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An add-on brings Git functionality to AnyLogic, including operations like committing, pushing, pulling, branching, merging, and cloning.
Now, teams can manage changes, revert to previous model versions, and work on different parts of a project simultaneously.
Memory dump analyzer
The memory dump analyzer helps with debugging and managing memory use by allowing snapshots of memory during model runs.
It features visualization tools like dominator trees, histograms, and charts that show the biggest memory consumers in the model. The Memory dump analyzer makes it easier to spot and address potential leaks.
Mac ARM support and a new model format for collaboration
AnyLogic now supports native operation on Mac ARM devices, which improves performance and efficiency for smoother project management and workflow on these systems.
The new multi-part ALP format splits models into multiple files, putting each agent and its components in separate folders, which makes teamwork more streamlined.
There are two types of optimization engines available: OptQuest and a built-in genetic optimization engine (shipped with AnyLogic and without limitations, regardless of the size of your project).
An optimization experiment performed based on the genetic algorithm can be exported as a standalone application with no additional charges.
Pedestrian elevators
Now, AnyLogic will have a pedestrian elevator as its basic element. Elevator functionality is represented by the Elevator markup element and the PedElevator block.
The Elevator markup element represents an elevator cabin that can move between floors. While the PedElevator block describes how pedestrians move to an elevator, wait for it to arrive, enter the elevator, and exit it on a specified floor.
The custom distribution properties are now completely rebuilt. You can preview and verify your custom distributions for accuracy and reliability more effectively by checking the Preview section in the properties.
FIFO & LIFO rack types, task preemption, and new diameter property
This new release has enabled the Storage markup element to support FIFO (first in, first out) and LIFO (last in, first out) rack types. As a result, selective, drive-in, gravity, and push-back shelving can be modeled. In addition, the loading and unloading locations can be switched from one side to the other. Finally, it is also now possible to use pre-reservation made by setReservation() method in Store block.
Task preemption properties have been added to the Station markup element meaning that another task with a higher priority can seize resources that are serving the station and vice versa.
The Turn station and Turntable conveyor elements now include the Diameter property giving the ability to change the diameter of these elements from properties, not only by using a handle.
This latest AnyLogic release allows transporters to more successfully resolve deadlocks and to move in free space more effectively without blocking each other's paths in corridors. This improves the simulation of warehouses where transporters' paths often intersect in narrow aisles between racks.
The earlier AnyLogic 8.7.7 release introduced the Storage markup element. This element helps quickly draw large-scale storage areas by automatically calculating the size or number of racks needed to fill a specified area. With it, you can quickly populate a warehouse with shelving racks and aisles as needed. Now, the element supports back-to-back shelving racks.
Export to file for models in Cloud
The file export functionality allows data from a model to be written to an external file. For example, experiment results to an Excel file where they can be used for analysis or integration with other analytical tools. Any file format is permitted, including compressed ZIP files.
Create GIS Network by Code
A new example model in 8.7.9 demonstrates how to programmatically create a GIS network. A function called createRoute contains Java code that reads coordinates from a data source and automatically connect them with routes.
The Conveyor markup element now has an option to change conveyor's direction during model runtime. Now it’s easier to upgrade conveyor networks with reversible conveyors that lead to workstations along the main conveyor. The feature also helps create conveyor buffers.
AnyLogic 8.7.12 comes with the renewed built-in Help.
Now density map can display density not only for the current moment, but also the average for a specified period.
Smart transporters, such as automated guided vehicles (AGV), have learned to slow down at intersections when in the presence of other transporters.
New Road Traffic Library features allow users to count the number of cars before a stop line and in a lane, collect statistics on cars that have driven through an intersection, find out the length of a car's route, and find the average speed of a vehicle.
The new layout element Storage lets you easier draw a whole warehouse. We also introduced new types of racks – Selective rack and Drive-In rack – where agents can load or unload. Read more about this elements in our Help section.
AnyLogic can now automatically draw a network of paths between the racks to ease building a transport network where resources and transporters move along specified paths. These paths easily connect to networks already in the model.
New Store and Retrieve blocks in the Material Handling Library help select resources from the Process Modeling Library for storage and retrieval operations. Within the new blocks, cell reservation, transportation, and the loading and unloading of agents in the warehouse are performed automatically.
