Creating Modelica models

In this section, we will explain how to create and modify Modelica models. While the key features are described below, please refer to the Modelica Editor manual for a more detailed description of the GUI functionality.

The first point to clarify is that there are two main workflows for creating Modelica models in Simcenter Amesim. In the first workflow (which we will call the “local workflow”), you start from the mainSimcenter Amesim GUI and create an empty Modelica icon as a placeholder for your Modelica model. You then proceed to populate that icon with Modelica content using the Modelica Editor and synchronize your changes back in the Simcenter Amesim GUI. This workflow is good for creating stand-alone models that are not intended to be part of a larger Modelica library.  It is called the “local workflow” because the contents of the Modelica model you create in this way are stored locally within your .ame file.

In the second workflow (which we will call the “library workflow”), you start from the Modelica Editor and work on your libraries. You then select the model you wish to simulate and add it to your Simcenter Amesim sketch. This workflow is good for working with Modelica libraries (pre-existing or user-defined) that contain multiple classes. It is called the “library workflow” because you’re working with existing Modelica libraries stored in .mo files. The local submodel that is simulated in Simcenter Amesim is merely referencing a model that is defined within the loaded libraries.

We will cover both of the local and library workflows in this section. As you will soon see, the separation between the workflows is not strict. You can move locally stored Modelica models into .mo libraries and vice-versa. The distinction is merely to orient you towards different ways to store / reference their Modelica models.