How parameters depend on each other

Understanding the links between parameters in a resizable design is crucial for the editing of a resizable structure.

The need for constructional consistency requires designers to be able to follow in their calculations which parameter depends on which one.

Tracing parameter dependencies

1. In the tabular area, in the Parameters tab, right-click, and then click Show parameter dependencies.

2. In the tabular area, select the row of the parameter whose dependent parameters you want to explore.

Dependency levels

The levels of dependency visualize how a parameter participates in the definition of other parameters, or how other parameters define the selected parameter. There are three levels of dependency — first, second and third. Consider the following example that illustrates the concept and the three dependency levels.

First-level dependency (in red)

If you select the parameter PH, two first-level dependences will be visualized. That is because:

1. The parameter PH depends directly on the parameter W, because W is part of its expression.
2. The parameter PH directly affects the parameter TTW, because PH is part of its expression.

When you select the parameter TTW, three first-level dependences will be visualized. That is because:

1. The parameter TTW depends directly on PH.
2. The range of the parameter TTW depends directly on L.
3. The parameter TTW is part of the expression of the DxTT — that is, it directly affects DxTT.

Second-level dependency (in blue)

When you select parameter PH, one second-level dependence is visualized. The expression of DxTT depends indirectly on PH by way of TTW.

When you select parameter TTW, one second-level dependence is visualized. The expression of TTW depends indirectly on the parameter W by way of PH.

Third-level dependency (in light blue)

When you select parameter DxTT, one third-level dependence is visualized. The expression of DxTT depends indirectly on W by way of both TTW and PH.

Marking dependencies by colors

Dependency levels are highlighted in their default colors, but you can choose colors of your own — by manipulating the color scheme in your installation. The color scheme is set in the ParListCtrl section of two .ini files that are part of your installation:

By default, the two .ini files are installed in the directory: ...\C:\Program Files\EngView\Packaging Suite\Package Designer\UI.

To change the highlighting colors, change the values for the parameters: