Release Notes

What's new in AnyLogic 8.6

Application

Now new models by default don't display the Simulation page when running. See the new option Skip experiment screen and run the model on the Simulation experiment properties.

Material Handling Library

Now transporters – automated guided vehicles (AGV) - can be limited or prohibited from movement in Rectangular and Polygonal nodes. Restrictions can be configured depending on available space, scheduling, throughput, and other conditions. Restricted areas can also be opened and closed manually using the API. When a transporter approaches a restricted area, it can wait or take a detour.

We have improved behavior and vision algorithm for path-guided transporters.

Processing stations on conveyors can now process objects individually, without waiting to be batched together. To enable this, select the Processing starts when agent enters station option in the Station markup element properties.

Rail Library

Switch now has several types:

Now, as new trains are placed in the network, they may occupy multiple tracks (removed the previous requirement for the created cars to be fully on one track).

Manual blocking of tracks is another new feature that can be used when a track is out of order or busy. If the path of a train is blocked, the train can dynamically calculate a detour or stop before the blocked track. Building the shortest route including blocked paths can now be done via the Rail Settings block. We also added new Track API: block(), unblock(), isBlocked(), etc.

Now, using the API, you can check the availability of tracks and reserve them for approaching trains. If another train approaches a reserved track, it will stop and wait until the track is clear. We have introduced new functions of Track: reserveFor(..), reservations(), cancelReservation(), isAvailableFor(..).

Process Modeling Library

ResourcePool: It is now possible to select the next request from the request pool for a resource unit via the Customize request choice property.

Downtime: It is now possible to specify resources that perform maintenance/failure/etc. processing.

Internationalization

Major update of Spanish translations.

New example models

Demo model: Areas with Limited Access for Transporters


Demo model: Level Junction


Demo model: Blocking Railway Tracks


Demo model: Railway Track Reservation

Other improvements

Engine

Material Handling Library

Process Modeling Library

Pedestrian Library

Rail Library

Road Traffic Library

Graphical editor

Built-in database

Animation

Optimization Experiment

Projects View

Installation

Welcome

Experiments

Examples

Bugfixes

Engine

Material Handling Library

Process Modeling Library

Pedestrian Library

Rail Library

Fluid Library

Graphical editor

Built-in database

Property View

Application

Installation

Run Configuration

What's new in AnyLogic 8.5.1 - 8.5.2

Material Handling Library

We’ve added an Overhead Crane. You can choose the type (gantry or bridge) and the number of girders on the crane (single or double girder); the appearance of the crane depends on these properties. Like the Jib Crane that appeared in AnyLogic 8.4, the overhead crane is controlled by the MoveByCrane block.

Automatic collision resolution for custom routing of path-guided transporters.

Path-guided transporters are now smarter. They can recalculate their route if their destination is changed and calculate distances to other transporters, including across intersections. Also, they can reduce their speed when navigating curved paths, or when approaching other transporters. Should two transporters meet while traveling, they can incur a time penalty to simulate collision resolution. This is now possible both on paths and at intersections.

For all types of transporters, we've introduced the getDistanceTravelled() function. This helps to calculate the distance traveled by the transporter.

Objects that use robots to move can now select from either the nearest transporter or the one with the shortest route (taking into account obstacles, such as walls, equipment, or conveyors). You can set this selection policy in the SeizeTransporter block.

Process Modeling Library

The idling of equipment, e.g. caused by maintenance or malfunctioning, or any breaks in resources operation is now easier to simulate. In the new Downtime block, you can configure this process by customizing the start time of such idling periods and their recoccurrence policy.

New example models



Demo model: Palletizing Conveyor

Other improvements

Material Handling Library

Process Modeling Library

Rail Library

Pedestrian Library

Fluid Library

Engine

Properties View

Installation

Examples

Bugfixes

Optimization Experiment

Material Handling Library

Road Traffic Library

Rail Library

Pedestrian Library

Fluid Library

Engine

Graphical Editor

Application

Code generation

What's new in AnyLogic 8.5

Multi-level models support

We have introduced levels for space markup elements, presentation shapes, charts, controls, etc. Multi-level objects, such as buildings, conveyors, and even cruise liners, are now easier to model in AnyLogic within a single agent.

You work with levels similar to layers found in graphical software. Each level can be designed separately, while maintaining a multi-layer view, and the visibility of the levels can be changed, allowing you to hide or display level contents.

