ExtendSim 10 was released October 12, 2018. The most recent update was to 10.0.9 on April 5, 2022.

If you are using ExtendSim 9 or earlier, please update to 9.3 or upgrade to ExtendSim 10.

To see the complete history of ExtendSim, go to the Evolution of ExtendSim.

See the ExtendSim Product Advisor.

Most companies find it cost effective to install a mix of ExtendSim license types depending on team member usage. Our suggested guidelines are:

• If it's just you using ExtendSim, or if multiple simulationists will be using ExtendSim full or almost full time, order an Individual license for each user's device.
• If there are 3 or more who use ExtendSim part time rather than regularly, a Floating license could be more cost effective than multiple Individual licenses. The Floating license allows ExtendSim to be installed on any number of computers, with concurrent usage restricted to a specified maximum number (you choose how many). It is Client/Server based and users can check out ExtendSim from the network for remote use.
• If you have multiple simulationists, but only want to install ExtendSim on one device (eg. a computer in a secure environment), you need a Node-Locked license. The Node-Locked license allows multiple ExtendSim users to work sequentially on a single device.

All 3 license types are available for all Model Developer Editions of ExtendSim (Pro, DE, and CP) and the Analysis RunTime version of ExtendSim.

The ExtendSim License Agreement for an Individual license states:

"A single identified individual (the “Authorized User”) may use the Software. The Software may be used by the Authorized User only for the Company’s own internal business purposes or for your own personal use (if you are an individual), as applicable. Shared use, use by more than one individual, or use over a local-area network (LAN), a wide-area network (WAN), or the internet is prohibited under this License Option."

This means you are permitted one activation of your ExtendSim license for your own use. You may move your license from one of your computers to another at any time. But will have to deactivate ExtendSim on the first computer before it can be activated on a second as ExtendSim will not permit an additional activation. See Moving or transferring ExtendSim from one computer to another.

Details on activating and deactivating ExtendSim licenses can also be found in the document Installing & Activating • Individual Licenses.

Within the first 30 days of purchase, registered users are entitled to 100% trade-in credit for each Individual license converted to a station on a comparable or higher Floating or Node-Locked license product.

If it has been more than 30 days since purchase, registered users with a current license are entitled to 75% trade-in credit for each Individual license converted to a station on a comparable or higher Floating or Node-Locked license product.

If you are using a version prior to the current version, the trade-in credit will be reduced by the price of the upgrade.

Software refund policy

In keeping with software industry standards, software cannot be returned. An Activation Key and download link is provided, but no physical product is shipped so there is nothing to be returned. Imagine That Inc. offers a complimentary 30-day trial of ExtendSim for evaluation. It is assumed that the buyer has reviewed his/her product of choice and is completely satisfied with its quality before effecting actual purchase of said product. If you have not taken advantage of the Trial version, please do so before purchasing any of our products. With knowledge of the above, no refund/return request should be solicited by the buyer/user on such basis.

Training refund policy

See Training Cancellation Policy.

Does ExtendSim have a VPAT showing its compliance with Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act (accessibility of data and information to people with disabilities)?

Yes. Please see ExtendSim Section 508 VPAT (Voluntary Product Accessibility Template).

We could set up dozens of matrixes and comparative documents that boast about how awesome ExtendSim is and slant the results in our favor since we would be 'authoring the study'. But that's not right as your needs are vastly different than most others. We are happy to give you guidance about how ExtendSim is designed and how it would handle the various challenges you could put it up against. But in the end, you are the best determinant of which tool would best suit your particular needs.

So, ask us questions - any question - and we're happy to tell you how ExtendSim works and compares to other simulation packages.

You can run ExtendSim on a Macintosh computer, just not natively. ExtendSim is a Windows application, but there is a way to run Windows applications like ExtendSim on Macintosh computers.

Solution -- Install a 64-bit version of Windows, such as 11 or 10 and an emulator on your Macintosh. For the emulator, you can use Boot Camp Assistant (installed with the Mac OS in the Utilities folder under Applications) or install the emulation software Parallels (www.parallels.com). During installation, the emulator will request the Windows OS installer to complete the process. Once the installation of the Windows OS is complete, boot the Windows OS in the emulator, install and activate ExtendSim, and start modeling!

Note: The Trial version of ExtendSim does not run on a virtual machine (VM) and a Mac running the Windows operating system is considered a VM. You can install the Trial version on a VM, but in order to launch the software you must activate it using an Activation Key or, in the case of a Floating license, a license file from your ExtendSim License Manager.

Under the terms of the ExtendSim Software License Agreement, a corporate or government entity may designate another employee or contractor working for the company as the “new” Authorized User of an ExtendSim license provided the following four (4) conditions are met:

(i) The rights of the “original” Authorized User to use the Software are permanently discontinued and the Software is permanently removed from the computer of the “original” Authorized User (if the “new” Authorized User uses a different computer).

(ii) The Software is installed on the computer of the “new” Authorized User as permitted in Sections 2 and 3 of the ExtendSim Software License Agreement.

(iii) If permitted under your security procedures, the “new” Authorized User is identified as the “registered user” of the Software to Imagine That!.

(iv) Such change in designated Authorized User of the Software may not occur more than once in a calendar year.

To request a license transfer, download and complete the Change Designated Authorized User form.

Two signatures are required:

• the signature of the "new" Authorized User,
• and either the signature of the "original" Authorized User or (if that person isn't available) a manager or someone else at the company who is aware of the transfer

NOTE: Before your colleague can activate ExtendSim on their device, you must revoke the license from your device. To do this, use the Help > Revoke License Activation command in ExtendSim. (If you can't launch ExtendSim to revoke it on your device, contact Imagine That Inc.

ExtendSim is computer software that is designated EAR99, which means it is not specifically controlled for export.

As an exported item, ExtendSim falls under the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) as administered by the US Department of Commerce's Bureau of Industry and Security, the US State Department's Directorate of Defense Trade Controls, and the US Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control.

ExtendSim is subject to the EAR, but it is designated EAR99 because it is not listed on the CCL (Commerce Control List) for Category 4 (Computers), Product Group D (Software), or for any other CCL Category or Product Group. Therefore, ExtendSim does not require an ECCN (Export Control Classification Number) and does not, in and of itself, require an export license. However, you still must obtain an export license if the shipment that includes ExtendSim will be:

• going to an embargoed country.
• going to an end-user of concern.
• used in support of a prohibited end-use.

Not a problem!

ExtendSim 10

• For complete instructions, see Moving or transferring ExtendSim from one computer to another.
• Before you get rid of your previous computer, you must remove the license from the previous device using the Help > Revoke License command (or the Help > Deactivate ExtendSim command if prior to ExtendSim 10.0.5). If you don't do this, you won't be able to automatically activate on your new device.
• Then, download the Trial version of your ExtendSim 10 product to the new device and use your Activation Key to activate ExtendSim 10 on the new device.

If you are still using ExtendSim 9 or other retired release...

• Go to Settings > Apps and uninstall ExtendSim 9 from your old device.
• Use the original installer file you either downloaded from the ExtendSim Store or from your original CD to install on the new device. Then, be sure you are using the newest release as discussed in Updating ExtendSim.

. . . and have my students open it in their Student versions of ExtendSim?

No, but there is a work-around.

The Student version of ExtendSim can open models built in or shipped with ExtendSim Student or in an activated Model Developer Edition of the software, but cannot open models built and saved in a Trial version.

So, if you build a model in a Trial version of ExtendSim, purchase and activate that license, then re-save the model in the activated license so it can be opened in a Student version.

If your university is an ExtendSim Adopter or owns a Floating license of ExtendSim and you are attending class remotely, follow the instructions in Remote Installation of ExtendSim on a Client Device for a Floating License. This document instructs you on how to install ExtendSim on your device and access the ExtendSim license owned by your university.

Follow the detailed instructions in Installing & Activating - Floating Licenses to install ExtendSim on Client devices.

• The Floating license of ExtendSim is typically installed in an environment where the Client device is used by only one person. This works well for academic institutions if students and professors install ExtendSim on their own computers (the Clients) since it allows ExtendSim to be used on the network or checked out from the network (roaming) for up to 30 days.
  
  If each device will only be used by one person, follow the instructions under Client Devices • Installation & Activation of the Installing & Activating document.
• If instead you are installing ExtendSim on devices intended for use by multiple persons, such as in a lab environment, please note these special instructions:
• As you install on each multi-user computer, when you get to the ExtendSim installer’s Installing User Documents section, select a location on the target machine that the students will have read/write access to. For example, you might select C:\Users\Public\Public Documents as the Destination Folder. This will install user-modifiable files at the root of the C drive.
• To activate ExtendSim on a Client device, copy the license file (extendsim.lic) that was created during License Manager activation to the folder selected in the User Documents section of the installer. In the example, this would be C:\Users\Public\Public Documents\ExtendSim10.
• Give the Users group full (not just read/write) access to the folder that has the user-modifiable files.
• Note: At the end of their sessions, students should save their models (.mox) files to locations where other users won't interfere with and/or copy their work. However, they should use a local copy while doing work. Models will run slowly if they reside on an external drive or in the cloud.

Enjoy it for 30 days from the date you first launch ExtendSim. Once you reach the end of that month – if you haven’t already purchased the product – that free Trial period will end. All the model files and blocks you created during that Trial period will still be yours, but ExtendSim will no longer launch on your system. However, you will still have access to the Activation dialog where you can purchase and/or activate ExtendSim.

Each time you launch ExtendSim in Trial mode, the Activation Dialog appears. The number of days remaining in your Trial period is in the upper right corner of the dialog.

When you first launch the Trial version of ExtendSim, you have 30 days to try it out. Once you reach the end of that month – if you haven’t already purchased the product – that free Trial period will end. All the model files and blocks you created during the Trial period will still be yours, but ExtendSim will no longer launch on your system.

If you try to download and install another Trial version to get another 30 days, it won't work. Your system will only allow one free trial period.

Absolutely! All the model files and blocks you create during your 30-day Trial period will seamlessly open in the comparable Model Developer Edition once activated...whether it's an Individual, Floating, or Node-Locked ExtendSim license. (Just be aware that if you build a model in a more feature-filled package like ExtendSim Pro, your model will not open properly in DE or CP if you have used blocks from the Reliability or Rate module in that model.)

And, once you activate your license, you'll notice the Trial version watermark on the model worksheet will disappear.

Please note, if you build a model in a Trial version and share it with someone who has a Student version of ExtendSim, they will not be able to open your model. Student versions can only open models built in an activated MDE license or from another Student version.

Yes. As long as the model you want to run was built in a Model Developer Edition of ExtendSim, you will be able to run it in Trial mode. (Just be aware that when running models in the Trial version, models open with a Trial version watermark behind the model on its worksheet.)

Please make sure you are using the same ExtendSim package the model developer used to create the model. For example, if your colleague built a model using ExtendSim Pro, you would need to be using the Trial version of ExtendSim Pro, not DE or CP as they may not have the proper components to run the model.

