with an empty reference mode would open an empty equation editor.
Undoing a variable addition followed by other editing activity could corrupt other variable names in the model.
Pro/DSS Only: Models using FIND_ZERO or Kalman filtering could give somewhat inconsistent results during
optimization and sensitivity simulations.
Clicking on NewGS in the Graphs Tab of the control panel and then canceling would create an empty graph list
without any associated graphset file.
Tooltips were being obscured by the pointer.
The document tool was not displaying text in color.
The Layout menu items for horizontal and vertical spacing were not grayed when fewer than 3 items were
selected.
Pro/DSS only: Selection into the workbench of items containing quoted subscripts was not working correctly.
Pro/DSS only: Subscripted models using the ALLOCATION and similar functions could sometimes generate
erroneous error messages when simulating.
5.4b Changes
VECTOR RANK function (Professional and DSS only) has been added. This function gives the rank order of
each element in vector starting with 1. When two elements are the same they are arbitrarily assigned consecutive
rankings. The order argument should be positive to rank the smallest as number 1, and negative to rank the largest
as number 1.
Variable Count for Compiled Models (DSS Only). In the advanced tab you can now set the number of variables
output to each C function in mdl.c. This must be a number between 20 and 2000. Setting a smaller number may
decrease compilation time with optimizing compilers, but will increase it with non-optimizing compilers (it may
also slow runtime with non-optimizing compilers). The new default value of 100 seems to work well with
optimizing compilers.
Bottom Toolbar Font PLE, PLE Plus only. The Options>Options dialog now allows you to change the font on
the bottom toolbar.
Table output scrolling has been modified so that the beginning of the current output is never scrolled off the
window. For Custom Tables this means they will always be positioned at the top. For Table tool output the first
line of the current display will appear at the top if all of the current output does not fit.
Custom Table comment lines can have leading spaces. This will work automatically in the dialog based editor, or
just put a vertical bar | to indicate the beginning of leading spaces when editing the table definition file.
Bug fixes
Vertical rescaling was placing everything in the same place.

