Hierarchical simulation model with animation

There are many issues in computer simulation such as verifying model code, validating models, understanding the dynamics of systems and training the personnel. The developers of simulation tool have been interested in the animation, since it can help solve the problems related to the above listed issues. Trying to display all the graphic objects representing the dynamics of the models being simulated, however, causes the distraction of focus, which results in solving the above listed problems difficult. The redundant graphic objects also increase the computer computation overhead. This paper presents a hierarchical animation environment in which the users can have better focus on the dynamics of system components by selectively choosing the hierarchical level and components within a level of the hierarchically structured model. When the model is large and complex in particular, the selection of observation level is needed. The design of the hierarchical animation is based on the DEVS (Discrete EVent system Specification) formalism, which is theoretically well grounded means of expressing modular and hierarchical models.