To move material items between levels, special markup elements are used:

Material Handling Library

Density map for transporters: We have added a density map for AGVs moving in free space.

Custom routing: Now you can include specific paths in the custom route for the transporters.

New Material Handling Library Tutorial: We have released a new tutorial - Lead Acid Battery Production. It contains step-by-step instructions on how to build a model of a production line for car batteries.

Pedestrian Library

Pedestrian traffic: Pallet racks, conveyors, and cranes now have the Is obstacle property. When it is selected, the space markup element becomes an obstacle for pedestrians and they are forced to go around it.

New example models


Demo model: Material Handling in Hospital


Demo model: Agent per Fluid Batch

Other improvements

Optimization Experiment

Material Handling Library

Process Modeling Library

Engine

Built-in Database

Graphical Editor

Properties View

Application

Examples

Runtime UI

Bugfixes

Material Handling Library

Process Modeling Library

Pedestrian Library

Engine

Built-in Database

Graphical Editor

Properties View

Application

Examples

What's new in AnyLogic 8.4

Material Handling Library

Transporter movement: Transporters can now move freely, without the need for guidance paths. They can take into account obstacles, including walls, equipment installations and other transporters. Free space navigation can be specified in the TransporterFleet block.

For path guided transporters (AGVs), 8.4 now enables custom routing logic to be specified in the TransporterControl block.

Multi-level conveyor networks and AGVs: New elements in AnyLogic 8.4 make it possible to operate networks of conveyors and transporters across multiple segments and levels. The Network Port element allows you to logically connect two conveyor networks or sections of a conveyor into a single network. While a new Lift space markup element can connect networks operating on different levels. Navigation between ports and lifts can be configured or left automatic. Together, these objects simplify the modeling of complex multi-level conveyor systems.

A Jib Crane space markup element is also now available, it is operated by the MoveByCrane block. It can connect one or more networks.

Dynamic route recalculation can now be done on demand by calling the recalculateRoute() function. For example, if reading the current conditions from the Convey block shows that there is congestion, it can change the route of a material item or AGV.

Connecting conveyors: A final notable development in the Material Handling Library relates to the connection of conveyors at angles. Previously it was necessary to use Turntable or Transfer Table elements. Now, a Conveyor Spur element is automatically created instead.

User interface and working with models

We have improved 3D and 2D animations with increased frame rates and responsiveness.

Now automatic code formatting can be applied to one or several elements, or even the whole model.

Models can now be exported as separate Java applications from both the GUI and the command line. Exported models can include embedded browsers for different OSes. This makes models accessible even if you do not know the OS of a target computer.

When the model is running, in the Developer panel, you can go to the Events panel and observe the event queue. You can also go to the event itself or the agent that it applies to.

Model resource management

In addition to the model file and its database, there may also be other associated resources, such as GIS and CAD files, images, text, and spreadsheets. In 8.4, they can be managed from the Resources group in the model tree. Furthermore, AnyLogic knows which files are needed to launch a model and includes them when exporting.

Process Modeling Library

To improve the animation performance of large storage systems, the default drawing mode of the RackSystem block is now color indication mode.

The Pickup block now has a new operation mode Exact quantity. This causes it to wait until it has the specified number of items before moving on. For example, packaging items coming off a conveyor in a material handling model.

AnyLogic Cloud

With the release of 8.4, we have also released AnyLogic Private Cloud Lite – a low-cost, easy-install version of AnyLogic Cloud. It can be installed on a local network workstation and allows the private sharing of simulation models within an organization. You can compare the versions of AnyLogic Cloud here.

Excel files, or any other file type, can now be used to set simulation model input parameters.

New example models


Demo model: Fulfillment Center Conveyor System


Demo model: Rack System with AGV


Demo model: Two Level Facility with Lift


Demo model: Order Picking Line

Demo model: Buffer with Lift

Other improvements

Runtime UI

Engine

Graphical Editor

Application

Properties View

Process Modeling Library

Material Handling Library

Fluid Library

Legacy

Bugfixes

Runtime UI

Engine

Graphical Editor

Application

Properties View

Process Modeling Library

Material Handling Library

Fluid Library

What's new in AnyLogic 8.3

Material Handling Library

AnyLogic version 8.3 introduces the specialized Material Handling Library. It enables and assists the simulation of processes in factories and warehouses. The library is especially useful for simulating production lines and assembly lines, as well as the transportation of goods in warehouses and factories – including the use of robots, such as automated guided vehicles (AGV). The routing of AGVs can be handled automatically in AnyLogic to help simplify model development.