No. It is identical to a Model Developer Edition of ExtendSim with the exception of few things:

• ExtendSim will only launch for 30 days in Trial mode. After that, it must be activated to a fully licensed version.
• When you open or build models in Trial mode, you will see a Trial version watermark behind each model. This watermark gets saved with the model. To get rid of the watermark, activate your ExtendSim license and re-save the model.
• Models built and saved in a Trial version of ExtendSim cannot be opened in ExtendSim Student. if you build a model in a Trial version of ExtendSim, purchase and activate that license, then re-save the model in the activated license so it can be opened in a Student version.

. . . stating Trial Version in the background of every model. How do I get rid of that?

Purchase and activate ExtendSim Pro, DE, or CP. Open, run, then re-save the model in the activated license to remove the Trial Version watermark.

No. The Trial is the same as ExtendSim Pro, DE, or CP with alternate licensing.

No. The Cloud license is headless so there's no way to access dialogs to "try" it.

No. As stated in the ExtendSim End User License Agreement regarding the Trial versions:

"... You shall not use the Trial version for any purpose other than the sole purpose of evaluating the Software to determine whether to purchase the Software."

It is not recommended to use a Trial version to build models for commercial use unless you are planning to purchase the software within the 30-day trial window. At the end of the 30-day trial period, the software no longer opens so you will no longer have the ability to open, run, or make changes to your model.

An annual Maintenance & Support Plan (MSP) covers support, upgrades, updates, replacement and updated Activation Keys, and more. For details, please see Maintenance & Support Plan.

An MSP is required for all products except Trial, Analysis RunTime, and Player RunTime. The first year of Maintenance & Support is included in the purchase price of ExtendSim.

The Maintenance & Support Plan for your ExtendSim license begins the day you activate your software.

The renewal date is then visible on the start up screen each time you launch ExtendSim or accessible by going to the Help menu and selecting About ExtendSim.

Absolutely. Contact Imagine That Inc. and let us know which date works best for your team to renew your ExtendSim licenses. We can synchronize the renewal dates of your licenses to reflect a common MSP start and end date, regardless of when each product was first activated. Prorated charges will apply. We'd be happy to work up a quote for you.

The annual Maintenance & Support Plan (MSP) is renewable one year from date of purchase (or on your pre-established renewal date) and each year thereafter. How to renew depends on the type of license you own and how you want to pay:

Individual, Node-Locked, & Analysis RunTime licenses

Go to Maintenance & Support Plan Renewal in the ExtendSim Store to pay by credit card. Choose the package you are renewing  and include its ExtendSim Activation Key plus the contact information for the end user.

If you prefer to pay via check or ACH/EFT, check the MSP Annual Renewal Fee chart to determine the cost and part number for your renewal. Submit your PO to . Be sure to include the Activation Key for the product you are renewing.

Floating & Cloud licenses

Contact Imagine That Inc. for renewal fees and payment options.

No. You will keep the same activation key for your ExtendSim 10 license. Renewal is managed and updated through the Reprise License Manager (RLM). After renewing your MSP, we update RLM with your new renewal date. The next time you launch ExtendSim, the software reaches out to the RLM server and acquires the new renewal date.

If your computer is not connected to the internet, let us know when you rewew your MSP. We can send you a license file that you can use to manually update the renewal date of your software.

Click on the icon for the ExtendSim package you wish to upgrade to. You'll be able to pay for your upgrade and download a Trial version of 10 from here.

Not sure which package you want to upgrade to? Check the ExtendSim Product Advisor.        

Depends on the type of models you're building. If you're building discrete event models, upgrade to ExtendSim DE. If you are using the blocks from the Rate library in your models or want to use the new Reliability components, upgrade to ExtendSim Pro.

For more details on which package may work best for you, use the ExtendSim Product Advisor.

ExtendSim 10 is upwardly compatible and will read in models built in legacy ExtendSim versions 9, 8, and 7.

If you created a custom library in a legacy version, before opening the model using the custom libraries, open the custom library. Go to Library > Library Tools > Compile Libraries... Select your custom library and click Compile Selected Libraries. This will recompile the library creating an ExtendSim 10 library with a .lbr extension. Then, open the model in ES10.

For complete details on upgrading to ExtendSim 10, please see Transitioning to ExtendSim 10.

Note: ExtendSim 10 is not backwardly compatible. Models and blocks you build in ExtendSim 10 cannot be read by earlier versions, such as ExtendSim 9 or ExtendSim 8.

You cannot copy objects in models (graphics, text, hierarchical blocks, databases, etc.) from release 9 or earlier directly into ExtendSim 10. Instead you must open the model file in ES 10. Then, ExtendSim will convert it to an ExtendSim 10 file.

When upgrading an ExtendSim 9 Network license to an ExtendSim 10 Floating license, there are special considerations to take into account so you can have a complete and successful transition to ExtendSim 10.

Unlike earlier upgrades, ExtendSim 10 is a complete rewrite of the ExtendSim product. Therefore, we expect that customers who upgrade from releases prior to ExtendSim 10 might need additional time to convert their models and libraries to the new format.

As stated in Installing & Activating • Floating Licenses, you may keep the Network license of ExtendSim 9 and its upgrade, the Floating license of ExtendSim 10, installed and running simultaneously for an up to a six (6) month transition period after the Floating license of ExtendSim 10 has been activated. 

We understand and accept that the simultaneous installation of both releases might result in ExtendSim being used by more than the authorized maximum number of concurrent users; we hold you harmless if that occurs during the transition period.

If you need an extension on the transition period, contact us prior to the expiration date.

Legacy libraries are older libraries that are no longer supported, could result in problems in new releases, and at some point will not be included with ExtendSim.

• Legacy files are only supplied for a limited period of time so that you can:
• Open older models and hierarchical blocks that use those libraries.
• Convert those models and hierarchical blocks to using the new libraries.
• During its history, the following libraries have been relegated to Legacy status:
• With the release of ExtendSim 10, the Plotter library has been relegated to Legacy status. The new Chart library of ExtendSim 10 replaces the Plotter library. Convert existing models to using the new Chart library and avoid using the Plotter library when building new models.
• With the release of ExtendSim 7, the following Extend 6 libraries were relegated to Legacy status:
• Animation
• BPR
• Discrete Event
• Generic
• Manufacturing
• Quick Blocks

NOTE: With the release of ExtendSim 10, these Extend 6 Legacy libraries are no longer included. ExtendSim 10 is NOT compatible with and does not support Extend 6 Legacy libraries.

Before using ExtendSim 10 to open a custom library or open any model that uses custom blocks created in releases prior to 10, note the following:

If your custom blocks have external source code

• First remove the external code using your current release (e.g. ExtendSim 9.3).
• Then COPY your custom libraries (with the external source code removed) into the ExtendSim10\Libraries folder.

If your blocks use includes you’ve developed from scratch

• Copy your custom includes into the ExtendSim10\Extensions\Includes folder.

If your blocks use the includes that shipped with ExtendSim 9.3.0 or earlier

• For includes that shipped with ExtendSim 9.3.0, you don’t have to change block code or include suffixes (e.g. change “Distributions v9.h” to “Distributions v10.h”) until you want to. In addition to the ExtendSim 10 includes, 10 ships with the includes from 9.3.0; they are located in the ExtendSim10\Extensions\Includes\Legacy 9.3.0 folder.
• For includes shipped with ExtendSim releases prior to 9.3, rename copies of those includes, put those renamed includes into the ExtendSim10\Extensions\Includes\Legacy 9.3.0 folder, and change your block code to use those includes.

If your custom blocks use modified ExtendSim 9 includes that we sent to you after 9.3.0

• Those changes are already in the ExtendSim 10 includes. You can either change your block code to use the 10 includes or copy the modified includes from ExtendSim 9.3 into the ExtendSim10\Extensions\Includes\Legacy 9.3.0 folder such that they replace the non-modified ExtendSim 9.3 includes.

NOTE: Before opening any models, use the ExtendSim 10 Library menu to open custom libraries and test that you've properly made the above changes!

Other Things to be Aware of When Converting Custom Blocks

• The first time you open custom libraries in ExtendSim 10 or open models that use custom blocks, the libraries will automatically convert to 10, recompile, and get saved as copies with the extension “.lbr” (rather than “.lix”). That process also protects your prior-release libraries from being overwritten.
• Since libraries have a different extension in ExtendSim 10, if you use the extension with the library name anywhere in your code you will need to change the extension. Common places where this could occur are in FileIsOpen, OpenExtendFile, PlaceBlock, and so forth.
• The new right-click-connect feature for adding and connecting blocks is database-based and can be adapted for your custom blocks. You can increase the number of common blocks, add your custom blocks, and so forth. If you have any questions, initiate a Support ticket.
• If any of your blocks are based on an ExtendSim equation-based block:
• Line break and line feed changes in 10 require that you alter your code. For assistance, see the “12/21/2016” comment in the Equation v10.h include file.
• Since ExtendSim 10 is a 64-bit application, the external applications that your custom blocks exchange data with, as well as the drivers used to exchange that data, must be 64-bit compatible. This primarily applies to external applications using ODBC and ADO.
• Regarding DLLs or Shared Libraries:
• DLLs or Shared Libraries called by ExtendSim must be built for 64-bit execution. Either recompile your current 32-bit DLL as a 64-bit DLL or obtain a 64-bit version of the DLL from the vendor.
• If your code calls a DLL or Shared Library that returns a pointer, you need to change the code to save the returned value to a pointertype. See the Technical Reference for more information.
• The procedure address returned by DLLmakeProcInstance and similar functions is NOT a 64-bit pointertype variable. Instead, it is a 32-bit (4-byte) integer index that points to a pointer internal to ExtendSim 10. This means the 32-bit block code used in previous releases is compatible with the 64-bit code of ES10.
• DLLLongCFunction, DLLLongPascalFunction, and DLLLongStdCallFunction all call a DLL that returns a 64-bit integer that can be saved as either a ModL integer (32-bit) or, if needed, a pointertype (64-bit integer/pointer).
• Each animation object now has a Properties dialog that allows you to see the object’s zOrder, exactly positioning it within the layers of animation objects.
• Use the Icon Positioner if model connection lines are misaligned:
• When models that were built prior to ExtendSim 10 are converted to ExtendSim 10, the position of the model’s blocks could be slightly different, causing connection lines to be unaligned. In those cases, the Icon Positioner can be used to adjust the relative location of the icon within the Icon tab so that the connection lines to the block are correctly aligned. This adjustment has already been made in the current ExtendSim libraries, but you may want to use the Positioner for any custom blocks that have been converted from earlier versions.
• The Show icon positioner checkbox, located in the Icon tab of the block’s structure, hides and shows the Icon Positioner. By default, the Icon Positioner is located at the upper leftmost position of the icon’s graphic items. The Reset Icon Positioner button resets the location of the Icon Positioner to the default.
• To use the Icon Positioner, first determine approximately how many pixels and in what direction the icon needs to move so that the connection lines are aligned. Then in the Icon tab select the Icon Positioner and move it with the cursor or the keyboard arrow keys.
• There is also a ModL function, blockAdjustPosition, that uses the location of the Item Positioner to shift the location of the block by the offset of the positioner location.
• DateToString, TimeToString, and CalcDate are no longer supported. See instead the EDDateToString and EDCalcDate functions in the Technical Reference.
• There are new EColor functions that store the color information as a single integer, rather than using RGV or HSV. (Legacy functions that use and support the old color information are still working in ExtendSim 10.)
• As of release 10, ExtendSim no longer supports Dynamic Data Exchange (DDE). It is an outmoded approach that's incompatible with many IT setups, is no longer recommended for use, and is not really being supported by Microsoft. Use instead any of the other IPC capabilities ExtendSim supports, such as OLE.

