Overview of menus

You can also move the menus to the user interface and change the sequence of entries (Editing menus).

Note: Changing program elements or hotkeys can make it more difficult for you to find and use commands. The documentation and the PTV Vision Support assume that the standard settings are used.

File menu

Menu command / Hotkeys	Description
New	If no network has been opened and the tab on the Start page has been moved to the foreground, the tab is moved to the background and the network editor is displayed in foreground. If a network has been opened, it is closed. You can create a new network. If data was changed, a message is displayed asking whether you want to save the network file before you close the network. In any case, the user interface settings, graphic parameters of the network editors and list settings are saved in a layout file with the same name as the network file if this option is activated under User Preferences (Specifying automatic saving of the layout file *.layx).
Open Ctrl+O	Open the Open file window. In the drop-down list next to File name, you can restrict the file types displayed, for example, if several network files, project files and/or model archives are stored in the displayed directory. You can drag an .inpx network file from the Microsoft Windows Explorer to the user interface by drag&drop in order to open the file. In the Windows Explorer, you can also double-click a .inpx network file to open it. If you open a network file containing 2D/3D model segments, with a width that differs from the current Visum 2D/3D model segments, a message is displayed. This message allows you to copy the widths of the current Visum 2D/3D model segments to all imported 2D/3D model segments.
Open Cloud model	Select cloud model file in vision-cloud and read it into Vissim (Downloading and opening a cloud model). You need a PTV user account and a subscription for https://vision-cloud.myptv.com, (Signing in to PTV Cloud with PTV user account). You can activate the subscription when you select Open cloud model for the first time. The Cloud model cannot be placed under scenario management.
Open Layout	Select and read in the *.layx layout file, then apply it to the elements of the user interface, the graphic parameters of network editors, and the list settings (Saving and importing a layout of the user interface).
Open Default Layout	Open and read in the defaults.layx layout file, and apply it to the elements of the user interface, the graphic parameters of network editors, and the settings in lists.
Read Additionally	Network: Read network file *.inpx additionally (Reading a network additionally), (Importing INPX files including building data) Named List Layouts (Using named list layouts) Named Network Editor Layouts (Using named Network editor layouts) Named Chart Layouts (Using named chart layouts) Simulation run (.sdf file, .db file) (Reading a simulation run additionally) Simulation Runs (Entire Directory) (Reading simulation runs additionally)
Save Ctrl+S	Save network file *.inpx under the same path and name. In addition, the settings for the user interface, graphic parameters of the network editors, and the settings of lists are saved in a layout file of the same name as the network file (if this option is activated under User Preferences. When a Cloud model is opened, it is stored locally and at its storage location in the PTV Vision Cloud If the opened network file was created using an older program version and you store the network file in the current Visumversion, the network file will be updated. You can no longer open the file in the previous Visum versions.
Save Base Network Save Scenario Save Modification	If in scenario management the base network is opened, Save Base Network is shown, and you can only save the base network. The same applies when you open a scenario or modifications in scenario management.
Save as	Open the Save File As window. Vissim network file (.inpx): Save the network file under a new file name and/or in a different directory. The File name box automatically shows the file name of the network file. If a different directory than the previous directory is chosen, additional files needed for the network must be copied manually to the new directory, e.g. supply files for signal control. If there is a ..\<Name of network file>.results directory for result data, a query opens asking whether you want to save a copy of the ..\<Name of network file>.results directory under the same name as the .inpx file. If you select No, the directory is not copied. This way, you can avoid saving identical result data to different directories when saving multiple versions of your network.
