Block Definition Diagram (BDD)

A BDD is a structure diagram showing blocks, their attributes, and their hierarchical relationships in Innoslate.

Using Block Definition Diagrams

Function	Description
Creating Block Definition Diagrams	Using ‘Diagrams View’ in Innoslate, you can create a new ‘Block Definition Diagram’.
Block Definition Diagram Constructs	The ‘Block Definition Diagram’ supports eight unique diagram constructs: a ‘Block,’ a ‘Port,’ a ‘Value,’ a ‘Constraint,’ an ‘Operation,’ an ‘Input Parameter,’ a ‘Return Type,’ and a ‘Logical Connection.’
Adding a Block	A ‘Block’ construct can be added to a ‘Block Definition Diagram’ via drag-and-drop.
Adding a Port	A ‘Port’ construct can be added to a ‘Block Definition Diagram’ via drag-and-drop.
Adding a Value	A ‘Value’ construct can be added to a ‘Block Definition Diagram’ via drag-and-drop.
Adding a Constraint	A ‘Constraint’ construct can be added to a ‘Block Definition Diagram’ via drag-and-drop.
Adding an Operation	An ‘Operation’ construct can be added to a ‘Block Definition Diagram’ via drag-and-drop.
Adding an Input Parameter	An ‘Input Parameter’ construct can be added to a ‘Block Definition Diagram’ via drag-and-drop.
Adding a Return Type	A ‘Return Type’ construct can be added to a ‘Block Definition Diagram’ via drag-and-drop.
Adding a Logical Connection	A ‘Logical Connection’ construct can be added to a ‘Block Definition Diagram’ via drag-and-drop.
Assigning Decomposition	The child of a ‘Block’ construct can be assigned in the ‘Block Definition Diagram’ via drag-and-drop.
Removing a Construct	A construct can be easily removed from a ‘Block Definition Diagram.’

 

The ‘Block Definition Diagram’ is a structure diagram showing blocks, their attributes, and their hierarchical relationships.

Creating Block Definition Diagrams

Within the ‘Diagrams Dashboard,’ users can create a new diagram by clicking the ‘ New Diagram’ button in the top right corner of the page.

 

Clicking the ‘ Create Diagram’ button will open the New Diagram dialog where you will be directed through the process of creating a new diagram.

Create a Block Definition Diagram

1. Choose Which Type of Diagram to Create
   In step 1, select ‘Block Definition Diagram,’ under ‘SysML,’ as your diagram type.
   
                
   

    

   Click the ‘Next’ button.

                
   
   
2. Specify New Root Action Information
   In step 2, you will be prompted to input a diagram ‘Name,’ ‘Number’ (optional), and ‘Description’ (optional). Then, click the ‘Finish’ button to save and automatically open your new Block Definition Diagram.
   
              

Block Definition Diagram Constructs

Adding a Block

A ‘Block’ construct can be added to a ‘Block Definition Diagram‘ via drag-and-drop. A ‘Block’ must be added to the diagram first before any of the other constructs can be added.

1. Within a ‘Block Definition Diagram,’ click the ‘Block (Asset)’ icon in the ‘New’ tab of the left sidebar and continue to hold down the left mouse button.
   
   
   
   
2. Drag the ‘Block (Asset)’ icon over to the adjacent diagram canvas.
   
   
   
   
3. Release the left mouse button while over the diagram canvas to drop the new ‘Block’ and add it to the diagram.
   
   

    

   Notice the ‘Block’ stays selected once it has been dropped. Since it is selected, the toolbar changes to include buttons for functions that can be used on the construct. The sidebar also changes to include additional ‘Metadata,’ ‘Attributes,’ and ‘Relationships’ tabs.

4. Once added to the diagram, enter a meaningful ‘Name’ for your new ‘Block’ via the ‘Attributes’ tab of the left sidebar (focused automatically for convenience).
   
