Obsolete

Since all commonly requested port graphics were implemented in V1.3.46, this tutorial has become obsolete, since this tutorial's instructions do not intuitively work well with the new graphics implemented in V1.3.46, though they can still be used.
If you have already been using the method below and want to continue to do so, you can simply do so (though you would need to right-click on the port and choose Explore block instead of double-clicking it to change its appearance), ignoring the updates we have made in that regard.

If you are using the new method (using the Port Type column in the block generator) and want to add new port types, see the Adding Port Types tutorial.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out on the forum. 
We are very responsive there.

Description

In this tutorial, you'll learn how to change the appearance of block generator terminals/ports.

Topics covered

Block generator, terminal type, terminal look, terminal graphics, port type, port look, port graphics, RJ45, screw.

Main content

If you haven't seen the block generator tutorial yet, we suggest you watch that first, then come back to this tutorial.

Communication ports:

By default, communication ports look like RJ45 ports:

If you'd like to add options for how communication ports appear, follow these steps:

1. Go to the Catalogue Tools tab and select Open Catalogue Class
2. Go to the Show tab and select Class List
3. Select Graphical I-O and click OK
4. From the Catalogue Tools tab, select Create Property Definition. Name it Communication Port Type
5. Set the following parameters for the new property:
   1. List Type = Proposed
   2. List = Communication port graphics you wish to use (e.g. RJ45, M12, M20, etc.) (Press SHIFT+ENTER to start typing a new entry)
   3. Initial Value = Set this to whatever you wish the default graphic to be (e.g. RJ45)
   4. Force Initial Value as Default Value = Ensure this box is checked
6. Close the class
7. On a sheet, insert a block that has a communication port
8. Select the communication port, go to the Home tab and select Open block
9. Select the polyline in the block that looks like an RJ45 port (the inside of the box only)
10. Go to the Drawing tab and select Create graphical block while holding the SHIFT key down. Instead of creating a work block by default, a list of types of blocks will be displayed.
11. Leave the top selection Graphical block selected and click OK.
12. Set the insertion point somewhere inside the block. (You don’t have to be precise.)
13. Once the graphical block is created, double-click it to explore the block
14. Click any property field so it's selected, then go to the Home tab and de-select Process property queries
15. Place the following query in the Displayed property:
    <r:If(Test:GetParent.CommunicationPortType="RJ45";True:True;False:False)>
16. At this point the RJ45 block may disappear, which is normal
17. Close the window
18. Expand the properties of the ComPort in the tree view and change the Communication Port Type property to the next type you wish to define
19. Proceed with the same logic (steps 9 to 17 above) to create all the various communication port graphics you want; i.e. draw a block that looks like another communication port type, make a graphical block out of it (when selecting the drawing objects, do not use a click-and-drag selection method, which may select the hidden blocks unknowingly; instead select the drawing objects one by one whilst holding CTRL), then set the right query in the Displayed property.
20. Close and save the ComPort. When prompted which library folder to save it in, click OK, then Cancel.
21. Repeat steps 7-20 for the other communication port file; e.g. if you did the modifications on the ComPortLeft file, do the same for the ComPortRight file
22. Close and re-open SkyCAD to re-load the project and ensure all new settings are applied to the session.
    In your project, you will notice existing communication ports will appear as per the Initial Value you set in step 5C above.
23. You can double-click on any communication port, then set Communication Port Type to whatever you wish. You should see it change immediately.
24. All new communication ports generated by the block generator will appear as per the Initial Value you set in step 5C.
25. For a given block, once you’ve set all the communication ports to appear as desired, select the block, go to the Home tab and Save.

Generic Terminals:

By default, generic terminals look like screw terminals:

If you'd like to add options for how generic terminals appear, follow these steps:

