Work with Connector Classes

Learn how to create, edit, and manage a connector class to define the behavior of an asset in a Factory layout.

To Create a New Connector Class

1. Open a Factory layout that contains the asset for which you want to create a new connector class.

2. On the Factory tab, in the Factory Launch panel, click Asset Builder .

   The Asset Builder tab opens.

3. On the Asset Builder tab, in the Author panel, click Connector Class Properties .

   The Connector Class Properties dialog opens.

4. In the Connector Class Properties dialog, click Connector Class and select Create New Connector Class.

   The Connector Class dialog opens.

5. Enter a name to identify the connector class.

   Warning: The name cannot contain spaces. Filenames with spaces will fail when you publish the asset.

6. Click Add Family Type and enter a name to separate different asset/connector behaviors.

   Note: You can only select one family type per asset.

7. Click Add Group and enter a name to separate each required parameter.

   Note: Only the first matching connector name will pass its parameter value. If multiple parameters are required for a single connector, create a separate group for each parameter.

8. Click Add Parameter and enter a name to add a parameter to the group.

   Note: This enables the property value to be passed to other connected assets with the same parameter. To create an initial value, click Value . If multiple parameters are required for a single connector, create a separate group for each parameter.

9. Click OK to create the connector class and close the dialog.

   The connector class is saved in the library.

To Duplicate a Connector Class

1. Open a Factory layout that contains the asset for which you want to duplicate the connector class.

2. On the Factory tab, in the Factory Launch panel, click Asset Builder .

   The Asset Builder tab opens.

3. On the Asset Builder tab, in the Author panel, click Connector Class Properties .

   The Connector Class Properties dialog opens.

4. Select the desired connector class from the Connector Class File Name drop-down to duplicate.

   The list displays all the connector class files found in both the System Assets and User Assets collections.

5. In the Connector Class Properties dialog, click Connector Class and select Duplicate Current Connector Class.

   The Connector Class dialog opens.

6. Enter a name to identify the duplicated connector class.

   Warning: The name cannot contain spaces. Filenames with spaces will fail when you publish the asset.

7. Modify the family type, group, or parameters as needed.

8. Click OK to create the duplicated connector class and close the dialog.

   The duplicated connector class is saved in the library.

To Edit a Connector Class

1. Open a Factory layout that contains the asset for which you want to duplicate the connector class.

2. On the Factory tab, in the Factory Launch panel, click Asset Builder .

   The Asset Builder tab opens.

3. On the Asset Builder tab, in the Author panel, click Connector Class Properties .

   The Connector Class Properties dialog opens.

4. Select the desired connector class from the Connector Class File Name drop-down to modify.

   The list displays all the connector class files found in both the System Assets and User Assets collections.

5. In the Connector Class Properties dialog, click Connector Class and select Edit Current Connector Class.

   The Connector Class dialog opens.

6. Modify the family type, group, and parameters as needed.

7. Click OK to save changes and close the dialog.

   The modified connector class is saved in the library.

To Delete a Connector Class

1. Open a Factory layout that contains the asset for which you want to delete the connector class.

2. On the Factory tab, in the Factory Launch panel, click Asset Builder .

   The Asset Builder tab opens.

3. On the Asset Builder tab, in the Author panel, click Connector Class Properties .

   The Connector Class Properties dialog opens.

4. Select the desired connector class from the Connector Class File Name drop-down to delete.

   The list displays all the connector class files found in both the System Assets and User Assets collections.

5. In the Connector Class Properties dialog, click Connector Class and select Delete Current Connector Class.

   A confirmation dialog opens.

6. Click OK to delete the connector class.

   The connector class is deleted from the library.