You can now exclude one or more cells from the regular warehouse structure. This can be useful if the warehouse has an irregular structure — for example, part of a rack blocked by a pillar.
Starting with AnyLogic 8.5.2, users could simulate the operation of overhead cranes. Now, the number of bridges is configurable for these cranes and you can set the required number of spans. Overhead crane works automatically, sequencing movements by itself; for advanced use cases crane movement can now be controlled by API.
Pedestrian areas with restrictions on capacity, throughput and other conditions are introduced.
Pedestrians can now be subject to social distancing rules and, as in real life, they will try to abide by them.
If you make use of the Bonsai platform, you can now more easily and quickly connect a model to the platform and train AI algorithms based on data from simulations.
For CAD files, elements from 2D drawings can now be converted into walls for simulated buildings. AnyLogic's built-in converter recognizes the elements in a drawing, so you only need to choose which to represent as walls in the model. The new version of AnyLogic supports CAD drawings in .dxf (including versions older than 2010) and .dwg formats.
AGVs can be limited or prohibited from movement in certain areas of a model. Restrictions can be configured depending on available space, scheduling, throughput, and other conditions.
Processing stations on conveyors can now process objects individually, without waiting to be batched together.
After releasing or canceling a task, transporters can automatically choose and go to the nearest base station or go to a user-specified place.
Rail Library
Now, using the API, you can check the availability of tracks and reserve them for approaching trains.
Manual blocking of tracks is another new feature that, for example, can be used when a track is out of order or busy. If the path of a train is blocked, the train can dynamically calculate a detour or stop before the blocked track.
We have added new types of railway switches to the library – double-slip switch, single-slip switch, and all-to-all (default switch type).
Multi-level objects, such as buildings, conveyors, and even cruise liners, are now easier to model in AnyLogic within the framework of a single agent. Each level can be worked on in AnyLogic separately, while maintaining a multi-layer view of the object, and the transparency of the levels can be changed, allowing you to hide or display level contents.
To move items between levels, use Network port, Level gate, or Lift markup elements.
Density map for transporters
For AGVs that move freely we have added a density map. It works the same as for pedestrians: changing color depending on the level of activity. The properties allow for adjusting the transparency and critical number of AGVs.
AnyLogic Cloud API
The AnyLogic Cloud API has been updated in line with version 8.5.0, making the client for the API more flexible and easier to use. The new API functionality allows you to change cloud model parameters directly in the animation mode, and also extends HTML interface creation capabilities.
Other improvements
Pallet racks, conveyors and cranes now have the Is obstacle property. When it is active, the object becomes an obstacle for pedestrians, and they are forced to go around it.
In the new Lead Acid Battery Production tutorial, we show step by step how to build a model of a production line for car batteries.
Transporters can now move without the need for guidance paths. They can consider obstacles, including walls, equipment installations and other transporters. For path guided transporters, AnyLogic now enables custom routing logic.
New Network Port and Lift elements in AnyLogic 8.4 make it possible to operate networks of conveyors and transporters across multiple segments and levels.
A new Jib Crane object can connect one or more networks, and a new Conveyor Spur element allows for easier connection of conveyors at angles.
User interface and working with models
Improved 3D and 2D animations with increased frame rates and responsiveness.
Now automatic code formatting can be applied to one or several elements, or even the whole model.
Models can now be exported as separate Java applications from both the GUI and the command line.
AnyLogic Private Cloud Lite
With the release of 8.4, we have also released AnyLogic Private Cloud Lite – an easy-deployed version of AnyLogic Cloud. It can be installed on a local network workstation and allows the private sharing of simulation models within an organization. Find out more about AnyLogic Private Cloud Lite.
Excel files, or any other file type, can now be used to set simulation model input parameters.
Other updates and improvements
In 8.4, model-associated resources, such as GIS and CAD files, images, text, and spreadsheets can be managed from the Resources group in the model tree.
AnyLogic 8.3 introduced the new Material Handling Library. It assists in process simulation in factories and warehouses. The library equips users with material handling design capabilities for simulating production and assembly lines, as well as the transportation of goods in warehouses and factories – including the use of automated guided vehicles (AGV).
The Material Handling Library may be applied to:
Assess factory layout to increase shop floor performance.
Analyze various production line layouts and test their capacity in case of a manufacturing ramp-up.