Save as Default Network	The opened network is saved as a defaults.inpx file to the following directory: C:\Users\<Username>\AppData\Roaming\PTV Vision\PTV Vissim 2024 If a defaults.inpx file has been saved to this directory, it is overwritten. The default network is loaded when Vissim is opened and no other network file is opened, e.g. when you double-click an *.inpx file. If you delete the defaults.inpx file from the ..\AppData\Roaming\.. path, the next time you open Vissim, the defaults.inpx in your Exe installation directory of Vissim is used. This command is not available when a scenario management project has been opened.
Save Scenario as	When in Scenario Management a scenario is opened, you can save the scenario under a different name. The scenario saved under another name is displayed in the project explorer under Scenarios.
Save selection as	Open the Save File As window, and save the selected network objects to an *.inpx network file under a new file name and/or to a different directory.
Save Layout as	Save the current arrangement of user interface elements, graphic parameters of network editors and the settings of lists to a *.layx layout file in the following directory: C:\Users\<Username>\AppData\Roaming\PTV Vision\PTV Vissim 2024 If a defaults.layx file has been saved to this directory, it is overwritten. If you delete the defaults.layx file from the path displayed, the next time you open Vissim, the defaults.layx in your Exe installation directory of Vissim is used.
Save Layout as Default	Save the following settings in the default layout file defaults.layx: the current arrangement of the user interface elements; the graphic parameters of the network editor; the current section of the background image and the background map, if a background image is loaded or a background map provider has been selected. In future Vissim will open with the saved map section. List settings The defaults.layx file is normally located in the directory C:\Users\<username>\AppData\Roaming\PTV Vision\PTV Vissim 2024 . Vissim uses these settings for the default layout, when after starting the program, you do not load a network, but create a new network file.
Comparing and transferring networks	Compare opened network with network file Create Model Transfer File: (Creating model transfer files) Apply Model Transfer File...: (Applying model transfer files)
Scenario Management	Not for model archive. Executing functions for scenario management: Place Under Scenario Management (Placing a network under scenario management) Open Base Network (Opening and editing the base network in the network editor) Open Scenario (Opening and editing scenarios in the network editor) Open Modification (Opening and editing modifications in the network editor) Save in Multiple Scenarios... (Project explorer toolbar) Project Structure (Editing the project structure)
Import	ANM (Vistro)/Visum: Import ANM file (e.g. from Visum) (Importing ANM data) ANM Adaptive (Adaptive import of ANM data) Routes (coordinates) (Importing routes) CAD for Pedestrian Areas: Import CAD data that is used in pedestrian simulation to represent obstacles and walkable areas (Importing walkable areas and obstacles from AutoCAD) BIM (.ifc) (Starting conversion in Viswalk) Shape file (Importing shape files) openDRIVE: Import .xodr file (Importing openDRIVE network *.xodr)
Export	Export Visum (Nodes/Edges) (Exporting data) Export &3D Network Geometry data (Exporting static network data)
Open Working Directory	Open Windows Explorer with the current working directory in which the network file *.inpx is saved.
Show Log File	Show vissim_msgs.txt log file (Using the vissim_msgs.txt log file.)
List of recently opened files	Open one of the recently opened .inpx network files. The list is updated each time you open a network file .inpx and save it under a new file name. The update takes place before the File menu is opened. If you click on a file that is no longer saved under the displayed path, the defaults.inpx file is opened. *.inp files saved as a Vissim 6 version in any previous program versions installed in parallel are not displayed.
Exit	Close Vissim. If data was changed, you are prompted whether you want to save the network file. In any case, the user interface settings, graphic parameters of the network editors and list settings are saved in a layout file with the same name as the network file if this option is activated under User Preferences (Saving and importing a layout of the user interface).

