Subdiagram Phase Blocks
Subdiagram phase blocks represent other phase diagrams within the project. Using subdiagram phase blocks allows you to incorporate phase diagrams as phases within other phase diagrams. This allows you to break down extremely complex configurations into smaller diagrams, increasing understandability and ease of use and avoiding unnecessary repetition of elements.
Subdiagram phase blocks can have unlimited incoming connections and up to two outgoing connections, which may include one success path and one failure path. The success path and the failure path must be different; if both success and failure of the block actually lead to the same outcome, you can use a node block to model this configuration.
You can add a subdiagram phase block to a phase diagram by choosing Phase > Phase > Add Subdiagram Phase.
The Select Diagram for the Block window will appear. The list of available diagrams will show the phase diagrams in the project. You can use the View area to sort the list hierarchically or alphabetically. The Filter field allows you to enter text to search for in the names of the available diagrams. If the diagram that the subdiagram phase block will be linked to does not yet exist, click the Add Phase Diagram icon to add a new diagram to the project.
Tip: You can drag a phase diagram from the current project explorer into the current phase diagram to create a subdiagram phase block based on that diagram.
To open a subdiagram phase block that already appears in the phase diagram, double-click the block or choose Phase > Settings > Block Properties to open the Phase Properties window.
To get a quick preview of the subdiagram without actually opening it, select the block and choose Phase > Selection > Quick View.
The following properties are available to configure a subdiagram phase block:
- Phase name and Description: Each block is given a default name that is determined based on the block type's default name format. You can type new text either instead of or in addition to the default name.
The Name field must be populated. Description text is optional. Note that an asterisk is used (*) to represent default block names. The block name that is displayed in the diagram will replace the asterisk with the block's default name; this allows the block name to be updated dynamically.
- Phase Properties
- Phase Diagram allows you to select a phase diagram in the current project that you want the block to represent.
- Identifiers: The Comments field allows you to enter additional information about the block.
The Active Phase drop-down list at the bottom of the window allows you to choose another phase that you want to edit without the need to close and reopen the Phase Properties window. This option works in exactly the same way as the Active Block feature in the Block Properties window.
