Catalog Model Builder is a visual editor for creating an integrated simulation of various engineering simulations, called catalog model. The catalog model was named so because it supports creation of a catalog-like simulation that can embed a collection of computational behaviors. A user create a catalog model by encapsulating multiple simulation models within the catalog model. One of the encapsulated simulation models can be activated based on a user's selection.

This video involves a catalog model for estimating cost and CO2 emission of a hybrid-powered house. The video first shows two implementations, which have been already defined in the catalog model, can be navigated as a demonstrator switches back and forth between two different implementations. Then the video shows how an implementation can be executed. The demonstrator sets values of input parameters and runs the catalog model to see how output parameters are affected. The last part of the video shows how a new implementation can be added to the catalog model. The third implementation is created by importing a simulation service in a DOME server and mapping parameters in the simulation service to interface parameters.

Note: DOME stands for Distributed Object-oriented Modeling Environment. See DOME introduction on MIT CADlab homepage: cadlab.mit.edu/research-dome.