   
   
   
5. Click the ‘Save’ button located on the toolbar to persist your changes to your project’s database.
   
   

* Note: The above process describes using the ‘New’ tab of the left sidebar, which automatically generates a new entity to represent each new diagram construct. If you would like to reuse existing entities from your database to represent a new construct, use the ‘Existing’ tab instead.

Adding a Port

A ‘Port’ construct can be added to a ‘Block Definition Diagram‘ via drag-and-drop. A ‘Block’ must be added to the diagram first before this construct can be added.

1. Within a ‘Block Definition Diagram,’ click the ‘Port (Port)’ icon in the ‘New’ tab of the left sidebar and continue to hold down the left mouse button.

   
   
   

2. Drag the ‘Port (Port)’ icon over to the bottom section of the destination ‘Block’ of your choice.

   
   
   

3. When the ‘Block’ box highlights green, release the left mouse button to drop the new ‘Port’ and add it to the diagram.

   
   

    

   Notice the ‘Port’ stays selected once it has been dropped. Since it is selected, the toolbar changes to include buttons for functions that can be used on the construct. The sidebar also changes to include additional ‘Metadata,’ ‘Attributes,’ and ‘Relationships’ tabs.

4. Once added to the diagram, enter a meaningful ‘Name’ for your new ‘Port’ via the ‘Attributes’ tab of the left sidebar (focused automatically for convenience).

   
   
   

5. Click the ‘Save’ button located on the toolbar to persist your changes to your project’s database.

   

 

* Note: The above process describes using the ‘New’ tab of the left sidebar, which automatically generates a new entity to represent each new diagram construct. If you would like to reuse existing entities from your database to represent a new construct, use the ‘Existing’ tab instead.

Adding a Value

A ‘Value’ construct can be added to a ‘Block Definition Diagram‘ via drag-and-drop. A ‘Block’ must be added to the diagram first before this construct can be added.

1. Within a ‘Block Definition Diagram,’ click the ‘Value (Characteristic)’ icon in the ‘New’ tab of the left sidebar and continue to hold down the left mouse button.

   
   
   

2. Drag the ‘Value (Characteristic)’ icon over to the middle section of the destination ‘Block’ of your choice.

   
   
   

3. When the ‘Block’ box highlights green, release the left mouse button to drop the new ‘Value’ and add it to the diagram.

   
   

    

   Notice the ‘Value’ stays selected once it has been dropped. Since it is selected, the toolbar changes to include buttons for functions that can be used on the construct. The sidebar also changes to include additional ‘Metadata,’ ‘Attributes,’ and ‘Relationships’ tabs.

4. Once added to the diagram, enter a meaningful ‘Name’ for your new ‘Value’ via the ‘Attributes’ tab of the left sidebar (focused automatically for convenience).

   
   
   

5. Click the ‘Save’ button located on the toolbar to persist your changes to your project’s database.

   

 

* Note: The above process describes using the ‘New’ tab of the left sidebar, which automatically generates a new entity to represent each new diagram construct. If you would like to reuse existing entities from your database to represent a new construct, use the ‘Existing’ tab instead.

Adding a Constraint

A ‘Constraint’ construct can be added to a ‘Block Definition Diagram‘ via drag-and-drop. A ‘Block’ must be added to the diagram first before this construct can be added.

1. Within a ‘Block Definition Diagram,’ click the ‘Constraint (Equation)’ icon in the ‘New’ tab of the left sidebar and continue to hold down the left mouse button.

   
   
   

2. Drag the ‘Constraint (Equation)’ icon over to the bottom section of the destination ‘Block’ of your choice.

   
   
   

3. When the ‘Block’ box highlights green, release the left mouse button to drop the new ‘Constraint’ and add it to the diagram.

   
   

    

   Notice the ‘Constraint’ stays selected once it has been dropped. Since it is selected, the toolbar changes to include buttons for functions that can be used on the construct. The sidebar also changes to include additional ‘Metadata,’ ‘Attributes,’ and ‘Relationships’ tabs.

