Step 5: Creating a Report Definition


Sometimes, the predefined report and plots that are provided by the Output Assistant are not what you want. In this case, we can either start with one of the predefined report (or plots) and change it to our needs, or we can create a new report (or plot) from scratch. In order to create or edit an exisiting report definition, you navigate in the tree to Output->Reports. If you want to edit an exisiting report, just double click on the report you want to edit in the table. If you want to create a new report, click the New button on the bottom then double click on the new entry in the table. You will now find yourself in the dialog for the report definition.

(Click here to go to the Report definition dialog.)

figure: empty Report Definition Dialog

If you have created a new report, the list widget is empty. That means that nothing will be put into the report. In order to add items for the output, you click on the Item button which is located to the right of the empty list. This will open the Object Browser dialog where you can select any available object. We will now limit ourselves to the time object and the concentrations of the species. Expand Species -> Transient Concentrations and select the ones you want in the report (drag or Cmd/Ctrl to select). Also select Time -> Model Time (still with Cmd or Ctrl pressed). You may also check the box to work in expert mode. This exposes the objects, references, and attributes, by actual internal object name, to allow for fuller control.

figure: Object Browser dialog

Once you have selected all the attributes for the output, you finish the selection by clicking the "OK" button.

The attributes that you see in the list widget now, will be written to file in same the order as the appear in the list. If you want the time to appear in the first column of your output instead of the last, you have to change the order of the selected elements. You can change the order of the elements by selecting an item in the list and moving it up or down via the Up and Down buttons on the left. You can also delete an element by selecting it and then pushing the Delete button.

figure: Report Definition dialog with entries