Toolbox Menu and Interface Reference

Complete reference guide to the EHANDBOOK Container-Build Toolbox for Simulink user interface and menu structure.

Toolbox Menu Location

The EHANDBOOK Container-Build Toolbox adds a dedicated menu to Simulink’s main menu bar.

Menu Position

In Simulink:

File  Edit  View  Simulation  Debug  Format  Tools  [EHANDBOOK]

The toolbox menu typically appears:

  • After the standard Simulink menus

  • Sometimes under a submenu depending on toolbar configuration

  • As a floating toolbar option (configurable)

Accessing the Menu

  1. In Simulink, click the EHANDBOOK menu in the main menu bar

  2. The menu drops down showing available options

  3. Select the option you want

Main Menu Options

Generate Container

Location: EHANDBOOK → Generate Container

Purpose: Generate a new EHANDBOOK container from the currently open Simulink model.

What it does:

  1. Opens the generation dialog

  2. Analyzes your model structure

  3. Creates interactive diagrams

  4. Generates the .ehb container file

  5. Places the file in the specified output location

Keyboard shortcut: Often available (check your toolbox version)

Prerequisites:

  • A Simulink model must be open

  • Model should be saved (unsaved changes may not be included)

  • You need write permission to the output directory

Dialog options:

Field Purpose

Output Location

Directory where .ehb file will be saved

Container Name

Name for the output .ehb file

Include Mask Images

Generate visual representations of masked subsystems

Include Interactive Models

Include explorable model diagrams (recommended: enabled)

Additional Options

Compression, encryption, documentation inclusion

Open Container

Location: EHANDBOOK → Open Container

Purpose: Open the most recently generated container in EHANDBOOK-NAVIGATOR.

What it does:

  1. Locates the most recent .ehb file generated

  2. Launches EHANDBOOK-NAVIGATOR if not already running

  3. Loads the container for exploration

When available: Only appears if a container was recently generated

Keyboard shortcut: Often available

Prerequisites:

  • EHANDBOOK-NAVIGATOR must be installed

  • A container must have been recently generated

Configuration / Settings

Location: EHANDBOOK → Settings or Preferences

Purpose: Configure toolbox behavior and default settings.

Available options (may vary by version):

  • Default output location for containers

  • Default container naming convention

  • Generation options (mask images, compression, etc.)

  • UI preferences (toolbar position, menu style)

  • Connection settings (INCA, MDA 8)

Toolbar Buttons

In addition to menu options, the toolbox provides toolbar buttons for quick access.

Generate Button

Icon: Usually a "play" or "build" icon

Action: Same as EHANDBOOK → Generate Container

Tooltip: "Generate EHANDBOOK Container"

Open Button

Icon: Usually a "folder" or "open" icon

Action: Same as EHANDBOOK → Open Container

Tooltip: "Open Container in EHANDBOOK-NAVIGATOR"

Settings Button

Icon: Usually a "gear" or "wrench" icon

Action: Opens Settings dialog

Tooltip: "Toolbox Settings"

Generation Dialog Reference

When you click "Generate Container," a detailed dialog appears.

Dialog Sections

Model Information (Read-Only)

Displays information about your current model:

  • Model file name

  • Model file path

  • Model location

  • Last modified date

  • Number of blocks (estimated)

Output Settings

Configure where and how the container is saved:

Output Location:

  • Default: [model directory]

  • Custom: Browse button to select alternate directory

  • Verification: Shows when path is valid/invalid

Container Name:

  • Default: [model name].ehb

  • Custom: Type alternate name

  • Validation: Shows if name is valid

Generation Options

Control what gets included and how:

Option Description Default

Include Mask Images

Generate visual images of masked subsystems

✓ Enabled

Include Interactive Models

Include Simulink model diagrams

✓ Enabled

Include Model Hierarchy

Include all subsystem levels

✓ Enabled

Compress Container

Use ZIP compression (reduces file size)

☐ Disabled

Encrypt Container

Encrypt .ehb file (requires license)

☐ Disabled

Include Simulink Comments

Include comments from model blocks

✓ Enabled

Auto-Layout Diagrams

Automatically arrange elements for clarity

✓ Enabled

Advanced Settings

Some versions provide advanced options:

  • Model preprocessing: Clean up model before generation

  • Performance optimization: Trade-offs between speed and quality

  • Custom styling: Apply custom colors and styling

  • Metadata inclusion: Include or exclude metadata

  • Version compatibility: Target specific EHANDBOOK-NAVIGATOR versions

Status Messages and Feedback

During and after generation, you’ll see status messages.

Progress Indicators

During generation:

  • Progress bar showing completion percentage

  • Current operation being performed

  • Estimated time remaining

Example:

Analyzing model structure... (25%)
Generating mask images... (50%)
Creating container file... (75%)
Finalizing... (100%)

Success Message

Upon successful completion:

✓ Container generated successfully!

Container: ecu_controller.ehb
Location: C:\Projects\MyProject\
File size: 12.5 MB

[Open Container] [Open Location] [Done]

Error Messages

If generation fails, you’ll see error details:

✗ Generation failed: Model contains unsupported elements

Error: Block 'System/CustomBlock' is not supported.
Details: Custom Simulink block type not recognized.

Possible solutions:
- Replace with standard Simulink block
- Update toolbox to latest version
- Contact support

[Cancel] [Retry] [Get Help]

Keyboard Shortcuts

Common shortcuts (check your toolbox version):

Shortcut Action

Ctrl+G

Generate Container

Ctrl+O

Open Container

Ctrl+, (Ctrl+Comma)

Open Settings

F1

Help documentation

Shortcuts may vary by MATLAB version and toolbox configuration.

Integration with MATLAB Environment

The toolbox integrates with MATLAB in standard ways:

File Menu

  • File → Open: Use to open Simulink models

  • File → Save: Save your model before generating

  • File → Recent: Quick access to recent models

Edit Menu

  • Edit → Undo: Undo model changes before generating

  • Edit → Find: Search in open model

View Menu

  • View → Zoom: Control diagram zoom (useful for exploring containers)

  • View → Appearance: Affects how diagrams are displayed

Context Menus

Right-clicking in various locations provides quick actions:

In the Model Diagram

Right-click on:

  • Block: Shows block-specific options

  • Signal: Shows signal-specific options

  • Empty space: Shows diagram-wide options

Options may include:

  • Generate container for selected subsystem

  • Copy block information

  • Open related documentation

  • Create screenshot

Accessibility Features

The toolbox supports standard MATLAB accessibility:

  • Screen readers: Compatible with JAWS and other readers

  • Keyboard navigation: Full keyboard operation possible

  • High contrast: Supports Windows high contrast mode

  • Font scaling: Adjustable font sizes in dialogs

Troubleshooting Interface Issues

Menu doesn’t appear

  • Verify toolbox installation

  • Restart MATLAB

  • Check Add-on Manager for toolbox status

  • Restart your computer

Buttons are grayed out

  • Ensure a Simulink model is open

  • Check that model is saved

  • Verify output location is writable

  • Check toolbox license

Dialog appears but won’t respond

  • Check for error messages in MATLAB console

  • Close the dialog and try again

  • Restart MATLAB if persistent

  • Check system resources (RAM, disk space)