How to use SWIM - get started

  • Open model -latest version
    (where similar how-to-use info in ⓘ -> popups )
  • SWIM should work in any modern web browser
    • Tested with Safari, Firefox, Chrome, Vivaldi
    • Designed for a large screen (although still runs even on phone/tablet)
    • Needs javascript (from summer 2021 or later) enabled
  • Wait for the model code to load, followed by its data
    • SWIM begins with an Oval layout.
    • Cogs show progress and interactions, they rotate when calculating.
    • Mini-plots should appear after a few seconds
    • Later reloads should be faster if the browser caches some data
    • (Check activity in console column far left - note draggable corner)
  • The main cause-effect loop follows clockwise around the oval,
    • starting (left) with drivers (demography, economy etc.) at the top,
    • passing through energy, emissions, biogeochemistry
    • to atmosphere and climate response.
    • (but there are also cross-cutting controls / feedbacks)
  • Select any Cog (click => yellow) to show, for each science- module
    • Adjustable Parameters (centre-left)
    • [ Documentation -coming soon ]
    • Source Code (if code panel open)
  • Cogs show more plots and parameters at higher complexity level
    • (indicated by more cog teeth)
    • As you move around the oval, nearby cogs, grouped by topic, shift to 'focus' level
    • Double-click a cog to boost it to 'expert' level
    • The menu (top-right) changes complexity level for all modules
      (more useful in Columns layout)
  • Click on mini-plots (left) to enlarge them
    • Big-Plots open in a nearby panel (draggable), or corner,
      depending on the chosen Layout (menu top-right).
    • Zoom to enlarge plots using mouse-wheel or touch (spread/pinch).
    • (X to close)
  • Adjust plots
    • Wheel/touch gestures also work for plot axes, to zoom for more detail
    • Click on a big-plot for options (stacked, legend, labels, snapshot-year, etc.)
  • Try adjusting model parameters (sliders, menus, checkboxes).
    • First select a cog, then adjust its parameters
    • The model should recalculate - some plots change (within seconds)
    • You can also adjust *some* key parameters by dragging the arrow controls on plots
      (especially the stabilisation targets, or various levels or years, on the same scale as plot axes )
      Note: in the case of stabilise forcing, temperature, the model iterates, may not always find a solution
    • Which modules recalculate depends on changed / needed interactions (console has info about which ran in which order).
    • You can reset all to default at the top-right.
  • Try the columns layout
    • Layout menu at top right
    • Columns layout is better for studying detail of one part of the system
    • Scroll down the parallel columns of parameters or mini-plots (click to open)
    • Click on titles to fold modules, also link to their code.
  • You can also change the style-theme
    • use menu at top-right (just swaps css)
  • Change opening setup with url-query: (seeConfigure Setup)


Above: Oval Layout - showing whole-system interactions. Plots in corners
Below: Columns Layout - to focus on detail - here socioeconomic end, code for demography shown


Next: How it works
(Overview)