Lesson 5 - The GoldSim Model Library

Throughout this Course we looked at on the order of sixty Examples and Exercises. Because the purpose of each Example or Exercise was to describe a particular feature or capability in GoldSim, all of these models were necessarily quite simple, generally consisting of no more than perhaps ten elements. Although these models are useful for learning basic concepts, such simple models are generally not detailed enough to realistically represent real-world systems.  Models that are used to represent real systems are much more complex, consisting of hundreds or even thousands of individual elements.

So in order to take the next step with GoldSim, you will need to learn how to integrate smaller components into a larger, coherent model.  As we discussed in Unit 9, to a large extent, this can be facilitated through the use of Containers, which allow you to construct large, hierarchical models.

In addition to following the general approach outlined in the previous Lesson, perhaps the best way to learn how to build larger models is to actually look at some.  If you have other, more experienced GoldSim users in your organization, you should certainly explore and study their models.  If this is not possible, however, another excellent resource you can take advantage of is the GoldSim Model Library.

The Model Library contains a collection of example models that allow you to see how specific features of GoldSim can be used and/or how GoldSim can be used for specific applications. Although most of the models are small, some are quite large, and almost all of them are more complex than the simple Examples and Exercises we’ve worked on in this Course.  As a result, an excellent way to continue to learn about building models in GoldSim is to visit and explore the Model Library, and you are strongly encouraged to do so.