Font overrides in Vensim PLE and PLE Plus were not persistent.
Changing a variable to have no attributes (bold, underline etc) would sometimes not be retained when a model
was reopened.
Searching for pattern* would not find variables with nonstandard characters.
Nonnumeric weights in policy payoffs were not being recognized.
The ALLOCATE AVAILABLE and related functions were not working properly on the Macintosh.
The loops tool was sometimes reporting loops with variables only connected by initial conditions.
Printing and exporting in SyntheSim mode would fail to include the sliders.
DSS Only using GETCNSTCHG with a subscripted variable was not working if the subscripts were included with
the variable name.
PLE/PLE Plus overriding constants in SyntheSim resulted in variables that graphed incorrectly.
The Edit menu in Vensim PLE on the Macintosh was not being properly updated for Undo/Redo or Copy.
Professional/DSS – simultaneous equations were being incorrectly detected in some models using vector
functions.
(DSS only) Constant changes read in through ODBC were overriding interactive changes made to constants.
(Pro/DSS Only) Parameter percent sensitivity was using bad values for 0 values.
5.4a Changes
Version 5.4a completes the ability to create control panels with PLE and also corrects a number of minor
problems.
View>Rescale has replaced the old View>X Rescale and View>Y Rescale and provides more choices for
adjusting size including the adjustment of word sizes and all positions both horizontally and vertically. The
Rescale dialog allows you to select scales. See Chapter 5 of the Reference Manual for more details.
Note that when moving from one computer to another you may be asked if you want to rescale views – this can be
helpful for maintaining word wraps.
5.4 Changes
The most significant changes in Version 5.4 relate to Vensim PLE which has had Input Output objects added (see
Chapter 12 of the User’s Guide) and Vensim PLE and PLE Plus which now both have the ability to override
variable behavior during SyntheSim (see Chapter 13 of the User’s Guide).
Vensim PLE Plus has also had two new analysis tools added to help analyze Sensitivity Simulations. The first is
the Sensitivity Graph tool configured to display individual traces, and the second is the Bar Graph tool configured
to display histograms across simulations at special time. These should improve the ability to analyze sensitivity
simulations.
The majority of remaining changes in 5.4 are bug fixes related to model resume, data equations, ODBC
connections to SQL Server and problems with the variable rename function.
In Vensim DSS Only the Venapp command
TIMEAXIS>TIMEBASE|timebasename
Has been added to allow you to set the time base that will be used for graph display and also for interpreting the
@ time when fetching variable values.
5.3a Changes
Online Forum and Version Checking (not Macintosh)
Two commands have been added to the Help menu. Help>Online Forum takes you to an online forum in which
you can post queries about Vensim and dynamic modeling in general. The forums can be read by anyone but you
will need to create a user name and log in to actually post things. The second command Help>Newer Releases
checks to see if the version of Vensim you are using is the most current. Both of these commands work by
opening the default web browser and you will need an active connection to the internet to use them. Neither sends
any information beyond the current Version number of the copy of Vensim you are using.
Modifying Variable Names
A new menu item Edit>Modify Names has been added to the menu that will allow you to globally change variable
names by substituting strings within them. This can be useful after a copy and paste operation in order to line up
variable names more closely with their intended representation.
Windows Explorer Behavior (not Macintosh)
Vensim has been modified so that when you click on a model in Windows Explorer with Vensim already open,
that model is open in the current instance of Vensim rather than a new instance. You can still open a second
instance of Vensim if you like by selecting it from the Start menu.
WIP Graphs (Not PLE)
The automatic display of Work in Progress graphs is now optional, and off by default. To enable display check
"Open WIP Graph on Sim" on the Graphs tab of the Control Panel. If you have embedded a WIP graph in a sketch
it will continue to display during simulation. It is only the creation of new graph windows when there are no
embedded WIP graphs that is prevented.
Equation Editor Navigation (Standard, Pro and DSS only) A previous button <-- has been added to the
navigation buttons on the Equation Editor. This is useful to return to the equation you were last editing after going
to a new equation with Hilite or Sel… (renamed from Choose).
Undefined Subscripts (Pro and DSS only) When subscripted variables contain some elements that are not
defined those elements will not have values. By default the analysis tools will display the names of the subscript
elements, but no values. If you would like to suppress this and only see those subscript combinations that are
defined check the "Skip Undefined" checkbox at the bottom of the subscript control. Note that if none of the
currently selected subscripts elements are defined this may result in the display of a subscript combination that is
not selected.
Editing Subranges (Pro and DSS only) There is not a button on the Full version of the subscript control (Click
on "Full" on the Subscript Control dialog) that will allow you to go to the editor for a Subrange. Just click on the
Subrange and then click on the "---" button to edit.
Command Changes - DSS Only
A number of commands have been added to make it easier to work with Sketches in Venapps
SKETCH>SHOWBEHAVIOR|skid|1 or 0
Turn on and off the display of behavior on the sketch. Note that when SyntheSim is active this will have no
immediate effect since behavior is always shown in SyntheSim mode.
SKETCH>SHOWHIDDEN|skid|n + or –
Change the level to which to show hidden elements. You can use + and – to increase or decrease it, or specify the
level as a number.
SKETCH>SYNTHVISIBLE|skid|O
After entering SyntheSim mode you can specify that you want to restrict the simulation to the variables currently
visible in the sketch. Combining this with SHOWHIDDEN allows you to demonstrate the impact of adding
structure.
SKETCH>RUNVISIBLE|skid|O
This command is used in place of MENU>RUN when you want to restrict the simulation to variables currently
visible on the sketch. Similar to SKETCH>SYNTHVISIBLE but for non SyntheSim simulations.
The above commands work with the Vensim DLL and the MSVC60 example has been modified to show this.
Even if you do not have a C compiler you can run VenMFC.exe in the MSVC60 subdirectory of the DLL
directory to see how this looks.
5.3 Changes
Hiding, Layered Presentations and Simulation (Not PLE or PLE Plus)
The number of depths that variables can be hidden to has been increased to 16. The up and down arrow keys can
be used to change the current hide depth being shown. When the Magic Wand is selected the depths change one at
a time. If the other tools are selected, however, the depths will change so that there is a visible difference (if
nothing is hidden they will just toggle between Hide/Show).
To create a layered presentation use the down arrow to hide things, then click on the Hiding Magic want and use
the up arrow to go to hide level 16. Click on the last things you want to disappear, click on the up arrow to move
to hide level 15 and click on the second last things you want to disappear and so on. Once you have finished click
on the Lock tool and then the up and down arrow keys will move through the layered presentation skipping the
extra hide levels in between.
You can also cause Vensim to simulate only the structure that is currently visible. This is done with the menu item
Models>Partial Simulation>Visible variables. In SyntheSim mode this will cause SyntheSim to be performed only
on the subset of the model currently visible. The up and down arrow keys can then be used to expose structure
and, simultaneously, indicate the behavior change that results from the additional structure. You can also use this
as a method to make more or fewer sliders available for adjustment.
Note that restricting simulation to visible variables means that any variable not defined on the current View will
be held at its initial value. This includes Shadow variables. This is a convenient way to isolate behavior to the
structure you are currently working with, but may require some reorganization of View contents to convey your
message.
Sensitivity Simulations (Not PLE)
Two new options have been added to sensitivity simulations. The first, "Latin Grid" does a grid search over the
probabilistic distribution of the various parameters. This is much like running a multivariate vector search but
allows for non-uniform distributions of parameters so that the parameter space is sampled more coarsely in the
probability tails.
The second, "File" allows you to specify a file of constant changes. This file must be tab delimited with a list of
constants across the top and the values in the lines that follow. The simulations will continue through the end of
the file. This allows you to use any parameter drawings you desire as inputs to the sensitivity analysis.
Cut and Paste (Not PLE or PLE Plus)

