3.11. Using Groups

3.11. Using Groups
	Chapter 3. Modules and Networks

Modules can be grouped. A group is helpful for organizing the network in the workspace, as the group can be moved as one unit. The default color of groups can be set in the Preferences, see Section 4.3.7, “Preferences — Network Appearance”.

Table 3.37. Modules in Groups

Data connections are bundled optically as square, color-coded connectors at the bottom (input) or top (output) of the group. The colors correspond to the connection types: blue for ML, green for Open Inventor, brown for Base. Parameter connections are not bundled for groups.

The size of the group is set automatically by the bounding box of the modules and cannot be changed explicitly. To adjust it, move the modules within the group.

Note

Besides the optical appearance as “group”, the modules are not connected to each other in any special way. Groups are only a visual tool for improving the network handling. Consequently, the group feature should not be used excessively to organize complex networks; for this, groups should be converted to macros which are the recommended way to reduce complexity in the MeVisLab context, see Section 3.11.2, “Editing, Converting, and Deleting Groups”.

The name and the color of a group can be scripted, see the Scripting Reference, MLABNetworkModelItemGroup.

3.11.1. Creating Groups and Adding/Removing Modules

Creating groups and adding to/removing modules from groups is done via the context menu of the selected module(s).

Figure 3.27. Network Context Menu — Adding Groups

	Tip
	If a single module is dropped over an existing module group, it is automatically added to that group.

	Note
	The color of modules that are positioned over a group but that are not part of any group is rendered slightly more saturated and bright.

Figure 3.28. Network Context Menu — Adding to a Specific Group

Add to New Group

Creates a new group for the selected modules. Also allows adding the modules to an existing group by entering an existing group name.

The additional option Add to Group: <TargetGroup> is available when the module is already positioned within the target group's bounding box.

Add to Group

Adds the selected modules to one of the existing groups, which can be selected in the submenu.

Remove from Group

Removes the selected modules from the group.

	Tip
	To move modules from one group to another, simply select them and add them to another or a new group. Since modules can only be part of one group, this course of action will effectively move the modules.

3.11.2. Editing, Converting, and Deleting Groups

A group can be edited, converted to a macro, or deleted via the context menu of its title.

Figure 3.29. Group Context Menu

Edit Title

Allows editing a new group title/name. The title must be unique within the current network.

	Tip
	Refer to chapter Section 4.3.10, “Preferences — Shortcuts” for a shortcut for editing a group's title.

Edit Color

Allows editing the color of the group. This has no effect on the default color which is set in the Preferences, see Section 4.3.7, “Preferences — Network Appearance”.

	Note
	When changing the color setting, the alpha value is 255 by default, that means the group is opaque. To give the group the appearance of standard groups, enter the original alpha value of 38.

Convert To Macro

Creates a (local) macro from the group, see Section 4.1.12, “Create Local Macro”. The network has to be saved for this.

Delete Group

Deletes the group. Can be undone/redone. Does not remove the modules in that group.

	Tip
	To remove a group and all its modules, double-click the group's title bar; this selects the group and all its modules. Now the group and its modules can be removed by pressing DEL.

3.11.3. Copying Groups Including Modules

For copying a complete group:

Double-click the group title bar to select all modules of the group.
Duplicate the group via the Edit menu or the respective keyboard shortcuts see Section 4.3.10, “Preferences — Shortcuts”.

A number is added automatically to the title of the group copy, for example “title2”, “title3”.


3.10. Network Handling		3.12. Using Notes