Configuring the COM Wrapper block

To open the block property page (the page on which the block configuration is specified), either double click on the block or right-click on the block and select Block Properties.

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Properties tab

The Program ID, the COM Program Identification, is the ProjectName.ClassName.
Once the Program ID has been provided, the COM Wrapper block can be connected to the ProjectName.ClassName COM component by using the Connection button. If the connection was successful, the “Connection status” will indicate “Connected”. If not the “Connection status” will indicate “Invalid class string”. The latter implies that the COM component has not yet been registered in the Window registry. In Visual Basic a COM component gets automatically registered in Windows registry after compilation of the DLL.
The Configuration button is used for the case where the COM component manages its own properties. In such a case the COM Wrapper’s Property box will be empty and the properties can be set using the COM component’s graphical user interface, which is activated by the Configuration button. If the COM component supports parameter persistence, the values of its parameters can be stored in a Blueprint.
In the case that the COM Wrapper block manages the properties of the COM component, the Property box is used to display the Name, Type and Value of the COM component’s parameters. To specify the value of a parameter, single click twice on the parameter name (or click on the parameter name and press F2). Note that all parameters must be provided with values.
If the COM component’s input variables have been mapped to the COM Wrapper’s input fields, the “Input field status” will indicate “All variables mapped”. If the latter is not the case, click on the Input field tab to do the mapping.

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Input Fields tab

The COM Wrapper block connects to another Architect block that provides it with input fields. The COM component’s variables in the right hand box must be mapped to the appropriate input fields in the box on the left hand side.

To associate two fields, click on the appropriate field in the Input field list, then double click on the field with which it should be associated in the Variable name list. Alternatively, click on the appropriate field in the Input field list, then single click on the field with which it should be associated in the Variable name list and then click on the < button.
If the << button is clicked, the block will attempt to associate the input field and variable fields automatically.
If the >> button is clicked, the block will break all associations. If a particular input field is selected and the > button is clicked, the block will only break that association.
Click on Apply to accept changes or OK to accept changes and close the block property page.

Output Fields

The COM Wrapper block’s output fields tab displays the COM component’s output variables.
To change an output field name, select the variable in the Variable name list-box on the left, click on the field again or press F2 then type a new field name.
A user-definable postfix can be added to the COM Wrapper block’s output fields. By clicking on the Apply to all button, the postfix will be added to all the listed output field names. If the Remove all button is clicked, the postfix will be removed on all output field names.