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Model Tab and Backstage Views

The Modeltab contains commands for working with models; this can be found to the left in the program window's ribbon.

The Model tab can be found on the left-hand side in the program window's ribbon. The backstage view opens if you click on the Model tab. It contains menu items (can be recognized by e.g. the Options command ) and various sub tabs; one of the sub tabs is always active.

The figure shows the Model tab with the visible sub tabs Help & Support.

Note:

You can quickly exit the backstage view for your model by clicking on the Start tab or pressing the [Esc] key.

Contents

The ribbon contains commands for working in a model, whereas the Model tab contains commands for working with a model.

This is why the Model tab contains model-based commands and tabs for various aspects of an Innovator model:

Note:

Depending on whether it is a local model or a model in the private cloud, either the Close or Logout buttons are visible.

Information Tab

The Information tab contains meta data about the model and associated commands which can be executed depending on the status of the model user.

The tab can be seen once you have logged-in to a model.

Change log

Change log shows change sets for the model if the user has the PrivilegeViewing Changesets. Change sets log all relevant changes made to this model.

  • The following can be seen in the overview for each list of change sets

    • date it was saved,
    • user,
    • number of operations carried out and
    • comment left when a change set is closed.
  • Use the Details... link to call the Change Set Details dialog that shows additional details of the individual changes.
  • The log can be activated and interrupted or ended with the Activate log check box.
    • Note:

    Change logs can only be (de)activated by the model administrator.

  • Activate the User name for changeset can be edited check box as soon as the log is active if you want to be able to change the user name when saving the change set.
  • Use the Start Date and End Date data fields to limit the time frame change sets should be shown in the Change log.

Version Management

  • Manage Versions

    You can use these commands to create new versions of this model (baselines) and reactivate old versions.

    • Note:

    Model versions can be created and reactivated by the model administrator and all users who are logged-in as a role with the privilege.Versioning

  • Import & Export

    You can use these commands to:

    • Import model fragments (Load Model Fragment dialog) and
    • Export selections either with or without all subelements as a model fragment (Save As standard dialog box).

    You can also access the commands as Extras>Import>Model Fragment>Import Model Fragment... or Extras>Export>Model Fragment>Export Selection... and/or ...>Export Selection Including Subelements... respectively.

Recently Used Tab

The Recently Used tab contains two lists: documents that were recently edited in this model, and the most recently used models.

Recently Used Diagrams can be found on the Start Page.

Recently Edited in this Model

You can carry out the following actions directly in the left-hand area Recently Edited in this Model:

  1. If you have not already opened a model, you can jump to the Open & Log-in tab by clicking on the Open Model button and log-in to a model there.

  2. If you have opened a model:

    • Clicking on an item in the Recently Edited in this Model list reopens the corresponding document.

    • You can add the document to the list of recently edited documents by clicking on the button or remove it from the list by clicking on the button.

Recently Used Models

You can carry out the following actions directly in the right-hand area Recently Used Models:

  1. If you have do not have a model open yet, you can open this model again by clicking on the respective entry in the Recently Used Models list.

    The user and role last used are used for the login. If you want to use another user or role for the login, then jump to the Open & Log-in tab to log-in to this model.

    The model is opened in its own Innovator interface. Please wait until this appears.

  2. If you already have a model open, then you can add a model in an active repository to the list of recently-used models by clicking on the button or remove it from the list by clicking on the button.

Open & Log-in Tab

You can find your models in the Open & Log-in tab. The models are split into three areas, depending on their type of management; each of these areas (Local on this Computer, Private Cloud (Network of your Organization) and Public Cloud by MID (coming soon)) can be individually expanded.

These areas contains commands for searching and opening models and/or logging-in to the models of the respective area.

Local on this Computer
Note:

This area is only active if the Innovator server component is installed on your computer and you have the authorization for running an Innovator server process.

The default storage location for models managed on your computer is the "Innovator\<Version number>" sub directory of your Windows default folder My Documents. The absolute path of this directory is shown in the top half of this area.

The first local model found in the default storage location is highlighted in the File Name drop-down list.

  • Clicking on the Browse... button opens the standard dialog for opening a file with a file filter for local Innovator models (*.inomdl). Select a model and confirm with Open.