Edit menu

Menu command	Description
Undo	Undo with name of the last operation performed: discards this operation Undo with subordinate menu, if multiple operations can be discarded: discards all operations, including the one selected
Redo	Redo with name of the last operation undone: performs this operation again Redo with subordinate menu, if multiple operations can be redone: performs all operations undone, including the one selected
Rotate Network	Enter angle around which the network is rotated counterclockwise (Rotating the network)
Move Network	Enter the distances for the x-axis, y-xis or z-axis by which the network is moved (Moving the network)
User Preferences	(Setting user preferences)

View menu

Menu command /

Hotkeys

Description

Open New Network Editor

Open new Network editor. When a Network editor has been opened, a new Network editor is added as a tab.

Start page

Open start page (Using the Start page)

Create Chart

Open Create Chart window (Creating line charts or bar charts without preselection)

Network Objects

Open network object sidebar (Using the Network object sidebar)

Levels

Open level toolbar (Using the Level toolbar)

Backgrounds

Open background toolbar (Using the background image toolbar)

3D Information Signs

Opening the 3D information signs bar (Using the 3D information signs)

Quick View

Open Quick View (Using the Quick View)

Smart Map

Open Smart Map (Using the Smart Map)

Project Explorer

Open project explorer for scenario management (Using the project explorer)

Messages

Open window in which messages and warnings are displayed (Showing messages and warnings).

Short help

Show or hide short help during insertion of complex network objects. The short help describes the necessary steps when inserting complex network objects. Images or animated GIF files can provide additional assistance. The short help opens automatically the first time you select a function from the vertical toolbar. The vertical toolbar is located on the left edge of the network editor.

Tip: Alternatively, you can show or hide the short help during the insertion of complex network objects using the Short help button. The Short help button is located on the right side of the Network editor toolbar.

Simulation time

Switching the simulation time format for the status bar (Specifying the simulation time format for the status bar)

Simulation second
Time of day: Time based on start time in the simulation parameters. Format [hh:mm:ss,f]

Quick Mode

Ctrl+Q

Activate or deactivate Quick Mode (Using the Quick Mode)

Simple Network Display

Ctrl+N

Activate or deactivate Simple Network Display (Selecting simple network display)

Lists menu

The menu commands open lists with base data, network objects or result data.

Menu command	Description
Base data	Lists for defining or editing the base data (Base data for simulation)
Network Intersection Control Private Transport Public Transport Pedestrian Traffic	Lists with attributes of network objects of the selected network object type (Network objects - overview)
Graphics & Presentation	Lists for defining or editing network objects and data, which are used for the graphical preparation and realistic representation of the network as well as the creation of presentations from simulations.
Event-Based Scripts	List of event-based scripts (Using event based script files)
Measurements	Lists for defining or editing network objects or collecting simulation results
Results	Result lists with data from evaluations of simulations (Performing evaluations)

Base Data menu

Menu items open a window for basic network settings and/or open lists with basic objects for simulation (Base data for simulation).

Menu command	Description
Network Settings	Basic network settings (Selecting network settings)
User-Defined Attributes	List for defining or editing user-defined attributes (Using user-defined attributes)
Aliases	List for defining and editing alternative attribute names (Using aliases for attribute names)
2D/3D Model Segments	Axles, shafts, clutches, and doors of vehicle models (Attributes of 2D/3D model segments)
2D/3D Models	2D models and 3D models for vehicles and pedestrians (Using 2D/3D models)
Functions	for acceleration and delay behavior (Using acceleration and deceleration functions) for curve speed and lateral drift speed (Using curve speed and lateral drift speed) for boarding delay (Using the Boarding Delay function)
Distributions	Distributions for desired speed, power, weight, time, location, distance, occupancy, 2D/3D model, colors (Using distributions)
Vehicle Types	Combine vehicles with similar technical driving characteristics in vehicle types (Using vehicle types)
Vehicle Classes	Combine vehicle types (Using vehicle classes)
Driving Behaviors	Driving behavior parameter sets (Defining driving behavior in a driving behavior parameter set)
Link Behavior Types	Link behavior types of links, connectors and/or their lanes (Defining link behavior types for links and connectors)
Pedestrian Types	You can combine pedestrians with similar properties into pedestrian types (Using pedestrian types)
Pedestrian Classes	Group pedestrian types and combine them into pedestrian classes (Using pedestrian classes)
Walking Behaviors	Walking behavior parameter sets (Modeling area-based walking behavior)
Area Behavior Types	Area behavior types for areas, ramps & stairs (Defining area behavior types)
Boarding Delay Types	Types of boarding delay for the time required by pedestrians of selected pedestrian classes to board a public transport vehicle or an elevator (Defining boarding delay types)
Display Types	Display for links, connectors and construction elements in the network (Defining display types)
Levels	Levels for multistory buildings or bridge structures for links (Defining levels)
Time Intervals	Time intervals (Defining time intervals for a network object type)