4. Once added to the diagram, enter a meaningful ‘Name’ for your new ‘Constraint’ via the ‘Attributes’ tab of the left sidebar (focused automatically for convenience).

   
   
   

5. Click the ‘Save’ button located on the toolbar to persist your changes to your project’s database.

   

* Note: The above process describes using the ‘New’ tab of the left sidebar, which automatically generates a new entity to represent each new diagram construct. If you would like to reuse existing entities from your database to represent a new construct, use the ‘Existing’ tab instead.

Adding an Operation

An ‘Operation’ construct can be added to a ‘Block Definition Diagram‘ via drag-and-drop. A ‘Block’ must be added to the diagram first before this construct can be added.

1. Within a ‘Block Definition Diagram,’ click the ‘Operation (Action)’ icon in the ‘New’ tab of the left sidebar and continue to hold down the left mouse button.
   
   
   
   
2. Drag the ‘Operation (Action)’ icon over to the bottom section of the destination ‘Block’ of your choice.
   
   
   
   
3. When the ‘Block’ box highlights green, release the left mouse button to drop the new ‘Operation’ and add it to the diagram.
   
   

    

   Notice the ‘Operation’ stays selected once it has been dropped. Since it is selected, the toolbar changes to include buttons for functions that can be used on the construct. The sidebar also changes to include additional ‘Metadata,’ ‘Attributes,’ and ‘Relationships’ tabs.

4. Once added to the diagram, enter a meaningful ‘Name’ for your new ‘Operation’ via the ‘Attributes’ tab of the left sidebar (focused automatically for convenience).
   
   
   
   
5. Click the ‘Save’ button located on the toolbar to persist your changes to your project’s database.
   
   

* Note: The above process describes using the ‘New’ tab of the left sidebar, which automatically generates a new entity to represent each new diagram construct. If you would like to reuse existing entities from your database to represent a new construct, use the ‘Existing’ tab instead.

Adding an Input Parameter

An ‘Input Parameter’ construct can be added to a ‘Block Definition Diagram‘ via drag-and-drop. An ‘Operation’ must first be added to a ‘Block’ in the diagram before this construct can be added.

1. Within a ‘Block Definition Diagram,’ click the ‘Input Parameter (Input/Output)’ icon in the ‘New’ tab of the left sidebar and continue to hold down the left mouse button.

   
   
   

2. Drag the ‘Input Parameter (Input/Output)’ icon over to the bottom section of the ‘Block’ of the destination ‘Operation’ of your choice.

   
   
   

3. When the ‘Operation’ box highlights green, release the left mouse button to drop the new ‘Input Parameter’ and add it to the diagram.

   
   

    

   Notice the ‘Input Parameter’ stays selected once it has been dropped. Since it is selected, the toolbar changes to include buttons for functions that can be used on the construct. The sidebar also changes to include additional ‘Metadata,’ ‘Attributes,’ and ‘Relationships’ tabs.

4. Once added to the diagram, enter a meaningful ‘Name’ for your new ‘Input Parameter’ via the ‘Attributes’ tab of the left sidebar (focused automatically for convenience).

   
   
   

5. Click the ‘Save’ button located on the toolbar to persist your changes to your project’s database.

   

* Note: The above process describes using the ‘New’ tab of the left sidebar, which automatically generates a new entity to represent each new diagram construct. If you would like to reuse existing entities from your database to represent a new construct, use the ‘Existing’ tab instead.

Adding a Return Type

A ‘Return Type’ construct can be added to a ‘Block Definition Diagram‘ via drag-and-drop. An ‘Operation’ must first be added to a ‘Block’ in the diagram before this construct can be added.

1. Within a ‘Block Definition Diagram,’ click the ‘Return Type (Input/Output)’ icon in the ‘New’ tab of the left sidebar and continue to hold down the left mouse button.

