Welcome Page
============

When you start SAM, it displays the Welcome page with options for starting your work session and messages about SAM from NLR's SAM development team.

.. note:: To return to the Welcome page after creating a case, on the File menu, click **Close**, or press ctrl-W.

.. image:: ../images/SS_Welcome_Window.png
   :align: center
   :alt: SS_Welcome_Window.png

**To start a new project:**

#. Click **Start a new project**.

#. :doc:`Choose models <../getting-started/choose_models>`.

.. note:: If you are modeling a wind system, you can use the Wind Wizard to create the project. The Wizard steps you through the inputs you need to create a basic case. To run the Wind Wizard, click **Quick start for new users** at the bottom left corner of the Welcome page, and then click **Wind Wizard**.

To open an existing SAM project:

#. Click **Open a project file** to open an existing SAM project stored in a .sam file.

#. Double-click the name of a recent .sam file in the list at the bottom right of the Welcome page.

To create or open an LK script:

* Click **New script** to create a new :doc:`script <../reference/macros>`, or click **Open script** to open an existing script stored in a .lk file.

To see or change your registration information:

* Click **Registration**.

The SAM :doc:`Registration <../reference/registration>` window displays the email address you used to register SAM and your SAM key.

To display version information:

* Click **About**.

The About page displays the versions numbers for your copy of SAM along with the NLR legal disclaimer.