A connection definition is a relationship that classifies a connection between related things, such as items and parts. A connection usage relates features to connector ends from the connection definition via a reference subsetting relationship, associating those ends with the specific usage elements that are to be connected. Connections can be either binary, with two connection ends, or n-ary, with multiple ends. For more information, see the N-ary connection page.

The kind keyword (e.g., part) is optional for connection ends. The keyword is mandatory if the ends have owned cross features.

The image displays a pressureSeatConn connection connector where bead reference subsets t.bead connecting to mountingRim which reference subsets w.rim.
Additionally, the connector is also elaborated.

Creating connection usage and definition elements

Creating connection usage elements via the Textual Editor

To create connection usage elements via the Textual Editor

  1. In the Textual Editor, place the cursor where you want to create the element and declare the connection keyword.
  2. Specify the element name (optional), specialization (optional), then state the features explicitly (using the connect...to syntax) or in a comma-separated list of related features.
    • If the connection has no name and no specialization, the keyword connection can be omitted.
    • You can also name connection ends, associating them to features via reference subsetting.
  3. Click the Synchronize button.

    connection def PressureSeat {
        end part bead : TireBead;
        end part mountingRim: TireMountingRim;
    }
    part wheelHubAssembly : WheelHubAssembly {
        part wheel : WheelAssembly[1] {
            part t : Tire[1] {
                part bead : TireBead[2];
            }
            part w: Wheel[1] {
                part rim : TireMountingRim[2];
            }

            // unnamed unspecialized connection usage connecting features with explicit declaration:      
            connect     t.bead to w.rim;        
            // unnamed unspecialized connection usage connecting features in a comma-separated list:
            connect (t.bead, w.rim);
            // unnamed unspecialized connection usage with named ends connecting features in a comma-separated list:
            connect (beadEnd ::> t.bead, rimEnd ::> w.rim);         

            // unnamed specialized (feature typing) connection usage connecting features with explicit declaration:
            connection     : PressureSeat connect t.bead to w.rim;   

            // named unspecialized connection usage connecting features with explicit declaration:
            connection     pressureSeatConn connect t.bead to w.rim;                                      

            // named specialized (feature typing) connection usage with named ends connecting features with explicit declaration:
                connection     pressureSeatConn : PressureSeat connect bead ::> t.bead to mountingRim ::> w.rim;  
            // named specialized (feature typing) connection usage with named ends connecting features in a comma-separated list:
            connection pressureSeatConn : PressureSeat connect (bead ::> t.bead, mountingRim ::> w.rim);     
        }
    }

Creating connection usage elements via the smart manipulator in a view

To create connection usage elements via the smart manipulator in a view

  1. In a view, select an element symbol, and in its smart manipulator, click the connection command.
  2. Click on the element you want to connect via a connection. A connection path is created between the elements.

Creating connection usage elements via the Create Relationship command

To create connection usage elements via the Create Relationship command

  1. Right-click one of the elements you want to connect.
  2. In the shortcut menu, click Create Relationship, then in the submenu, click Outgoing, and then in the submenu, click connection. The Element Picker dialog opens.
  3. In the Element Picker dialog, do one of the following:
    1. In a view, click the element symbol you want to connect. Hold Shift to select multiple elements. 
    2. Click the Add button. The element selection dialog opens. In the element selection dialog, select the element you want to connect and click OK.
    3. Drag and drop the needed element you want to connect from the Containment tree onto the Element Picker.
  4. In the Element Picker dialog, click OK. 

Creating connection usage and definition elements via the view palette

To create connection usage and definition elements via the view palette

  • To create a connection definition:
    1. In the view palette, under the Connectors group, click the connection def button to create a connection definition element.
    2. Click in the view pane where you want the connection definition symbol to be created.
  • To create a connection usage:
    1. In the view palette, under the Connectors group, click the connection button to create a connection usage.
    2. In a view, click on the first of the two element symbols you want to connect, then on the second. A connection symbol is created between the elements.

      If the needed button is not displayed, click the down-facing arrow next to either the connection, n-ary connection or the connection def button and select the needed button in the dropdown menu.

Creating connection definition elements via the Textual Editor

To create connection definition elements via the Textual Editor

  1. In the Textual Editor, place the cursor where you want to create the element and declare the keyword connection def.
  2. Name the element, then specify the connection definition features in the element body:
    1. Specify the connection definition ends by declaring the end keyword, followed by the end name and/or specialization of the needed element. 
  3. Click the Synchronize button.

    connection def PressureSeat {
        end part bead : TireBead;
        end part mountingRim : TireMountingRim;
    }

Creating connection definition elements via the Create Element command

To create connection definition elements via the Create Element command

  1. In the Containment tree, right-click an element, and in the shortcut menu, click Create Element.

  2. In the Create Element dialog, click connection def for connection definition.

Auto-creating connection definition elements via the Extract Definition command

To auto-create a connection definition element via the Extract Definition command