In MigriX, the simulation process is intended to be an interactive process where you will simulate one time-step, review results for that time-step and then continue with the next time-step. Every simulation is started by moving back to the first time-step (1 in Figure 4.1). One simulation time-step can be simulated (2) or all time-steps can be simulated (3). The simulation can be halted after any time-step by pressing the pause button (between 2 and 3).
After the simulation of one or all time-steps, MigriX can plot flow-rate maps or the same property that was plotted when simulation was started (4). Default is that flow-rates are plotted. MigriX plot results on the present day geometry at 0 Ma or at geometry at any other time-step (5). The geometry of the 3D view is automatically updated when the “autoplot” option (4) is active. Note that these options on geometry only impact the plotting of the geometry. MigriX will always use palaeo-geometry in the actual simulations.
Figure 4.1: Elements of the simulation toolbar.
The MigriX simulation is processed as a separate thread from the visualization, and therefore you can change the view and navigate within the 3D view while the simulation is running. After the simulation has been completed for a time-step it is possible to use the animation buttons to create dynamic animations of the results. During a simulation run we may then pause at a time-step and plot simulation results, e.g. hydrocarbon flow-rates and trap. A progress bar in the lower right corner of the user interface shows the current simulation progress, while the active step and times are listed in the lower left corner and within the 3D view (Figure 4.2).
Figure 4.2: Display showing current timestep (5.4 Ma) and simulation progress bar.