When pasting structure you can now specify a prefix and suffix that will be used when renaming variables. This,
allows, for example, the use of sector names to keep variables coherently named and can remove some of the
tedium of renaming the variables that would have ended in 0, 1 and so on. If, after using the prefix and suffix the
variable name is still not unique Vensim will continue to add the numeric suffixes.
Navigation Controls (Not PLE)
The navigation links have been generalized to allow you to switch models, open other files and access web sites in
addition to moving around within a model. Vensim recognizes several file types so that opening a .mdl or .vmf file
will open the model, a .vdf file will set the run name and start a simulation, a .cin file will read in changes, a .vgd
or .vgf file will load the graph definitions, while .vts and .sts files will load the toolsets.
(Not Macintosh) For other file types Vensim will pass the information to the system Shell and attempt to open the
file based on association. For example a .xls file would normally be opened with Excel. To open a web site just
enter the full address (http://www.vensim.com for example) and clicking on the navigation link will cause the
default browser to open at that web location.
(DSS Only) For external files, this functionality is available inside a Venapp using the
FILE>SHELL|fileorwebsite command. For internal file types there are already commands to do the various
things. Referring to a .html file can be used as an alternative to the SPECIAL>WINHELP command.
Export Formats
A Data List format has been added for exporting. This creates a tab delimited file with data in the format
Variable Time Value
or, if you select to show subscripts in columns,
Variable Sub1 Sub2 Sub3 Time Value
This format makes it easier to read the data into databases and also to create Pivot tables. To get the data list
format just select it in the export control dialog or, as a command use VDF2DLIST. The default extension on the
file created is.txt.
Suppressing Sliders in SyntheSim
If you set the minimum and maximum equal for the range of a constant in the equation editor no slider will be
created for that constant in SyntheSim mode.
Graph Definitions
The keyword NO-LEGEND now works with bar graphs to suppress the legend, title or bar labels.
Escape Sequences and Far-Eastern Characters
In addition to using \" to represent double quotes in variable names you can now use \\ for a backslash and \_ for a
hard undebar _. A backslash \ by itself will also appear as a backslash unless it is followed by a \ " or _. These
changes will prevent some problems that occur with double byte character sets.
If you are using a double byte character set be sure to check the option in Model>Settings>Sketch. Note that some
variable names may appear incorrectly in the equation editor because of the use of escape sequences. Do not
change these names in the equation editor; they should appear fine in the sketch and on output.
An option has also been added there to use hard underbars. Normally Vensim treats underbars and spaces as the
same thing. If you want one or more explicit underbars in a variable name, check this option on the
Model>Settings>Sketch dialog and then create or change the variable name. This setting only influences editing, it
does not have any effect on the existing model.
Tool Font Face (PLE and PLE Plus)

You can now set Font Face to be used in tools (and the default Sketch Font Face) from the Options>Options
dialog. This is useful is you prefer something different from Times New Roman, or if you need a face that will
consistently display information (for example a Cyrillic font).
5.2a Changes
Vensim version 5.2a consists largely of small corrections and adjustments. Most of there are related to reference
modes. Problems with the use of Reference Modes in PLE have also been fixed.
Reference Modes
The reference mode tool operation has been modified somewhat to work more smoothly. See the revised Chapter
20 in the User’s Guide.
NOTE: If you open a model containing reference modes in an older version of Vensim the reference mode
information will be lost. The model itself will work and the datasets (.vdf) files associated with the reference
modes can still be used.
ODBC (DSS Only)
For variable names that contain non standard characters (eg R&D) Vensim will automatically put quotes around
the name even if it does not have quotes in the database. In the UPDATE and INSERT commands you can specify
a #literal for VARNAME and this will suppress the variable name. This is useful when you want to update
specific records that do not contain variable names. The same can be done with the :SUB entries.
5.2 Changes
Reference Modes
Vensim version 5.2 allows you to capture and display reference mode behavior right on the model diagrams. By
clicking on the new Reference Mode sketch editing tool you can graphically input reference modes for any
dynamic model variable. This can be used both to capture reference modes in the conceptualization phase of
model development and to work in mental integration skills by specifying patterns of behavior for rates and
viewing the levels that result via simulation. Chapter 20 of the User’s Guide, which is in preliminary form,
provides examples of how to use reference modes in model development and for learning integration skills.
There is an additional tab on the model settings dialog that allows you to manage reverence mode data including
importing and exporting it.
We have made some significant expansions of the capability of Vensim PLE in version 5.2. Vensim PLE
includes the ability to use reference modes and that means that users of Vensim PLE can now make use of data.
Though the ability to use data adds a small amount of complexity this is a small distraction given the benefit of
having access to reference mode editing. The other major addition to Vensim PLE is support for multiple views.
The restriction of a single view, instead of encouraging people to keep models simple, has ended up pushing
people to have very complicated model diagrams. This is not good modeling practice and hopefully allowing
multiple Views in PLE will alleviate this problem. We would still encourage you to keep your models as simple
as possible.
Other Changes
(Not PLE or PLE Plus) The Bar graph now has an option to sort the bars either ascending or descending by value
relative to one of the loaded runs (normally the first would be used, but there is that flexibility). Use the
dropdown box in the options for the Table tool. For custom tables the keyword :SORT has been added. Follow
this by -1 to sort decreasing on the first dataset, 1 increasing on the first, -2 decreasing on the second and so on.
If you ask to sort on a dataset that is bigger than the number loaded the last loaded dataset is used.
Custom Graph naming convention. The names of custom graphs are no longer presented all capitalized, but
mixed upper and lower case is allowed. Spaces are still converted to underbars and, like model variable names,
the names are case insensitive so you can’t create two graphs with names differing only by capitalization.
(Professional and DSS Only) The Advanced tab of the options dialog has two new entries.
(DSS Only) The ODBC connectivity has been modified to speed up data access and also to increase compatibility
with databases running on computers with alternate number formatting settings (commas for decimal markers and
so on).
5.1b Changes
Image copying has been adjusted to provide the older format on Windows versions before 2000 to correct scaling
issues. The GET XLS LOOKUPS function has been corrected to fetch live values before each simulation.
(Not PLE or PLE Plus) The Changes tab of the simulation control dialog has been modified to allow you to write
out the values of All constants and Lookups in the current simulation setup, this is in addition to just those that
have been changed. This is primarily intended as a technique for more completely documenting a simulation run.
(Professional/DSS Only) The new multiple start type RRandom has been added. This is the same are Random,
but also changes the initial search order for Powell optimizations. The optimizer has also been changed to reject
any initial search points that result in floating point exceptions and an option has been added to cap the number of
simulations performed during an optimization.
(DSS/DLL Only) The SIMULATE>SPREADALIAS command has been added – see the DSS Reference
Supplement.
New Allocation Functions (Pro/DSS Only)
We have generalized the allocation logic of the ALLOCATION BY PRIORITY function to allow for different
prioritization shapes, and more control. The new functions are ALLOCATE AVAILABLE, FIND MARKET
PRICE, DEMAND AT PRICE and SUPPLY AT PRICE. These functions are described in Chapter 4 of the
Reference Manual and also in Appendix E of the Reference Manual.
5.1a Changes
Copying Images
With version 5.1 on some computers copying a sketch or the contents of a graph would cause only a portion of the
