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Device Groups

Complex devices can be realized by means of a device group. Functions from different trades and devices tags can be grouped graphically and logically into one device. This way, for example, Fluid power devices can be grouped with electrical engineering components.

The functions combined as a device group are as a rule saved as a macro. Therefore the creation and ungrouping of device groups is only possible in a macro project.

The following criteria can / must be fulfilled to create a device group:

In the device navigator, the functions of a device group to which the "Pair cross-reference" representation type has been assigned are displayed below the multi-line main function, even though these functions have other device tags.

Create device groups

Device groups can only be created in a macro project. To group devices, you must first select the functions and graphical elements to be grouped in the schematic. Then select the menu items Edit > Other > Group device. The program first checks whether the criteria for creating a device group have been fulfilled. If not, a message is displayed indicating this. If the criteria are met, the group is created.

Note:

Please note that the functions grouped into a device group are treated as a group only when the Consider groupings option has been activated. Otherwise, the functions are not treated as a group but as individual functions with actions like block editing, deleting, copying, moving, etc.

Ungroup device groups

Device groups can be broken down into their individual components again in a macro project. Before device groups can be ungrouped, the group must be selected in the schematic. Use the menu items Edit > Other > Ungroup to separate the devices.

Note:

In schematic projects you can use the menu items Edit > Other > Ungroup to ungroup only the grouping of element groups (i.e. a grouping of graphical elements).

Behavior of device groups in the schematic project

If you move the cursor in the graphical editor over a device group when the Consider groupings option is activated, all the elements of this group are highlighted in same color.

The logical elements of a device group are always considered individually when the Consider groupings option is activated. This means that you can select the individual functions of a device group (auxiliary functions, pair cross-references) and can open the respective property dialog.

In a schematic project the functions and graphical elements of a device group cannot be deleted from the device group.

Unplaced device groups

The placing of a selected device group can be deleted completely in the schematic project by using the menu items Edit > Delete placement. It is irrelevant whether the deleting of the placement is carried out in the device navigator or in the graphical editor.

Unplaced device groups behave exactly like other unplaced functions and can, for example, be placed again from the device navigator as a complete device group in the graphical editor, if the device group was inserted as a device with stored part macro.

Block properties for device groups

As concerns the functions of a device group, in block properties the Format dialog comes with the "Device group (further functions)" format element. Using this format element, within one device group you can access the properties of the other functions from a function of a device group. This way, for example, you can display the parts data or property values of the main function at a function of the device group on an electric engineering schematic page, while the main function with the device group is placed on a page of the "Fluid power schematic" type.

In order to access the other functions of a device group via the block properties, in the Format dialog first select an element from the group "Device group (further functions)" and click the (Next level) button. From the starting function you can go to the other functions of the device group and there select the required parts data (e.g., Part number) or function properties (e.g., Function text, Remark, etc.).

See also