Create a trace link from a Systems Engineering object to a diagram shape

Note

Microsoft Visio Professional must be installed on your computer. Visio Standard is not supported.

The diagram template's trace link relation rule may override the display of trace links in the diagram.

The complying Systems Engineering object can reside in the diagram owner's structure or in a different structure.

Tip

To enable the selection of occurrences as defining and complying objects, do one of the following in Systems Engineering:

• Choose Edit→Toggle In-Context Mode.
• Click Toggle In-Context Mode on the toolbar.

Otherwise, you can select only item revisions.

Caution

If you select occurrences and item revisions together as complying objects, the diagram template's trace link relation rule must allow that combination. Otherwise, a validation error is displayed.

If you intend to assign a custom trace link subtype, ensure that it is activated for diagrams before you start this procedure.

Procedure

1. In the Function view or the Logical Block view, select the defining object and choose Tools→Trace Link→Start Trace Link. You can also right-click the object and choose Start Trace Link. Or, click Start Trace Link on the toolbar.
2. In the diagram, do one of the following:

To	Do this
Accept the default trace link subtype	Right-click the shape for the defining object and choose End Trace Link.
Assign a custom trace link subtype	Ensure that the custom trace link subtype is activated for diagrams (Caution). Select the shape for the defining object and choose Tools→Trace Link→End Trace Link... to display the Create Trace Link dialog box. Type the subtype name in the Name box. You can type an optional description in the Description box. Click OK, or click Apply to keep the dialog box open and create another trace link with a custom subtype.

Note: If the trace link relation rule permits, you can see the trace link in the diagram by right-clicking the Visio page and choosing Refresh Diagram.

A corresponding trace link is created in the Trace Links view. Next to each linked object, a trace link symbol indicates whether that object is an item revision or an occurrence.

• The linked object is an item revision.
• The linked object is an occurrence.

Note: In the diagram, the trace link shape does not indicate whether the defining and complying objects are occurrences or item revisions.

Related Topics

• Setting diagram template relation rules
• Activating trace link subtypes for diagrams