reference block

Blocks that are contained in the library palettes of the software are reference blocks. When a block from a library is added to a model, the definition of the block resides in the block library of the software, and not in a model file. The model file contains only a reference element to the library.

As a result of the reference element, the presence of the corresponding library is required to manage the model. An inline block, unlike the reference block, includes its definition directly in the model file and does not reference a library.

A user-created super block inside of a diagram is inlined as its definition is fully made within the model and there is no reference to a library file. Such a super block, if masked, can be placed in a library. The masking operation creates a .scb file, which can be used to create a reference block version of the super block that is in the model.