image to be visible. This problem has been fixed in 5.1a.
Get XLS/123 Indirect File References
(Not PLE) The spreadsheet functions all take as their first argument the name of a file and this means that
renaming the spreadsheet file requires changes to all the functions. You can now indirectly specify a file by
using a blank name or a question mark ? at the beginning of the filename. The tag following the ? will then be
associated with a file. This association can be made from the "XLS Files" tab of the Model Settings dialog
(Model>Settings). If the association has not been made, or the associated file no longer exists, you will be
prompted for a file when you simulate the model.
NOTE You can specify more than one file indirectly. For example you might have '?Data' for use with data
equations and '?Constants' for use with constant equations.
(Not PLE or PLE Plus) If Vensim needs to open Excel in order to access data you can now set a switch to have
Vensim close Excel when Vensim closes. To do this check "Close Excel when exiting Vensim" in the Startup
tab of the Global Options dialog (Tools>Options). If excel was already open it will not be closed. Excel may
display a dialog if any of the files opened in it are marked as changed.
Small Changes
The zoom setting of sketches is now recorded view by view. This makes it easier to set the appropriate zoom for
different parts of a model.
The Fonts2 tab of the Global Options dialog has had another button added to change the font appearing in the
toolbar.
The optimizer now reports the number of floating point exception simulations that occurred during an
optimization.
(Not PLE) It is now possible to import datasets with more than 32,000 data point in a data series.
(DSS and Pro only) The maximum line length in the Text Editor has been increased to 510.
A hard limit of 255 characters has been established for variable names.
(Not PLE or PLE Plus) You can now choose to hide all shadow variables appearing in all views
(Models>Settings>Sketch Appear).
(DLL Only) Some additional options have been added for fetching information about variables, including the
type. See the Chapter 12 of the DSS Reference Supplement for more details.
5.1 Changes
There are two major areas of changes for version 5.1. There first is the addition of a number of functions that are
useful for doing financial computations in models where time can be in different units than those used for the
financial computations. The second, which is for Vensim DSS only, is the addition of input and output
capabilities using ODBC which simplify the integration of Vensim models with databases. There have also been
a number of smaller changes and fixes applied.
Financial Functions (Not PLE or PLE Plus)
Financial functions operate on a fiscal period that can be different from both the time the model is written in and
TIME STEP. During this fiscal period most of these functions accumulate the input and then use the value based
on the total over the fiscal period. At the same time the return values of the functions also depend on the current
value of the inputs. In this sense the variables they create are Auxiliaries, but they are Auxiliaries with memory.
The added functions are DEPRECIATE BY SCHEDULE to do financial depreciation over an irregular schedule,
DEPRECIATE STRAIGHTLINE to do straight line financial depreciation, INTERNAL RATE OF RETURN, to
compute the internal rate of return on an income stream and NET PRESENT VALUE to compute the net present
value with explicit accumulating on fiscal periods (the existing NPV and NPVE functions use a fiscal period equal
to TIME STEP which is not always desirable).
Detailed descriptions of these functions are available in Chapter 4 of the Reference manual.
Data Functions (Not PLE or PLE Plus)
Several new data functions have been added that allow the retrieval of information about data series. These are
useful when you want the model to know something about a data serial. Like the other GET DATA… functions
they are relatively slow and would normally be used in INITIAL equations. The new functions are: GET DATA
MAX, GET DATA MEAN, GET DATA MIN and GET DATA STDV. Details on these are available in Chapter
4 of the Reference manual.
Getting Lookups from Excel (Not PLE)
In addition to getting values for Constants and Data from excel you can now retrieve values for Lookup using the
function GET XLS LOOKUPS. This function takes the same arguments as GET XLS DATA, but retrieves
values for Lookups. Like GET XLS CONSTANTS it reads the spreadsheet when doing model checking and
again when simulating. For those using 123 there is a function GET 123 LOOKUPS to get values. Details in
Chapter 4 of the Reference manual.
ODBC Connectivity (DSS only)
ODBC or Object Data Base Connectivity is a standard protocol for transmitting data to and from different
databases. Most databases, including Access and Oracle, have ODBC drivers which means it is now easy to
communicate with the data sources. ODBC connectivity is described in Chapter 14 of the Vensim DSS
Reference Supplement.
Command Additions (DSS only)
SPECIAL>RUNCOMMAND|commandfile
Use this from within a Venapp or a command file to run another command file or execute and ODBC output
(.vdo) file. Vensim will determine which of these to do based on the file extension.
Automated Script Running (DSS only)
The Simulation Control dialog has had a new tab (Pre/Post) added that allows you to specify command scripts for
pre and post processing. The Pre Processing script will be run before the simulation is made. You can specify
