2. So, normally one will work
with simulation parameter
files by launching the CS
Explorer program.
CropSyst simulations
require a number of files
that store the parameters
that control and adjust the
various submodels in the
CropSyst model.
CS Explorer implements most of the functions in Windows Explorer for the basic
file management.
3. Additional buttons are provided to:
Edit a selected file in notepad. (If no file
is selected, open the notes.txt)
4. Additional buttons are provided to:
Launch another CS Explorer window
open to the current folder.
7. Context functions panel
CS Explorer provides in the lower panel,
various functions that are available for
working with files and directories with
respect to specialized CropSyst directory
contexts.
8. Position of primary functions
Input fields, and buttons that perform
specific functions are organized with the
primary and/or most frequently performed
operations positioned at the top of the panel
with optional functions listed lower in the
panel.
10. Arbitrary directory
Initially there is no recognized directory
structure, so CS explorer will display the
functions for a normal arbitrary directory
context.
11. Standard directory structure
CS explorer suggests a special directory
structure to organize CropSyst parameter
files.
You do not have to use this directory
structure.
12. Personalized directory structure
Indeed if you have a complicated set of
simulation scenarios and parameter files,
then some other directory structure may be
more suitable.
13. Arbitrary directory
You can use the file manager can create any
directory structure to organize your projects
and parameter files. The "Assume context:"
with "[]Permanently" checkbox and the
directory context selection box can be used
to force CS explorer to recognize the current
directory as a specialized CropSyst context
(not all context types can be permanently
affixed).
14. Create a simulation directory
You can start creating projects in any
arbitrary directory, however I usually create
a "Simulation" directory either in my
documents folder or the root drive of the
hard disk.
15. Create a simulation directory
You can start creating projects in any arbitrary
directory, however I usually create a "Simulation"
directory either in my documents folder or the root
drive of the hard disk.
The optional "Create simulation folder"
function button will set up the default initial
directory structure in the current arbitrary
directory.
16. Creating projects directories for simulations
The created simulation directory and
projects subdirectory can be any name you
want.
Default names in various languages are
provided in the drop down box.
17. CropSyst parameter editors recognize
three levels of parameter database
directories: Master simulation, Project
and Scenario. In the Master level
database, one would store parameter
files that would be commonly shared by
multiple projects (frequently used soil and
weather files are commonly stored in
master level databases).
Parameter files that will be used by
multiple scenarios in a project will be
often stored in the project level
database.
Files that will only be used by a specific
scenario would be stored in the
scenario's database.
Most often, parameter files will be stored
in the project level database.
Parameter database levels
18. Creation of simulation components
Most directory contexts provide a function
to create a new file in the folder. Simply
enter the name in the input field and
press the "Create" button.
The checkbox
"[]Automatically go into
created context folders"
will set the file list to
view the created folder.
19. Project context
A project is simply a
directory which stores a
set of scenarios, often a
parameter file database
directory and a set of
parameter files for
various optional
simulation modules (GIS
simulation, Grazing
regimens).
For advanced users,
there is a facility to
generate scenarios. We
will not cover that in this
course.
The “Goto project: Scenarios
and Database” buttons will
move the view to the
respective directory context
(if it doesn't already exist,
then the directory will be
created ).
20. Database context
Parameter files for soil,
weather, crop,
management, and
rotation, can either be
first created in a
parameter database
directory, and then
selected to define a
scenario in a "bottom up"
manner.
Or you can create a
scenario first and
create/select parameter
files as needed in a "top
down manner"
In either case you may find it more convenient to first
create the "project level" "database directory". Then, in
this directory, add the subdirectories for the various
types of parameter files that would be used in the
project.