  • If you want to open an older version of a local model, then click in the dialog on the Open button's selection arrow and select the Show previous versions command. Select an older version of a local model and confirm with Open.

    Note:

    In order to be able to access older versions of a local model, the System Protection Windows function needs to be activated for the drive on which the files for local models are stored.

  • Clicking on the Open button opens the local model shown in the File Name field in its own Innovator interface.
    Please wait until this appears.
  • If this model has more than one user role, the Switch Role dialog asks you to choose one of these roles. Select a role and confirm with OK.
Private Cloud (Network of your Organization)

As with models managed in the private cloud (your organization's network), models which are managed in the set license server's active repository are shown. If applicable, existing sub directories of the project directory ($INOPRJ), the repositories and their models are shown in the tree structure. Models can also be recognized by their icons.

The list of models in the private cloud is structured as follows:

Column Description
Name
  1. Path relative to the Innovator project directory ($INOPRJ),
  2. Repository name or
  3. Model name
Last login Date of your last login to this model
Last role Your last role in this model

The content in this list can be sorted by each of these three columns.

  • Clicking on the Models available on '{0}.{1}' button refreshes the active repository's display and the models managed there ({0} is the license server ($INOHOST) and {1} its port address).
  • You can search for models and repositories by their name in the <Find Model> search field. In this case, the list is restricted to the models containing the entered search term in their path name, repository name or model name.
    If you enter more than one search term separated by spaces, then all search terms need to be contained in the path name, repository name or model name.

The following information appears about the selected model to the right of the list, apart from the model icon.

Information Description
Name Name of the model
Description Brief description of the model (Purpose of the model property)
Repository Repository the model is managed in
Providing Computer Computer the repository server is active on
Provider
  1. <Windows user name>, if the repository server was manually started or
  2. system, if the repository server was started as a service
Last Login Date of your last login to the model
From Computer Computer which the last login was carried out from
As User User who last logged-in to the model
Last Role Role the last log-in to the model was in
  • The Login button is activated if you have selected a model you have not yet logged in to.
    Clicking on the Login button opens the dialog of the same name; you need to select the user and role for the login and enter the allocated password to login in this dialog.
  • If you select a model you are already logged in to, then the label for this button changes to Switch to Model.
    Jump to the Innovator interface by clicking on the Switch to Model button.
Public Cloud by MID (coming soon)
Note:

This area is coming soon.

The Innovator model server will soon be available from MID as an extensive public cloud service. This means you can save infrastructure costs, as well as structure your team at short notice and regardless of where they are based without reaching capacity limits. Interested? Get in touch: cloudservice@mid.de

New Tab

You can create new models in the New tab. The creation is structured into two areas depending on the type of management: Local on this Computer and Private Cloud (Network of your Organization). Click on the respective tab to select the respective backstage view.

Local on this Computer
Note:

This area is only active if the Innovator server component is installed on your computer and you have the authorization for running an Innovator server process.

You can select the template you want for the local model in the Available Templates for Local Models area. What the template is used for is shown to the right for a selected template.

Create a local model by clicking on the Create button. The name is automatically assigned.

  • If you are already logged-in to a model, then another Innovator interface is started for the new model.
  • If the selected model template provides more than one user role, the Switch Role dialog appears. Select a role and confirm with OK.

The new model can then be edited. Unlike with models in the private cloud, (see below) you need to Save the model data yourself.

Private Cloud (Network of your Organization)

The Available Repositories for Models in the Private Cloud area lists the active repositories of the set license server. If applicable, these can be found in a project directory's sub directories ($INOPRJ).

Clicking on the Active Repositories on '{0}.{1}' button refreshes the active repository's display ({0} is the license server ($INOHOST) and {1} its port address).

The list of private clouds is structured as follows:

Column Description
Name Sub directory in the project directory ($INOPRJ) or repository
Providing Computer Computer the repository server is active on
Provider
  1. <Windows user name>, if the repository server was manually started or
  2. system, if the repository server was started as a service

The columns can be sorted.

A new model can only be created on an active repository in the private cloud. It requires a unique name on this repository. However, models with the same name can exist on other repositories. You need to enter the repository administrator's password on the selected repository to create a new model.

