Message Definition editor: Properties editor

The Properties editor can be used to change the properties for a selected message set object.

The information that appears depends on what is currently selected in the Outline view and Overview editor. The Properties editor appears when you click the Properties tab in the editor area. The navigation buttons and links on the toolbar allow you to move back and forth between different objects. The Properties editor comprises the Properties Hierarchy and Details view.

Properties Hierarchy functions

When you select a object in the Outline view, the Properties Hierarchy shows the following hierarchy for the message definition file that is currently open in the Message Definition editor:

  • Logical properties
  • Physical properties
  • Documentation

Right-click in the Properties Hierarchy to display a number of menu items. The displayed menu items depend on which level of the hierarchy you select:

  • Undo and Redo are available for all levels in the Properties Hierarchy and apply to changes that you make in the Details view for the currently selected object. To undo a change that you have made to a file but not yet saved, click Undo. If you undo a change, you can reinstate it by clicking Redo.
  • Add Include and Add Import are available when the top level of the message definition (.mxsd) file's hierarchy is displayed in the Outline view. They allow you to link message definition files together.
  • Apply default physical format settings is available for Physical formats only and applies the default wire format settings for the selected object.

If you add a new physical format in the message set (messageSet.mset) file, this new format is added under Physical Properties in the Properties Hierarchy. When you click Physical Properties, a link to the Message Set editor appears in the Details view.

Details view functions

The Details view shows the properties for the object that is currently selected in the Properties Hierarchy. You can save any changes to the properties as you make them.

You create any required documentation for a message set in the Documentation field. This field appears when you select an object under Documentation in the Properties Hierarchy. Right-click in this field to display a menu of standard text editing menu items that apply specifically to this field and allow you to undo changes, cut, copy, paste and delete text, and select all the text in the field.