New example models

To help you get started with the new library, there are several example models and how-tos. You can find the example models on the AnyLogic welcome page in the application, and also in the AnyLogic Cloud:

Models now launch in the browser

If you run a model in AnyLogic 8.3, instead of the usual presentation window, a browser window will open to display the model animation. This development enables improved animation, as already seen in the AnyLogic Cloud.

New 3D shape format support

AnyLogic 3D shapes now use the Collada (*.dae) format. This gives developers greater freedom to use 3rd party objects in models. Note: 3D shapes in the old *.x3d format will be converted and should be verified.

Custom blocks can be created in 2 clicks

Custom flowchart blocks are useful when you need to simplify the appearance of a process diagram or use the same group of blocks several times. To create a custom block: in the process diagram, select the blocks you want to group, right click the mouse button, and select Create Flowchart Block from the context menu. The properties and icon of custom blocks are customizable.

Other improvements

Bugfixes

What's new in AnyLogic 8

Export models to AnyLogic Cloud

AnyLogic Cloud (https://cloud.anylogic.com/) is a web service that allows you to run models online from a web browser on any device, including phones and tablets, and share the models with other users.

The model export scenario is quite simple. You have just to define inputs and outputs of the model using the Run Configuration editor.

The AnyLogic Cloud experience starts in the desktop application where you define inputs and outputs of the model. The model is then uploaded to a secure cloud-based storage. It is executed remotely and leverages high performance cloud computing by utilizing as many nodes in parallel as needed.

With AnyLogic Cloud, you can:
  1. Configure experiment parameters in teams using version control.
  2. View model animation.
  3. Create custom dashboards to analyze outputs and key metrics.

Inside AnyLogic Cloud, you have a collection of your own models that you work with as a developer or a user. You can share these models with anyone to organize a mutually beneficial cooperation.

Access public models shared by the AnyLogic community or create your own online simulation portfolio by uploading them from AnyLogic.


New example models

Demo model: Border Checkpoint


Demo model: Crude Oil Distillation Unit




Demo model: Consumer Credit



Demo model: Airlines Fleet



Other improvements

What's new in AnyLogic 7.3

New Road Traffic Library

The main new feature added is the Road Traffic Library.

The Road Traffic Library allows you to simulate vehicle traffic on roads. The library supports detailed physical level modeling of vehicle movement.

The library allows the users to simulate:

The Road Traffic library is suitable for modeling highway traffic, street traffic, on-site transportation at manufacturing sites, or any other systems with vehicles, roads, and lanes. A special traffic density tool allows you to analyze road network load.


Fluid Library improvements

We added more blocks to the Fluid Library:

We also radically improved the library engine so that the execution speed stays high even for vast and dynamically reconfigured networks. The fluid library blocks now collect statistics on stored amounts and flow rates and move it to the built-in database. Improvements also include custom reaction on rate changes, extended API, and better animation.

Easy data import from external DB

Also, users now have the ability to load data for schedule, table function and custom distribution from the database.

New example models

Demo model: Grain Terminal


Demo model: Crude Oil Pipeline Network


Demo model: Chocolate Production

What's new in AnyLogic 7.2

Built-in database

AnyLogic models now have a built-in fully integrated database to read input data and write simulation output. The database is exported with the model and is as portable and cross-platform as the model itself. With the new database, you can:


Fluid Library

The new Fluid Library allows you to efficiently simulate storage and transfer of fluids, bulk matter, or large amounts of discrete items, which you do not want to represent as separate objects.


Escalators and zigzag queues for pedestrian flow models

AnyLogic Pedestrian Library has been upgraded with highly customizable escalator and zigzag (or serpentine) queue objects.


Railway routing option for GIS models

In addition to car, bike, and foot routing methods, AnyLogic GIS now offers routing by railways.


Shape files conversion to AnyLogic markup

Vector graphics from imported shapefiles can now be automatically converted into AnyLogic markup elements, such as rail tracks, which can be used with the Rail Library.


Quick popup help for library blocks and parameters

Now if you hold the mouse pointer over a library element or a parameter, a window with quick help will pop up.


