Adding Combo Boxes to a Component Dialog Box

A combo box is a control element that allows a choice of entries from a predefined list. In the Component Dialog Wizard, combo boxes are used for the following model information:

• values of non-conservative input nodes
• units of non-conservative input and output nodes
• labeling of conservative and non-conservative pins
• free values
  Note:

  For more information on free values see Determining a Non-conservative Input Node's Value Using Free Values.

The following is an example of a combo box as it appears in the Component Dialog Wizard:

To create a combo box for selecting the value of a non-conservative input node:

1. Select Controls > ComboBox from the Component Dialog Wizard menu bar.
2. Click the component dialog box to place the combo box.
3. Drag the combo box to its desired location on the component dialog box.
4. Resize the combo box to its desired height and width.
5. Right-click the combo box and select Properties. The Properties dialog box opens.

6. Select Type > Node on the ComboBox Data tab.
7. Select the name of the desired non-conservative input node from the Node list.
8. Click to create a predefined entry for the combo box.
9. Enter the description that will be listed in the component dialog box into the Description field.
10. Enter a value in the Value field that will be passed to the non-conservative input node when the corresponding description is selected in the component dialog box.
11. Repeat steps 9 and 10 for the remaining predefined entries of the combo box.
12. Select the Editable check box to make the contents of the combo box editable.
13. Click OK.

To create a combo box for selecting the unit of a non-conservative node:

1. Select Controls > ComboBox from the Component Dialog Wizard menu bar.
2. Click the component dialog box to place the combo box.
3. Drag the combo box to its desired location on the component dialog box.
4. Resize the combo box to its desired height and width.
5. Right-click the combo box and select Properties. The Properties dialog box opens.

   

6. Select Type > Unit on the ComboBox Data tab.
7. Select the name of the non-conservative input node from the Node list.
8. Click OK.

To create a combo box for selecting the labeling of a conservative or non-conservative pin:

1. Select the Controls > ComboBox from the Component Dialog Wizard menu bar.
2. Click in the component dialog box to place the combo box.
3. Drag the combo box to its desired location in the component dialog box.
4. Resize the combo box to its desired height and width.
5. Right-click the combo box and select Properties. The Properties dialog box opens.

6. Select Type > Display on the ComboBox Data tab.
7. Select the name of the desired non-conservative or conservative node from the Node list.
8. Click OK.

To create a combo box for entering a free value:

1. Select Controls > ComboBox from the Component Dialog Wizard menu bar.

• You can also click Add Combobox on the Standard toolbar.

2. Click in the component dialog box to place the combo box.
3. Drag the combo box to its desired location in the component dialog box.
4. Resize the combo box to its desired height and width.
5. Right-click the combo box and select Properties. The Properties dialog box opens.

6. Select Type > Free Value on the ComboBox Data tab.
7. Type a valid node name for the free value in the ID field.
   Note:

   Valid node names must start with a letter or underscore, and may contain any combination of uppercase and lowercase letters (A-Z, a-z), the numerals 0 through 9, and underscores.

8. Click to create a predefined entry for the combo box.
9. Enter a description that will be listed in the component dialog box in the Description field.
10. In the Value field, enter a value that will be passed to the free value when the corresponding description is selected in the component dialog box.
11. Repeat steps 10 and 11 for the remaining predefined combo box entries.
12. Select the Editable check box to edit the contents of the combo box.
13. Click OK.