How you update your license depends on which product and release you are currently using. Choose About ExtendSim under the Help menu to open the ExtendSim start up screen. The bar at the top shows you which ExtendSim release you are using. If it does not say ExtendSim 10.0.9, you should download the most current release.

Updating from ExtendSim 10.0.4 or later...

If you are currently using 10.0.4 or later of ExtendSim Pro, DE, CP, Student, or Analysis RunTime, download the updater to ExtendSim 10.0.9.

Updating from ExtendSim Pro, DE, or CP 10.0.3, 10.0.2, 10.0.1, or 10.0.0...

The Trial version of ExtendSim is the updater. Download the appropriate newer release of the Trial version of ExtendSim 10:

ExtendSim Pro 10.0.9

|

ExtendSim DE 10.0.9

|

ExtendSim CP 10.0.9

Install the Trial version OVER the current installation using the same name and installing to the same location as the current installation. This updates ExtendSim without affecting the license file. When you restart ExtendSim, you will be running 10.0.9.

Note: If you subsequently launch ExtendSim and get a message that the license has not been activated, it means that you have not installed over the current installation but in fact have two installations of ExtendSim. Uninstall the update and reinstall it so that it replaces the files at the current location.

Updating from ExtendSim Student or Analysis RunTime 10.0.3, 10.0.2, 10.0.1, or 10.0.0...

If you are using ExtendSim Student or Analysis RunTime released prior to 10.0.4, contact Imagine That Inc. to obtain the newer release.

This free update of ExtendSim 10 not only optimizes the stability and quality of ExtendSim, but adds a couple of new features.

Quality and Stability Enhancements in ExtendSim 10.0.9

When it comes to incremental releases, ExtendSim 10 is upwardly compatible. For example, a model or block created in ExtendSim 10.0.8 can easily be read in by ExtendSim 10.0.9.

However, there could be application or block changes in newer releases that would impact file readability in older incremental releases. For example, if you save a model in ExtendSim 10.0.9, you may not be able to successfully open it in ExtendSim 10.0.8 (and definitely not in ExtendSim 9 or earlier).

Yes. Be sure that:

• The virtual machine has the correct permissions so that ExtendSim can be installed without security issues.
• The location where user-modifiable files will be installed has read-write access so ExtendSim can read the license file and the end user can open, run, and save models.
• And, be sure you use a static MAC address. The license file (extendsim.lic) relies on the identity of the device it is installed on. If a device's MAC (media access control) address changes, its identity changes, the license fails, and ExtendSim stops working. MAC address changes can happen if the Ethernet card or WiFi card is changed, or if the device is a virtual machine (VM) that uses dynamic MAC addresses.

Some hardware virtualization products, such as Microsoft's Hyper-V, create virtual machines (VMs) that, by default, have dynamic Mac addresses. For ExtendSim to work properly on a VM, the device must use a static MAC address. If the device automatically uses dynamic MAC addresses, you must change the settings in the VMs Manager so that the device uses a static MAC address.

You might not see an issue unless the device restarts and chooses a different MAC address, and all of a sudden ExtendSim reports that it isn't properly licensed. If you've experienced this failure, change the device to use a static MAC address. Then contact our Sales department so you can reactivate and get a new license file.

Note: The Trial version of ExtendSim cannot be operated on a virtual machine or on a Macintosh running Windows through Parallels or similar emulator until it has been activated. Only activated licenses will run on VMs.

No. Both releases can be installed on the same device. In fact, we suggest you don’t uninstall ExtendSim 9 until you’ve finished converting your files to 10.

How you update your license depends on which product and release you are currently using. Choose About ExtendSim under the Help menu to open the ExtendSim start up screen. The bar at the top shows you which ExtendSim release you are using. If it does not say ExtendSim 10.0.8, you should download the most current release.

Updating from ExtendSim 10.0.4 or later...

If you are currently using 10.0.4 or later of ExtendSim Pro, DE, CP, Student, or Analysis RunTime, download the updater to ExtendSim 10.0.8.

Updating from ExtendSim Pro, DE, or CP 10.0.3, 10.0.2, 10.0.1, or 10.0.0...

The Trial version of ExtendSim is the updater. Download the appropriate newer release of the Trial version of ExtendSim 10:

ExtendSim Pro 10.0.8

|

ExtendSim DE 10.0.8

|

ExtendSim CP 10.0.8

Install the Trial version OVER the current installation using the same name and installing to the same location as the current installation. This updates ExtendSim without affecting the license file. When you restart ExtendSim, you will be running 10.0.7.

Note: If you subsequently launch ExtendSim and get a message that the license has not been activated, it means that you have not installed over the current installation but in fact have two installations of ExtendSim. Uninstall the update and reinstall it so that it replaces the files at the current location.

Updating from ExtendSim Student or Analysis RunTime 10.0.3, 10.0.2, 10.0.1, or 10.0.0...

If you are using ExtendSim Student or Analysis RunTime released prior to 10.0.4, contact Imagine That Inc. to obtain the newer release.

This free update of ExtendSim 10 not only optimizes the stability and quality of ExtendSim, but adds a couple of new features.

Quality and Stability Enhancements in ExtendSim 10.0.8

1. The renewal date for your license’s Maintenance and Support Plan (MSP) is shown on the ExtendSim startup screen (Help > About ExtendSim). Prior to the renewal date, the application will occasionally present a reminder message upon launch.
2. MSP can be renewed in the ExtendSim Store or by contacting Imagine That Inc. or local ExtendSim Distributor.
3. After renewing the MSP, your license file (extendsim.lic) will need to be updated by reactivating ExtendSim. After we notify you that the change has been made to the License Management System and the license has been updated, you will need to reactivate your license. See the document titled Reactivating • Individual & Node-Locked Licenses for more details.

Note: Not applicable to Analysis Runtime or Student licenses.

1. Before uninstalling ExtendSim, be sure to revoke the license using the Help > Revoke License Activation command (or the Help > Deactivate ExtendSim command if prior to 10.0.5).
2. After the license has been revoked, use the Windows Settings > Apps and Features to uninstall ExtendSim.
3. Finally, delete the two folders: Documents\ExtendSim and Program Files\ExtendSim. (The remaining contents of these two folders were created after installation. The uninstaller couldn't remove those files because it didn't know about them.)
4. If you're transferring the license to a colleague, see Moving ExtendSim from one computer to another.

• Since you will probably not be able to access the internet to automatically activate ExtendSim, follow the instructions for Manual Activation of ExtendSim in the Installing & Activating • Individual Licenses document. How you transfer the required activation information between your device and us depends on your normal processes.
• When you click the Save Activation Info as Text File and generate the text file ExtendSim Activation Info.txt, save the file to USB or removable media, or print or copy its information. Email the file or information to .
• When we email back the license file extendsim.lic, save it to a USB or other removable media, or copy or print the contents of that license.
• Use removable media to copy the license file onto the secure device. Or use the information from the license file to create a text file on the secure device (use Notepad or right-click on the desktop to create a new text document); name the text extendsim.lic.
• Place the license file in the folder that contains the user-modifiable files (by default, UserName\Documents\ExtendSim).
• Restart ExtendSim. If the Activation Dialog appears, there’s been a mistake and the license hasn’t been activated.

Reactivation is required under the following circumstances:

• The Maintenance & Support Plan (MSP) has been renewed.
• The maximum number of Reliability Event Cycles has been increased.
• You've migrated to a different ExtendSim product (e.g. from DE to Pro).
• The license is being upgraded to a newer release of ExtendSim (e.g. from release 10 to release 11).
• Substantial changes have been made to your device (such as a reformatted hard drive) that ExtendSim no longer recognizes itself as being validly activated.

DO NOT reactivate ExtendSim if you are merely updating to an incremental release of ExtendSim (e.g. from 10.x to 10.y).

For complete details on reactivating, see the document titled Reactivating • Individual & Node-Locked Licenses.

The ExtendSim installer includes DLLs that need to be registered in the Windows Registry during installation. These error messages indicate that the Windows operating system or your security system is blocking the ExtendSim installer from registering the DLLs. NOTE: it is not enough that you or an Admin/IT person are an Administrator for the device when installing, the ExtendSim installer must actually be run with elevated (Admin) privileges.

• Right-click the ExtendSim installer and select Run as Administrator.
• Or contact your IT or Admin and have them install ExtendSim to your user account with the correct Admin permissions. For example, they would  need to run the Command Prompt as Administrator.
• Or, try temporarily disabling your virus protection software while installing ExtendSim.

Once ExtendSim has been installed with Admin privileges, it won’t be required again.

The installer for ExtendSim installs DLLs that need to be registered in the Windows Registry during installation. Some security systems could therefore incorrectly identify ExtendSim as potential malware and stop it from launching, even though ExtendSim is digitally signed. To overcome this, try temporarily disabling your virus protection software while installing ExtendSim.

This error message only occurs with a Floating or Cloud license.

If you get this error message, it means either:

• The License Manager on the Server has either been moved or has not been installed and activated correctly.
• Or (most likely) that the ISV Server port (by default 51006; automatically set during activation) is blocked in one or both directions. The ISV port is shown in the table when you click the Status command in the RLSA window. It must be open on Client devices for outbound access so ExtendSim can request licenses from the License Manager on the Server. It must also be open for inbound access on the Server to allow internal communications between the Server files and so the License Manager can receive ExtendSim license requests.  Either unblock 51006 as the ISV port (highly recommended) or (not recommended) set a different unblocked port for the ISV as discussed in Changing the port for the ISV Server and in the document Frequently Asked Questions • Floating Licenses.

In addition to any installed virus protection apps, Windows 10 installs with a Windows Defender Security Center that has virus, threat, account, firewall, and network protection. So even if you have temporarily disabled your virus protection app, the Security Center could be blocking the installation or launching of ExtendSim. You may need to change the settings or set the ExtendSim installer to be excluded in the Windows Defender Security Center. Be especially aware of those settings if you are attempting to install ExtendSim on virtual machines using Windows 10.

Security features in Windows operating systems, and virus protection applications in general, can sometimes interfere with automatically activating the license or installing and launching ExtendSim files. Security issues can occur because:

• During installation, ExtendSim installs DLLs that need their information added to the Windows Registry. The DLLs get registered using your computer's internal assembly registration tool (Regasm.exe). The operating system, or your company's security systems, can perceive this process as a threat and block the registration.
• The Activation Dialog needs to send and receive encrypted data through port 80 over the internet for automatic activation to occur. But security systems sometimes block that data transfer.
• ExtendSim has an integrated compiler, so it creates and executes compiled code from the DATA segments of memory when it runs. Security software can view this as malicious code.

