Model Sharing

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.)

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.

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.

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.