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.
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.
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.
From the menu bar, select View > Property Editor.
The Property Editor appears on the bottom left of
your screen.
In the modeling window, in the current model, select a
block to modify.
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.
Double-click a block that you would like to connect to an Activation
block.
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.
Select a block that you want to reposition.
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.
Select two blocks that you want to reposition in a diagram:
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.
or right 
, or rotate a block to the left 
or right 
. Alternatively, right-click and select from the
options on the context menu:
, right
, top
or bottom 
.
Alternatively, right-click and select from the align options on the context
menu:
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.