Enter the repository administrator password in the field for the repository selected in the list.

Clicking on the Model Wizard button opens the wizard for creating a model in the selected repository. Wizard guides you through the three steps.

Print Tab

You can print selected or open documents (diagrams, specifications) in the Print tab.

The tab can be seen once you have logged-in to a model. The structure is the same as the Microsoft Office standard.

Start printing with the current settings by clicking on the Print button.

You can select the printer from the Printer drop-down list. The Printer Properties link opens the standard dialog of the same name.

Select the scope and format of the print task in the Settings area.

You can select one of the basic options for the scope:

  1. Print active diagram

    Only print active diagrams.

  2. Print all open diagrams

    All open diagrams will be printed.

  3. Print all selected diagrams

    All diagrams selected will be printed.

The following options can also be selected:

  • Page selection (from, to; refers to the preview page numbers bottom right)
  • Orientation (portrait or landscape)
  • Format (for selecting the paper size for the paper format supported by Innovator (DIN/ISO format A1 to A6, B5 and North American paper formats Executive, Letter, Legal and Ledger) and that of the printer currently selected.)
  • Always fit Diagrams to single Page
  • Scaling ( Scale to one single page, No scaling)

The Page setup link opens the dialog of the same name with the Paper size, Page margins, Header/Footer and Templates tabs.

Create & Send Documentation Tab

The Create & Send Documentation tab contains commands for publishing model contents, so that non-Innovator users can also access the models.

The tab can be seen once you have logged-in to a model.

Publish model documentation.

You can create documentation which contains all or partial information from a model at a particular development state using Innovator. Documentation generation settings such as e.g. the output format you want, are available as so-called "documentation commands".

The following functions exist for generating a documentation:

  • Microsoft Office Word document

    The As Word Document function can be used if configuration of your model has at least one documentation command which can be used to create the "Word for Windows" output format.

    Clicking on the  As Word Document button starts the documentation generation wizard; this then provides you with the Word documentation commands available and takes you through the steps necessary for generating a Word document.

  • XML File / HTML Pages

    The As XML/HTML function can be used if configuration of your model has at least one documentation command which can be used to create the "XML" output format.

    Clicking on the  As XML/HTML button starts the documentation generation wizard; this then provides you with the available XML/HTML documentation commands to choose from and takes you through the steps necessary for generating an XML/HTML document.

  • Document Preview

    The Preview function can be used if configuration of your model has at least one documentation command which can be used to create the "Preview Window" output format.

    Clicking on the  Preview button starts the documentation generation wizard; this then provides you with the preview documentation commands available and takes you through the steps necessary for generating a document preview.

  • Use Documentation Wizard

    The Docu Wizard function can be used if your model configuration has at least one documentation command which can be used to create any output format.

    Clicking on the  Docu Wizard button starts the documentation generation wizard; this then provides you with all documentation commands available and takes you through the steps necessary for generating a document.

Reapply to current selection

Clicking on the Redo Generation button applies the recently used settings from the Documentation Creation Wizard to the structure of the documentation for the model elements currently selected in the application's active window. The wizard does not restart and the documentation is immediately created.

Attention:

All decisions you make in the document generation wizard regarding the selection to be made (e.g. "diagram currently open" or "whole model"), are ignored when running Redo Generation! The selection is automatically determined from the current selection in the model instead.

Send by e-mail

These commands create a new e-mail draft with files attached in a certain format. You can edit this draft before sending it to the desired recipient as an e-mail.

Note:

The functions for sending files in e-mails uses the Outlook Mail API; Microsoft Outlook 2003 (or newer) needs to be installed for it to work.

  • Portable Network Graphics (PNG) File

    Clicking on the  Send as PNG button creates a file in PNG format for each diagram which belongs to the current selection in the application's active window and attaches this to the e-mail.

  • Enhanced Metafile Format (EMF) File

    Clicking on the Send as EMF button creates a file in EMF format for each diagram which belongs to the current selection in the application's active window to add as an attachment in the e-mail.

  • Innovator Model Fragment

    Clicking on the Send as Attachment button creates a file in Innovator's own AOB format and attach to an e-mail; the contents corresponds to the current selection in the application's active window.

Administrative Tasks Tab

The Administrative Tasks tab contains commands which can only be called by a model administrator or a user with special privileges.

The tab can be seen once you have logged-in to a model.

Administrative Tasks

Standard users can activate temporary administrator mode by entering the model administrator password.

Notes:
  • This mode is permanently activated for the Model Administrator role and cannot be deactivated.
  • This mode is permanently deactivated for the Guest role and roles with read-only rights and cannot be activated.
  • Please note that the mode is not automatically limited to a certain time period. You need to log-out once you have completed your administrative tasks. It is not a good idea to work as the Model Administrator user as model elements created by the model administrator cannot be accessed by any users.

If administrator mode is turned off, open the Get Temporary Administrator Privileges dialog by clicking on the Administrator Mode button; you can get administrator rights by entering the Model Administrator Password.

If administrator mode is on, clicking on the Administrator Mode button opens a dialog where you can end administrator mode and return your rights to that of your user role.

Model Configuration

  • Change the name of this model

    This command can only be carried out by users with model administrator rights.

    Existing references to elements of this model no longer work once you have changed the name!

    Clicking on the Rename Model button opens the Change the name of this model dialog, where you can rename the model.

  • Edit the model configuration

    Model configuration contains profiles and documentation structures, as well as users and user roles.

    Clicking on the Configure button opens the configuration editor. If one configuration element can be determined from the selection in the model it is then jumped to.

    Note:

    The model administrator can always make changes and all users that are logged-in in a role with the PrivilegeConfigurating can also make changes in the Enterprise edition.

  • Load and save model templates

    You can import add-on templates into a selected system model or save a model part as a base or add-on template.

    The Load & Save button and commands are only activated in their submenu once an appropriate selection has been made in the model.

    Select a system model in the model in order to run the Load Add-On Template... command.

    Select the model parts in the model that are to be saved as a base or add-on template in order to run the Export to Model Template... command.

  • Manage alternative display language for diagram contents.

    Diagram contents can be shown with the modeling language or another language that you as model administrator manage here. The alternative display languages currently available are listed. Select it to rename or remove an alternative display language.

    Attention:

    If you remove an alternative display language, then all existing labels in this language are deleted irretrievably without a confirmation prompt.

    Click on the Display Languages button to open the Add Display Language or Rename Display Language dialogs or for running the Remove Display Language command.

User Account

If you are logged in to a model, you can Change Password here.

Help & Support Tab

The Help & Support tab contains functions to make it easier to use Innovator.

Help

  • Click on the Innovator Help button to start your Internet browser and access the Help.
  • Clicking on the Getting Started button starts your Internet browser to access a help topic and will help you with getting started with Innovator.
  • The third button is determined by your setting for the URL for Custom Help in the Resources tab in the Options dialog. The URL set is called in your Internet browser.

Support

  • Clicking on the Visit the Online Service Area button starts your Internet browser and access the Service area on the MID homepage.
  • Clicking on the Contact Us button creates an e-mail with a question for the MID support team. You can edit this draft before sending it to MID support as an e-mail.

Tools for working with Innovator X

Clicking on the  Options button opens the Options dialog, where you can customize workspace-based settings for various parts of the interface.

About Innovator X Generation

You can find information about your Innovator license here, including the precise version identification, serial number and host identification.

Note:

This button can only be seen if you are using various editions of this Innovator version on multiple licenses.

Additional Version and System Information

The About Innovator X Generation dialog contains information about the license, environment variables, operating system, hardware and assemblies. This information may help MID technical support to determine the reasons for errors. This information is not relevant when using Innovator.

It contains information about:

  • License

    You can find information about the serial number, host identification etc. here

  • Environment Variables

    Innovator environment variable values

  • System

    Windows version, free RAM and rendering

  • Hardware

    Graphics, CPU and RAM

  • Assemblies

    Table of all program components with manufacturer, product version etc.

The Copy to Clipboard button allows you to copy the information into a document or an e-mail.

Event Viewer

The Event Viewer dialog contains information about the last events.

Unusual events when running program code in the Innovator interface are logged in the Windows event viewer. It is also possible to have all events of the running interface listed in this dialog.

Use the Close button to end the dialog.

 

 

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