Traffic menu

Menu command	Description
Vehicle Compositions	Define and edit vehicle compositions (Modeling vehicle compositions)
Pedestrian Compositions	Define and edit pedestrian compositions (Modeling pedestrian compositions)
Pedestrian OD Matrix	Define pedestrian demand on the basis of OD relations (Selecting origins and destinations in the Pedestrian OD Matrix)
Dynamic Assignment	Parameters: Defining parameters for dynamic assignment (Attributes for the trip chain file, matrices, path file and cost file) Matrices: Opening the Matrices list (Matrix attributes) Zones: open the list Zones (Modeling parking lots and zones) OD pairs: Open and display the OD Pairs list, origin zones and destination zones Edges: open the list Edges (Attributes of edges) Paths: Open the list Paths (Attributes of paths) Read Paths: Import the path file .weg (Attributes of paths), (Setting volume for paths manually) Write Paths: Save current paths to path file .weg Create Static Routing from Assignment: convert the current state of the dynamic assignment and thus also the paths found and their congestions into a Vissim model with inputs and static routes (Generating static routes from assignment) Calculating PTV Visum assignment
Toll Pricing Calculation Models	Opens the list Toll Pricing Calculation Models / Elements (Defining toll pricing calculation models)
Managed Lanes Facilities	Opens the list Managed Lanes Facilities / Pricing Models (Defining managed lane facilities)

Signal Control menu

Edit input data for signal control

Menu command	Description
Signal Controllers	Open the Signal Controllers list: Define or edit signal controller (Using signal control procedures)
Signal Controller Communication	Opens the SC Communication list (Linking signal controllers)
Optimize All Fixed Time Signal Controllers	Start the green time optimization of all stage-based fixed time controllers in the network (Performing green time optimization of stage-based fixed time controllers)

Simulation menu

Menu command / key	Description
Parameter	Enter simulation parameters (Selecting simulation method micro or meso), (Defining simulation parameters), (Selecting the number of simulation runs and starting simulation)
Continuous F5	Starts continuous simulation run or switches from Simulation single step mode to Simulation continuous mode.
Single Step F6	Starts simulation in Simulation single step mode or switches from Simulation continuous mode to Simulation single step mode or executes the next single step.
Stop Esc	Quit simulation run
Check network	Check Vissim network for inconsistencies (Checking the network)

Evaluation menu

Activate and parameterize evaluations (Performing evaluations)

Menu command	Description
Configuration	Define settings for the evaluation of simulation runs: Result Management: (Managing results) Define output directory for evaluation files Result Attributes: Configure data collection in result attributes: (Configuring evaluations of the result attributes for lists) Direct Output: Configure output into files or databases (Configuring evaluations for direct output)
Database Configuration	Configure the database connection (Configuring the database connection for evaluations)
Measurement Definition	Show lists of network objects for measurements (Showing results of measurements)
Window	Configure the display of signal times table, the signal controller detector record and signal changes in windows (Showing evaluations in windows)
Result Lists	Open Result lists of evaluations (Showing result attributes in result lists)

Presentation menu

Create presentation (Creating simulation presentations)

Menu command

Description

Camera Positions

Open list Camera Positions (Attributes of camera positions)

Storyboards

Open list Storyboards / Keyframes (Using storyboards and keyframes)

3D Information Signs

Opening the 3D information signs bar and 3D information signs list (Using the 3D information signs), (Attributes of 3D information signs)

Record videos

Record a 3D simulation as a video file (Starting video recording).

3D Anti-Aliasing

Enable or disable 3D anti-aliasing (Selecting the 3D mode and 3D recording settings)

Continuous

Starts continuous animation run or switches from Animation single step mode to Animation continuous mode.

Continuous (without ANI file)

Starts a continuous animation run for the current simulation, without using an ANI file.

Single Step

Starts animation in single step mode or switches from continuous animation run to single step mode or executes the next single step.

Stop

Finish animation run

Single Step Reverse

Runs animation in reverse, single step mode.

Continuous Reverse

Run animation reverse continuously

Animation with ANI file

Selected by default: Run animation with or without animation file. If the command is not selected, only the animation of the simulation in the network file currently open is run. Aggregated result attributes are used for visualization, e.g. for the color of link segments or link bars (Running the animation).

Symbol

Animation with ANI file is selected

Animation with ANI file is not selected

Animation continuous

Opens a window in which you can select the *.ani animation file of your choice. The animation then runs continuously.