If you are having problems:

1. Run the installer and launch the application (the first time) with elevated privileges; e.g. right-click the ExtendSim installer and application and choose Run As Administrator. Do this even if you are the Administrator of the device.
2. Temporarily disable your virus protection software while activating the license or installing ExtendSim. Note that for Windows 10, Windows Defender acts as an anti-virus system as discussed below.

Some specific issues to be aware of include:

If you get a ComponentTransferData error when trying to install ExtendSim, it is usually because your security system is balking at ExtendSim trying to register the DLLs. Try running the installer as Administrator. Or temporarily turn off your anti-virus software, install ExtendSim, then turn the anti-virus app back on. Note that for Windows 10, the Windows Defender Security Center is part of the security system so you may need to change its settings.

• If ExtendSim crashes on launch with Unknown message or crashes when placing a block in a new model with the Unknown block message, it is probably due to Windows DEP (Data Execution Prevention). DEP can interpret the ExtendSim compiler as malicious data, rather than legitimate code, and stop ExtendSim from properly running. A solution is to add ExtendSim to the list of programs that allow for Data Execution. Contact Imagine That Inc. for information on how to do that.
• In addition to any installed virus protection apps, Windows 10 installs with a Windows Defender Security Center that has virus, threat, account, firewall, and network protection. So even if you have temporarily disabled your virus protection app, the Security Center could be blocking automatic license activation or the installation or launching of ExtendSim. You might need to change the settings or allow the ExtendSim installer to be excluded in the Windows Defender Security.

• Data Execution Prevention (DEP) is a Windows security feature that can help prevent damage to your computer from viruses and other security threats. It does this by stopping the execution of potentially malicious code from the DATA segments of memory.
• The ExtendSim application has an integrated compiler, so it creates and executes compiled code from the DATA segments of memory when it runs. Depending on how it is set, DEP can interpret this as malicious data, rather than legitimate code, and stop ExtendSim from properly launching (by giving an Unknown msg error) or prevent it from accepting a block in a new model (by giving an Unknown block message).

To access DEP:

• Go to the System & Security or Maintenance in Windows Settings.
• Click System, then go to Advanced System Settings.
• Under Performance, click the Settings button and select the Data Execution Prevention tab.
• Since many legitimate applications execute code in the DATA segments of memory, Windows has two methods for allowing applications to be exempt from DEP restrictions:
• The default setting for DEP is "Turn on DEP for essential Windows Programs only." If DEP is in this mode, ExtendSim will run properly.
• The higher security setting for DEP is "Turn on DEP for all programs and services except those I select." If DEP is in this mode, it will interpret ExtendSim as being a potential threat and prevent ExtendSim from properly running unless ExtendSim is added to the list of exempted programs. To add ExtendSim to the list of programs that allow Data Execution, find the DEP dialog and add ExtendSim.

By default, ExtendSim opens the Getting Started model when it launches. That model uses the RightClickConnect database, which calls the ExtendSim_DB_Connector DLL. The installer for ExtendSim needs to register that DLL in the Windows Registry during installation. The error message indicates that your system has blocked the ExtendSim installer from registering the DLL.

• Right-click the ExtendSim application and select Run as Administrator. Or contact your IT or Admin and have them launch ExtendSim (in your user account) with the correct Admin permissions (once that happens, it won’t be required again).
• If that doesn’t fix the problem, install ExtendSim again with your virus protection software temporarily disabled.

When ExtendSim launches it requires the loading of certain files and it expects that those files have been installed at specific locations. If needed files don’t have the correct permissions, or if ExtendSim can’t find the files, ExtendSim will not launch properly.

Common situations that cause problems are:

• Someone from your IT department or an Admin installed the user-modifiable files in a folder under their account rather than in a folder accessible by the end user. Or, they tried to launch ExtendSim from their own account.
• The folder containing user-modifiable files does not give the end user or ExtendSim the correct permissions.
• The folder that contains user-modifiable files has been moved after installation, so ExtendSim is looking for files in the wrong location.

If ExtendSim issues error messages such as “Documents folder not found”, “lp_solve[0] Error…system error code:2”, or "Unable to load DLL" as it tries to launch or gives a similar error message when end users try to open model or library files:

• By default, user-modifiable files (such as examples and libraries) are installed to the UserName\Documents\ExtendSim folder on the C drive. Be sure that ExtendSim folder has been installed to the default path, not to some other drive, such as the D drive or to OneDrive.
• Verify that the ExtendSim folder that contains user-modifiable files is installed in the end user's account (not an Administrator's account) and that the folder is accessible by the end user.
• Check the  permissions for the ExtendSim folder that contains user-modifiable files. Depending on it's location, end users need read/write or full access to that folder so they can open, run, and save models.
• If the ExtendSim folder that contains user-modifiable files (such as examples and libraries) was properly installed to the end-user account, ExtendSim needs to be launched from that account, not from the Administrator's account.
• When you install, you might need to right-click the installer icon and select Run as Administrator. (Even if you are the Administrator, you still might need to do this.)
• So that it can properly open needed files, the first time you launch ExtendSim, right-click the application icon and select Run as Administrator. (Even if you are the Administrator, you might still need to do this the first time you launch ExtendSim.)
• So that ExtendSim will know where user-modifiable files are located, the installer places an ExtendSimDocPath.txt file in the Program Files\ExtendSim folder. If the ExtendSim folder with user-modifiable files files was moved after installation, modify the file ExtendSimDocPath.txt file to indicate the new location.

When the operating system restricts ExtendSim from registering as an OLE/COM server, the following issues occur:

• You get the error message Run-time error 429: ActiveX component can’t create object.
• Excel might not appear in the list of applications in the Data Import Export block.

For ExtendSim to be able to interface with Excel and other apps, launch ExtendSim with Administrative privileges so that it can complete the process of registering itself as an OLE/COM server. To do that, either right-click the ExtendSim application and select Run as Administrator or contact your IT or Admin and have them launch ExtendSim in your user account with the correct Admin permissions (once that happens, it won’t be required again).

After you have activated ExtendSim, the Activation Dialog should not appear again spontaneously. When that does happen, the first instance was usually preceded by an error message. If there is only a backup license file (extendsim.lic.bak) in your Documents\ExtendSim folder, try removing the ".bak" and launch ExtendSim again. This will often cause the original error message to appear so you can send us a screenshot.

Below are the most common reasons an Activation Dialog would appear again after ExtendSim has been activated:

• The license file (extendsim.lic) has been moved, deleted, renamed, modified, or replaced by someone else's license file:
  • The license file should be located in the ExtendSim folder that contains the user-modifiable files (libraries and example models); by default, that folder is UserName/Documents/ExtendSim.
  • There should only be one .lic file in that ExtendSim folder and it must be named extendsim.lic.
  • Each license file is signed as being specific to the Activation Key that was used and the device that ExtendSim was activated on. Do not modify the license file, attempt to use someone else's license file, or copy over your license file with someone else's license.
  • Your anti-virus software, such as Norton 360, might have quarantined and removed the extendsim.lic license file. If this happens, choose to "Restore an item from Quarantine" and exclude ExtendSim from being quarantined in the future.
  • Your device might have been "swept" for security, and any files that were created after installation got removed. The fix is to set the sweep such that it does not remove extendsim.lic files.
  • The license file has been modified, such as being changed to "extendsim.lic.bak". This can happen if the ExtendSim folder containing the license file was stored in the cloud (for example, on OneDrive or DropBox) and then used to replace the ExtendSim folder on a device that has a different license. There is no need to store the files that ship with ExtendSim in the cloud. For OneDrive, you can exclude the license file or the ExtendSim folder from being synced with your device.
• There is more than one installation of the same ExtendSim product on your device.
  • Someone else may have installed the same ExtendSim product on this device. For example, maybe an Admin or another employee installed an Individual license of ExtendSim to their user account and you installed the same license to your account. In this case, both user accounts will have an ExtendSim folder in their Documents folder. And while there will only be one ExtendSim folder in the Program Files folder, the path in ExtendSimDocPath.txt (located within that ExtendSim folder) will point to the location of the other installation. The solution is to uninstall ExtendSim from all duplicate locations. (If you want multiple users on one device, you must purchase a Node-Locked license.)
  • You may have improperly installed a Trial version when using it to update ExtendSim. When using ExtendSim 10.0.3 or earlier to update existing files, the Trial version must be installed using the exact same folder name and to the same location as the current installation. If the previous ExtendSim installation didn't get replaced, there will be two installations of the same ExtendSim10 product, as indicated in your Documents folder. The solution is to uninstall the Trial version and reinstall it over the existing installation so that it updates the ExtendSim 10 files. If you are using 10.0.4 or later, use the Updater to update to the latest release.
• You have the same ExtendSim license installed on more than one device.
  • Per the ExtendSim license agreement you are only allowed to install and activate your ExtendSim license on one device. If you have the same ExtendSim license installed on two devices, ExtendSim will present the Activation Dialog again each time you switch devices.
• You tried to launch ExtendSim by double-clicking a model file that is stored externally (such as in OneDrive, DropBox, or a portal), and that model file is shared with other ExtendSim users. Instead, copy the model file from the external source to your local device. To open the model file, either:
  • From within ExtendSim, choose File > Open and browse to the model's saved location to open it.
  • Right-click on the model file icon on your device. Choose Opens with... from its properties and select your ExtendSim installation. Then, you can double-click the model file icon itself and it will find and open ExtendSim.
• The license is no longer valid. For example:
  • A Student version license has been revoked and reinstalled too many times.
  • An ExtendSim product has an expiration date that has now passed.

Our Support Team can help determine if any of these situations applies to your license.

In certain unusual cases, standard C runtime libraries that ExtendSim expects to find may be missing from your Windows operating system. In that case you will get the error message api-ms-crt-runtime dll is missing from the computer when you try to launch ExtendSim. In this case you need to update your Windows operating system with the Universal C Runtime (CRT) component. See Microsoft support for information.

This error message is usually followed by a second message that indicates your license will be deactivated (revoked). If deactivation is automatic, ExtendSim will launch after you quit and restart. If deactivation can't be accomplished automatically, you will need to do a manual deactivation. In either case, the issue will continue to happen until the original problem is resolved.

The error is caused by one of these issues with the license file (extendsim.lic):

• ExtendSim has been installed more than once with the same Activation Key and the license file (extendsim.lic) doesn’t recognize the ExtendSim application that got launched as being the one that was activated. This happens if you opened a model directly and:
  • You used a Trial license as an updater, but it didn’t replace your existing ExtendSim files. Instead, it is a separate installation.
  • There is an installation of ExtendSim in your account on this device and also in either the account of someone else (such as a colleague or an IT or Admin) on this device or in some account on a Server.
  • You also installed ExtendSim to Microsoft OneDrive, or you have copied the ExtendSim 10 folder with your user-modifiable files (such as Examples and Libraries) to OneDrive.
  • You were beta testing ExtendSim and didn’t properly uninstall your beta version.
• Your device has been significantly altered such that the license's HostID information is no longer valid. This is common if the hard drive has been replaced or the computer was wiped clean prior to installing a new operating system.
• The license file is not correct.
  • Your license file might have been replaced by the license file for a different device, for example if you copied files (including the extendsim.lic file) from one device to another.
  • You did a manual activation, you have more than one device with ExtendSim installed, and you put the license file on the wrong device.
  • You did a manual activation, but there's an error in the activation information you sent to us. The license file we sent to you would contain that incorrect information. 