Perform resource allocation and planning to avoid unforeseen bottlenecks and breakdowns.
Manage routing logic of vehicles and industrial robots around a manufacturing facility and model their interaction with conveyors, manufacturing machines, and operators.
Other updates and improvements
Model animation is now launched in a browser.
AnyLogic 3D shapes now use the Collada (*.dae) format. This gives developers greater freedom to use 3rd party objects in models.
Transparency levels for 3D objects are now configurable, allowing objects to be visible even when obscured.
We simplified custom block building. These blocks are useful when you need to make the appearance of a process diagram less complex, or use the same group of blocks several times.
Starting with AnyLogic 8.3, 32-bit Linux systems are no longer supported.
AnyLogic 8.2
New Palette object and GIS search enhancements in AnyLogic, and social login in the Cloud
Some highlights of the AnyLogic 8.2 version are listed below:
A new Presentation object — Canvas. Create dynamically changing images of any complexity.
New 3D objects: mining equipment, traffic lights, and motorcycles.
Support for high-pixel-density screens on 64-bit computers: The interface now offers improved support for HiDPI and Retina displays.
GIS mapping enhancements: new map tiles, and the runtime search area can be set and locked.
Changes have also been made to AnyLogic Cloud – AnyLogic's cloud service:
Simple sign-in using Facebook, Twitter, Google or LinkedIn.
Share models with a link. Models can now be run and inputs edited by unregistered users.
Interactive shapes and elements are highlighted when the mouse pointer moves over them in the animation window.
Continued improvements to 3D animation in the Cloud. Also, improve the 3D animation of your models already in the cloud with the help of AnyLogic latest version.
New multi-run experiments: Monte Carlo 2nd order and Parameter Variation experiments.
New Cloud inspection windows: showing basic model element statistics, as well as graphs for variables in SD-models.
New graphics for Box Plot, 2D Histogram, and 3D Surface graphs.
Cloud loading performance is now 2.5x quicker.
AnyLogic 8.1
New plots, model uploading, and other enhancements in AnyLogic Cloud
AnyLogic was updated to 8.1 together with AnyLogic Cloud. The new features allowed users to:
Upload model source files along with the model, grant access to other developers or all AnyLogic Cloud users.
View statecharts, flowcharts, and system dynamics elements in cloud-based model animation.
Run models with vector 3D animation including pan and zoom.
Edit model parameters in teams using version control.
“Like” models, leave comments, and send personal messages to other users.
To visualize the results of random sampling experiments, density plot, error plot and scatter plot are now available on AnyLogic Cloud.
Density plot visualizes the distribution density of data over a continuous time period.
Error plot shows the average value of the results and their standard deviation.
Scatter plot shows how the input values change throughout the entire experiment.
AnyLogic 8.0
Access, run, and share simulation models online
Starting with this version, AnyLogic was the first simulation tool to offer a full range of cloud services to simulation developers. The software integrated with AnyLogic Cloud – a web service that allows users to run models online from any device, including phones and tablets, and share the models with other users.
AnyLogic Cloud is a powerful tool to perform online simulation analytics with a wide range of model experiments and custom web dashboards. With AnyLogic Cloud, you can:
Execute multiple simulation runs in parallel and compare the results.
Immediately retrieve the simulation results of all performed experiments in Excel format.
View HTML5 animations of a model in a web browser.
Edit model parameters in teams using version control.
Access publicly shared models or create your own online simulation portfolio.
Other features:
Support of high resolution displays (HiDPI, Retina, etc.).
Creation of Text File, Excel File, 3D Object or Image objects by dropping an external file onto an agent diagram.
AnyLogic 7.3
Road Traffic Library
The Road Traffic Library, which had been in preview since AnyLogic 6.6, became available in AnyLogic 7.3 with its full functionality. The library supported detailed modeling of vehicle movement on roads. Each vehicle represented an agent that could have its own behavioral patterns inside. The library allowed users to simulate:
Vehicle movement on roads, considering driving regulations.
Traffic lights, pedestrian crossings, and priorities at junctions.
Parking.
Public transport movements.
The Road Traffic library is suitable for modeling highway traffic, street traffic, on-site transportation at manufacturing sites, or any other systems with vehicles, roads, and lanes. A special traffic density tool allowed analysis of road network load.
Other features:
New blocks and other enhancements in the Fluid Library.
