Using Interactive Models

The following operations explained in this section can be performed on interactive models.

Opening an Interactive Model

Interactive_Model

  1. Open interactive model link

  2. Tooltip

Interactive models are function models containing dynamic information. The Model Viewer allows dynamic exploration and interaction with the interactive model. An EHANDBOOK container having interactive models which can be opened for interacting and exploring with the interactive models. When you hover the mouse over Open interactive model (1), tooltip (2) is displayed.

Basic_interactivemodel

If you are using EHANDBOOK-NAVIGATOR in Basic Mode, then a dummy Interactive Model is displayed. The same dummy Interactive Model is displayed whenever you try to access an Interactive Model in Basic Mode. The functionalities of Interactive Model can be performed on the dummy interactive model available in Basic Mode.

To open an interactive model:

  • Click Open interactive model (1) in the Document Viewer.
    <Or>

  • Click on the entry in the Document Explorer that refers to the model.

Applying Layouts to Interactive Model

Apply_layouts

  1. Default layout

  2. Auto layout

An interactive model must be open in the Model Viewer for the layout icons in the toolbar, and the Model Viewer menu in the menu bar to be visible. Two types of model layouts are provided in the Model Viewer.

  • Default Layout

  • Auto Layout

If you are using EHANDBOOK-NAVIGATOR in Basic Mode, only a dummy interactive model is available for applying layouts.

To apply the default layout to the interactive model:

  • Click Default Layout (1) in the toolbar
    <Or>

  • In the Model Viewer menu, select Default Layout.

To apply auto layout to the interactive model:

  • Click Auto Layout (2) in the toolbar
    <Or>

  • In the Model Viewer menu, select Auto Layout.

NOTICE

The graphical model presentation might differ from the real ECU functionality. The EHANDBOOK-NAVIGATOR then may contain erroneous elements and missing user comments in an interactive model when displaying automatic layouts! Therefore, always compare the content of the interactive model in the EHANDBOOK-NAVIGATOR with the real ECUs function by validating that the graphical model presentation corresponds to the ECU documentation source before you start working.
To identify the cause for the wrong, missing or incomplete content, the producer of the container must check the source files from where the container was created. If the source files are correct and the appearance of the error is reproducible, the producer of the container must contact the local sales representative or the ETAS support to report this error.

Expanding or Collapsing Hierarchy Levels

Exp_collapse

  1. Collapse

  2. Expand

EHANDBOOK-NAVIGATOR supports expanding/collapsing of hierarchy levels within ASCET block diagram models and Simulink models. Expandable blocks within ASCET block diagram models are logical hierarchies and instances of ASCET classes, modules, and projects containing a block diagram specification.

To expand/collapse hierarchy levels:

  • Select any hierarchical block in the model.
    A '+' symbol (2) is present on the top left corner for expandable blocks, and a '-' symbol (1) is present for collapsible blocks.

  • Click the '+' symbol to expand the block or click '-' symbol to collapse the expanded blocks.

If you are using EHANDBOOK-NAVIGATOR in Basic Mode, only a dummy interactive model is available for expanding/collapsing of hierarchy levels.

NOTICE

The highlighted signal path in ASCET or Simulink based interactive models may be incomplete and do not correspond to the real ECUs signal path. The 'highlight Signal Flow' function analyzes how the blocks shown in the interactive model are connected by directed edges. Blocks that are interconnected via directed edges are highlighted as a result of the analysis. Note that the 'highlight Signal Flow' function only is an aid to understanding. Therefore, always compare the highlighted signal path in the EHANDBOOKNAVIGATOR with the real ECUs function by validating that the interactive model corresponds to the ECU software before you start working.

NOTICE

The highlighted signal path from C-Code based analysis in interactive models may be incomplete and do not correspond to the real ECUs signal path! The 'highlight Signal Flow' function analyzes the dependencies in C-code based interactive models. Blocks that are interconnected are highlighted as a result of the analysis. Note that the 'highlight Signal Flow' function only is an aid to understanding. Therefore, always compare the highlighted signal path in the EHANDBOOKNAVIGATOR with the real ECUs function by validating that the interactive model corresponds to the ECU software before you start working.

Function Documentation

While exploring Interactive models, there might be a need to look at the corresponding documentation. EHANDBOOK-NAVIGATOR allows you to view the corresponding documentation in the Document Viewer. This is possible for ASCET block diagram models, Simulink models, C-Code derived model and it works across the hierarchy levels as well.
To view the Function documentation:

  • Right-click on a model.
    <Or>

  • Select any block diagram or model in the model and right-click.
    A context menu is displayed.

  • Click Show documentation.

Functional_docu

  1. A model

  2. A Context menu

  3. Show documentation feature

Function documentation is opened for the selected model and it is highlighted in green as shown in the image below:

Show_Functional_docu

If the corresponding function documentation is available, then Show documentation feature is enabled. Otherwise, it is disabled.

Highlighting to Source or Highlighting to Destination

Highlight to Source and Highlight to Destination features in EHANDBOOK are useful in large Simulink block diagrams to trace the signal path very quickly. It uses the buses to highlight to its source or destination block(s).
To Highlight to Destination:

  • Right-click on an output block in a Simulink model.
    A context menu displays.

  • Select the port and click Highlight to Destination.

Highlight_to_dest

The selected port is highlighted with its signal flow.

After_Highlight_to_dest

To Highlight to Source:

  • Right-click on an input block in a Simulink model.
    A context menu displays.

  • Select the port and click Highlight to Source.

Highlight_to_source

The selected port is highlighted with its signal flow.

After_Highlight_to_Source

The tracing of the signal path stops where the unknown blocks such as state flow, merge block, etc are found.

You can remove the highlighted signal flow with the Remove Highlighting feature.

Navigation Between Hierarchy Model and Model Image

The ClickPic feature provides the possibility for you to navigate easily within the ECU software documentation with the help of interlinked graphics that can be clicked. On seeing an embedded hierarchy in the image of an ASCET or Simulink model, you can navigate to where the hierarchy is documented by clicking on the corresponding area. If a hierarchy block/class instance block is highlighted with orange , it means that ClickPic feature is enabled for that particular block.

ClickPic feature is enabled only for the images which are generated from gensvg command during container generation to include Klighd generated images.

To navigate to the model image:

  • When you hover the mouse over the hierarchy model which is highlighted with orange, then cursor changes to a down arrow (Click-pic_downarrow) as shown in the image below.

  • Click to navigate to the model image for the hierarchy model.
    A model image is displayed.

Click-pic

ClickPic also allows you to navigate back from model image to its parent hierarchy model.

To navigate back to the parent hierarchy model:

  • Hover the mouse over the gray background area in a model image.
    An up arrow appears (Click-pic_uparrow).

  • Click to navigate back to its parent hierarchy model.
    Parent hierarchy model is displayed which is highlighted with green.

Click-pic_after_navigating

If the corresponding parent hierarchy model is available for a model image, then only the up arrow appears to navigate back.

Exporting as Image

The Export as Image…​ feature in the toolbar helps to export/save the selected model or the function overview diagram as an image.

Export_as_image

  1. Export as Image

Follow the steps below to export as an image:

  • Open a model or a function overview diagram.

  • Click Export as Image…​ on the toolbar.
    Windows explorer is displayed.
    <Or>

  • Right-click on the interactive model or model block and select Export as Image… in the context menu displayed.

  • Specify the file name and path to save it. The image can be saved as .png/.jpeg/.bmp formats.