PLECS 3.2.4 Blockset Packages

Running the PLECS Blockset requires MATLAB and Simulink on your system. The table below shows the platforms and MATLAB versions currently supported by the PLECS Blockset. Download the appropriate package file and follow the install instructions below. The PLECS Blockset is configured as the full version or the PLECS Viewer via the license file. The package files were last modified on Dec 7, 2011.

Note — You do not need administrator privileges in order to install PLECS.

The easiest way to install the PLECS Blockset is to use our installer script. You can use the installer both for a fresh installation and to update an existing installation.

To use the installer, download the file installplecs.m and the required package file and save them into the same directory. Run installplecs.m from the MATLAB command line. MATLAB 7.0 (R14) or newer is required. If a firewall prevents the installer from accessing the internet, you should answer "No" to the question "Would you like to check online for a newer PLECS version?".

Manual installation

Microsoft Windows

• Run the installer executable by double-clicking it. PLECS can be installed for the current user or all users of a machine. To install PLECS for all users the installer must be executed with administrator privileges.
• If you have purchased a license for the full version you will have received a license file license.dat. Copy this file to your harddisk. During the installation the installer allows you to browse to the license file. As an alternative you can choose to install the license for the PLECS Viewer.
  You can also copy the license file into the installation directory manually after the installation is completed. PLECS searches the license file in the folder that also contains the file plecs.m.
  
• The PLECS installer will add PLECS to the MATLAB search path. If an error is encountered (e.g. because of insufficient access privileges) the changes to the MATLAB path can also be done manually. In this case add the installation directory and the sub-directory demos to your search path using the Path Browser in MATLAB. The Path Browser is found under the menu item "File - Set Path - Add Folder".
• If you previously had installed an older version of PLECS installed execute
  plecsclear
  rehash toolboxcache
  in the MATLAB command line.

You can always re-run the installation assistant to change the license file or the MATLAB path. To do this, start plecs.exe in the subdirectory bin\win32.

Mac OS X / Linux

• Untar with
  tar -xzf filename.tar.gz
  in a directory of your choice. This will create a new sub-directory named plecs containing the required files.
• If you have purchased a license for the full version you will have received a license file license.dat. Copy this file into the just created directory named plecs.
  If you would like to install the PLECS Viewer, copy the file viewerlicense.dat from the sub-directory plecs/private into plecs and rename it to license.dat.
• In MATLAB, add the new directory plecs and the sub-directory demos to your search path. Use the Path Browser under the menu item "File - Set Path - Add Folder". Alternatively, edit directly the file pathdef.m in the directory matlabroot/toolbox/local/. If you do not have file system permission to modify the file pathdef.m add the commands
  addpath('plecs_directory');
  addpath('plecs_directory/demos');
  to the file ~/matlab/startup.m. (In case the file does not exist create an empty file startup.m in the sub-directory matlab of your home directory.)
• If you previously had installed an older version of PLECS execute
  plecsclear
  rehash toolboxcache
  in the MATLAB command line.

Configuring PLECS

For information about setting global configuration options for PLECS see the section "Configuring PLECS" in the PLECS User Manual.

Start Using PLECS

To start using PLECS either type the command plecslib or look for PLECS in "Blocksets & Toolboxes" in Simulink.

Installing Different PLECS Versions in Parallel

If you want to keep different versions of PLECS installed in parallel on one computer, you must ensure that only one version is on your MATLAB path at any time during a MATLAB session. Otherwise, loss of data may occur. Before changing the MATLAB path, be sure to clear the currently loaded PLECS module by entering plecsclear at the MATLAB command prompt. As an additional precaution you should restart MATLAB after the change.

Uninstalling PLECS

To uninstall PLECS from your computer follow the procedure below.

• Locate the directory where PLECS is installed by entering
  which plecs
  in the MATLAB command line.
• Remove the PLECS directory and its subdirectory demos from the search path. Depending on how the directories were added to the path during installation, this is done using the Path Browser or by editing the file pathdef.m in the directory matlabroot/toolbox/local/ or the file ~/matlab/startup.m.
• Quit MATLAB.
• On Windows, deinstall PLECS by choosing the appropriate entry in the Windows control panel. On Mac OS X and Linux just delete the PLECS installation directory.