ACS SASSI User Interface is the current graphical user interface for the simulation modules in as of the ACS SASSI V3.0.0 installation kit.

When the user opens User Interface the interface will look very similar to PREP interface. Unlike Prep, on entry to the User Interface there is an empty model ready to be used without requiring the use of the new Menu option to create or load a model the user should consult the Getting Started topic. When the model is ready for simulation the user can launch the required Modules directly from the User Interface without having to go to Main. The File conversion processes from File Converter has been expanded and allows the user to directly input model data into User Interface without need to write a pre first.

The User Interface shares no code with PREP, MAIN or the File Converter which it replaces. Difference between the Prep and User Interface interfaces and functionality were kept as minimal as possible to help users transition to the new version of ACS-SASSI.

A user opening the User Interface on there computer for the first time will see a few lines of text in the command window in the warning color [yellow (by default)] before any commands are entered. The warnings are triggered because User Interface did not find an initialization options files or the User Interface databases. The User Interface will then attempt create and store 3 xml files in the users account profile. (Location varies by Operating System) These files are called SASSIini.xml, SASSIdb.xml and SASSIani.xml. If there are errors [red text (by default)] in this text or the yellow text reappears on subsequent uses of the User Interface the user should contact there system administrator about there user account settings.

Note: The files are local to the user account not computer if a user has multiple account the user will see these messages on the first usage in each account.

The first new capability of the User Interface is the ability to open and use multiple models at the same time. User Interface has a state machine protocol for accessing and creating new models. All commands and user interface options affect the current active model. User should be familiar with this concept because it is the same way that the GROUP and Element commands worked in Prep and continue to work in User Interface. All models in the User Interface are referenced by positive integer number with the default model (empty model on opening) number being 0. To access any model the user must use the ACTM command

The size limitations on models has changed in the latest version of SASSI. It was found that many functions of Prep are very inefficient when dealing with models that are close to the limit of SASSI. First, when Loading an pre only the comments in the file and errors encounter are reported to the command history. The command entry and acceptance shown in the command history during input dramatically slows down the input process and with volume of commands in a larger model will overwrite the error. This sped input of a pre file that take 15 minutes in PREP to under a minute in the User Interface. The User Interface uses OpenGL 4.0 for graphics which allow for better display of large models. Finally the internal storage format of data in the User Interface was changed to decrease the memory needed to store each model.

The User Interface allows the user to take a piece of one model and use that as a separate model this is covered in the Submodeling example.

The User Interface has the ability to Merge two models in memory into a single model. The Process is described in the Merge topic.

There are many repetitive task that cannot be covered by a simple command. User Interface introduces Macros and Loops to help the user to complete these repetitive task with less chance of errors arising from copy and paste problems.

• Menu Options
• Toolbars
• Command Reference