Connection via border of macro

Connection via border of macro

Two interfaces from objects in different macros cannot be connected directly; such a connection is made up of several parts. Imagine the connection as a line crossing the macros' borders. Then each part from one border to the next is a separate connection, and each intersection of the line and border is called an interface reference.

The border of a macro is visible both when viewed from outside (as the border of the macro symbol) and from inside (as an big rectangle with a double-line border).

For example, to connect an object X from the main system to an object Y from a macro in the main system, one must connect interfaces from the chosen objects to the same interface-reference of the macro.

To establish this composite connection, open the main system (in the schematic view) and draw a connection line between X and the macro in the usual way (see Connecting with connection lines). In the Connect dialog, a list of vacant interfaces for X and (usually) an empty window for the macro can now be viewed. Select a vacant interface for X and type a name (Int_ref1 is suggested) for the new interface reference object into the Interface field and click OK. This establishes the connection between X and the macro. Now open the macro, draw a connection line between the Y and the border of the macro and in the Connect dialog, select the interface in Y and the interface reference Int_ref1. Click OK to finish the connection.

The same connection can just as well be created by starting from inside the macro and connecting Y to the border first.