Database improvements: load data for schedule, table function, and custom distribution from the database.
AnyLogic 7.2
AnyLogic integrated database
AnyLogic models have a built-in fully integrated database to read input data and write simulation output. The database feature helps build models that require a certain amount of external data for initialization and work. The database can be exported with the model. With the new database, it became possible to:
Read parameter values and configure models.
Generate entity arrivals in the process models.
Import data from other databases or Excel spreadsheets, and store it in a readily available form.
View resource utilization, waiting, processing, and travel times.
Store statistics, datasets, and custom logs, simplifying the data post-processing and export.
Fluid Library
To better understand the behavior of flows in networks, we developed the AnyLogic Fluid Library, a suite for logistics simulation and modeling of bulk and fluid materials, gas, and oil substances. With the library, users could integrate such continuous processes in a discrete model and represent their performance at a detailed level.
Other features:
Highly customizable escalator and zigzag queue objects in the upgraded AnyLogic Pedestrian Library.
In addition to the car, bike, and foot routing methods, the AnyLogic GIS object included routing by railways.
Automatic conversion of vector graphics into AnyLogic markup elements.
AnyLogic 7.1
New GIS maps implementation (tiled maps)
AnyLogic 7.1 pioneered the full integration of GIS maps and related GIS-based services into simulation models. This advancement allowed for:
Access to all data stored in the online-based map: cities, regions, road networks, and other objects (hospitals, schools, bus stops, etc.).
Placement of agents on maps, and their movement along existing roads or routes.
Element creation inside the model, using the built-in Google Maps-style search or new space markup elements (i.e. GIS Point, GIS Route, and GIS Region).
Once downloaded, tiles are cached, enabling users to work in offline mode.
AnyLogic Personal Learning Edition
AnyLogic is licensed software. However, to benefit to the simulation community and make the software available to academic institutions and individuals wishing to teach, learn and explore simulation modeling, on January 12, 2015, we released the Personal Learning Edition (PLE). It is an ideal opportunity for students, professors, and employees to utilize simulation modeling software for free. With AnyLogic PLE, you get:
A free permanent license.
Advanced functionality.
Free upgrades forever.
AnyLogic PLE features are all the basic functionalities of AnyLogic, including support of all three modeling methods, all standard libraries, integration with GIS maps, 3D animation, and more. Models built in PLE are limited in complexity and size, but provide enough capabilities to learn simulation.
Other features:
Ability to define Time, Rate, Speed, Length, Acceleration, and Area units for parameters. For example, setting agent speed in miles or kilometers per hour, choosing time units for timeouts in events, transitions, and Source blocks.
Updates of the Scale space markup element, allowing quick scale definition for agent animation.
Transition to Java 8: a better API for writing collection-related code.
AnyLogic 7.0
Faster, simpler model building with improved capabilities
AnyLogic 7 new features included enhanced support for multimethod modeling, decreased need for coding, renewed libraries, and usability improvements.
Enhanced modeling environment
Entities, resources, and agents are all now the same object.
Entities can have individual behavior, separate from process driven.
Agents can dive into and jump out of the process flowcharts with no coding required.
System dynamics can be freely used inside and outside entities and agents.
Consolidated 3D space for all kinds of objects: agents, entities, resource units, pedestrians, rail cars, etc.
People, vehicles, pallets, buildings, trains, equipment can interact in the same 3D space.
New Process Modeling Library
AnyLogic 7 introduced a new Process Modeling Library, a successor of the Enterprise Library, for better discrete event (process) modeling. With the new library, users could graphically define parameters, internal variables, animation, and statistics of entities. In addition to traditional “push” entity flow, “pull” flows were supported, which was particularly useful in manufacturing applications. The new library supported task priorities, interruptions, preemption, failures, breaks, and shifts.
Updated Pedestrian Library
With the update, pedestrian models became more scalable without impacting model performance. Users could locate pedestrian spaces with ease, applying specific markup elements such as walls, obstacles, and service points. New embedded features allowed model development in a point and click manner with minimal coding.
Enhanced support for agent-based modeling
Agents, agent populations, inter-agent links, and networks are created with the help of wizards and graphical elements, requiring minimal coding.
The Agent Population was designed to help users determine agent settings in just a few clicks.
Inter-agent links are defined and visualized using graphical objects.