When a network file is loaded, the animation of the simulation runs continuously.

Animation single step

Opens a window in which you can select the *.ani animation file of your choice. The animation then runs in single step mode.

When a network file is loaded, the animation of the simulation runs in single step mode.

While the animation is running, into the Go to second box, you can enter a simulation time of your choice. This triggers an update of the Network editor and the result lists to the state of the simulation, which corresponds to the specified simulation time period. Only aggregated result attributes are used for visualization.

Animation Recordings

Open list Animation Recordings (Defining an animation recording)

Test menu

Perform testing of logic without simulation (Testing logics without traffic flow simulation)

Menu command	Description
Continuous	Starts continuous test run or switches from Test run single step mode to Test run continuous mode.
Single Step	Starts simulation in Test run single step mode or switches from Test run continuous mode to Test run single step mode or executes the next single step.
Stop	Quit test run
Record Macros	Enabling and disabling macro creation. Enabled: A *.m_i macro file is saved to the working directory.
Run Macro	Select macro file *.m_i, enter simulation second until when you want to run macro file, then start macro file
Edit Macro	Open Macro Editor and edit macro (Editing a macro)

Actions menu

Using the scripts, you manage script files and define the times at which you want to run the script files during the simulation (Using event based script files)

Menu command	Description
Attribute modifications	Open the Attribute Modifications list (Updating attributes during simulation based on events)
Event-Based Scripts	Open list of event-based scripts
Run Script File	Execute script file (Starting a script file manually)
Stop Running Script	Stop initiated script file

Help menu

Access to Vissim information and documents such as Help, current Vissim installation information, service, and contact information (Service and support). Register Vissim as COM server.

If during the installation of Vissim, a document was not selected for installation, the menu command is grayed out and is not available.

Various documents are only available in English. If during the installation of Vissim, you select the installation of documents for another language, these will still be installed in the ..\Doc in directory of the selected language.

Menu command	Description
PTV Vissim Help	Opening the Vissim Help (Using the manual, Help and FAQ list).
COM Help	Opens reference documentation of the COM interface located in the ..\exe directory.
PTV Vissim Manual	Opens the manual in pdf file format that is located in the ..\Doc\<language> directory.
Introduction to the Vissim COM API	Opens an Introduction to the VissimCOM interface Vissim 2024 - COM intro.pdf in English located in the ..\Doc\<language> directory.
Open document directory	Opens the directory ..\Doc in the language selected under User Preferences > General > Language > Main language. All files saved to your computer during the installation process are saved to this directory.
FAQ (Online)	Show PTV Vissim FAQs on the PTV GROUP website: PTV Vissim Knowledge Base.
Service Pack Download	Show the PTV Vissim Service Packs webpage on the PTV GROUP website (Services by the PTV GROUP).
Technical Support	Show the support form of the Vissim Technical Hotline on the PTV GROUP website (Service and support).
Examples	Readme Examples: Open the file Overview of examples.pdf. The file contains an overview of demo examples and training examples in the file format .inpx that can be installed during the installation of Vissim. By default, the file Overview of examples.pdf is saved to the following path: C:\Users\Public\Public Documents\PTV Vision\PTV Vissim 2024 "First Steps" Tutorial: Open the file PTV Vissim - First steps.pdf. The file contains a tutorial that provides a first insight into Vissim and practical examples of how to use it. By default, the file is saved to a path similar to the following: C:\Users\Public\Public Documents\PTV Vision\PTV Vissim 2024\Tutorial First Steps Open Demo Directory: Open the Windows Explorer and the directory Examples Demo . The examples in the directories below illustrate typical use cases of Vissim in subprojects. Each example is explained in .pdf file. The .pdf file is always saved to the same directory as the example. Open Training Directory: Open the Windows Explorer and show the Examples Training directory. The examples in the directories below demonstrate program functions or their combination in an easy to understand context. Each example is explained in .pdf file. The *.pdf file is always saved to the same directory as the example.
License	Open the License window (Showing program and license information).
Register COM Server	Register Vissim as COM server.
About PTV Vissim	Open the Info about PTV Vissim window (Showing program and license information).