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Displaying a Class HierarchyLocate this document in the navigation structure

Use

You can use the class hierarchy to see how the hierarchy is constructed above or below a specific class.

Procedure

To explode a hierarchy starting from a specific class, proceed as follows:

  1. From the classification menu, choose Start of the navigation path Environment Next navigation step Reporting Next navigation step Hierarchy Class Directory End of the navigation path .

  2. Select the class type you require. Enter the class for which you want to explode the hierarchy.

  3. Depending on which fields you select, you can explode the hierarchy either upward or downward from the class you enter:

    – To see the classes below your class in the hierarchy, select Subordinate classes.

    – To see the classes above your class in the hierarchy, select Superior classes.

    – To see the classes below and above your class in the hierarchy, select Subordinate classes and Superior classes.

  4. To display the hierarchy in graphical form, select Graphical display.

  5. Enter a valid-from date if you want to produce the list on a specific date.

  6. If you have processed the class with change numbers that have parameter effectivity, select Parameter effectivity. You see a dialog box where you enter the parameters used to define effectivity. The system determines the status of the characteristics that is effective for these parameters.

  7. Choose Execute .

You see the hierarchy exploded from the class you entered.

Graphical Display

This function displays the class hierarchy in graphical form. The class you started from is a different color from the others. You see the name and the description of each class. You can display a class from the list by double clicking on the class you require.

  • If the class has characteristics or classified objects, you see the fields for objects and characteristics. You can display the characteristics or classified objects by using the dynamic popup menu (right-hand mouse key).

  • Classes with other superior or subordinate classes that are not part of the current hierarchy are shown in a different color. You can display these superior or subordinate classes or insert them in the graphic by using the dynamic popup menu (right-hand mouse key).

If all the superior and subordinate classes of a class are displayed in the current hierarchy, the class is not shown in a special color.

  • If characteristic values are assigned to a classified objects, you see the text Values against the assignment arrow. If the classification is not yet complete (classification status 2 or 3), the arrow is shown as a dotted line.

  • In the navigation area, you define which section of the hierarchy is displayed.

  • You can increase or reduce the size of the display area, and justify the individual class nodes.

Graphical Maintenance for Class Hierarchy

You can use graphical maintenance instead of the assignment functions in the classification menu to set up or change a class hierarchy.

Note

You cannot create, change, or delete classes using graphical maintenance. You cannot use a class that was created using Engineering Change Management.

If a class is not yet shown in the graphic, you can insert the class as follows:

  1. Choose Start of the navigation path Edit Next navigation step Insert class. End of the navigation path

  2. Enter the class you want to insert. The class must already exist. The class is then shown in the processing area.

To maintain an assignment, proceed as follows:

  1. Choose Assign class .

  2. The cursor is shown as a pencil.

  3. You can assign the class to another class by drawing a line connecting the two classes.

To delete an assignment, select the assignment arrow and choose Delete assignment .