Linking a shape to a matrix parameter

Do the following to make a graphical representation of a matrix parameter.

1. Draw the shapes that represent the inputs and the outputs.

   See Drawing the shapes representing the matrix inputs and outputs.

2. Draw the shapes that display the input and output labels.

   See Drawing the shapes displaying the input and output labels.

3. Combine all shapes into a group that represents the matrix.

   See Combining all shapes into a group representing the matrix.

Connections between inputs and outputs will be drawn automatically.

Note

• When you right-click a shape linked to a matrix parameter, the shortcut menu will by default list all inputs defined in the protocol. However, it is possible that the number of inputs and outputs have been limited in the port.xml file.
• For examples, see Ziine > Visual Overview Design Examples view > [linking > MTX1/MTX2] pages.

Drawing the shapes representing the matrix inputs and outputs

1. Draw a number of shapes that each represent an input or an output.

2. To each of those shapes, add one of the following shape data fields according to their function.

   • Input: Name of a matrix input, as specified

     • in the protocol of the element (i.e. the original name), or
     • in the parameter alias file* (i.e. the name that currently overrides the original name).

     Note

     • By default, connections will start from the center of the shape.
     • If you want an "input shape" to show the current Element state, add a shape data field to it of type Parameter, and set its value to "*|Alarm".

   • Output: Name of a matrix output, as specified

     • in the protocol of the element (i.e. the original name), or
     • in the parameter alias file (i.e. the name that currently overrides the original name). Such parameter alias files are often called port.xml, although a different name can be defined in the element protocol.

     Note

     • By default, connections will end at the center of the shape.
     • If you want an "output shape" to show the current Element state, add a shape data field to it of type Parameter, and set its value to "*|Alarm".

Drawing the shapes displaying the input and output labels

1. Draw a number of shapes that each represent an input label or an output label.

2. To each of those shapes, add one of the following shape data fields according to their function.

   • InputLabel: Name of a matrix input, as specified

     • in the protocol of the element (i.e. the original name), or
     • in the parameter alias file (i.e. the name that currently overrides the original name). Such parameter alias files are often called port.xml, although a different name can be defined in the element protocol.

     If, in the shape, you type "*", that character will be replaced by the current name of the input.

   • OutputLabel: Name of a matrix output, as specified

     • in the protocol of the element (i.e. the original name), or
     • in the parameter alias file (i.e. the name that currently overrides the original name). Such parameter alias files are often called port.xml, although a different name can be defined in the element protocol.

     If, in the shape, you type "*", that character will be replaced by the current name of the output.

Combining all shapes into a group representing the matrix

1. Combine all shapes created in steps 1 and 2 into a group.

2. To that group, add the following shape data fields.

   • Element: The ID of the element containing the matrix parameter.

   • Parameter: The ID of the matrix parameter.

     If followed by "|ALARM", then all inputs, outputs, and connections will have the current alarm color.

   • Set: If set to TRUE, users will be able to perform SET commands after right-clicking one of the shapes in the group.

   • Line: Optional shape data field, in which you can specify the ID of a shape. If you do so, the connections drawn between inputs and outputs will inherit the line weight of the shape specified.