To fix:

• If the issue was due to a duplicate installation, locate and uninstall those extra installations. Look in the C drive's Program Files folder or in Windows Settings or the Control Panel for duplicate ExtendSim installations. Search Documents folders (including OneDrive). Determine if your IT department also installed your license on a Server. Then remove the duplicate installations.
• If the issue is due to a reformatted or replaced hard drive, you will need to activate again. Restart ExtendSim and enter your Activation Key in the Activation Dialog. Activation will only be automatic if you have previously revoked the license; otherwise it will be manual.
• If the issue occurred because your license was replaced by an incorrect license file, remove the incorrect license file. Then, find your backup license file named extendsim.lic.bak (by default it should be in your Documents\ExtendSim10 folder). Then remove the .bak extension and restart ExtendSim. ExtendSim will be activated again using your original license file.

This usually means that the license for ExtendSim was successfully activated or deactivated in our online activation database, but the message the database returned (an encrypted text file) got blocked by your system.

When this happens, manual activation is required. If you have ExtendSim 10.0.5 or later, click the button to generate a text file (ExtendSim Activation Info.txt). Email the text file to .

If you are using a release prior to 10.0.5, please update to a newer release. If you can't update ExtendSim, you will need to force a manual activation. To do this, temporarily disconnect your device from the internet, launch ExtendSim, enter your activation information in the Activation Dialog, and click Next. ExtendSim will present a dialog so you can generate a text file for manual activation/reactivation. After the text file is generated (by default it will be placed at the top of your Documents folder), reconnect to the internet and email the text file to .

When an Individual license of ExtendSim is activated, it creates a license file (extendsim.lic) that is stored by default in the end user's Documents\ExtendSim folder. If that license file becomes inaccessible, ExtendSim will not launch but will instead give this error message and perhaps revoke the license.

The three most common reasons why the license file would suddenly not be accessible to ExtendSim are:

• The license file got deleted. This can happen if the device is "swept" and any files that were created after installation get removed. The fix is to set the sweep such that it does not remove any .lic files.
• The license file is modified, such as being changed to "extendsim.lic.bak". This can happen if the ExtendSim folder containing the license file was stored in the cloud (for example, on OneDrive or DropBox) and then used to replace the ExtendSim folder on a device that has a different license. There is no need to store the files that ship with ExtendSim in the cloud. For OneDrive, you can exclude the license file or the ExtendSim folder from being synced with your device.
• You try to launch ExtendSim by double-clicking a model file that is stored externally, such as in OneDrive, DropBox, or a portal, and that model file is shared with other ExtendSim licenses. Instead, copy the model file from the external source to your local device. To open the model file, either:
  • From within ExtendSim, choose File > Open and browse to the model's saved location to open it.
  • Right-click on the model file icon on your device. Choose Opens with... from its properties and select your ExtendSim installation. Then, you can double-click the model file icon itself and it will find and open ExtendSim.

Go to Installing & Activating. Then choose the specific license type you are trying to activate for complete details.

Activation is usually accomplished automatically and within seconds via the internet.

Sometimes that process does not work as intended. The main problems activating an Individual license are:

• Your device is not allowed access to the internet or the internet is down. In this case, you need to manually activate ExtendSim. Please see Installing & Activating an ExtendSim 10 Individual License.
• Your device has an internet connection, but you get an error message indicating that activation cannot be completed. Security features in Windows operating systems (especially since Windows 10), and virus protection applications in general, can sometimes interfere. To allow ExtendSim through the firewall:
  • Go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Security (on left hand side).
  • Under Protection Areas, select Firewall & Network Protection and Allow an app through the firewall.
  • Then click the Change Settings and Allow another app buttons.
  • Browse to ExtendSim 10 and click Open. In the dialog that appears, click Add.
  • Try activating ExtendSim again.
  • If automatic activation isn't allowed, the error message has instructions for performing a manual activation.

Manual activation bypasses your device's lack of internet access or its blocking of communication (via firewalls or the like). Secured or hardened locations require manual activation; other locations might need manual activation due to system configuration.

To do a manual activation of an Individual license, the ExtendSim Activation Info.txt file (or the equivalent information) must be transmitted to . A parsed version of the 5 lines of information in that text file is shown here:

• The first line is whichever ExtendSim product you purchased.
• The user name, user email address, company name, and results of checking the Notify me box are taken from what is entered in the Activation Dialog. (The user name and company also show up on the ExtendSim startup screen after activation.) The CountryCode is a number identifying which part of the world the license was activated from. The W identifies the activated device as using a Windows operating system.
• The set of numbers in the third line is the Activation Key.
• The rehost info is a long number that the license management software (RLM) generates and assigns to this license; that number is encrypted and stored in the Reprise folder on the device. It stays with the license even if the license is moved to another device.
• The reference number is some number specific to the device ExtendSim is currently installed on, such as the serial number of the disk.

For instructions for manually activating ExtendSim, please see Installing & Activating • Individual Licenses.

Moving an Individual or Node-Locked license of ExtendSim from one device to another works the same as for most applications.

• First, make copies of your ExtendSim models, any custom blocks, etc.
• Second, remove the license from the previous device using the Help > Revoke License Activation command.
• Then, uninstall ExtendSim from the first device:
  • Then, use the Windows Settings > Apps and Features to uninstall ExtendSim.
  • Delete the two folders: Documents\ExtendSim and Program Files\ExtendSim.
• Now, install ExtendSim on the new device by downloading the appropriate Trial version.
• Paste your model files, etc. from the previous device to the appropriate locations at new installation of ExtendSim.
• Launch ExtendSim on the new device and activate it using the same Activation Key you used for the first installation. (If you couldn't revoke the license activation on the previous device, you will get an error message stating your Activation Key is already in use on another device. In this case, contact Imagine That Inc.)

For complete installation instructions, see Frequently Asked Questions • Individual & Node-Locked Licenses.

Note: If you're running ExtendSim on a Client device of an ExtendSim Floating license, the procedure is different. After, making copies of your ExtendSim models, any custom blocks, etc., please follow these instructions to Uninstall ExtendSim from a Client device.

This message can occur when you are trying to activate/reactivate/revoke an Individual license of ExtendSim.

It indicates that there is a basic issue (network initialization failure, unable to read or write, etc.) that is preventing the automatic process. In this case, a manual process is required and you should get a second error message that allows you to generate a text file to send to .

If you don't get that second error message, temporarily disconnect from the network, launch ExtendSim, and try again. That will force ExtendSim to present a dialog for generating a text file for a manual process. After the text file is generated (by default it will be placed at the top of your Documents folder), reconnect to the internet and email the text file to .

If you have multiple ExtendSim products on your computer (for example a Model Developer Edition and an Analysis RunTime version), it is generally better to open the ExtendSim product you want to use first, then open the model. If you double-click on a model file, it will open the last ExtendSim product installed.

There are two common issues if you try to access a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet from ExtendSim:

• You get the error OLE CreateObject Not Successful.
• Or, Excel does not appear in the list of applications in the Data Import Export block.

Possible causes are:

• Excel is not installed on your device.
• Excel is installed but is not properly registered for OLE/COM in the system registry. For Excel to be able to interface with other applications, it must be launched one time with Administrative privileges so that it can complete the process of registering itself. See below for how to do that.
• A click-to-run version of Excel is installed on your computer. This version does not support communication between outside applications such as ExtendSim and Excel. You will need to uninstall your click-to-run version of Excel and install a full version of Excel. Instructions for this can be found at support.microsoft.com/kb/982431.
• ExtendSim is not properly registered for OLE/COM in the system registry. For ExtendSim to be able to interface with Excel and other apps, it must be launched one time with Administrative privileges so that it can complete the process of registering itself. See below for how to do that.

To launch an application with Administrative privileges, either right-click the application and select Run as Administrator or contact your IT or Admin and have them launch the application in your user account with the correct Admin permissions. This only needs to be done once. After the application is properly registered, neither option will be required again.

If you have ExtendSim 10 as well as a prior release, such as ExtendSim 9, installed on the same computer, double-clicking a model file might not open the release that you want because:

• The ExtendSim release that was installed last will automatically be the one that gets opened when you double-click a model file, even if the model was created in a different release.
• Even if ExtendSim 10 was installed last, double-clicking a model file could still launch a prior release, especially if you've been using ExtendSim for many years.

Solutions:

1. If you have Windows 10 and want to change all model (.mox) files to open with a specific ExtendSim release:
   • Right-click a model file, go to Properties and open the General tab. Next to Opens with:, click the Change button.
   • Scroll through the list and select which ExtendSim application you want to open when you double-click a model file. If the desired application isn't at the top of the list, click "More Apps"and scroll through the longer list.
   • The properties of all model files will be changed, so you only have to do this with one model file.
2. If you have Windows 10 and want to change a single model (.mox) file to open with a specific ExtendSim release:
   • Right-click a model file, choose Open with:
   • Scroll through the list and select which ExtendSim application you want to open when you double-click a model file. If the desired application isn't at the top of the list, click Choose another app and scroll through the longer list.
   • The properties of the selected model file will be changed.
     
     Note: If the ExtendSim release you want doesn't appear in the list, the Windows registry is confused. Please see #4 on this list.
3. Launch whichever ExtendSim release you want to open when you double-click a model file.
• Since the application will be making a change to the registry, this requires that ExtendSim be Run as Administrator.
• In the File menu, choose the command Update Launch Control. By clicking OK, you will set the system's registry to always launch that application when a model or library file is double-clicked.
  
  Note: If this doesn't work, see #4, below.
4. Change the Default app using Windows Settings.
• Go to Settings > Apps > Apps & Features.
• Select Default apps in the list on the left side of the window.
• At the bottom of the list, select to Choose default apps by file type or Select a default app by file type.
• In the left column, locate the .mox file type. Click on the icon to its right, then and select the appropriate ExtendSim release from the list.
  
  Note: If the ExtendSim release you want doesn't appear in the list, the Windows registry is confused. Please see #4 on this list.
5. If none of the above solutions work, you have probably installed many different releases of ExtendSim over the years. Even after the applications have been uninstalled, there can be files, folders, and registry entries left on the system, causing program data to be left behind. Windows advisor recommended that you using Revo Uninstaller, a free application that is not a registry cleaner. Revo Uninstaller uninstalls the selected app, then allows you to scan for leftover files, data, and registry entries that you can delete. After using it, you'll need to reinstall whichever ExtendSim applications you want to use. Then use on of the options above to set which application launches when you double-click a model file. Read Revo Uninstaller instructions and be sure to back up your computer and save any custom models, libraries, and other files before using it. After using it, restart your computer.

Getting an error message starting Model file ended prematurely... indicates that the model you are trying to open didn't save correctly. In most cases this is caused by a bug that happened in ExtendSim releases earlier than 10.0.5 that if you accessed the properties of a hierarchical block (either by right-clicking or by using the command Ctrl+i) before you saved the model.

Unfortunately, you probably won't even realize there is a problem until you try to open the saved model. The error message could look like either of these two screenshots, and mention DRAWOBJECT tag or notebooks tag.

If you encounter this error message when trying to open a model file, it indicates the file didn’t save properly after you created a new hierarchical block.

• Do not try to access the properties of a hierarchical block in your models unless you have a more recent release of ExtendSim than 10.0.5.
• Update to ExtendSim 10.0.9 as it contains a fix for this issue
• Open the ExtendSim backup model (labeled *.mox.bak) in 10.0.9 as the original model was probably corrupted.

Simulation models are data intensive. Saving can be slower if you aren't saving to your local device or if there is a lot of unnecessary data being saved with the model.

1. If you are saving a model over a network or to the cloud (e.g. One Drive), a lot of "handshaking" communication has to occur and that slows the process considerably. If you want to save to some place other than your local device, save to the local device and then copy or move the model to wherever else you want it to be kept.
2. Look at the data being saved and determine if some of the data can be eliminated. Go to Quick Tips > Memory Management in the ExtendSim Learning Center for more tips on memory management in ExtendSim models.

In other simulation tools, the items (also referred to as entities or transactions) are put on the event calendar (scheduled for future consideration when a time delay is encountered). In ExtendSim, the blocks have an entry on the event calendar. Some blocks contain their own event calendars with an entry for each item in the block.

Scheduling the blocks rather than the items has a number of advantages:

• Because there are typically fewer event scheduling blocks in the model than there are items to be scheduled and the number of event scheduling blocks in a model does not change, the ExtendSim event calendar is relatively small. This eliminates the need for time consuming insertion and deletion of events on the calendar. This is particularly important in large model where searching the event calendar for the next event can be a large portion of the execution time.
• It is very easy to change the event time. Because the block’s event time is stored in a fixed location, the future event time for the block can be changed with a simple assignment.
• Items are not necessary for an event. A block can schedule an event without needing to create (and then dispose of) an item.
• Any block in the model can schedule an event. This makes it particularly easy to build modeling components which simulate system features such as preemption and reneging. These types of features normally require internal or dummy items in other simulation tools.

ExtendSim uses both a push and pull mechanism to propel items through a model. Residence blocks (residence blocks are any block that can hold an item for a non-zero amount of time, such as queues, activities, resource blocks, and some decision blocks) attempt to pull items in until it is full or until there are no more items to pull in. Then the residence blocks will try to push items out until there are no items left or the downstream path is blocked. In some cases, the residence block will hold the item for a specific time delay before attempting to push the item out.

In ExtendSim 10, ARM records utilization and quantity utilization because it is now possible for a record in the [Resources] database table to represent a quantity of resources other than 1. In v9.3 and earlier versions of ExtendSim, each record in the [Resources] table represented exactly one resource. In the new version of ARM, a record in the [Resources] table now has an explicitly defined quantity field. The quantity can be any non-zero real or integer number. When any portion of the quantity of a resource record is BUSY, ARM tracks the resource record as being utilized. This utilization is recorded in the Utilization field. The Quantity Utilization is a measure of how much of the available quantity for the resource record has been utilized during the simulation run.‬‬ ‪

For example, a resource record has a quantity of 10. During the entire simulation run, a quantity of only 1 is continuously utilized. The Utilization for this resource record would be reported as 100%, but the quantity utilization would be reported as 10%.‬‬

Use a Write (Value library) block as an interface between the Database and the Optimizer (Value library). Follow these steps:

1. In a Write block, select the Database and table with the variables for the Optimizer.
2. Drag the clone of the preview table from the Write block to the Optimizer once per variable in the Optimizer.
3. Set the row and column in the Optimizer for the table. Remember that these are 0 based references (the first row and column are numbered 0).

When the Optimizer changes the variables, they will automatically be changed in the Database.

Showing simultaneous movement requires the use of a Transport and/or Convey Item block from the Item library (included in ExtendSim DE and ExtendSim Pro). To animate the simultaneous movement of items through a model, follow these steps:

1. Place a Transport or Convey Item block at the point in the model where you want a transit time. A transit time is required to show simultaneous movement, otherwise the movement would have no duration.
2. Open the block's dialog. On the Transport Animation tab of the Transport and/or Convey Item block, check the "2D animation shows simultaneous movement" option. Tip: Use the Find and Replace block from the Utilities library to change all of the blocks at once.
3. Select "in a straight line" or "along connections" for the movement.
4. Turn off "Add Connection Line Animation" from the Run menu.

Connect a Switch block from the Utilities library to the "Q" (Item Quantity) input connector on the Create block (Item library). If the Switch is On, a quantity of 1 is sent to the Create block and an item is created. When the Switch is Off, a quantity of 0 is sent to the Create block and no item is created.

The item will wait in the last upstream residence block until the Activity block (Item library) can receive it. Residence blocks are any block that can hold an item for a non-zero amount of time. Examples include queues, activities, resource blocks, and some decision blocks. If the last residence block is a generator type block, the item will be held until a new item is created or the activity pulls the item. This is the only time that an item will be destroyed if there is downstream capacity.

In a discrete event model, you can control the order that time ties (two or more events occurring at the same time) are processed. ExtendSim will put the blocks on the event calendar in simulation order. Blocks with a lower simulation order will receive their event message first. You can change the simulation order with the following steps:

• Go to Run > Simulation Setup > Continuous tab. Under Simulation Order, choose Custom (Advanced only).
• Under the Model menu, turn on Show Simulation Order.
• Select an event scheduling block. Choose Set Simulation Order from the Model menu. Set your Custom Simulation Order.

Note, the simulation order will only make a difference if two or more events occur at exactly the same time. If the events are not exactly at the same time, events will occur in chronological order.

1. Are there any caveats to how I can use the RunSimulation, PauseSim, and ResumeSimulation functions?

These functions are not recommended for use via OLE automation or DDE Execute messages at all. These functions were developed before the External Scripting functionality was fully developed, and they do not work as well in this context as the ExecuteMenuCommand function. This function acts exactly as if you have selected the specified command from the menu bar and will perform better with the external control methods. The ExecuteMenuCommand function takes one argument, the command number. These numbers are defined in the Technical Reference.

2. Should I use a different modeling technique if I am running a simulation that basically finishes instantly versus running a simulation that will run for longer and want to control interactively?

There is a difference in how you should set up your code in these two cases.

If the simulation is going to complete instantly and/or you are not interested in sending other commands to ExtendSim while the simulation is running, you can just send the executeMenuCommand(6000) to ExtendSim without a worry.

If, however, you are interested in running a longer simulation, and you want to be able to pause and resume it or get data while the simulation is running, you should use the IPCServerAsync(TRUE); function. This function specifies to ExtendSim that the following Execute control action should execute asynchronously, not synchronously. A synchronously executed instruction will execute immediately and the application that sent the command will wait for the instruction to complete before it continues its execution. An async command, on the other hand, will return immediately allowing the application to continue on with other things while the simulation runs. The sequence of instructions you should execute in this case would be as follows:

1. IPCServerAsync(TRUE);
2. ExecuteMenuCommand(6000);
3. IPCServerAsync(FALSE);

These should be sent as three different execute messages. It is important to send the final IPCServerAsync(FALSE) and not to send any other async messages while the simulation is running, as ExtendSim doesn't allow multiple asynchronous messages to be processed simultaneously.

If you add new dialog items or static variables to your custom block, they will need to be initialized. The easiest way to do this is in the openModel message handler. This is called whenever a model is loaded. If you delete or change the dimensions of dialog items or static variables, the data in the existing blocks may not match up correctly with the data in the existing blocks. To avoid this, delete the existing blocks and re-add them to the model. You can also use the "hide" feature to hide the dialog item. You should do this if your blocks are being used in models where it would be inconvenient to replace each instance of the block.

...I would like to use the Interchange block (from the Rate library in ExtendSim Pro) to represent the berth. Vessels would come to either load or unload. Can I use just one Interchange block to both load and unload?

Yes. In fact, there are three different ways to model a berth that is used both for loading and unloading:

Solution 1 -  One Interchange block simulates the ships at berth and the berth itself.

Solution 2 - One Interchange block simulates the ship loading or unloading and Tanks and Valve simulate the loading and unloading of product to and from the berth.

Solution 3 - One Interchange block is used for unloading and one Interchange block for loading.

All three solutions are illustrated within this freely downloadable model that illustrates how to load and unload at the same physical location.

Note: This model was built in ExtendSim 9 so can be viewed in either ExtendSim 9 or 10.

If your databases are running slower than you think they should, here are a few things to think about that might slow the run time of ExtendSim databases:

• String to number or number to string conversions. For example, writing or reading numbers from a string field can sometimes slow the database.
• Using Record ID fields to search for a record.*
• Writing to child fields as it needs to see if the parent value exists.*
• Linked data and Link Alert messages.

* Update to ExtendSim 10.0.9 as its enhancements may help speed this up.

To place a database table on a model worksheet or in a notebook, first link the table to a block dialog's Datatable. Then, clone that Datatable to the worksheet or notebook.

You can stop a simulation during the run by clicking the Stop button in the toolbar, giving the Run > Stop menu command, or using the Ctrl+. shortcut. These cause the current executing block to return an abort signal, causing the model to stop executing in whichever state it was in when the Stop command was given. Sometimes the Stop signal takes time to propagate through the block code and back to the simulation engine, so you can't tell when the simulation will actually stop.

To stop the model at an exact point in time, such as when all the blocks are up to date on that step, enter code in an Equation or custom block that gets executed when you want to stop. For example:

numSteps = currentStep+1      // This will cause the simulation engine to stop at the next step.

Note that the ExtendSim simulation engine uses the simulation step value and not the currentTime value to stop the model. However, you can use currentTime in your code to decide when to execute that line of code.

If you use screenshots that contain ExtendSim blocks on your web site or in any printed matter, please post or footnote this statement:

ExtendSim blocks copyright © 1987-2023 Imagine That Inc. All rights reserved.

Before quoting any documentation from the ExtendSim documentation, blocks, Help, or the Imagine That Inc. web site, you must get prior written permission from Imagine That Inc. Once permission is granted, please include this statement:

Portions copyright © 1987-2023 Imagine That Inc. All rights reserved.

If you build custom blocks based on ExtendSim blocks, hence using copyrighted information from certain libraries in the ExtendSim products, your right to sell, give, or otherwise distribute the blocks you have developed is restricted. In that case, your blocks may only be sold, given away, or distributed to a recipient who has the same ExtendSim package that you used to develop your blocks. For more information, see the copyright notices at the front of the ExtendSim User Reference.

When sharing your ExtendSim models and/or custom libraries with fellow employees, customers, or others (“end users”), the end user will either:

Already have a full Model Developer Edition (MDE) of ExtendSim.

Not want to purchase a full version of ExtendSim.

