'''Visual modeling''' is the graphic representation of objects and systems of interest using [[Graphical modeling language|graphical language]]s. Visual modeling is a way for experts and novices to have a common understanding of otherwise complected ideas. By using visual models complex ideas are not held to human limitations, allowing for greater complexity without a loss of comprehension.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Quatrani |first1=Terry |title=ntroduction to Visual Modeling with Rational Rose 2002 and UML |url=http://www.informit.com/articles/article.aspx?p=30432 |website=informit.com |publisher=informit |accessdate=1 December 2019}}</ref> Visual modeling can also be used to bring a group to a consensus. Models help effectively communicate ideas among designers, allowing for quicker discussion and an eventual consensus<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Simons |first1=Gary |title=Conceptual Modeling versus Visual Modeling: A Technological Key to Building Consensus |journal=Computers and the Humanities |date=1996/19971996–1997 |volume=30 |issue=4 |page=305}}</ref>. Visual modeling languages may be [[General-Purpose Modeling]] (GPM) languages (e.g., [[Unified Modeling Language|UML]], [[Southbeach Notation]], [[IDEF]]) or [[Domain-Specific Modeling]] (DSM) languages (e.g., [[SysML]]). Visual modelling in computer science had no standard before the 90's, and was incomparable until the introduction of the UML<ref>{{cite web |last1=Watson |first1=Andrew |title=Visual Modelling: past, present and future |url=https://www.uml.org/Visual_Modeling.pdf |website=uml.org |publisher=UML |accessdate=1 December 2019}}</ref>. They include industry open standards (e.g., UML, SysML, [[Modelica]]), as well as proprietary standards, such as the visual languages associated with [[VisSim]], [[MATLAB]] and [[Simulink]], [[OPNET]], [[NetSim]], [[NI Multisim]], and [[Reactive Blocks]]. Both VisSim and Reactive Blocks provide a royalty-free, downloadable viewer that lets anyone open and interactively simulate their models. The community edition of Reactive Blocks also allows full editing of the models as well as compilation, as long as the work is published under the [[Eclipse Public License]]. Visual modeling languages are an area of active research that continues to evolve, as evidenced by increasing interest in DSM languages, visual [[requirements]], and visual OWL ([[Web Ontology Language]]).<ref name="faq">{{cite web|author=|title=Visual OWL|url=http://www.visualmodeling.com/VisualOWL.htm}}</ref>
