Learning to Use GoldSim

Although GoldSim’s intuitive interface will tempt you to simply dive in and start playing with the software, you are strongly discouraged from doing so, even if you are an experienced modeler. Spending time up front (by following the steps outlined below) is the most efficient way to understand the software’s features and capabilities and start building models in GoldSim.

1. Take the GoldSim Tutorial. The GoldSim Tutorial is accessed by selecting Help | Tutorial… from the main GoldSim menu. It can also be accessed directly here. The GoldSim Tutorial presents the basic concepts on which GoldSim is based and provides an overview of GoldSim’s key features and capabilities. After taking the Tutorial (which takes perhaps one or two hours), you will have sufficient understanding to start using the software, and will get more out of the information presented in the Help topics. This is the minimum that you must do before using GoldSim.
2. Take the Online Training Course. Although the Tutorial is of value to quickly get an overview of GoldSim, it provides a very simple introduction to the most basic GoldSim concepts. The best and most effective way to learn GoldSim is to take a full training course (Introduction to GoldSim). This free, “hands-on” self-paced course will provide you with a thorough understanding of the key concepts on which GoldSim is based and all of the fundamentals required to build complex models of nearly any kind of system. Because the Course is quite thorough, it will likely take as long as 40 hours to complete. Of course, if you are already somewhat familiar with simulation (and/or have a strong quantitative background), you may in fact be able to cover the material in considerably less than 40 hours. This is the best and most effective way to learn GoldSim. Note that the Online Training Course always describes that latest version of GoldSim (which will typically be slightly different than older versions).
3. Open and explore the Example Files. When you install GoldSim, a folder labeled "General Examples" is installed with the program. (You can quickly access these files by selecting File|Open Example… from the main GoldSim menu). The example model files show how to use each of the elements (the examples are referenced in the Help system and User’s Guide where the element is introduced). These example model files are an excellent way to begin to experiment with GoldSim. While exploring the files, use GoldSim’s context-sensitive Help (i.e., the Help button in each dialog) to access a detailed discussion of the element. (Note that these example files are installed in such a way that to edit and save them, you must “Save As”, which prevents the original files from being overwritten).
4. Download Example Files from the Model Library. The GoldSim Help Center contains a Model Library with a number of models illustrating how GoldSim can be used for particular applications. These models tend to be more complex than the simple example files found in the General Examples folder, but still relatively simple. Again, while exploring the files, use GoldSim’s context-sensitive Help (i.e., the Help button in each dialog) to learn more about particular elements or features utilized in the model.
5. Browse the User’s Guide or Help System. GoldSim has a large number of features, and you will not discover all of them by experimenting with simple example models. To fully utilize GoldSim’s powerful features, browse through the User’s Guide, using the index and table of contents as your guide. Each section of the User’s Guide is heavily cross-referenced, so it is easy to just jump around. Note that the Help system contains all of the contents of the User’s Guide, with the exception of the technical appendices.
6. Request your free one hour web-based training session. When you purchase GoldSim, you are entitled to a free one hour, live web-based training session in which one of our analysts provides an interactive training session via the Internet and telephone. You are strongly encouraged to take advantage of this free training.
7. Contact us with questions. When you purchase GoldSim, you are entitled to one year of free support. This does not include assistance in building and debugging your models, but it does include answering questions on how to use GoldSim’s features, so feel free to contact us!