Defining Structure Rules and Dependencies

Structure Template File

To change the configuration of the project tree, a structure template file (XML file) can be selected in the Project Properties... dialog. The files are generated in XML format and externally stored. See example:

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<StructureTemplate>
        <Project>
                <Product>
                       <Product>1</Product>
                       <Device>1</Device>
                       <Sheet>1</Sheet>
                </Product>
                <Sheet>1</Sheet>
        </Project>
</StructureTemplate>

 

The Select File dialog appears when pressing the selection button and the structure templates already available can be selected. Examples are stored in the installation directory under:

\\Users\Public\Documents\Zuken\E3.series_<version>\structure_templates\

 

After selecting a structure, the tree display has to be defined in the Tree Control Properties (see Defining Properties).

 

 

When loading a structure template into an existing project, some devices and sheets might collide, if their current attributes do not correspond to the new structure definition.

 

In this case, the system displays a corresponding message and the affected objects are listed in the Results window. The user can then decide whether to use the new structure.

 

The current structure can also be saved in the template file and consequently used as default for a new project.

 

Note Regarding Existing Projects

Existing projects are automatically converted to a "flat structure", i.e. the sheets and devices are loaded in the uppermost level of the project. This can also be done by removing the structure template file from the corresponding option in the Project Properties.

 

  • The structure can be modified using the Structure Template File... option in the Project Properties... dialog after opening the project.

  • The "flat" structure can be loaded using the structure template file Classic.xml.

     

Example

 

Possible Key Words in Structure Template File

The elements always exist of a pair:

  • <start> and </end> element

 

List of elements (tags)
 

Start tag

Value

End tag

Description

<StructureTemplate>

 

</StructureTemplate>

File extension

<Project>

 

</Project>

Project level (top-most level)

<Assignment>

1

</Assignment>

Higher level assignment

<Location>

1

</Location>

Location

<Attribute Name="xyz">

 

</Attribute>

Any attribute with 'device' or 'sheet' as owner

<Device>

1

</Device>

Device object

<Sheet>

1

</Sheet>

Sheet object or OLE document

<ValidAttribute>

att1

</ValidAttribute>

Valid attribute of a structure node

 

Example: Structure Template