more than one script by separating them by commas. This could be used, for example, to automatically convert a
data file to a .vdf file before a simulation is started.
The Post Processing script will be run after the simulation is completed. In this field you can specify one or more
command (.cmd) or database output (.vdo) files that will be executed automatically after a simulation is
completed. This makes it easy to write results to a database and also to automatically export results to text files
after a simulation is run.
Small Changes and Fixes
Ctrl+B can be used to turn SyntheSim mode on and off (just as B can be used to toggle the display of behavior on
and off).
Payoff reports now have the same name as the run. Thus for each optimization there will be a runname.vdf file
with the final simulation, a runname.out file with the final parameters, a runname.log file with the message history
and, if requested, a runname.rep file with the payoff report.
An external function can now be defined to be a lookup definition function.
The Lookup Editor now displays the graph for the lookup in Blue instead of black to more easily distinguish it
from the background grid.
The use of :LOOK FORWARD: was returning the next data value at times for which a data value existed instead
of the data value. This was not consistent with the documentation and has been corrected in version 5.1.
When an optimization is performed in addition to the runname.out file that shows the results of the optimization a
runname.log file is created that shows output that goes to the error window during optimization. In addition, for
particularly long optimizations, the output to the windows will be truncated and that information will only go to
the log file. Also, the .out file with intermediate results is updated periodically during the optimization in case
there is a power or other failure that prevents a clean closing of Vensim.
5.0c Changes
Version 5.0c contains a number of bug fixes and small changes. Some adjustments have been made to the new
graph styles and these can now be used as work in progress graphs.
European Style Numbers
(Not PLE or PLE Plus) An option has been added to display numbers in European format (xxx.xxx.xxx,xx) on
the Settings tab of the Global Options dialog (Tools>Options). Numbers will be displayed in the selected manner
on tabular and graphical output. Note that all input, and sliders used during SyntheSim, will still use a period .
for the decimal divider.
(Not PLE) When numbers are exported to Tab delimited files there is also a new checkbox that will allow you to
select European number format. This should make it easier to bring the numbers into spreadsheet programs.
Note that because of the syntax of the Vensim modeling language, with commas separating arguments in
functions, it is not possible to use a comma as a decimal place throughout. Thus, while Vensim will still require
you to be numerically facile, the above changes should make it easier to show work to others who are not.
Clipboard Format for Exporting
Export from tables now puts information into the clipboard in a native Excel format in addition to the text format.
This will make it easier to import information into Excel, especially for European language versions. If the older
text format is preferred use the Paste Special command from the receiving application.
Analysis Tools for PLE, PLE Plus and Model Reader
An additional analysis tool – Table Time Down – has been added to Vensim PLE, PLE Plus and the Model
Reader. This tool makes it easier to view and copy data from models with large numbers of times. This tool is
also contained in the built in toolset for the other configurations.
Units Checking from Equation Editor
The equation Editor now has a button labeled Units: that can be used to check the units of the current equation. If
the units are OK then a message will appear at the bottom of the dialog saying so. If there is a problem with units
on the right hand side of the equation a message stating this will appear at the bottom. For details on the error
you will need to use the Units Check function. If the right hand side units can be determined, but do not match
the units specified a message will be displayed asking if you want to replace the current units with those indicated
by the right hand side. If there are no units currently specified and the units for the right hand side of the
equation can be determined these will be inserted as the current units.
Subranges in the Equation Editor (Professional and DSS Only)
When subranges appear on the left hand side of an equation and new variables are added to the equation the
Equation Editor will attempt to match those subscripts to what appears on the left of the equation. This should
decrease the number of times it is necessary to overwrite the subscripts automatically put in.
Format Specification in Table Tool (not PLE or PLE Plus)
In addition to the Pretty/Scientific choice you can now specify the format for output from the Table tool. Just
enter the C formatting string in the options dialog. Typically you would want to enter %.4g for 4 significant
digits, %.5g for 5 and so on. This can be handy if you want to control the number of digits displayed.
5.0b Changes
Version 5.0b includes a number of bug fixes and small changes along with a preliminary form of the new custom
graphs.
Custom Graphs
Version 5.0b includes a number of new representations for custom graphs including 3d Graphs, Ribbon Graphs
and Area Graphs. These can be accessed from the Custom Graph editor by selecting a different graph type. For
example the type Ribbon displays as:
Ribbon Graph for Population

