Grouping or Ungrouping Instances in a New Reference

To organize your model, you can insert a new reference to group functional or logical instances.

Note that you can group multilevel instances and instances with connections. You cannot group references.

This task shows you how to:

Group Functional or Logical Instances

You can group functional/logical instances in a new reference. The scenario is identical for functions and logical components.

In the tree or 2D graph, multiselect the instances you want to group.
From the context menu, select Group Instances in a New Reference.
The Functional Reference dialog box appears.
In the Functional Reference tab, type a Name (mandatory) and a Description (optional).
Click OK.
As a result:
- A reference is created. It is inserted:
  - At the best position to prevent overlapping unselected objects
  - At the highest level in case of a multilevel selection
- The selected instances are moved in this new reference. Their connections are rerouted.
Important: When you group connected instances, their connections are renamed but their properties are kept.

You can ungroup instances (children) and delete the parent instance. The scenario is identical for functions and logical components.

Note that:

The command is different from the Undo command: it does not restore the previous hierarchy and position.
The command is equivalent to a drag and drop of the children instances and a deletion of the parent instance.

Before you begin: The parent instance must not be active.

In the tree or 2D graph, right-click a parent instance to display the context menu.
In the context menu, select Ungroup Children and Delete.
As a result:
- The children instances are ungrouped. They are displayed at the same level as the parent instance.
- The parent instance is deleted from the tree and 2D graph. However, its reference is not deleted in the database.
Important: When you ungroup connected instances, their connections are renamed but their properties are kept.