How to Build a New Model Type in OMBuilder

While the actual models are built in the DNE, the object model type is built in OMBuilder. The model "type" means what type of objects are allowed to exist in the model and what graphic represents each object.

New model types can be built by finding or creating custom graphics, by downloading graphics from the Dekstrus web site, or by using one of the models included with the DNE as a template. For instructions on creating custom graphics or on downloading graphics from the Dekstrus web site, please see the Object Model Builder help. The following relates to building a new model using an existing model as a template.

How to Build a Model Type from a Template

The DNE comes with four models. Three of them are composed of generic objects, so the models can be modified very easily to build a model better suited to your needs. Let's say you are a teacher and you are building a model for your students to follow when writing an essay. The model is designed to have five types of objects:

•	Preparation (includes NEs like "Choose a Topic" and "Set a Thesis")

•	Research (includes NEs like "General Research" and "Reasons for Thesis")

•	Rough Draft (includes NEs like "Point Form Notes" and "Write Rough Draft")

•	Writing (includes NEs like "First Draft and Final Draft")

•	Submission (includes NEs like "Submit Essay")

You can quickly build a five-object model from any of the three general models. Simply open a model, rename the graphics you want to use to represent the objects you need, delete the others, and name the model for whatever you are going to do with it

In this case I need five objects. If I open the Stylized Circles model, I see that there are fourteen objects there. So first, I rename five of the objects to the objects I need:

1.	I click the first object, Burgundy. Then I click Rename and rename the object Preparation.

2.	I repeat the process four more times, renaming Red to Research, Tan to Rough Draft, Bronze to Writing and Purple to Submission.

When the five objects I need are covered, I get rid of the rest of the objects. I don't need them in this model:

1.	I select the next object after Purple - Blue - and click Delete.

2.	I repeat the process for all the objects after Blue.

Now the model has only five objects, and they are exactly the objects that I want. Time to save the model. I want to save this as a new model, so that I don't lose the Stylized Circles model, which I might want to use later:

1.	I click Save, and

2.	I call the new model Essay.

The new Essay model is now ready to be used the next time the DNE is opened.