AnyLogic 6.7-6.9
Team license
In version 6.7, the AnyLogic Team License was introduced. It is still available for purchase and allows multiple users to share AnyLogic between workstations.
3D animation in applets
AnyLogic 6.7 made AnyLogic 3D animation compatible with Java applets. Models with 3D animation could be published on the web, and remote users were able to view and navigate in the 3D scene from their web browsers.
Updated Pedestrian Library
The Pedestrian Library allowed better simulation of pedestrian flows. From AnyLogic 6.9 on, it became possible to collect statistics on pedestrian densities and animate them as a dynamic density map. The pedestrian density map was displayed on top of the animation at the model runtime. Using the results of density simulation, users could define a throughput for a particular area in a pedestrian model.
Other features:
The possibility to export optimization and calibration experiments as stand-alone Java applications.
AnyLogic 6.8 included an advanced software version of revision control system – SVN (Subversion).
AnyLogic 6.6
Running models online
In 2011, AnyLogic launched a new simulation community web site called RunTheModel.com. It was the first step toward the greater idea of running models online, and was later incorporated in AnyLogic Cloud. AnyLogic models could be uploaded directly from the AnyLogic development environment to RunTheModel.com, allowing the community to search, run, share, and discuss simulation models online. Users could run other user models, identify possible collaborators, and get new ideas for simulation projects.
Road Traffic Library (technology preview)
A revised and updated version of the Transport Library was released as a technology preview keeping the idea of simulating and visualizing vehicle traffic. The library could be used to model very large-scale traffic systems and integrated well with the Enterprise Library, the Pedestrian Library, and the Rail Library. Later, the AnyLogic team delivered a permanent version of the library.
System dynamic modeling enhancements
AnyLogic now provided full support for system dynamics model building. The features included the ability to explicitly draw dependencies between system dynamics variables and enter the formulas later, checking for consistency with the graphical structure.
Starting with AnyLogic 6.6, it also became possible to assign units of measurement to dynamic variables and parameters.
Other features:
ExpertFit, a well-known distribution fitting software, now can be used with AnyLogic. ExpertFit could be used to process data sets, determine the best‐fitting distribution, and import its analytical form into AnyLogic.
AnyLogic users with 64-bit Windows machines could now take full advantage. The 64-bit software version made it possible to use more agents, larger datasets and arrays, among other things.
AnyLogic 6.5
Expanded 3D animation
AnyLogic 6.5 expanded the 3D animation capabilities. Users could have both 2D and 3D animation types in one model, view them at the same time, or switch between them. It became possible to define several viewpoints for a 3D scene and display them simultaneously from different perspectives.
Just as with 2D animation, AnyLogic 3D animation is displayed as the model runs, meaning that it is not a recorded video but a true reflection of the model dynamics. Third party 3D objects could now be imported into AnyLogic and used as animations of your entities, resource units, or agents.
All AnyLogic libraries now supported 3D animation. In the Rail Library, the 3D Objects palette now contained ready to use 3D objects for locomotives, several types of freight cars, and passenger cars. Launching 3D animation and custom 3D objects in the Pedestrian Library helped users create impressive and realistic pedestrian models.
Improved Rail Library
Beginning with AnyLogic version 6.5, the Rail Library supported an easy to use flowchart interface to define the logic of rail system operations in a drag-and-drop style without any coding.
Other features:
New “Excel File” object. Easy access to MS Excel files from AnyLogic models.
Starting with AnyLogic 6.5, simultaneous simulations could be split over multiple processor cores.
AnyLogic became available in Chinese and German.
AnyLogic 6.2-6.4
Action charts
AnyLogic 6.2 introduced Action Charts, structured block charts that allowed users to define algorithms graphically in the style of structured programming. It was a simple way to define algorithms even if you were not familiar with the syntax of Java operators.
Model export as a Java application
Starting with AnyLogic 6.2, users could export models as a stand-alone Java application. An exported model could be freely installed and run on an unlimited number of computers, and only the support for Java was required. Users create a master application and invoke the AnyLogic model directly from Java code.
The model animation could optionally be a part of a custom user interface, or the model could run without displaying its UI. This new possibility allowed advanced users to create highly customized solutions based on simulation and seamlessly include simulation models into existing workflows.
Rail Yard Library
The Rail Yard Library, released in the 6.4 version, and later upgraded and renamed as the Rail Library, allowed AnyLogic users to simulate and visualize rail yard operations of any complexity and scale. It enabled the combination of rail yard models with other discrete event or agent-based models of transportation, loading and unloading, resource allocation, maintenance, and business processes, etc.
Model creation wizard
This new feature enabled AnyLogic users to reduce the routine steps needed when starting a model from scratch. When creating a new AnyLogic model, users could choose from model templates. They included system dynamics, discrete event (process-based), agent-based, and pedestrian dynamics models. Wizard could help novice users understand which AnyLogic language elements were used in a particular modeling method.
Other features:
Added the “View Area” object to simplify navigation within large diagrams as well as in hierarchical models, both in design time and run time.
The Pedestrian Library support of pedestrian group behavior.
Released AnyLogic University Researcher for educational research. Later the free Anylogic Personal Learning edition was added to facilitate teaching, learning, and exploring simulation modeling.
Added converter for Vensim models.
AnyLogic 6.0
New AnyLogic engine and major technical features
In AnyLogic 6, the simulation engine was redesigned and significantly improved. Models ran 5-20 times faster and the memory footprint of all models was drastically reduced. It became possible to run several million agents on a standard 1GB RAM machine, allowing, for example, the modeling of a large city population with every person having individual properties.
The AnyLogic 6 model development environment was based on Eclipse. The move to Eclipse allowed Mac, Linux, and other popular OS users to run AnyLogic with an OS native look and feel.
Starting with AnyLogic 6, users could work with multiple models simultaneously, switching between different projects, with the ability to copy and move components across models. This, along with the integration of a CSV version control system, provided the basis for teamwork capabilities, enabling multiple modelers to efficiently work on a large project.
User interface enhancements
AnyLogic navigation became more intuitive, with one single canvas for all elements: events, statecharts, variables, and parameters, etc. This provided a complete overview of the active objects in a model and, while running the model, users could see both animation and model elements in the same window.
A code completion mechanism was introduced in this version. This significantly simplified typing code, removing the need to type the whole names of functions, variables, and parameters.
Other features:
CAD drawing import.
Increased agent-based and system dynamics simulation performance.
GIS map embedding in presentations.
Model simulation snapshots.
AnyLogic 5.3-5.5
Pedestrian Library
In 2005, the AnyLogic Pedestrian Library was released. It was an easy-to-use solution that captured pedestrian dynamics and integrated them with discrete event models. The Pedestrian Library could be used for simulating pedestrian flows inside buildings or on streets. Pedestrian models allowed statistics collection on:
Pedestrian density.
Estimated waiting time.
Interior design testing, and more.
In models created with the Pedestrian Library, pedestrians moved in continuous space, reacting to different kinds of obstacles, such as walls and other pedestrians.
Business Graphics Library
The AnyLogic Business Graphics Library armed users with charts and histograms to animate model output data during simulation, and to export data to other applications as a text. The range of chart types was close to that of MS Excel. It is now a part of the AnyLogic Analysis palette.
Agent-based Library
The library was released in AnyLogic 5.4 and enabled users to simplify time, space, network, communication, and presentation management in agent-based models.
The Agent-based Library was built on the agent-based modeling approach. This approach was successfully applied in simulating markets, the behavior of competing companies, supply chains, road traffic, and population, etc. Agent-based models provided insight into the general behavior of a system by assuming the behavior of its elements.
The Agent-based Library is now a part of the AnyLogic Agent palette.
Transport Library
The library, launched in AnyLogic 5.5, was created to capture traffic flows in a model at a physical level. It was applied to simulate vehicle movement in road traffic, at crossroads, and parking places, as well as to collect statistics on throughput.
In combination with the AnyLogic Pedestrian Library components, the Transport Library could be used to examine pedestrian influence on traffic congestion. Car movement was based on embedded or custom traffic laws.
The library was later replaced by the AnyLogic Road Traffic Library.
AnyLogic 5.0-5.2
System dynamics
AnyLogic 5.0 introduced the drawing of system dynamics flows on structure diagrams. The software supported the design and simulation of feedback structures (stock and flow diagrams and decision rules, including array variables) in a way most system dynamic modelers were used to.
This feature made AnyLogic the first simulation tool embracing all three major modeling approaches: agent-based simulation, system dynamics, and discrete event modeling.
