Although the main ResSim interface has three faces or modules—each with its own functions and module-specific tools, menus, and output—the modules share common screen components, as illustrated in "Figure: ResSim Main Window and its Common Components". These common components include:


Display of the ResSim main window with components listed. Listed components include the Current Watershed name in the Title Bar, Menu Bar, Module Toolbar, Map Toolbar, Module Selector (with Watershed Setup selected), Map/Schematic Display Area, and Status and Message Bars.
  • The Title Bar displays the software name and version. After a watershed is opened, the name of the current watershed will also be displayed.
  • The Menu Bar contains menus for access to ResSim features and options. As you switch between modules, module-specific menus as well as the list of items in the common menus may change, offering module-specific commands. You can select a menu item by clicking on the name of the menu (such as File), then pointing to and clicking on the menu item you wish to select.
  • The Module Toolbar is the row of user interface objects (a.k.a. widgets) directly below the Menu Bar. It contains module management tools including:
    • The Module Selector—this widget gives you access to the three available modules of ResSim. Use this drop-down list to move between the Watershed Setup module, the Reservoir Network module, and the Simulation module.
    • The Active Configuration or Network—this widget displays the name of the currently open or "active" configuration or network. The active configuration or network is available for editing from the various editors in the module and its schematic is displayed in the Map Display area.
  • The Map/Schematic Display Area (a.k.a. map region) is the (geo-referenced) map space where all model schematic elements (stream alignment, computation points, reservoirs, etc.) and map layers are shown.
  • The Map Toolbar contains tools for interacting with the map display, manipulating schematic elements, editing element properties, and viewing results. The first three tools in the Map Toolbar and their functionality are common to all three modules. The other tools that appear in the Map Toolbar have module-specific functions and may appear in only one module.
  • The Status Bar, located at the below the Map Display displays "Ready" unless your cursor is somewhere in the Map Display area, then it shows the coordinates of the cursor as it relates to the current view in the Map Display area in the watershed's coordinate system.
  • The Message Bar, located to the right of the Status Bar, displays a scrolling list of messages from ResSim. These messages are usually produced by processes that may take a few moments (or more) to complete. The scroll arrows and the … button to the right of the Message Bar control the display and allow you to review all messages received during your ResSim session. Program diagnostic messages from ResSim are directed to the console log (not the message bar), which can be accessed from the Tools menu.