Changing position and orientation of in-/outputs in the interface for a block

Within the interface editor, it is possible to change the position and orientation (= the block edge) of the →input variables and →output variables or the position of the →in-out variables for a →block.

Restrictions

  • In case of an in-out variable, it is possible to change the position only but not the orientation. Reason: It is only allowed to position the input connection point of an in-out variable on the left block edge, the output connection point is automatically positioned on the opposite position on the right block edge. In-out variables can easily be identified by the straight line in the interface – see the corresponding example under "Calls of blocks: functions or function blocks"). If a block with in-out variables has been migrated from logi.CAD/32 to logi.CAD 3, the following is valid: logi.CAD 3 displays the user interface of the block as it is in logi.CAD/32. This means that only the input connection point of the in-out variable is displayed in logi.CAD 3. It is also possible that other variables are located on the opposite position of the input connection point.

  • It is not possible to change the position or orientation of the return value for a function within the interface editor.

If you are already using →calls of the →block within →graphical editors, logi.cals recommends to close all editors before the interface is changed. When e.g. the FBD-editor is re-opened, the changed interface is automatically updated in some aspects.

logi.CAD 3 provides the following possibilities to change the position/orientation:

  • in the preview of the interface editor by using the mouse:

  1. Point to a connection point or to a displayed name for the in-/output. In case of an in-out variable, point to the input connection point on the left block edge.
    Result: The mouse cursor changes its shape.

  2. Press and hold the primary mouse button, drag the in-/output or the input connection point to the requested, unused position on the corresponding block edge and release the primary mouse button.
    Restriction: Dragging is only possible to free positions and positions under 32. In case of an in-out variable, the position on the right block edge must be unused as well.

  • in the tab Properties:

  1. Switch to the tab In-/Outputs.

  2. Perform the following steps for each element (= input variable, output variable or in-out variable) for which you want to change the position and orientation respectively:

    1. Point to the column Position for the element and double-click.

    2. Enter the required position and press the Enter-key.
      Result: The position of the element is updated in the preview.

    3. Point to the column Orientation for the element and click twice behind each other (no double-clicking).

    4. In the list, select the required orientation (by clicking the primary mouse button).
      Result: The orientation of the element is updated in the preview.

Mind the following for the specifications in the tab Properties:

  • If you have not specified a new position for the element yet, the column Position does not show any number. For such elements, logi.CAD 3 automatically uses the next free position on the default orientation. The default orientation for input variables is Left, the one for output variables is Right, the one for in-out variables is Left (the orientation for in-out variables cannot be changes, as mentioned in the beginning of this article).

  • Position specifications under 1 and above 32 are not accepted.

  • If – in case of the unchecked setting Expandable – you specify a position outside of the current size, the block is automatically resized in order to display the element.

  • If you delete a position specified in the column, logi.CAD 3 automatically uses the next free position on the appropriate orientation again.

  • If you specify an already used position, an appropriate message informs you that the position is already used.