Overview

The RateStick module of the Cambridge Numerical Solutions (CNS) platform provides a number of features for simulation management, including, for example, the ability to organise simulations into folders, simulation cloning, and simulation export/import functionality. This tutorial explains how the various features can be used from the ‘Simulations’ page. For instructions on accessing the ‘Simulations’ page, see the tutorial ‘Performing a simulation from scratch’.

Creating a new folder

Your account will always contain a ‘Default’ simulation folder into which simulations for this module can be created. It is possible to create a new folder by clicking on the ‘New folder’ button.

Locating the ‘New folder’ button.

In the ‘New folder’ window which opens:

1. For the ‘Folder name’ field, enter the name that you would like to use for the folder (e.g. ‘Folder 1’).
2. Click on the ‘Create’ button.

Naming and creating the new folder.

The newly created folder will now appear in the list of folders:

Newly created folder appearing in the list of folders.

Renaming a folder

To rename an existing folder (e.g. ‘Folder 1’):

1. Click on it from the list of folders.
2. Click on the ‘Edit folder’ button.

Locating the ‘Edit folder’ button.

In the ‘Edit folder’ window which opens:

1. For the ‘Folder name’ field, enter the new name that you would like to use for the folder (e.g. ‘Folder 1 new’).
2. Click on the ‘Submit’ button.

Renaming an existing folder.

The folder will now appear as renamed in the list of folders:

The renamed folder appearing in the list of folders.

Please note that the ‘Default’ folder cannot be renamed.

Deleting a folder

To delete an existing folder (e.g. ‘Folder 1 new’):

1. Click on it from the list of folders.
2. Click on the ‘Delete folder’ button.

Locating the ‘Delete folder’ button.

The deleted folder will be removed from the list of displayed folders:

The deleted folder is removed from the list of displayed folders.

Please note that only empty folders, i.e. folders with no simulations inside them, can be deleted. Furthermore, the ‘Default’ folder cannot be deleted.

Creating a new simulation within a folder

To create a new simulation within a simulation folder (e.g. ‘Folder 2’):

1. Click on the folder from the list of folders.
2. Click on the ‘New simulation’ button.

Creating a new simulation within an existing folder.

In the ‘New simulation’ window that opens:

1. For the ‘Simulation name’ field, enter the name that you would like to use for the simulation (e.g. ‘Simulation 1’).
2. Click on the ‘Create button’ (For information on simulation templates, see the tutorial on ‘Creating a simulation from a template’).

Naming and creating a new simulation.

The newly created simulation will appear in the list of simulations for the selected folder:

Newly created simulation within an existing folder.

Moving simulations between folders

To move an existing simulation (e.g. ‘Simulation 1’) from its current folder (e.g. ‘Folder 2’) to another folder (e.g. ‘Folder 1’):

1. Click on the dropdown button for the simulation.
2. Click on the ‘Move’ option.

Moving an existing simulation from its current folder to another one.

In the ‘Move simulation’ menu window that opens:

1. From the dropdown, select the destination folder (e.g. ‘Folder 1’) that you wish to move the simulation to.
2. Click on the ‘Move’ button.

Specifying the destination folder to move a simulation to.

The simulation now appears in the list of simulations of the destination folder only:

List of simulations in the destination folder.

Exporting a simulation file

If you would like to share a simulation setup with another user, or would like to create a local record of a particular simulation setup, the most convenient way to do this is by exporting the ‘simulation file’ corresponding to the simulation. The file can later be imported into the platform to reproduce the simulation setup.

To export an existing simulation (e.g. ‘Simulation 1’):

1. Click on the dropdown button for the simulation.
2. Click on the ‘Export’ option.

Exporting a simulation file.

The simulation file in ‘.zip’ format will be automatically downloaded to the default location for downloads on your device (for example, the ‘Downloads’ folder on your computer).

Importing a simulation file

To import a simulation file that you have previously exported or which another user has shared with you, click on the folder into which you want to import the simulation into (e.g., the ‘Default’ folder), and then click on the ‘Import simulation’ button.

The ‘Import simulation’ button for importing a simulation file.

In the ‘Open simulation’ window which opens:

1. In the ‘Simulation name’ field, enter the name that you would like to assign to the simulation that you wish to open (e.g. ‘Simulation 2’).
2. In the ‘Simulation file to open’ field, click on the ‘Browse’ button and select the simulation file that you wish to import.
Click on the ‘Open’ button.

Importing a simulation file.

The simulation will be imported into the previously selected folder:

The imported simulation appears in the list of simulations of the selected folder.

Renaming a simulation

To rename an existing simulation (e.g. ‘Simulation 1’):

1. Click on the dropdown button for the simulation.
2. Click on the ‘Rename’ option.

Renaming a simulation.

In the ‘Edit simulation’ window that opens:

1. For the ‘Simulation name’ field, enter the new name that you would like to use for the simulation (e.g. ‘Simulation 1 new’).
2. Click on the ‘Edit’ button.

Specifying a new simulation name.

The re-named simulation will be displayed in the list of simulations for the folder as before:

The renamed simulation displayed in the list of simulations.

Cloning a simulation

It is often useful to use an existing simulation setup as a starting point for creating a new simulation. This can be done by cloning a simulation into a new one. To clone an existing simulation (e.g. ‘Simulation 1’):

1. Click on the dropdown button for the simulation.
2. Click on the ‘Clone’ option.

Cloning an existing simulation.

In the ‘Clone simulation’ window that opens:

1. For the ‘Simulation name’ field, enter the new name that you would like to use for the cloned simulation (e.g. ‘Simulation 1_copy).
2. Click on the ‘Clone’ button.

Specifying a name for the cloned simulation.

The cloned simulation will be displayed in the list of simulations for the folder.

The cloned simulation displayed in the list of simulations.

Deleting a simulation’s output data

In order to save on the amount of cloud storage space that you are using, it can sometimes be useful to delete the simulation output data for simulation projects in your account (Note: See the tutorial on Managing your usage for more information on checking how much cloud storage space you have available).

To delete the output data for a simulation (e.g. ‘Simulation 1’):

1. Click on the dropdown button for the simulation.
2. Click on the ‘Delete data’ option.

Deleting the simulation output data for an existing simulation.

In the ‘Delete simulation data’ window which opens, click on the ‘Confirm’ button:

Confirming the deletion of simulation output data.

Deleting a simulation

To delete an existing simulation (e.g. ‘Simulation 1’):

1. Click on the dropdown button for the simulation.
2. Click on the ‘Delete’ option.

Deleting an existing simulation.

In the ‘Delete simulation data’ window which opens, click on the ‘Confirm’ button:

Confirming the deletion of simulation output data.

The deleted simulation is removed from the list of simulations for the folder:
In the ‘Delete simulation data’ window which opens, click on the ‘Confirm’ button:

The deleted simulation is removed from the simulations list.