   
   
   

2. Drag the ‘Return Type (Input/Output)’ icon over to the bottom section of the ‘Block’ of the destination ‘Operation’ of your choice.

   
   
   

3. When the ‘Operation’ box highlights green, release the left mouse button to drop the new ‘Return Type’ and add it to the diagram.

   
   

    

   Notice the ‘Return Type’ stays selected once it has been dropped. Since it is selected, the toolbar changes to include buttons for functions that can be used on the construct. The sidebar also changes to include additional ‘Metadata,’ ‘Attributes,’ and ‘Relationships’ tabs.

4. Once added to the diagram, you can specify the unit(s) for your ‘Return Type’ under the ‘Attributes’ tab of the left sidebar.

   
   
   

5. Click the ‘Save’ button located on the toolbar to persist your changes to your project’s database.

   

* Note: The above process describes using the ‘New’ tab of the left sidebar, which automatically generates a new entity to represent each new diagram construct. If you would like to reuse existing entities from your database to represent a new construct, use the ‘Existing’ tab instead.

Adding a Logical Connection

A ‘Logical Connection’ can be added to the ‘Block Definition Diagram‘ via drag-and-drop. The example used on this page connects two ‘Block’ constructs with a ‘Logical Connection.’

1. Within a ‘Block Definition Diagram,’ select the ‘Block’ you would like connected to another ‘Block’.

   
   
   

2. Click the green circle and continue to hold down the left mouse button.

   
   
   

3. Drag the green circle over to another ‘Block’ of your choice.

   
   
   

4. When the parent ‘Block’ box highlights green, release the left mouse button over the ‘Simple Association (connected by)’ section to drop the new ‘Logical Connection’ and add it to the diagram.

   
   

    

   Notice the ‘Logical Connection’ stays selected once it has been dropped. Since it is selected, the toolbar changes to include buttons for functions that can be used on the construct. The sidebar also changes to include additional ‘Metadata,’ ‘Attributes,’ and ‘Relationships’ tabs.

5. Once added to the diagram, enter a meaningful ‘Name’ for your new ‘Logical Connection’ via the ‘Attributes’ tab of the left sidebar (focused automatically for convenience).

   
   
   
6. Click the ‘Save’ button located on the toolbar to persist your changes to your project’s database.

* Note: The above process describes using the ‘New’ tab of the left sidebar, which automatically generates a new entity to represent each new diagram construct. If you would like to reuse existing entities from your database to represent a new construct, use the ‘Existing’ tab instead.

Assigning Decomposition

The child of a ‘Block’ construct can be assigned in the ‘Block Definition Diagram‘ via drag-and-drop. Both the “to-be” parent and child ‘Block’ constructs must be added to the diagram first before the parent can be assigned.

1. Within a ‘Block Definition Diagram,’ select the child ‘Block’ to which you would like to assign the parent.

   
   
   

2. Click the green circle and continue to hold down the left mouse button.

   
   
   

3. Drag the green circle over to the parent ‘Block’ of your choice.

   
   
   

4. When the parent ‘Block’ box highlights green, release the left mouse button over the ‘Composition (decomposed by)’ section to add a decomposes/decomposed by relationship.

   
   
   

5. Once added to the diagram, the new relationship should appear as an arrow between the two ‘Block’ constructs. Click the ‘Save’ button located on the toolbar to persist your changes to your project’s database.

   

Removing a Construct

A construct can be easily removed from a 'Block Definition Diagram'

1. Within a ‘Block Definition Diagram,’ select the construct you wish to remove. This will make the toolbar appear with applicable functions which can be used on the selected construct.
   
   
   
   
2. Click the  ‘Remove’ button to remove the construct from the diagram (as the default action).

   * Note: The  ‘Remove’ button also includes a drop-down menu where you can select ‘Delete from Database’ or the default option of ‘Remove from Diagram.’

Tutorial Video

 

To continue learning about SysML Diagrams, Click Here.

(Next Article: Block Definition Diagram Modifications & Settings)