If the end user is using an MDE of ExtendSim:

In most cases, you can just provide your models and custom libraries to the end user. However, if your model uses blocks from the Discrete Event, Discrete Rate, or Reliability libraries, or your custom libraries have been derived from ExtendSim libraries in the ExtendSim DE, or ExtendSim Pro products; the end user must also have the comparable ExtendSim product. If the model you are sharing contains custom-built blocks, please see Delivering custom files to an end user.

If the end user does not own ExtendSim:

The Analysis RunTime license is the perfect solution for end users who do not have an MDE version of ExtendSim. The Analysis RunTime license is a cost-effective way to access advanced ExtendSim functionality - perform experimentation, optimization, and analysis - without having to purchase a development version of ExtendSim.

Or if you just want the end user to view and run your model, try the Player RunTime. This free download allows you interactively run an ExtendSim model, watch as items move through the model, explore its inner workings, and view simulation results.

As the developer, it is your responsibility to supply the end user with the necessary files and sufficient information to install those files. Use this as a guide to ensure the end user has all the necessary components to view and run your model:

An ExtendSim license. See Running shared models.

Your ExtendSim models. If you wish to prevent blocks being added, deleted, or moved in your models, give the Model > Protect Model command and use a password.

Any custom libraries the model/s require.

If you do not want the end user to be able to build models with your custom library, convert the library to RunTime format. For those using the Analysis RunTime or Player RunTime license, this is mandatory as your custom library MUST be in RunTime format so the end user can run models using that library.

If you want the end user to be able to use your libraries to build models and they're using a full Model Developer Edition of the software, you must also send them copies of your libraries that are NOT RunTime formatted.

To prevent access to the source code, you can use the Library > Library Tools > Protect Library command; this removes the source code from all the blocks in the library.

Any extensions required by your files.

Installation and model usage instructions.

RunTime formatting is helpful for library developers because it limits the use of libraries and protects block source code:

A library in RunTime format can be used by an Analysis RunTime, Player RunTime, Student, or Model Developer Edition to run models, but not to build models.

Libraries that are in RunTime format are protected in that block source code is stripped from each block making your custom source code inaccessible to the end user.

Model Developer Editions (MDE) of ExtendSim cannot fully use libraries that have been converted to RunTime format. (MDE users can open a model that uses RunTime formatted libraries, but the end user will only be able to run the model, not make changes.)

To convert your custom libraries to RunTime format (Note: RunTime versions of ExtendSim ship with RunTime versions of all ExtendSim libraries so you will only need to convert any custom libraries you might build.):

In ExtendSim, choose Library > Library Tools > Convert Library to RunTime Format.

Select the library for conversion. ExtendSim will make a copy of the library, convert it to RunTime format, and save it in the same location as the original library.

Libraries converted to RunTime format keep the same name as the original, but add the extension .lbrrt.

Since the library name is the same, models opened by the Analysis RunTime, Player RunTime, Student, and Model Developer Editions of ExtendSim will recognize the reformatted libraries as if they were the originals. (Note, however, that MDE versions of ExtendSim will not allow the end user to build models with RunTime formatted libraries.)

The quickest and easiest way to take a video capture of your model in action is:

• Turn Animation for the model on.
• Hold down the Windows + Alt + R keys to start the model running.
• Recording starts automatically.
• To stop the recording, click the Stop button in the little popup that appears after the recording starts. Note, you can also choose to record audio with your video by clicking on the microphone in the popup.
• The Game Clip that is created is stored as an .mp4 file in the Users\User Name\Videos\Captures folder.

You might see this happening if you're running ExtendSim on a Windows OS version prior to 8.1.

To correct this:

• Right-click on your desktop.
• Go to Display Settings.
• Scroll down to Scale and Layout and Change the size of text, apps, and other items to 100%.

If each time you click a Help button in a block dialog you get the same Help content regardless of which block you are in, you might be encountering an issue with cached information not getting updated properly. To resolve this:

• Navigate to the AppData folder at c:/Users/username/AppData/Local/QTProject\Assistant.
• Delete the entire Assistant folder that contains cached information.
• Relaunch ExtendSim. The Assistant folder will be recreated in AppData as an empty folder. At this point, your Help system should be working better.

There are two reasons why ExtendSim would be installed on a device, but the ExtendSim application does not appear in Settings > Apps > Apps and Features:

• If ExtendSim was installed to the end user's account by an Administrator. In that case, the End User can launch ExtendSim (usually from the list of apps in the Start menu) and use it as normal. However, they will not be able to uninstall ExtendSim. The app will appear in Apps and Features when the Admin logs in, so the Admin can uninstall it.
• If ExtendSim was uninstalled while the application is open. In that case, ExtendSim will not launch correctly, but will instead give an error message about missing documents. Also, the two folders that contain ExtendSim files will have some files missing (the ones that weren't in use when the app was uninstalled). Since the app has been "uninstalled", just delete the two folders: Documents/ExtendSim and Program Files/ExtendSim.

When ExtendSim is installed, two ExtendSim folders are created. By default one folder is placed in Program Files and the other is placed in Documents. There are two reasons why one or both of those folders are left after you uninstall ExtendSim:

• The installer can't uninstall files it didn't install. After installation, ExtendSim creates various files (ExtendSimDocPath.txt, a license file, etc.) Also, you may have created models and libraries and saved them to the ExtendSim folder. When ExtendSim is uninstalled, only the files that were originally installed get deleted.
• The installer doesn't know if an ExtendSim folder has been moved after installation. For example, it cannot remove any of the files in an ExtendSim folder that was moved from the Admin's Documents folder to the end-user's Documents folder.

For complete instructions on uninstalling ExtendSim from your device, please see Uninstalling an Individual license of ExtendSim.

This might happen if you are using ExtendSim 10.0.7. The application development framework used by ExtendSim had a bug in their software that could cause pictures/images on model worksheets to disappear. They have fixed the bug and the fix has been included in future releases of ExtendSim.

Please update to ExtendSim 10.0.9 to resolve this issue.

While running ExtendSim on a virtual machine such as on a Macintosh device using an emulator such as Parallels, you may not be able to view the ExtendSim Help system via the menu command nor view Block Help by clicking on Help from within certain blocks.

Viewing the ExtendSim Help system while using a Mac

The good news is the entire ExtendSim Help file is saved as a PDF file so is easily accessible and readable on a Mac. Simply browse to the ThisPC/Documents/ExtendSim10/Help folder. Double-click the ExtendSim Help file to open it.

Accessing ExtendSim Block Help on a Mac

Block Help might be a bit more cumbersome to access in some ExtendSim blocks. As with most Windows-based applications, some of the ExtendSim Block Help files use Microsoft Compiled HTML Help. It is a Microsoft proprietary online help format consisting of a collection of HTML pages, an index, and other navigation tools. The files are compressed and deployed in a binary format with the extension .CHM, for Compiled HTML. Unfortunately, for Mac users, CHM files cannot be directly opened.

If you click on a block's Help and see a blank window, use one of these options to access Block Help:

• Use an online CHM reader for Mac that converts the CHM files to PDF; such as Convert CHM to PDF by Zamzar. As there are 29 ExtendSim blocks that use the CHM format, this might be a tedious option. (Note, the majority of ExtendSim blocks use a different technology for their block Help that IS readable while using Parallels.)
• Or copy and move the Help folder to the C drive:
  • Make a duplicate of the ExtendSim Help folder found in the ThisPC/Documents/ExtendSim10 folder.
  • Move the copy of the Help folder to the C drive so it is located at ThisPC/Local Disk(C:).
  • Open the copy of the Help folder on the C drive. Double-click the Compiled HTML (.CHM) file to view a block's Help.

If you have any questions on this procedure, please Initiate an ExtendSim Support Ticket.

Memory Fragmentation

Memory fragmentation happens when a large portion of a computer's random access memory (RAM) is separated into many non-contiguous chunks. The fragmentation can leave a high percentage of RAM memory unused but also unusable resulting in memory issues. If RAM is low or unusable, an application will use the computer's hard drive as virtual memory (which slows operations) or report low or out of memory problems.

Memory fragmentation is common with data intensive applications such as ExtendSim, where the allocation, disposal, and reallocation of memory is ongoing during model runs. For example:

1. During a run, an ExtendSim model determines that it needs 10 bytes of memory to temporarily store data. In response, the computer's system allocates a 10 byte chunk of memory.
2. Later in the run, the model discards that data, which disposes of the allocated memory. This leaves a 10 byte empty slot.
3. The model next needs an 11 byte chunk of memory, which can't fit into that 10 byte empty slot. So the computer's system allocates a new 11 byte chunk.
4. Think about the case where the model gets 100mb chunk of memory and later disposes it, but then needs a 101mb chunk. If this happens repeatedly, you can see how memory gets clogged up!

There are two ways to deal with reports of memory issues:

• Add more RAM memory to the computer. This gives the model more empty slots to choose from and avoids using the computer's hard drive as virtual memory. Also, more memory will be usable if additional slots become available and then join with adjacent empty slots to form larger empty slots.
• If ExtendSim has been running models for a long time, and doing so won't interrupt your analysis, restart ExtendSim. When ExtendSim is restarted, the operating system removes all the memory allocations.

Memory Leaks

Memory leaks occur if some of the memory used in an operation doesn't get properly disposed of at the end of that operation. For example, this happens if a custom block's dynamic array is not properly disposed of in the code. A small memory leak won't cause a problem but memory leaks become significant if they accumulate. This could happen, for example, if the memory for that dynamic array is constantly being reallocated, but not disposed of, over multiple runs. While memory leaks can also occur from ExtendSim, most memory leaks are caused by the code in custom blocks.

There are two ways to deal with reports of memory leaks:

• If ExtendSim has been running models for a long time, and doing so won't interrupt your analysis, restart ExtendSim. When ExtendSim is restarted, the operating system refreshes all the memory allocations.
• Examine your blocks and models to search for memory leaks:
  • The RealTimer block (Utilities library) is helpful if you build custom blocks that might cause memory leaks. Temporarily place the RealTimer block in your model, enable block profiling on the Block Profile tab, select the settings you want, and run the model. This block provides a lot of information about the blocks, including the difference in memory usage at the end of the run compared to the beginning.
  • The Memory Usage block (Utilities library) looks for differences between all block components (libraries, hierarchical blocks, databases, and global arrays). Temporarily add the Memory Usage block to your model and copy the information it reports to Excel or some other location. Then run the model as you normally would. When the model run(s) are finished, compare the Memory Usage block's information to what was originally reported.
  • Since they will slow performance, remove these blocks from your models once you've finished using them.

Memory Usage

You might notice that the second and subsequent runs of a simulation take longer to run and use more memory than the first run. Most often that is because a large amount of data has been stored in the model during the first run. In subsequent runs, that data has to be disposed of before it can be replaced with new data, causing longer processing times.

The RealTimer block, discussed above, is helpful for determining how much memory and simulation time specific blocks are using during runs.

For more information about memory management in ExtendSim, please see Quick Tips • Memory Management in the ExtendSim Learning Center.

