Configuring a Variable Connector
Variable connectors only contain ports and the ports are referred to as pins. When the connector is instanced, the number of ports in the variable group can be determined on the fly or by the number of pins property applied to the connector.
The members of a variable group must be separated by a construction line which will act as separation lines. The construction lines are usually horizontal or vertical, although all angles between 0° and 180° are supported. Construction line orientation defines the ‘direction of growth’ of the parametric group instance when new members are added. Cutaways can be added at the top and bottom of the group.
1. In the ribbon, click Diagramming.
2. From the
Explorers group, click
Catalog Explorer.
3. In the Catalog Explorer dialog, choose Groups from the Type pull down list.
4. Select a folder Groups.
5. Click
to create a new group.
6. Select the newly created Group.
7. Right-click and choose Properties.
8. Edit the name to Variable Connector.
9. Click Add.
10. In the Parameter selector dialog, select def_internal_len and obj_type, and click OK.
11. In the Group Properties dialog, select parameter def_internal_len.
12. Edit the
Parameter value to
0 and click
.
13. Select parameter model_name.
14. Edit the
Parameter value to
Connector and click
.
15. Select parameter obj_type.
16. Set the
Parameter value to
Connector and click
.
17. Clear the Fix member identities check box and click OK.