Using computer graphics to interpret simulation output

Abstract

The analysis, interpretation, and formatting of results are common problems in computer simulations. Graphics programs are a useful tool in analyzing outputs. Among the most powerful programs are SYMVU (from Harvard University's Laboratory for Computer Graphics and Spatial Analysis) and SURFACE II (from the Kansas Geological Survey). We describe these programs briefly and show their use in two typical simulation applications. First we use SYMVU to plot cost surfaces from a production model. Next we use SURFACE II to show the distribution of points from a model of a random search. The graphical output is much easier to analyze and interpret than is the more common tabular output.