Tutorial: Open a model to browse

Using the Rent vs. Buy Model

This chapter shows you how to:

• Open an existing model
• Calculate results
• Change input values to calculate different results

In this chapter, you use the Rent vs. Buy model, an Analytica model that compares the cost of renting a house to the cost of buying one. After working through the chapter, you will know how to open an existing model, use it to calculate results, and change input values to calculate different results.

Opening the Rent vs. Buy model

To begin, follow these steps.

1. Launch Analytica: Click the Start button on the Windows taskbar. Click All Programs → Analytica 4.6 → Analytica 4.6.
   
2. After Analytica starts, select File → Open from the menu.
3. Click the Example Analytica Models icon and select the Tutorial Models folder.
   
4. Open the Rent vs. Buy model.
5. Double-click the icon for the Rent vs. Buy model to start Analytica.
   
6. Analytica reads in the Rent vs. Buy model.

Becoming familiar with the Diagram window

When you open a model, Analytica first displays a top-level Diagram window. The Rent vs. Buy model diagram shows several input variables that affect the trade-offs between renting and buying, Normal buttons, a Calc button, and a node labeled Model.

This top-level diagram is an end-user interface to the model itself, which is contained in the Model node. In this chapter, you use only the interface in this top level diagram; in the following chapters you will explore the model in more depth.

Across the top of the screen is a horizontal palette of buttons. This is called the tools palette.

When you first open the Rent vs. Buy model, the browse tool is highlighted on the palette. With the browse tool selected, the cursor looks like a hand when it is over the diagram. The browse tool allows you to calculate the model, change input values, and examine — but not change — the structure of the model. In this chapter, you only use the browse tool.