Markov Tab

Add State adds a new state block to the current diagram. You can define the properties of the new block using the Block Properties window.

Auto Arrange automatically arranges the blocks in the diagram so that all blocks are evenly spaced and centered.

Settings

Connect Blocks allows you to create transitions between state blocks in the current diagram. When this command is selected, click the source block, hold down the left mouse button and drag a line from the source block to the destination block. When the crosshairs are located above the destination block, release the mouse button to create a transition. To stop adding transitions and return to the normal mode, right-click the diagram or clear the Connect Blocks option (i.e., by choosing the command again).

Save Diagram The application always saves the diagram upon calculate or close. This command provides the option to manually save the diagram at any time while you're editing. This can be useful if you're working across a network in an enterprise database.

Drag and Drop Blocks toggles drag-and-drop mode on and off for the current diagram. When drag-and-drop mode is off, you can drag blocks to new locations within the current diagram. When drag-and-drop mode is on, you can drag blocks from the current diagram to another diagram of the same type. If you are using the tabbed MDI view, drag the block to another diagram tab to change the focus to that diagram, then drop the block in the diagram area.

Block Painter allows you to copy the block properties from one block and apply them to another block in the current diagram.

Style copies only the block style (i.e., appearance) settings, including the picture on the block if desired.

Properties copies only the block properties, as defined in the Block Properties window, including any attachments if desired.

Style and Properties allows you to copy the block style and/or properties in a single operation.

Copy Diagram Graphic allows you to copy either the entire diagram or just the selected components of the diagram.

Copy Diagram as Graphic copies the current diagram to the Clipboard. The diagram can then be pasted into other documents as an enhanced metafile (*.emf) graphic.

Copy Block(s) as Graphic copies the blocks and connectors that are currently selected in the diagram to the Clipboard. The selected material can then be pasted into other documents as an *.emf graphic.

Add Annotation adds a new annotation to the current diagram. You can edit the text that appears in the annotation by double-clicking it to open the Edit Annotation window.

Set Block Flag allows you to display or remove a red, yellow or green flag above the selected block. These flags have no effect on the analysis or simulation so you can use them for any purpose of interest to you. For example, each flag color could represent a level of analysis that has been completed.

Properties

Block Properties opens the Block Properties window, which allows you to define the initial probability that the system will be in the state, along with other properties depending on whether you are working with a discrete Markov diagram or a continuous Markov diagram. If an annotation is selected, this command opens the Edit Annotation window, which allows you to edit the text for the annotation.

Transition Properties opens the Transition Properties window, which allows you to define the conditions under which the system moves from the source state to the target state.

Line Bend alters the bend style of the selected connectors. If a custom style is used, the options for removing bend points will become available.

Selection

Change Diagram Type opens the Change Diagram Type window, which allows you to change the current diagram to the opposite diagram type (i.e., you can change the current discrete diagram to a continuous diagram, or the current continuous diagram to a discrete diagram). In this window, you can select Duplicate using the new type option to create a new diagram using the new type. The new diagram will be named "Copy of [original diagram name]." If you do not select this option, the original diagram itself will be changed to the new type.

Diagram Style opens the Diagram Style window, which allows you to edit the appearance of the diagram.

Phase Properties allows you to specify how long the current phase will run. This will be the number of steps for a discrete diagram, or the length of time for a continuous diagram. You can also change the phase name in this window.

Export Graphic saves the diagram as a graphic in one of the following formats: *.wmf, *.png, *.gif or *.jpg. You will be able to use the exported graphic in any application, provided that the application supports the file format.

Cascade Select selects all the blocks that are connected from the selected block, including the selected block itself. This allows you to easily select all blocks that are connected to a block.

Trace Path traces the path of the selected block. Click another block or the diagram to remove the traced path. The color of the traced path is the same as the color for a selected connector and can be set in the Diagram Style window. The thickness of a traced path can also be set in the Diagram Style window, independent of the properties of a selected connector.

Set Initial State sets the currently selected state block as the initial state for the system. This sets the initial probability value for the selected state to 1, and the initial probability values for all other state blocks to 0.

Make Transition Angles Even allows you to specify the angle of the curve used in the transitions. If multiple transitions are selected, this command applies only to the selected transitions. If no transitions are selected, it applies to all transitions in the diagram.

Adjust Angle in Opposite Transitions when this command is selected, if two state blocks are connected to each other with two opposite transitions, changing the angle of the curve of one transition will change the other transition to mirror it.

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