Images and Graphics

This article is part of the GoldSim Style Guide. For an introduction, please start here.

Image files used in your model become part of the model file and therefore will add to the overall model file size. Because of this, you should try to minimize images used in the model. A general rule of thumb should be to use vector drawings when possible and only use raster images when there is no other way (i.e. photography).

Element Icons

Use GoldSim’s default icon and size for all elements except for Containers. The default icon provides context to your model. For example, if a user can see a Sum element it is immediately known what the function is. In the screen capture below, it is helpful to see the default element icons because they provide additional context to the reader. Just looking at the elements will reveal where the inputs, events, conditional status, and the if/then logic are. This provides us with a lot of information without even opening any of the element properties. Replacing these icons with other images would obscure the functionality.

Because you can use localized Containers to represent physical objects within the system you are modeling, custom icons might be useful here. In these cases, you should generate an EMF file for the custom icon by following the instructions here.

Element Icon Size

In most cases. You should use the default size of all elements. You can reset the size and icon of an element by right-clicking and choosing Appearance then click Reset.

Embedded Images

Embedding images into the graphics pane can help provide context to the calculations and background to what the model is trying to do. We recommend the use of images to a limited extent. Always choose vector drawings over raster graphics because these are typically much smaller in size and render nicely in GoldSim. Some images like photographs can only be saved in raster format and therefore should be saved at the lowest possible resolution that still looks good but doesn’t cause the file size of the model to bloat.

Creating Vector Drawings

The simplest way to embed a vector drawing into GoldSim is to draw it into the graphics pane using the drawing tools provided by GoldSim.  

The benefit of doing it this way is that you have the source of your drawing saved with the model so if you ever make changes in the future, it is easy found and edited. The downside is that you are somewhat limited in what you can draw when compared to the tools in MS Power Point or a vector drawing tool.

Importing Vector Drawings

If you decide to create your drawing outside of GoldSim, follow the steps described here. The recommended steps to inserting new vector drawings into the graphics pane are as follows:

1. Open Power Point
2. Draw the image using Power Point drawing functions
3. Click on the image so that it is selected
4. Right-click on the image and select “Save as Picture…”
5. When the “Save as Picture” dialogue window appears, choose Enhanced Windows Metafile (EMF) from the drop list of file types to save as
6. Save the file
7. In GoldSim, use the Insert | Image… feature to load the image into GoldSim

The recommended steps to inserting existing vector drawings into the graphics pane are as follows:

1. Copy an EMF or SVG drawing to the clipboard
2. Open Power Point
3. Paste the image
4. Right-click on the image and select “Group” --> “Ungroup…”
5. You will be prompted to convert the drawing. Click Yes. Now it becomes an EMF that will render nicely in the graphics pane
6. Right-click on the image and select “Save as Picture…”
7. When the “Save as Picture” dialogue window appears, choose Enhanced Windows Metafile (EMF) from the drop list of file types to save as
8. Save the file
9. In GoldSim, use the Insert | Image… feature to load the image into GoldSim

For more information about how to embed images into GoldSim, please refer to this article: File Formats of Images Inserted into GoldSim.

Alignment Tools

Use the alignment tools in the graphical toolbar to align images if needed.

Influence Line Colors and Shapes

Use the default global influence line colors and shapes for the different types of information, as seen in the Container properties dialog.

If needed, modify the color of influences to highlight key relationships. Colors can be used to identify the type of information flowing, and in some cases this can be useful.  To change the color of a single influence line, right-click and choose color. 

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