Adding Connectors to a Component

This task shows you how to add connectors to a component. Dynamic connectors are explained in Defining Dynamic Connectors.

This task assumes you have created the component as described in Building a Component.
The following table shows the types of connector you can create on each object, and the objects it can be connected to:

Object

Type of possible connectors

Objects it can be connected to
Electrical Equipment Wide pin
Pin
Electrical child connector		 Cable
Socket
Socket Wide pin
Pin
Electrical parent connector
Plug mating connector		 Cable
Electrical equipment
Plug
Plug Wide pin
Pin
Socket mating connector.		 Cable
Plug
Terminal Board Pin
Junction box connector		 Cable
Junction box
Junction Box Wide pin
Terminal board connector		 Cable
Terminal board
Cable Cable extremity
Wire
Cable route connector		 Plug
Electrical equipment
Continuity
Junction box
Terminal board
Socket
Continuity Wide Pin
Pin		 Cable

  1. Click the tab corresponding to the detail sheet containing the component you created.

  2. Click the Build Connector button and then select the component to which you want to add connectors, for example a plug.

    The Build Connector box displays, listing the connector types that you can place on the selected component.

  3. Select a connector type in the Build Connector box.

  4. Click the component at the point where you want to place the connector.

    The connector graphic representation appears.

  5. Click one of the arrows to define a directional vector for the connector. One of the arrows is already selected by default. The directional vector establishes the angle at which another connector can attach.

  6. Add more connectors if you want to by clicking the component.

  7. (Optional): To rename any connector, while it is highlighted, right-click and select Rename from the menu that appears.

    The Name Connector dialog box displays:



    Select a name for the connector; the name you choose will be mapped to the corresponding 3D connector when you associate the 2D component you created to a 3D physical part. See Customizing 2D and 3D Connector Names for more information about how automatic connector name mapping works.

  8. Click Close in the Build Connector dialog box to end. The connectors are added, but they are no longer displayed.

  9. (Optional) To display the connectors again, click the Build Connector button and then select the component.

    Once a connector is highlighted, you can also rename or delete it.

  10. (Optional) To delete a connector, right-click the connector, then click Delete in the menu that appears: