User Interface

This section describes the processes needed to run a numerical modeling project within the software. The material covers the shared working environment for FLAC2D, FLAC3D, 3DEC, PFC2D and PFC3D. Functionalities specific to a given program (for instance, the Sketch workspace in FLAC2D and FLAC3D) are described in the sections of the documentation devoted to those programs individually. The order of material roughly approximates the order of engagement of user interface components in a “typical” modeling process. The topics comprising this section, and their contents, are as follows.

Program

An introduction to program layout and session-to-session configuration and user preferences in the Options dialog.

Projects

Definition and description of projects, the i Project panel, project item management, and bundle files.

Data Files

Data files described, basic operations on data (and FISH and other text) files, the program’s i Editor.

Commands

The basics of commands, the i Console, and a discussion of commands as a basis for operating the program. This section also details the facilities found in the Commands area of the user interface: the Console, the ipython pane FISH Global Symbols, the State Record, and List output.

Other Inputs

Summary of other input files that may be used in a modeling project to generate model objects (dfns, geometries, et al.), with descriptions and/or specifications relevant file formats.

Plotting

A comprehensive reference to the heart of model processing and visualization in the i Plot pane, with usage information on the extensive set of tools available.

Solving

A description of the process of cycling/solving in the program, and an overview of what the program reports while cycling and what actions are available at that time.

Saving

An overview of the critical role played in properly designing the project’s save sequence, and a description of the utility provided by the i State Record pane.

Python

For users working with Python, the i iPython console provides internal program access to the programming API for Itasca software in Python.

Most of the user interface is explained and enumerated in the topic areas above. These are followed by one additional topic area that describes general aspects of the program.

Use of panes within the interface that provide functionality for program-specific capabilities (e.g., the i Building Blocks, i Sketch, or i Model panes in FLAC3D) is described where the documentation for commands created in these panes is presented.