topic Re: How to use layout automation with the Experimenter? in FlexSim Forum

How to use layout automation with the Experimenter?

guiroehe — Thu, 30 Jan 2025 15:36:40 GMT

[ FlexSim 25.0.2 ]

Hello,

please see the attached model. In it I am trying to dynamically configure a model layout. However, I could not find a way to make it work properly in the Experimenter, despite it works manually.

Thank you for your help.

experimenterdropuserlibraryobject.zip

Re: How to use layout automation with the Experimenter?

joerg_vogel_HsH — Thu, 30 Jan 2025 16:06:18 GMT

Some actions require a reset of a model. This is a not a default feature of a running flexsim model to be started from within again. But you can call an external program, scheduler or something similar to start a model by a comand line. This brings you near to your requested feature.

A classic approach is to build all possible transformations in one model and then you restrict connections in experiments.

Re: How to use layout automation with the Experimenter?

guiroehe — Thu, 30 Jan 2025 16:20:41 GMT

Hi, @Joerg Vogel ,

thank you for your answer. The example I sent uses the "onStartOfReplication" as the experimenter does not have an "onStartOfScenario" to be set before the replications are started to run. I believe that would solve the request, as the layout configuration could be done in that point of the execution flow, before each replication is loaded and reset, hence ensuring integrity of the model.

On a different attempt, I tried to call the layout configuration function during the onReset, but it also does not work.

The problem with external commands in this case is that it is not easily transferable to other users and it creates difficulties to keep all information in the same results file for output analysis (it is not impossible, just adds complexity to other users).

Any other suggestions I could try or that could make this work, please?

Thank you!

Re: How to use layout automation with the Experimenter?

joerg_vogel_HsH — Thu, 30 Jan 2025 17:01:06 GMT

As I said, there are actions that need a reset to compile the model. And this is actually doable after a model runstop, reset and start model run again. You are not the first person who tries to change a model layout while experiments are running. It gets even more complicated because an experiment is an instance of a static model copied into an additional cpu thread.

Some of very first versions of FlexSim were depending on an external visual studio compiler. Currently versions have an integrated compiler.

Re: How to use layout automation with the Experimenter?

guiroehe — Thu, 30 Jan 2025 17:04:36 GMT

Hi, @Joerg Vogel , I understand what you say. So there is no current solution for this, would you confirm? Thank you.

Re: How to use layout automation with the Experimenter?

jason_lightfoot_adsk — Fri, 31 Jan 2025 13:47:59 GMT

Perform your build/layout actions as part of parameter OnSet - then you can use those parameters in the experimenter to construct your scenarios.

Re: How to use layout automation with the Experimenter?

guiroehe — Fri, 31 Jan 2025 15:28:56 GMT

Hi, @Jason Lightfoot ,

yep, I tried that as my first method. But I faced a bug that is reported here (unfortunately not answered yet):

https://answers.flexsim.com/questions/175178/bug-parameters-on-set-event-is-triggered-before-va.html

That is what thrown me off to a path of trying the model's "onReset" and then the experimenter's "onStartOfReplication". If you have any Ideas about how to sort out the issue with the onSet, I believe it could work.

Thank you!

Re: How to use layout automation with the Experimenter?

jason_lightfoot_adsk — Fri, 31 Jan 2025 16:57:58 GMT

Here's an example of using a parameter to choose a Model Layout.

ExperimentLayoutScenario.fsm

Re: How to use layout automation with the Experimenter?

guiroehe — Sun, 02 Feb 2025 17:26:44 GMT

Thank you, @Jason Lightfoot ,

this is really helpful!

Re: How to use layout automation with the Experimenter?

guiroehe — Thu, 06 Feb 2025 18:13:10 GMT