Network-based modeling
For designing processes, that took place in a certain physical space and involved the movement of entities and resources, the Enterprise Library in AnyLogic 5.0 offered the network-based modeling approach.
3D animation
Starting with the fifth version, models could be visualized using 3D animation, which included the following features:
Basic 3D shapes: sphere, cylinder, cone, torus, triangle, mesh, text, etc.
Custom shapes created by combining basic shapes.
Support for surface materials.
Dynamic lighting.
Experiment framework expansion
In addition to simulation and optimization experiments, the AnyLogic 5.0 simulation framework was expanded with the following:
Monte-Carlo experiment: allows you to run a simulation several times with stochastic parameters, collect outputs, and represent them on a histogram.
Sensitivity Analysis experiment: helps you explore how simulation results vary due to changes in model parameters. The model can be executed multiple times, varying one of the parameters, and shows how the simulation output depends on it.
Parameter variation experiment (released in AnyLogic 5.1): executes a model with different parameters and analyzes how certain parameters affect model behavior. With this experiment, it is easy to configure complex model simulation comprising several single model runs, varying one or more root object parameters.
Custom experiment: it gives users maximum flexibility when setting parameters and managing simulation runs. An experiment scenario is defined in Java code, written by a modeler.
AnyLogic 4.5
Enterprise Library
In addition to agent-based modeling, which was available from the very beginning, AnyLogic 4.5 introduced discrete event modeling with the Enterprise Library, the predecessor of today’s Process Modeling Library. It could be used to model and simulate systems such as:
Manufacturing processes.
Service systems (banks, airports, call centers, etc.).
Business processes with activity based costing.
Logistics and supply chain models.
The Enterprise Library contained blocks, based on active objects, with predefined functionality to construct flowcharts for discrete event models. The library also enabled users to create models and animations in a drag-and-drop manner.
The Enterprise Library allowed users to create interactive models, collect statistics, and effectively visualize the process to validate and present a model. Library components could naturally interoperate with AnyLogic primitives like events or statecharts.
Custom libraries
Starting with AnyLogic 4.5, users could develop a set of reusable active objects for a particular application area, package them, and save them as a custom AnyLogic library. These libraries could then be exported and reused.
Optimization experiment
In AnyLogic 4.5, optimization was added to the modeling environment and remains in the current experiment framework. When running the experiment, users could discover model parameters that corresponded to the best possible solution. Optimization experiment helped with observing system behavior under certain conditions, as well as improved the system performance.
AnyLogic optimization was developed and is still built on top of OptQuest, a state of the art optimization engine created by the OptTek company. Experienced users can use the AnyLogic engine API to control model replications, organize parameter variation, and implement custom optimization algorithms.
Compatibility with Stat::Fit
Starting with AnyLogic 4.5, the program provided the ability to input data from Stat::Fit, a comprehensive distribution fitting software. Stat::Fit takes raw data and gives it an appropriate distribution. The distribution is then formatted for and input directly to AnyLogic.
AnyLogic 4.0
AnyLogic's earliest version
AnyLogic’s history began in 2000 when, keeping up with the numbering of its forerunner, COVERS 3.0, AnyLogic 4.0 was released as a simulation tool for business application. It was aimed at modeling systems of arbitrary nature, complexity, and scale, including:
Discrete and continuous logic (networks, protocols, parallel algorithms, embedded controllers, and logistics networks).
Physical objects (vehicles, mechanics, hydro and aerodynamics, chemical reactions, ecological systems).
Setting standards
AnyLogic was the first agent-based simulation environment, as the models had a hierarchical structure, which consisted of communicating active objects (later known as “agents”). AnyLogic employed UML-RT structure diagrams to build hierarchical models in an object-oriented way, and hybrid statecharts, or hybrid state machines, for object behavior specification. Altogether, this enabled object encapsulation, the separation of system structure and behavior, and inheritance.
Interoperability
AnyLogic models had open architecture and could interoperate with office or corporate software. Users could extend a model’s functionality by inserting Java code, creating custom object classes, and adding state logic and continuous behavior to make models more scalable and flexible. The model could be exported from AnyLogic as a Java-applet and run in a web browser.
AnyLogic was presented to an audience for the first time at the Winter Simulation Conference in 2000 and it received a great response.
