Connecting with connection lines
Connecting with connection lines
If two models contain vacant interfaces and reside in the same macro, they can be connected via these interfaces. Such a connection is represented as a connection line in the schematic view. A model may also be connected with a source object (a file, a table, or a constant).
Starting with IDA Modeler 4.0, the connectable interfaces may be shown in the model’s icon as connector spots. A single spot may represent either one interface or all of the model’s interfaces. The appearances of interfaces are defined by the application’s designer; any graphic element in the icon’s contents may be used as a connector spot. When placed above a vacant connector spot, the connection tool 
is attached to the cursor, showing that the interface may be connected. If no connector spots are defined for some interface, the icon’s border is used as the connection spot for that interface.
To establish a connection
- Press the left mouse button on the first connector spot and drag the mouse cursor to the second connector spot.
- If both spots represent single interfaces, the connection is done.
If not, the Connect dialog (see below) opens for the pair of selected objects. Two boxes contain all the vacant interfaces that have a vacant compatible match in the opposite object. - To select an interface, select it in one of the Connect dialog boxes. Only the interfaces that are compatible with the selected one remain in the opposite box.
- To select the second interface, click it in the opposite box of the Connect dialog.
- Click OK. The dialog closes, and a line between the two connector spots appear to represent the connection.
When connecting to a source file, a table, or a macro object, it is possible to create new interfaces. To do this, just type the interface name instead of selecting from a list. See Connection via border of macro and Creating interface "on fly" for details. See also vector interfaces.
Connection dialog