20 B
10 B
0
1900
1950
2000
2050
2100
Base run (Person)
... alternate (Person)
The new custom graph formats are in a preliminary form. There are a number of scaling, margin and font size
issues that need to be addressed. In addition, the graphs can’t be used for the selection of workbench variables.
We will also be redoing the graph definition process in the next Vensim release to allow more control over graph
appearance. Nonetheless, you can still get some pretty nice results with the current definition interface.
The new graph formats are both backward and forward compatible. A graph defined using a new format will be
displayed in the old custom graph format in older Vensim versions. While the layout and proportions of the
graph elements may be slightly different in future Vensim releases, the graph content will be the same.
Other Changes
Bitmaps can now be placed onto a Sketch View directly from a .bmp file rather than by going through the
clipboard. In addition, Vensim now maintains the original bitmap image file size, rather than the large files that
it used to create. If you have an existing model with embedded bitmaps you may wish to bring those in again to
reduce file sizes.
(NOT PLE) Added the menu item "from .dat format" to the Model menu to allow importing data files laid out in
the .dat format but having different extensions (such as .err). This simplifies loading of report output files
created during optimization.
(DSS & Professional only)Variables specified in savelists can now use Subscript Ranges to save parts of a
Subscripted variable. Similarly, Custom Tables use subscripts the same way Custom Graphs do.
(DSS only) Note that the installer no longer associates .cmd files with Vensim as this file type is a system file
type for Windows NT/2K/XP. If you want to restore .cmd files to their system default use the regedit program to
change the association of .cmd under HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT from "Vensim.script" to "cmdfile". If you want
to start a script you will need to start it from within Vensim or by passing the name of the command script when
starting Vensim.
5.0a Changes
The most important changes in 5.0a relate to the documentation. A new chapter has been added to the Reference
manual, two chapters in the modeling guide completed, the User Guide cleaned up and the graphics corrected for
proper screen presentation. A number of bugs and annoyances have also been cleaned up in the software.
When a floating point error occurs in SyntheSim a message will appear in the status bar at the bottom indicating
what has happened. This is helpful for understanding why the graphs are behaving unexpectedly.
When creating custom Stack Graphs you can specify how many variables you want stacked. The remaining
variables will just be graphed as ordinary variables.
(Not PLE or PLE Plus) The simulation control dialog now has a Set button. Clicking on the Set button will start
or return you to Simulation Setup mode.
(Not PLE or PLE Plus) The Bar graph options dialog has changed and will also allow you to construct histograms
across subscript ranges.
(Not PLE or PLE Plus) In the equation editor you can use Ctrl+PgUp and Ctrl_PgDn to mover from one variable
to the next. Ctrl+ and Ctrl+↓↓ move between equations for variables with multiple equations.

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Vensim 5.

Release Notes (README) for Vensim

Printing with IO objects on the screen could still cause trouble.

is a useful one where desired simulation time is expressed in seconds.

Running SyntheSim on packaged models could cause Vensim to close.

Vertical rescaling was placing everything in the same place.

Cut and Paste (Not PLE or PLE Plus)

Tool Font Face (PLE and PLE Plus)

Ribbon Graph for Population

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