Linking
Linking is the process of specifying a sequence of objectives (targets) that Entities may wish to meet (visit) on their journey through a LEGION model and towards their final destination.
By linking one Spatial Object (the 'origin object') to one or more 'target objects' you are translating an objective (to exit, to withdraw cash, to use a ticket gate) into alternative locations represented by Spatial Objects (Exits, Gates, Queues, Delay Points) for fulfilling that objective. You can add these links manually in the workspace and by using the Object Directory but they can also be introduced by pasting pairs or groups of objects into a model.
You must decide on an object's linking method before creating links between objects. When you first draw a Spatial Object, the ‘Edit <object name>’ dialog box is displayed and it is here, on the ‘Links’ tab, that you can specify the linking method.
Although you must decide the linking method before adding links between objects, you cannot define specific 'Percentage Weighting' values until you have created links between the origin object and its target object or objects. In the same way, you must create new Entity Types and Supply Types if you want to assign Entities other than the Default Entity or Supply Type as part of your links.
Spatial Objects that can be the origins of links are:
- Entrances
- Populated Zones
- Evacuation Zones
- Level Entrances
- Delay Points
- Queues (to Delay Points only)
- Queue Groups
- Direction Modifiers
- Focal Nodes
- Escalators
- Stairs
- Gates (IN and OUT)
Spatial Objects that can be linked to are: