Working with Blocks

Learn about modifying parameters and properties, positioning and searching for blocks.

Modify Block Parameters

Every block includes a set of parameters that controls the block’s behavior and options. You can modify these parameters as required for a model.

  1. Locate a block in a diagram that you want to modify and double-click the block.
    A block dialog appears containing the parameters for the model.
  2. Enter the paramter values as required for your model.
The following dialog shows you the paramters you can set for a SineWaveGenerator block. For example, you can set an exact numerical value for the amplitude:

You can further parameterize the block by setting the Magnitude to M and the Frequency to F, where both M and F are model parameters that can be defined in the model context.



Modify Block Properties

Modify the name, color and display properties of a block from the Property Editor.

  1. From the menu bar, select View > Property Editor.
    The Property Editor appears on the bottom left of your screen.
  2. In the modeling window, in the current model, select a block to modify.
  3. From the Property Editor, choose from the following properties:
    For property Do this
    Name Under General, for Value, enter a name for the block.
    Name display Select Show Name to display the name of the block in a diagram. The block name is displayed under the block.
    Color Click Background, and then select from the color options that appear.
    Color transparency Select Transparency and enter a percentage; 100 % = highest transparency.
    Boundary display Select the Frame Visiblilty box. The graphical display of the block includes a framed boundary.
    Position Select the Flip box. The block and its ports flip horizontally.
    Tip: You can also modify a number of properties through the context menu. To access a block's context menu, right-click the block.

Enable External Activation

Enable a block to receive an activation signal through an external activation port.

  1. Double-click a block that you would like to connect to an Activation block.
  2. On the dialog that appears, select the External Activation box.
    Turning on External Activation exposes a red input port that can accept a link from an Activation block. The Scope block in the following diagram shows this port:


Position Blocks

Switch, rotate, flip, align and center a block in a diagram.

Rotating and Flipping Blocks

You can change the orientation of blocks and links inside of a diagram through the Orient tool group or the context menu.

  1. Select a block that you want to reposition.
  2. On the ribbon, from the Orient tool group

    select to flip a block to the left or right , or rotate a block to the left or right . Alternatively, right-click and select from the options on the context menu:


    The links between the selected blocks automatically flip or rotate as specified.

Aligning Blocks

Adjust link segments or points on link segments to align blocks in a diagram.

  • To align blocks manually, on a link segment or a point on a link segment, left-click, and then position the link with the mouse.
  • To align blocks automatically, cross-select the blocks you want to align. Then on the ribbon from the Alignment tool group:

    select the tool to align to the left , right , top or bottom . Alternatively, right-click and select from the align options on the context menu:

    The link segments between the selected blocks automatically move to align the blocks as specified.

Centering Blocks in a Diagram

Move link segments or link points to center blocks in a diagram.

  • To center blocks manually, on a link segment or a point on a link segment, left-click, and position the link with the mouse.
  • To center blocks automatically, cross-select the blocks you want to work with on your diagram. Then on the ribbon from the Center tool group,

    select the tool to center vertically or horizontally . Alternatively, right-click and select from the options on the context menu.
    The link segments between the selected blocks automatically move to center the blocks as specified.

Switching Two Blocks

Switch the placement of two blocks in a diagram.

  1. Select two blocks that you want to reposition in a diagram:

  2. Press Ctrl+T, or right-click, and from the context menu, select Switch.
    The blocks swap places in the diagram:
The following figure shows the switching of two blocks in a model. The software automatically reconnects the blocks in the diagram within the limits of compatibility of the ports on the blocks. Once the blocks are switched, you can adjust the links as needed.

Search for Blocks

Locate a block in a particular palette, or search for a block or palette throughout a library.

In the Palette Browser, enter a term in the search field for one of the following options:
Search option Search result
All blocks are displayed in the palettes with the found blocks highlighted. Navigate through the blocks with the up and down arrows next to the search field.
All found blocks are displayed.