New example models

Distribution center, Gas Station

What's new in AnyLogic 7.1

Massive upgrade of the GIS Map shape

The GIS Map shape has been greatly improved: now it supports tiled maps (i.e. OpenStreetMap), and you can use all the data that comes along with them: cities, regions, road networks, objects (hospitals, schools, bus stops, etc.). You can place agents in specific locations on the map, and make them move along existing roads or routes. The routes can be requested from one of the supported route servers (AnyLogic, YOURS or BRouter), or you can create a routing graph from an .osm file using the built-in wizard. Once downloaded, tiles and routes are cached, enabling users to work in offline mode.

You can create the required elements on the map inside the model, using the built-in map search or new space markup elements (i.e. GIS Point , GIS Route , and GIS Region ). Using the GIS Search Results view, you can also create a GIS Multiregion object.

The environment of the agent becomes GIS Space when you add a GIS Map shape on its diagram.

Read all about the new GIS features in the help section GIS Models.

Discrete event modeling with GIS

The GIS space has been traditionally used in the agent-based modeling. Now you can combine agents, GIS and process flowcharts in one model.

Read more about this integration here.

New GIS-related API

See AnyLogic API reference: GIS package

Agent type propagation in the library blocks

Now you have access to parameters of a custom agent type in every flowchart block with no need to specify it anywhere except for the block that generates those agents in the flowchart. These are the flowchart blocks like Source, Enter, Assembler, Split, Batch, ...

For instance, specify your agent as the New agent that the Source block should generate, and you will be able to use the agent variable to access your custom agent type's parameters in the following library blocks of this flowchart. You can check if the agent type is propagated in the Advanced section of the properties of library blocks.

New block icons design for the libraries

New types for the Parameter element

The Parameter element now can be defined in Time, Rate, Speed, Length, Acceleration, and Area units of measurement. First you choose the parameter type, then you will be able to choose the units for this type.

Controls for choosing units

Now you have the ability to quickly set your agents’ speed at miles or kilometers per hour, choose time units for timeouts in events, transitions, Source blocks, and so on. Then, no matter what your model time units are, the objects in the model will keep their processes defined in the real units of measurement.

Easy linking of controls to parameters

In the control's Properties, select the option Link to, and then choose an element from the drop-down list: a parameter, a variable, even a parameter of some flowchart block. There is no need to manually type the name of this parameter anymore:

'Show in graphical editor' button

After you choose some element in another object's properties, you can find it in the graphical editor by clicking this button:

Highlighting of the referred objects

All elements that are used by a flowchart block or any other object are highlighted in the graphical editor. If you select a block that refers to other objects in its properties, you will see these objects highlighted in the purple color:

Hyperlinks in code

Ctrl click the name of a model element in the code to navigate to it in the graphical editor. The element will appear in the center of the graphical editor, highlighted in the purple color.

Space markup element Scale

You can find the Scale element now on every agent diagram above the X axis. Its new functionality allows you to easily define the scale of agent's animation figures and explicitly control the number of pixels in one meter or any other unit of length for the whole diagram of this agent type.

Transition to Java 8

New Java 8 has better collection-related API

New example models

The example models Corporate Education, Product Delivery and Oil Supply Chain feature the new GIS Map functionality.

Airport with Two Terminals - A model of an airport with two terminals. Includes flight schedule, check-in, security check, shuttle train between the terminals, boarding, unboarding, and baggage claim. The model features hierarchical/modular architecture, usage of AnyLogic Pedestrian Library, Rail Library, and Process Modeling Library, and 3D/2D animation. The passenger, train, and aircraft processes are interconnected.

Model: Airport with Two Terminals

Corporate Education - A model of corporate education in a company with a number of regional branches and high employee turnover (such as a bank or an insurance company). Allows to obtain the level of employees education over time (fraction of fully trained, training overdue, etc.) as well as the amount of associated travel as a function of the number and location of own trainers and group policy. The model is fully parameterized from Excel, including branch locations, employee types and numbers, individual education plans, trainers, and trainer competences.

Model: Corporate Education

Product Delivery - This model simulates product delivery in Europe. The supply chain includes three manufacturing facilities and fifteen distributors that order random amounts of the product each 1-2 days. There is a fleet of trucks in each manufacturing facility. When a manufacturing facility receives an order from a distributor, it checks the number of products in storage. If the required amount is available, it sends a loaded truck to the distributor. Otherwise, the order waits until the factory produces the sufficient number of products. This model is essentially multi-method. Distributors, trucks, and manufacturing facilities are agents with custom behavior. The latter includes system dynamics diagram of production and a flowchart that simulates order processing. Agents live in a GIS space. Names of initial locations of manufacturing facilities and distributors are read from Excel file. GIS search engine is used to find locations on map and place agents there. Trucks move on real roads, and routes are created when vehicles start moving to destinations.

Model: Product Delivery

Oil Supply Chain - An oil supply chain. Crude oil is delivered by tankers to the port storages. Then, by pipeline to refineries. Refined product is pumped through a pipeline network to the terminal storages, and then is delivered by ground transport to the retailers. This is an agent based model: storages, refineries, retailers, pipelines,trucks, and tankers are agents. The model has 2D animation on a GIS map.

Model: Oil Supply Chain

Other changes and improvements

What's new in AnyLogic 7

Interface

Agents

Space markup

Process Modeling Library

Miscellaneous

New palette view

You can collapse/expand sections by:

Hover the mouse over the vertical navigation bar in the Palette view. You will see the popup list with the palette names. Just choose the palette name from the list.

New properties view

You can expand and collapse sections by clicking their headers. The parameters have the following icons next to their names:

Dynamically evaluated expression

Static value

Small triangle indicates that you can switch between design-time (static) and run-time (dynamic) values. Example:

Here you can enter the code for actions

Problems view

Problems and Console views are only shown when there issues with building a model, in which case they will appear automatically. You can find these settings in Tools > Preferences > General:

You can open these views anytime from the View menu or by clicking their icons in the status bar:

Hiding categories of elements in the Graphical Editor

Sometimes you may have tons of graphical elements on the same diagram:

Now you can temporarily hide those elements. Click the icons in the status bar to hide or unhide elements:

Hide Space markup elements

Hide shapes

Hide SD links

Hide 2D elements

Hide 3D elements

Example:

Referring to element by a click in the graphical editor

To make a reference to a graphical object (such as a path, a node, an area) in a logical object (such as queue or delay) you simply click the object in the editor.

Adding shapes to existing group

There are two modes for choosing the group where to add the shape(s):

Statechart improvements

Trigger type indicators for transitions:

By timeout

Rate

Condition

Message

Agent arrival

Unconnected transitions are highlighted in red:

Flowchart blocks connect automatically

When you add blocks, the closest ports get automatically connected, significantly reducing model design time.

Flowchart block connection settings added in the Preferences:

Agent. New API for communication

New handy functions added:

Functions for Discrete space only:

The old functions are still here:

Example:

people.get(0).sendToRandom("Hi!");

Functions sending messages to random agent(s) now prohibit choosing the message sender as the recipient. Read more in Communication.

Default contact network (connections)

Each agent has a non-removable link Connections - this is for standard networks with bidirectional connections.

Here you define the reaction on the message reception, in its properties:

Links have customizable visual appearance:

Defining custom inter-agent links (contact networks)

You can add custom links with custom names and visual appearance.

Link can be:

Link can be:

Link to upper level agent

Agent has non-removable visual link to the upper level agent (to the other agent where this one lives) such as main, city, company.

This is just a pointer, not a link - we need it to access owner parameters and functions. Now you refer to the owner agent just by pointer name (main, distributor, ...)

Inheritance (visually supported)

The elements of the super class are shown pale (and are not editable here):

Agent. New API for movement

You make agent move by calling one of its movement functions:

Related functions:

Converting network shapes to new space markup

Now you should use new specially designed network elements - paths and nodes from the Space Markup palette. In case you already have a graphically defined network consisting of lines and rectangles you need to convert these presentation shapes into network elements. Right-click selected shapes in the graphical editor and choose the option Convert | Convert to Network Elements in the context menu.

Movement functions. New options

moveTo() and moveToInTime() functions provide several notations, enabling defining target location in different ways:

You can define location as:

Priorities and task preemption policies

When some other task is initiated, you may choose what to do with the task being executed currently:

Blocks supporting preemption options: Seize, Service, Assembler.

"Internals" of entities defined graphically

Modeling warehouse storages

Special space markup shape: PalletRack.

Example of vertical levels animated in 3D:

Similar flowchart blocks for defining the logic:

RackSystem

RackStore

RackPick

New time units: months and years

This is essential for System Dynamics modelers.

We use these values:

Copy any graphical elements as image

  1. Select the elements.
  2. Choose Edit > Copy as Image from the menu.
  3. Paste the image.

Fixes and minor improvements

Agents

General palette

Engine