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In this video, we're going to show you quick and easy ways to duplicate objects in your
simulation model. Let's start by creating a simple model. Drag
out a source, a processor, a conveyor, and a sink, and connect these objects starting
with the
source and ending at the sink. Click the source to access its Quick Properties and give it
an "Inter-Arrivaltime" of 0, giving us an infinite
supply of flowitems. In the processor's Quick Properties, change its "Process Time" to 3.
If you click "Reset" and "Run," you'll see the
processor begin to process items at a rapid pace. Let's add a few more processors to the
model, and we want them to be identical to the first
processor. I know that all they really require is a simple change in process time, but in
most models, object have many parameters that have been
customized, so duplication is the best option. To copy, simply click on the processor to
highlight it; this is denoted by a yellow box around the object. Hold the "Ctrl" key
and press the "C"
key on your keyboard. Then, move your mouse to wherever you want the copy to be made,
hold the "Ctrl" key, and press the "V" key. Just like that,
the processor has been duplicated, retaining all of its parameters. Alternatively, you
can right-click on an object, point to "Edit," and then
click "Copy" to copy an object. Right-click anywhere in the Model View, point to "Edit,"
and then click "Paste" to make a duplicate of the object
at that location. Connect our two new processors to the model,
and then reset and run the model. The processors all have the same process times, so they are
moving
flowitems at a high rate. But let's say we end up editing one of the processors? Double-click
the first processor to open its properties window
and then find the "Triggers" tab. Click the green plus sign for "OnEntry" to add an action
to that trigger; and select "Set Itemtype and Color"
from the list. Click "OK" to save and close the window.
If you reset and run the model, you'll see that only one of the processors is producing
colorful items. We can copy this and any other parameter
onto our other processors without deleting and recreating them. First, we need to select
the objects we want to copy TO. Hold the Ctrl key, and
click to select the other two processors. Be aware that selected objects will always
have a red box around them, even if they are highlighted.
Click "View" in the menubar and choose "Edit Selected Objects." This is a very powerful
utility with many options, but for right now we're
concerned with the "Copy From Highlighted" section. You can copy any and all parameters
from an object, including variables, labels, location,
rotation and size, and visual elements. We need something to copy from, so click to highlight
the first processor, giving it a yellow box. Access
the "Variable" drop-down menu, and select "entrytrigger" from the list, then click the
"Variable" button. Reset and run the model. All of our processors
are now working with colored flowitems because we successfully copied that trigger to the
other
two processors. Using the "Edit Selected Objects" utility is a convenient way to copy widespread
or complex changes to many objects at once. Thank you for watching. For more information
on FlexSim products or to view more tips and tricks for successful modeling, please visit
www.flexsim.com.