# Introduction

## Chapter . Introduction

In this manual we provide an in-depth understanding of what goes into an Agent Model, how you can use the Agent Modeling Framework and related tools to design one and present tutorials to get you started. But before going into details, let's take a quick overview at what agent-based modeling is is and how the Agent Modeling Framework can help you to develop models for ABM or other problem domains.

We hope you enjoy using the tool, and we look forward to your comments and feedback and most of all participation!

## Quick Start

If you're the kind of person who likes to jump right in, here are the basics.

### Install

If you've already installed a complete Agent Modeling IDE, such as one offered by the project contributors, or you have already installed AMP from the Eclipse update sites, you can obviously ignore this step. Otherwise, refer to the Installation Guide at the end of this manual.

### Welcome!

When you first open the IDE (or you first install the tools form an update site), you will see a welcome screen. If the screen isn't showing, select the Help > Welcome menu. Click on the "Overview", "Samples" or "Tutorials" buttons to begin your exploration.

### Cheat!

The Agent Modeling tools come with a number of "Cheat Sheets" to help get you started. You can access them by selecting Help > Cheat Sheets.... Then under the "Agent Modeling" category, select a cheat sheet, such as "Load Sample Projects".

### Follow the Tutorial

The tools also come with extensive tutorials. See the "Tutorials" section for more help on that.

### Follow your Interest

AMP has many potential facets and use cases. Check out the following sections of the manual for more information about..

#### ABM Researchers

Run an example model using the "Run an Example Model" cheat sheet.

#### ABM Modelers

Create Agent-Based models using simple visual tools and deploy them to a number of popular ABM platforms, including Escape. Follow the tutorial section of the Modeler's guide.

#### ABM Java Developers

Write "Plain Old Java" models within a full-featured agent-based modeling framework. Read Programmers Guide and then try the "Create an Escape Java Model" cheat sheet.

#### Eclipse Plugin Developers

AXF and AGF provide a number of features based around Eclipse technologies such as GEF, GEF3D, BIRT Charts and Zest. For example, AGF supports dynamic visualization of objects in space, and AXF supports managed UI and headless execution for models of any kind. There isn't currently any general documentation for these features, but we encourage you to look at the APIs and at Escape's implementation of them. They're straightforward and can be useful for a variety of general science platform needs.