Model Manager Updates


For users of the Model Manager, COMSOL Multiphysics® version 6.3 introduces improved integration between Model Manager databases and the COMSOL Multiphysics batch mode, easier reuse of modeling and postprocessing setups via copy and paste of model contents, and seamless autocompletion assistance for the Model Manager search functionality. Learn more about these updates below.

Database Integration with the COMSOL Multiphysics Batch Mode

The command for solving COMSOL models in batch mode from a command-line interface now supports using model versions stored in a Model Manager database — both as input and output. This, together with the COMSOL API for use with Java, enables users to set up powerful simulation pipelines in which input and output can be managed via a Model Manager database.

Copying the database location URI string of a model version in the Model Manager window using Copy Location and pasting it into a command-line window for use with a COMSOL Batch command. When using a model version as the output location, the result of the batch run is stored as a new version in the database.

Copy and Paste of Model Contents

In version 6.3, support has been added for copying model nodes in the Contents tree of a model version and pasting these nodes into the model tree in the COMSOL Desktop®. This enables users to quickly reuse modeling, results, and visualization settings from their existing models when building new models. Not all nodes in the Contents tree can be copied, and not all nodes in the COMSOL Desktop® can be the target of a paste. The model tree being copied from and the model tree being pasted to can, however, belong to different COMSOL Multiphysics program sessions.

Copying plot groups from the Contents tree of a model version and pasting them into the Model Builder tree of a new model being built in the COMSOL Desktop®.

Search Autocompletion

Autocompletion assistance has been added for the Model Manager search syntax. Users can easily find and complete the names of search filters, the available values for a specific search filter, and the various symbols used to express and combine such filters. The new autocompletion functionality is available in all windows where version-controlled models and data files can be searched.

The Model Manager assisting with the completion of various expressions when searching in a Model Manager database.

Improved Integration Between Workspace Windows

The overall integration between the various windows of the Model Manager workspace has been improved in version 6.3. Selected results in the Commits, Versions, and References windows will now be automatically displayed in the Settings window, thereby making it simpler to browse the database. Users will also find it easier to perform various database tasks because buttons in the workspace toolbars now target these windows when the latter are in focus.

Browsing the contents of a Model Manager database via the Commits, Versions, and References windows.

Version Compatibility

Local databases can be shared between COMSOL Multiphysics® versions 6.0–6.3, as the database format is designed for both backward and forward compatibility. However, models saved to a database from a specific COMSOL Multiphysics® version can only be opened in that version and in later versions.

COMSOL Multiphysics® version 6.3 also supports connecting to Model Manager server versions 6.0–6.3, although some new Model Manager functionality is disabled in the COMSOL Desktop® when connected to an older server version. This includes, for example, filter and sort options added to the Model Manager search tool and maintenance operations for models and data files; see the 6.1–6.3 Release Notes for details.

Improved Integration with LiveLink™ for Excel®

The user interface provided by the LiveLink add-in inside Excel® adds new search and filtering capabilities when browsing for models saved in a Model Manager database. Models modified from within Excel® can now also be saved as new versions and drafts to a Model Manager database. The new Save to Model Manager window displays a list of connected databases and also offers the option to choose the repository and branch before saving the model.