How the Documentation is Organized
The Help system is divided into the following sections:
Welcome to GoldSim Help. This section (i.e., the one you are currently viewing) provides basic information regarding the software, such as system requirements, how to use the Help system, how to obtain technical support, and how to manage your license.
Getting Started with GoldSim. This section describes what GoldSim is, and how it differs from other simulation approaches, provides recommendations for learning how to use the software, and discusses system and user requirements. It also discusses the GoldSim extension modules.
Building a Model in GoldSim. This section describes the GoldSim user interface, and presents all of the techniques required for creating, editing, and navigating a GoldSim model. Before trying to experiment with GoldSim, it is highly recommended that you read this section in order to familiarize yourself with these basic techniques.
Using the GoldSim Elements. GoldSim models are built using a wide variety of model objects (referred to as elements). This section describes the details of using the basic elements in GoldSim.
Simulating Discrete Events. In many systems, processes occur that are discrete as opposed to continuous. These discrete occurrences are referred to within GoldSim as events. This section describes the GoldSim elements that you can use to simulate the occurrence and consequences of discrete events.
Customizing the Interface. This section provides instructions for customizing the appearance of the user interface to meet your specific needs.
Running a Model. After you have created a model, you need to run the model in order to produce results. This section describes the details of how to control your simulation (e.g., specify its duration), specify the types of results you wish to save, and run the model.
Displaying Results in GoldSim. This section describes how you can view (via charts and tables), analyze, and present model results.
Documenting and Presenting Your Model. GoldSim was specifically designed to allow you to effectively document, explain and present your model. This section describes how you can add graphics, explanatory text, notes and hyperlinks to your model, and organize it in a hierarchical manner such that it can be presented at an appropriate level of detail to multiple target audiences.
Advanced Modeling Concepts. This section describes advanced and powerful capabilities of GoldSim that you will want to take advantage of once you become comfortable with the program, including using and manipulating arrays (vectors and matrices) in your models, simulating discrete events, and linking GoldSim to a database.
In addition to these sections, there is a separate section for each of GoldSim’s extension modules (Distributed Processing Module, Dashboard Authoring Module, Financial Module, Reliability Module, and Contaminant Transport Module).
Note: The Reliability Module and the Contaminant Transport Module are licensed separately.
In addition to this Help system, GoldSim is also described in PDF User’s Guides (one for GoldSim itself, as well as one for each extension module). The GoldSim Help system includes all the information contained in the User’s Guides, with the following exception: a number of User’s Guides include Technical Appendices, and these are NOT included in the Help system. The User’s Guides are available for download from the GoldSim website.