Dialog: Function-Block: Briefcase

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Dialog: Function-Block: Briefcase

Briefcase FB

See: Add Briefcase

Use a Briefcase FB to hide other Function-Blocks from the graphic-area.

You can use one Briefcase FB to hide all of the other Function-Blocks. However, I usually add a Briefcase FB for those Function-Blocks that are connected together with wires.

You can also hide Briefcase FBs inside a different Briefcase FB.

Open Briefcase FB dialog-box

MD-Icon-FB-Briefcase

Open the Briefcase FB dialog-box:

1.Double-click the Briefcase FB in the graphic-area

- or -

1.See How to Open a Dialog-Box  

The Briefcase dialog-box is now open.

Briefcase FB dialog-box

MD-DIALOG-FB-BRIEFCASE

Display Options

MD-DIALOG-FB-BRIEFCASE-DisplayOptions

Red-14-1 << write a label >>

Enter text for a label to remind you which FBs are in the Briefcase FB. The label shows in the graphic-area above the Briefcase FB.

Red-14-2 Background color and Transparency

Use the Background Color button to edit the color of the Briefcase Display Window. See example, below.

Use the Transparency slider to edit the transparency/opacity of the Briefcase Display Window.

Red-14-3 Hide Elements / Show Elements

Show or hide the Briefcase Display Window.

☑Hide-Elements to hide Briefcase Display Window

❑Show Elements to show Briefcase Display Window

Add / Remove Function-Blocks

MD-Dialog-BriefCaseFB-AddRemove

 

 

Add FBs to the Briefcase

1.Click the PadlockRed-14-5 to unlock the Briefcase

The PadlockRed-14-5 icon becomes unlocked - see image.

2.Click FBs in the graphic-area

When you click a FB, it moves from the graphic-area to the Function-BlocksRed-14-10a box in the Briefcase.

3.Click the PadlockRed-14-5 again to lock the Briefcase.

Remove FBs from the Briefcase:

1.Click the PadlockRed-14-5 to unlock the Briefcase

2.Click a FB that is in the Function-BlocksRed-14-10a box to make the active FB.

3.Click the Red CrossRed-14-4 button.

The FB returns to the graphic-area, outside of the Briefcase Display Window.

4.Do 1 - 3 again to remove a different FBs.

5.Click the PadlockRed-14-5 again to lock the Briefcase

Arrange FBs in the Briefcase Display Window.

1.Click Show Elements check-boxRed-14-3 - see above.

2.Click the Arrange FBsRed-14-6 button

The FBs are now arranged in a linear array in the graphic-area.

You may need to drag FBs to arrange the FBs within the linear array.

Add all FBs that are connected with wires 'upstream' of a FB

1.Click a FB in the Function-Blocks boxRed-14-10a in the Briefcase

2.Click the Add All Upstream icon Red-14-7

The FBs that are upstream (connected to its input-connector) are now in the Function-Block box.

Add all FBs that are connected with wires 'downstream' of a FB

1.Click a FB in the Function-Blocks boxRed-14-10a in the Briefcase

2.Click the Add All Downstream iconRed-14-8

The FBs that are 'downstream' (connected to its output-connector) are now in the Function-Block box.

Remove all FBs from the Briefcase

1.Click the Remove All iconRed-14-8

The FBs are now in the graphic-area

Example:

MD-GA-BriefcaseFB-Window

•Briefcase FB and label: Lifter Mech.

•The Briefcase Display WindowRed-14-2 is a light-gray box, with a blue border.

•The window will re-size as you drag, add, or remove Function-Blocks.

•Drag the Briefcase FBRed-14-1 to move the Briefcase Display WindowRed-14-2

Note: When you open a model, Briefcase FBs stack on top of each other at the top of the graphic area. You must drag each Briefcase FB to separate them, again.