A zero-day arbitrary code execution vulnerability CVE-2021-44228 (also known as Log4Shell) was discovered December 9, 2021 and affects the Apache Log4j library versions from 2.0 to 2.14.1. Log4j is a logging tool used in many Java-based applications. Successful exploitation of the Log4Shell vulnerability allows for arbitrary code execution in the targeted application, granting the attacker full access and control of the affected application. This could extend to the device the application is running on as well as networks beyond individual compromised devices.

ExtendSim is not a Java-based application and does not rely on software written in Java. Furthermore, we have analyzed the ExtendSim products and services and have not identified any instances of Log4j.

This problem can occur when working on multiple monitors, then switching from multiple monitors to a single monitor. The "hidden but open" window has actually opened outside the boundaries of the current ExtendSim application. The model window is remembering its previous location when ExtendSim had broader boundaries on the additional monitor.

To find windows that have disappeared from view, either:

• From within ExtendSim, go to the menu command Window > Tile or Window > Cascade. Both Tile and Cascade will display all your open windows within your ExtendSim window.
• Or switch back to multiple monitors.

From within ExtendSim, simply hover over the title bar of either a model worksheet or a library window to see the path to that file's location on your device.

This model file can be found in the folder C:/Users/UserName/Documents/ExtendSim/Examples

This library is stored in the folder C:/Users/UserName/Documents/ExtendSim/Libraries

Public Training Course Refund Policy

In order to maximize the effectiveness of our training classes, Imagine That Inc. limits the number of attendees per class. Registrants who have been confirmed for a specific training class may reschedule or cancel their class:

• Up to 14 days before the course starts
  Full refund
• One to 13 days before course starts
  $500 cancellation fee
• No show or no advance cancellation
  No refund

Imagine That Inc. reserves the right to cancel or reschedule any training class upon a fourteen (14) day notice to all confirmed registrants. Registrants may then reschedule into an upcoming training class or cancel the registration without penalty. The client understands and agrees that Imagine That Inc. shall not, in any way, be held responsible for any cost, including airfare, transportation cost, hotel expenses or other cost that the client may suffer in the event that Imagine That Inc. cancels or reschedules a class.

On-Site Training Refund Policy

When an on-site training class has been booked, the dates reserved have been set aside exclusively for you so that time period is unavailable to others who might want training. Travel and other arrangements for the course trainer are also made at the time the training is booked. Thus, our Refund Policy for on-site training different than for the Public Training:

• Notify Imagine That Inc. of cancellation at least 21 days before the scheduled start of the course. This ONLY applies if the training was to be held within the contiguous United States. (For training in Alaska, Hawaii, and all countries outside of the USA, the full refund only applies if you cancel at least 30 days before the scheduled start of the course.)
  Full refund
• Notify Imagine That Inc. of cancellation between 20 and 2 days before the scheduled start of the course. This ONLY applies if the training was to be held within the contiguous United States. (For training in Alaska, Hawaii, and all countries outside of the USA, the partial refund only applies if you cancel at least 5 days before the scheduled start of the course.) The partial refund (or partial charge, as applicable) consists of:
  • No refund on instructor expenses. We will do our best to recover instructor expenses from vendors (airlines, hotel, etc) and will refund or credit you for any expenses we recover. But there is no guarantee that any of the instructor's expenses will be recoverable.
  • A $500 cancellation fee if the course was to be held within the contiguous United States; $1,000 cancellation fee otherwise.
    Partial refund (or you will incur a partial charge, as applicable)
• Unless you provide at least a 2 day advance notice of cancellation AND the training is within the contiguous United States, there is no refund on quoted charges for the training. (For training in Alaska, Hawaii, and all countries outside of the USA, there is no refund - or you will be charged, as applicable - unless you notify us of cancellation at least 5 days in advance of the training.)

ExtendSim training courses are delivered through a certified ExtendSim Trainer online, in one of our regional locations, or on-site at your facility. We have the flexibility to train virtually anywhere!

If it's just you or you and one or two of your colleagues, we recommend the public training courses.

If you anticipate sending 3 or more employees to a training course, you may want to consider on-site training. Courses can be scheduled at your convenience and in your facilities (anywhere in the world) or online as a privately held on-site training. The other benefit of an on-site course is that there is the option to tailor the training to your environment and situation-specific needs.

See the complete list of available courses to learn more.

There are two levels of ExtendSim 10 definitions:

• Compile Time • If you are compiling a block in ExtendSim 10, EXTENDSIM_10 is defined by the compiler so can be used in block code with a value of 1. Your block code might be similar to:

#ifdef EXTENDSIM_10
    #include "v10 include file.h"
    and some v10 compatible code;    // note that this can use V10 functions that are not defined in V9 as v9 will ignore this
#else
    #include "v9 include file.h"
    and some v9 compatible code;
#endif

• Run Time • Your block could call GetExtendVersion(0), which returns a double of 1000.0 or greater for version 10.xx. Your block code might be similar to:

if (GetExtendVersion(0) >= 1000.0)
    {
    do something that v10 needs (must use v9 compatible functions if you need to run this block in v9);
    }
else
    {
    do something that v9 needs;
    }

All ExtendSim versions are upwardly compatible. So ExtendSim 10 will read in models built in ExtendSim 9, 8, and 7. ExtendSim 9 will read in models built in ExtendSim 8, 7, and Extend 6. And so on.

However, ExtendSim is not backwardly compatible. Models and blocks you build in ExtendSim 10 cannot be read by earlier versions, such as ExtendSim 9 or ExtendSim 8. Models and blocks you build in ExtendSim 9 cannot be read by earlier versions, such as ExtendSim 8 or ExtendSim 7.

If your operating system has recently been updated and you are using an ExtendSim release prior to 9.3, Windows may be blocking the launch. With release 1709 (October 2017) Windows changed how the memory manager worked, which caused crashing and hang ups when launching older installations of ExtendSim.

If you are using ExtendSim 9 (released prior to November 16, 2017), 8, or 7, get your fix here.

If you have a Network license and ExtendSim on Client devices no longer launches, the Service (exService) may not be running correctly. In cases where the Server has been restarted, exService sometimes fails to correctly re-communicate with Client devices. The solution is to Stop the Service on the Server, then Start the Service. (Note: A Client license of ExtendSim will remain launchable for several hours after losing communication with the Server’s License Manager. However, if communication is not restored, ExtendSim will not launch. Thus, this issue can occur many hours after the Server has been restarted.)

If you are trying to enter numbers into editable text boxes in a block dialog and nothing appears, the problem could be that your system has been set to use right-to-left text for programs that do not use Unicode. This setting will work for programs that are built to expect to use right-to-left text, but not for programs that are not set to expect this.

You may need to change your system locale. The system locale determines the default character set (letters, symbols, and numbers) and font that you use to enter information and that are used to display information in programs that do not use Unicode. Selecting a different language for the system locale will not affect the language in menus and dialog boxes for Windows or other programs that do use Unicode. Try changing the default locale to English (United States) and check to see if this helps.

To change the system locale, follow the instructions at: answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows8_1-desktop/how-to-change-the-system-locale-to-run-non-unicode/7a7c2bd2-b67b-4f89-ad76-04c2346e01c0.

If you receive an error message on your client installation when trying to check a license out of your ExtendSim 9 network license it is probably the result of not having sufficient permissions on your client machine to checkout the license. The checkout process requires some administrative rights on the client machine and many companies are restricting these rights from users.

Try using the right-click command Run as administrator. If this doesn't work, then you may not have been granted sufficient permissions by your company on the machine to check out a license.

• Check if exService is running as a Service. For Windows, look in Computer Management\Services and Applications\Services.
• Look in the Task Manager's Details tab. Both exServer and exService should be listed as running and both should list the System as the User Name. If the User Name for either of them is not System, the License Manager needs to be reinstalled.

When you open and convert a model that was built in ExtendSim 9, the converted ExtendSim 10 model is not associated with a file association until it is saved. Data Import Export blocks use the model path name to resolve the relative file path name specifications. Consequently, Data Import Export blocks using relative file path names will not function properly until the ExtendSim 10 model has been saved and is associated with its file.

Make sure that you SAVE the new ExtendSim 10 model following its conversion from ExtendSim 9 before running it.

While trying to update your ExtendSim 9 license to the current release, you see "This copy of ExtendSim is incomplete. Please reinstall ExtendSim from your CD.”

An Updater is not a full installer. This message only appears for one of two reasons:

• If you installed the 9.x updater but you did not install it to the same place where ExtendSim 9 is installed.
• If you installed the 9.x updater on a machine that does not already have ExtendSim 9.

First check your computer (Program Files (x86) and Documents) to determine the location of the current installation of ExtendSim 9. If it is present, install the 9.x updater into those same locations so that it will replace the ExtendSim 9 files. If ExtendSim 9 is not present, you need to install ExtendSim 9 before installing the 9.x updater.

End of Life

ExtendSim 9 was released July 17, 2013 and was subsequently updated several times. The ExtendSim 9 series reached its End of Life (EOL) on October 28, 2019 with the final update, release 9.3.1. As of the EOL, there will be no new bug fixes, security updates, or non-security updates for release 9.

End of Service

After the release of ExtendSim 10 in October 2018, Imagine That! provided support to customers who were converting models and libraries from ExtendSim 9 to ExtendSim 10. That support ended, and ExtendSim 9 reached its End of Service (EOS) on January 1, 2022. As of the EOS date, ExtendSim 9 is officially retired and there will be no free or paid assisted support for ExtendSim 9.

Purchasing ExtendSim 9 products

To continue to use ExtendSim, we strongly urge you to purchase or upgrade to the latest release. If you are still in the transition process of converting older models to ExtendSim 10, Imagine That! will sell licenses of ExtendSim 9 products “As Is”, with no warranty or support.

• Purchasing ExtendSim 9 after the EOS date comes with certain risks, including the possibility that changes to the Windows operating system or other events might cause ExtendSim 9 to stop working.
• Networked licenses of ExtendSim 9 carry an additional risk - while it works well in most cases, the License Manager for the Network license is outdated and no longer supported by the vendor. If it stops running, your only option would be to reactivate it.
• You can use the ExtendSim 9 Demo to run existing ExtendSim 9 models. Please do not use a development version of ExtendSim 9 to build new models and/or custom blocks.
• ExtendSim 10 is a major upgrade with a lot of new features and capabilities customers have been asking for. Since most third party developers have already completed the transition to ExtendSim 10, be cautious if you are using a third party product that requires you to use an ExtendSim release earlier than 10.

If you want to purchase an ExtendSim 9 product and you are willing to take the risks associated with using software that has reached its EOL and EOS, please contact Imagine That Inc. or your ExtendSim Distributor. Let us know the reason you still need to use ExtendSim 9 and your plans to transition to ExtendSim 10. You will be asked to sign a document confirming:

• You acknowledge and accept that the product comes with neither support nor warranty.
• Other than upgrading to a newer release, you have no recourse if the software ceases to work.
• When purchasing ExtendSim 9, you will also be assigned an Activation Key for the corresponding ExtendSim 10 product. You are still subject to pay for an annual Maintenance & Support Plan based on the current price. Note, support will only be provided for ExtendSim 10.