1. Go to the Catalogue Tools tab and select Open Catalogue Class
2. Go to the Show tab and select Class List
3. Select Graphical I-O and click OK
4. From the Catalogue Tools tab, select Create Property Definition. Name it Generic Terminal Type
5. Set the following parameters for the new property:
   1. List Type = Proposed
   2. List = Generic terminal graphics you wish to use (e.g. Screw, Pin, Clamp, etc.) (Press SHIFT+ENTER to start typing a new entry)
   3. Initial Value = Set this to whatever you wish the default graphic to be (e.g. Screw)
   4. Force Initial Value as Default Value = Ensure this box is checked
6. Close the class
7. On a sheet, insert a block that has a generic terminal
8. Select the generic terminal, go to the Home tab and select Open block
9. Select the Generic Terminal file in the tree view, go to the Show tab and select Graphical sub-elements. You should see Connection point block listed below.
10. Select Connection point block, go to the Home tab and select Open Block
11. Close the Generic Terminal file in the tree view
12. Open the Connection point block
13. Select the portion of the block that looks like a screw (the circle and two lines inside the circle)
14. Go to the Drawing tab and select Create graphical block while holding the SHIFT key down.
    Instead of creating a work block by default, a list of types of blocks will be displayed.
15. Leave the top selection Graphical block selected and click OK.
16. Set the insertion point somewhere inside the block. (You don’t have to be precise.)
17. Once the graphical block is created, double-click it to explore the block.
18. Click any property field so it's selected, then go to the Home tab and de-select Process property queries.
19. Place the following query in the Displayed property:
    <r:If(Test:Parent.Parent.GenericTerminalType="Screw";True:True;False:False)>
20. At this point the screw block may disappear, which is normal
21. Close the window
22. Proceed with the same logic (steps 13 to 21 above) to create all the various generic terminal graphics you want; i.e. draw a block that looks like another generic terminal type, make a graphical block out of it (when selecting the drawing objects, do not use a click-and-drag selection method, which may select the hidden blocks unknowingly; instead select the drawing objects one by one whilst holding CTRL), set the right query in the Displayed property.
23. Close and save the Connection point block.
    When prompted which library folder to save it in, click OK, then Cancel.
24. Repeat steps 7-23 for the other generic terminal file; e.g. if you did the modifications on the GenericLeftTerminal file (and thus Left Connection point block file), do the same for the GenericRightTerminal file (and thus Right Connection point block file)
25. Close and re-open SkyCAD to re-load the project and ensure all new settings are applied to the session.
    In your project, you will notice existing generic terminals will appear as per the Initial Value you set in step 5C above.
    You can double-click on any generic terminal, then set Generic Terminal Type to whatever you wish. You should see it change immediately.
26. All new generic terminals generated by the block generator will appear as per the Initial Value you set in step 5C.
27. For a given block, once you’ve set all the generic terminals to appear as desired, select the block, go to the Home tab and Save.

I-O Terminals:

By default, I-O terminals look like screw terminals:

If you'd like to add options for how I-O terminals appear, follow these steps:

1. Go to the Catalogue Tools tab and select Open Catalogue Class
2. Go to the Show tab and select Class List
3. Select I-O and click OK
4. From the Catalogue Tools tab, select Create Property Definition. Name it IO Terminal Type
5. Set the following parameters for the new property:
   1. List Type = Proposed
   2. List = I-O terminal graphics you wish to use (e.g. Screw, Pin, Clamp, etc.) (Press SHIFT+ENTER to start typing a new entry)
   3. Initial Value = Set this to whatever you wish the default graphic to be (e.g. Screw)
   4. Force Initial Value as Default Value = Ensure this box is checked
6. Close the class
7. On a sheet, insert a block that has an input I-O terminal (digital/analogue input)
8. Select the I-O terminal, go to the Home tab and select Open block
9. Select the Channel file in the tree view, go to the Show tab and select Graphical sub-elements. You should see a Connection point block listed below.
10. Select Connection point block, go to the Home tab and select Open Block
11. Close the Channel file in the tree view
12. Open the Connection point block
13. Select the portion of the block that looks like a screw terminal (the square, circle and two lines inside the circle)
14. Go to the Drawing tab and select Create graphical block while holding the SHIFT key down.
    Instead of creating a work block by default, a list of types of blocks will be displayed.
15. Leave the top selection Graphical block selected and click OK.
16. Set the insertion point somewhere inside the block. (You don’t have to be precise.)
17. Once the graphical block is created, double-click it to explore the block
18. Click any property field so it's selected, then go to the Home tab and de-select Process property queries
19. Place the following query in the Displayed property:
    <r:If(Test:Parent.Parent.GetRepresentedChannel.IOTerminalType="Screw";True:True;False:False)>
20. At this point the screw block may disappear, which is normal
21. Close the window
22. Proceed with the same logic (steps 13 to 21 above) to create all the various I-O terminal graphics you want; i.e. draw a block that looks like another I-O terminal type, make a graphical block out of it (when selecting the drawing objects, do not use a click-and-drag selection method, which may select the hidden blocks unknowingly; instead select the drawing objects one by one whilst holding CTRL), set the right query in the Displayed property.
23. Close and save the Connection point block.
    When prompted which library folder to save it in, click OK, then Cancel.
24. Repeat steps 7-23 above for the output I-O terminal file (digital/analogue/relay output)
25. Close and re-open SkyCAD to re-load the project and ensure all new settings are applied to the session.
    All I-O terminals will be set to whatever you set the Initial Value to in step 5C above.
    You can double-click on any I-O terminal, then set IO Terminal Type to whatever you wish. You should see it change immediately.
26. All new I-O terminals generated by the block generator will appear according to whatever you set the Initial Value as in step 5C above.
27. For a given block, once you’ve set all the I-O terminals to appear as desired, select the block, go to the Home tab and Save.