Part 1: Model Complex Systems

Lesson 1.1: STK Scenarios

When STK launches, the Welcome dialog will appear. Using the options available here, you can create new scenarios, open existing scenarios, access the STK Help System, or exit the STK application.

This training focuses on the latest capabilities available with STK. You can learn more about STK and download the software on our website.

Create a New Scenario

Watch the following video, then follow the steps below incorporating the systems and missions you work on (sample inputs provided).

  1. Create a new scenario.Closed
    1. Launch STK ().
    2. Create a Scenario ().
    3. In the New Scenario Wizard set the following options:
      1. Name the scenario ("STK_Fundamentals").
      2. Define the analysis start and stop times or accept the defaults.
  2. Customize the STK Workspace.Closed
    1. Close the Insert STK Objects Tool. We will explore this later.
    2. Close the Timeline View by clicking the () in the upper-right corner of the Timeline View.
    3. Maximize () the 3D Graphics window.

        STK organizes the integrated windows with tabs at the bottom of the integrated workspace.

    4. Extend the Window menu and select Tile Vertically to center the windows in the workspace.
  3. Save the scenario.Closed
    1. Extend the File menu and select Save () to save the scenario.
      1. STK automatically creates a directory with the same name as your scenario.
  4. Explore the 2D Graphics windowClosed
    1. Use the mouse controls to zoom and pan around the 2D Graphics windows.
      1. To pan, hold the left mouse button and drag the mouse around the 2D Graphics window.
      2. To zoom in and out, use the mouse scroll wheel or the zoom icons (, ).
  5. Explore the 3D Graphics windowClosed
      1. To rotate the globe, hold down the left mouse button and move the mouse around.
      2. To zoom, hold the right mouse button and move the mouse up and down (or use the mouse scroll wheel).
      3. To zoom in on an area, click the Zoom In () button and drag a box around the area of interest.
      4. To pan around, enable the Grab Globe () mode and hold the Shift key and left mouse down and move the mouse around.
      5. Use the Home View () button to return to the default Earth view.

        Mouse controls for 3D.

  6. Animate through the scenario.Closed
    1. Use the Animation Controls to play through the scenario.
      1. Play () or Step Forward () or Step Backward ().
      2. Pause () the action.
      3. Increase () or Decrease () the speed of the animation.
      4. Reset () the action.
    2. If the Timeline View is closed, extend the View menu and select Timeline View to reopen the Timeline View.
    3. Use the slider bar in the Timeline View to scroll through the scenario time period.

If you get lost in the 3D Graphics window, click the Home View () button. The Home View re-orients the 3D Graphics camera back on the default Earth View.

If you get lost in the animation period, click the Reset () button. The Reset button stops the animation and resets it to the animation start time.

We have provided a quick reference guide for the basic toolbars in STK. You can find it here.

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