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Control Simulations with Interactive Displays

Build dashboard for model, interactively tune parameter values, and monitor signal values during simulation

Create an interactive dashboard for your model using a variety of controls and displays available in the Dashboard library and the Customizable Blocks library.

  • Controls connect to variables and block parameters in your model, providing an interface for you to tune values during simulation.

  • Displays connect to signals and display the signal value during simulation.

To design custom dashboard blocks that look like controls and displays in your real system, choose blocks from the Customizable Blocks library. For example, you can create a photorealistic model of the speedometer in a real vehicle.

You can model real-life dashboards and control panels by adding blocks from the Dashboard library and the Customizable Blocks library to Simulink® panels. Panels float above the canvas, can be moved to any location over the canvas, and can be minimized when you want to work on the model underneath them. Panels can have multiple tabs, so that you can organize your dashboard blocks into different groups.

Blocks

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Dashboard ScopeTrace signals on scope display during simulation
DisplayDisplay signal value during simulation
GaugeDisplay signal value on circular scale
Half GaugeDisplay input value on semicircular scale
Quarter GaugeDisplay input value on quadrant scale
Linear GaugeDisplay input value on linear scale
LampDisplay color that reflects signal value on lamp
MultiStateImageDisplay image reflecting input value
Circular GaugeDisplay signal value during simulation on circular gauge with customizable appearance (Since R2020b)
Half GaugeDisplay signal value during simulation on gauge shaped as half-circle with customizable appearance (Since R2024a)
Quarter GaugeDisplay signal value during simulation on gauge shaped as quarter-circle with customizable appearance (Since R2024a)
DisplayDisplay signal value during simulation with customizable appearance (Since R2023b)
Horizontal GaugeDisplay signal value during simulation on horizontal gauge with customizable appearance (Since R2020a)
Vertical GaugeDisplay signal value during simulation on vertical gauge with customizable appearance (Since R2020a)
LampDisplay color that reflects signal value on lamp with customizable appearance (Since R2021b)
EditEnter new value for parameter
KnobTune parameter value with dial
SliderTune parameter value with sliding scale
Push ButtonChange parameter or variable value using button
Rotary SwitchSwitch parameter to set values on dial
Radio ButtonSelect parameter value
Combo BoxSelect parameter value from drop-down menu
Check BoxSelect parameter or variable value
Rocker SwitchToggle parameter between two values
Slider SwitchToggle parameter between two values
Toggle SwitchToggle parameter between two values
Callback ButtonExecute MATLAB code using button
Knob Change parameter or variable value using knob with customizable appearance (Since R2021a)
Horizontal SliderChange parameter or variable value using horizontal slider with customizable appearance (Since R2021a)
Vertical SliderChange parameter or variable value using vertical slider with customizable appearance (Since R2021a)
Push ButtonChange parameter or variable value using button with customizable appearance (Since R2021b)
Callback ButtonExecute MATLAB code using button with customizable appearance (Since R2021b)
Rotary SwitchChange parameter or variable value using rotary switch with customizable appearance (Since R2021b)
Rocker SwitchChange parameter or variable value using switch with customizable appearance (Since R2021b)
Slider SwitchChange parameter or variable value using switch with customizable appearance (Since R2021b)
Toggle SwitchChange parameter or variable value using switch with customizable appearance (Since R2021b)

Tools

Simulation Pacing OptionsSlow simulation to a specified ratio of simulation time to wall clock time

Objects

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Simulink.SimulationData.ParameterStores logged parameter data and metadata
Simulink.HMI.InstrumentedSignalsSave and restore signal logging specification
Simulink.HMI.SignalSpecificationProgrammatically connect a Dashboard block to a signal
Simulink.HMI.ParamSourceInfoInformation about Dashboard block variable and parameter connections

Topics

Model Dashboards with Panels

Connect Dashboard Blocks

Display Signals and Control Parameters with Dashboard Blocks

Learn More About Visualizing Simulation Data