Add a connection between diagram shapes

Caution You cannot use a connection that you copy and paste from another structure. An error message is displayed if you attach such a connection to an interface (port) shape.

Note

• Connection interface directions are defined in the PortDirections tag in the mapping file. By default, the starting direction is Output and the ending direction is Input. You can set the interface direction for the new connection by changing the default values.
• The diagram template and a related preference can be set for enabling connections without interfaces in diagrams. In this case, connections can be attached directly to source and target blocks.
• Multiple connections can exist between the same two blocks.

Procedure

1. From a Teamcenter stencil, drag the connection shape and glue its begin point to the starting point on the source block.

   Note If the diagram does not show interfaces, you can glue the connection directly to the block. Otherwise, the starting point must be an interface on the block.

2. Glue the connection shape's end point to the ending point on the target block.

   Note If the diagram does not show interfaces, you can glue the connection directly to the block. Otherwise, the ending point must be an interface on the block. The ending point can reside on the same block as the starting point.

The connection's source and target context determines the result in the Function or Logical Block view:

Connection context	Result
Between two block shapes	With the PortDirections default values: an output interface is created at the starting point on the source block, and an input interface is created at the ending point on the target block.
Between a block shape and an interface shape	A new interface is created on the source block. If the target interface direction is Input or Output, the new interface has the opposite direction; if the target interface direction is Bi-Directional, the new interface direction is Bi-Directional also.
Between two interface shapes	Each interface's direction is retained.
From a container boundary to an internal shape	A bidirectional interface is created at both the starting point on the container and the ending point on the internal shape.
From a container boundary to an external shape	With the PortDirections default values: an output interface is created at the starting point on the container, and an input interface is created at the ending point on the external shape.

Note Connections and their associated interfaces and diagrams are included in new structures that are created by the Duplicate command. You can release connections in a baseline structure if their parents are not locked.

Connections can show the names of defining and complying objects for trace links. A connection shape also can show an arrow pointing to the defining object.

When you remove a block that has connections, to avoid dangling connections, you must remove the block's connections or attach the disconnected connection to an existing block or to a newly added block.

Related Topics: Setting interface direction for new connections, Enable connections without interfaces in diagrams, Selecting defining and complying objects