Echelon IzoT Commissioning Tool - Manual (Page 131)

Creating a Connection with the Connector SmartShape
You can create a connection with the Connector SmartShape ( ) in the IzoT Commissioning Tool
Basic Shapes stencil. You can only use this method to connect functional blocks or supernodes that
are in the same subsystem. You can connect network variables or message tags on functional blocks or
supernodes whether they have network variable or message tag SmartShapes or not.
To connect functional blocks or supernodes with network variable or message tag SmartShapes, drag a
Connector SmartShape from the IzoT Commissioning Tool Basic Shapes stencil to your OpenLNS
CT drawing, placing the left end of the Connector SmartShape on the connection point on the end of
the output network variable or output message tag you want to connect (a red square will appear
around the ‘x’ connection point). Then drag the right end of the Connector SmartShape to the
connection point of the input network variable or input message tag. Connector SmartShapes that have
been properly connected on both ends will be black; otherwise, they will be red. To create a fan-out or
fan-in connection, repeat the process with additional Connector SmartShapes.
Note: You must connect the connector shape to the output network variable before connecting it to the
input network variable, and you must make the connection as you add the connector shape to the
drawing. If you do not connect the output network variable first or you drop the connector shape in
the drawing and then connect the network variables, IzoT Commissioning Tool may not use a smart
connection description for the connection (for example, repeated service for a fan-out connection). In
addition, you must make the connection as you add the connector shape to the drawing (you cannot
add the connector shape to the drawing and then connect the network variables).
To attach a Connector SmartShape to a functional block that does not have a network variable or
message tag SmartShape, place one end of the connector SmartShape directly onto one of the four
connection points around the functional block, and connect the other end to a network variable or
message tag SmartShape or onto one of the four connection points around another functional block.
Once a functional block is connected via one of its connection points, the Network Variable
Connection dialog box opens. Follow the steps in Creating a Connection with the Network Variable
Connection Dialog Box to finish creating the connection.
If you create a connection with multiple message tags, connect the output message tags together
(instead of using the msg_in tag). Select one of the output message tags as the hub and connect it to
all the other output message tags (do not daisy chain the connection). The resulting connection will be
the same regardless of which message tag you select as the hub.
See Connection Master SmartShapes in Chapter 12, Creating and Using Custom IzoT Commissioning
Tool SmartShapes and Stencils, for information on creating multiple connections in a single operation.
Creating a Connection with the Connector Tool
You can create a connection using the Connector tool. This is the quickest way to create unicast
connections. To create a connection with the Connector tool, follow these steps:
1. Select the Connector tool ( ) on the Visio Standard toolbar.
2. Point to the output network variable or message tag SmartShape of the functional block or
supernode to be connected until a red square opens around the SmartShape.
3. Hold down the mouse button and then point to the input network variable or message tag
SmartShape of the functional block or supernode to be connected.
4. Release the mouse button.
5. Select a different tool on the Visio toolbar if you will not be making additional connections or
reassignments. If you continue to use the Connector tool to add new devices, routers, or
functional blocks SmartShapes to your drawing, Visio will attempt to connect the SmartShapes,
which may not be desired or could generate errors.
IzoT Commissioning Tool User’s Guide 115