Values - SmartPhone with 2 PhoneCameras - IBD

In this IBD, the initialValues compartments reveal that in the context of the block SmartPhone the sensors for the front and back cameras have the Context-Specific Values 12.0 MP and 15.0 MP respectively for pixels:

Click on the image to view it full size

We have achieved representation in SysML of a 2nd level of re-configuration, or a "deep" configuration:

It is not possible to expose such information in plain UML in a Composite Structure Diagram

A word on achieving this in the tool:

MagicDraw/Cameo: For context-specific values you do not have to deal with fiddly instances, you can edit the values directly in the 'initialValues' compartment! Enable 'Tools > Define Context Specific Initial Value' on a part whose Block has a value.

MagicDraw/Cameo: The context menu item 'Tools > Define Context-Specific Value' will only be available UNTIL you have assigned one! Thereafter it does not appear anymore because the tool will have already created a tree of instances to carry the values.

MagicDraw/Cameo: The context menu item 'Tools > Define Context-Specific Value' will only ever be available in an Internal Block Diagram on a part property symbol typed by a Block that has a value property!

We'll explore next one more level of re-configuration.

Up next

Values - LuxuryPhoneConfig - BDD

Notes

[ASSERTION, NAMING, WARNING] The SysML block compartment name 'initialValues' for what are really "context-specific values" is confusing - even completely misleading; please just think of them as 'contextValues' (and initial values as a special context case)

[DISPLAY, FEATURE, TIP, TOOL] MagicDraw/Cameo: To show the type of initialValues (context-specific values) use the display option Show Slot Type

[FEATURE, TIP, TOOL]{INFORMATIVE} MagicDraw/Cameo: For context-specific values you do not have to deal with fiddly instances, you can edit the values directly in the 'initialValues' compartment! Enable 'Tools > Define Context Specific Initial Value' on a part whose Block has a value.

[FEATURE, TIP, TOOL, WARNING]{INFORMATIVE} MagicDraw/Cameo: The context menu item 'Tools > Define Context-Specific Value' will only be available UNTIL you have assigned one! Thereafter it does not appear anymore because the tool will have already created a tree of instances to carry the values.

[FEATURE, TIP, TOOL, WARNING]{INFORMATIVE} MagicDraw/Cameo: The context menu item 'Tools > Define Context-Specific Value' will only ever be available in an Internal Block Diagram on a part property symbol typed by a Block that has a value property!

[CAPABILITY, FEATURE, TIP, TOOL] MagicDraw/Cameo: You can edit context-specific values (initial values) directly in an IBD by using the context menu item Tools > Define Context Specific Initial Values on appropriate blocks; once activated you can edit the values directly like Slot values

Snippets (quotes/extracts)

[SysML-1.6] A compartment with a label of “initialValues” may be used to show values of properties belonging to a containing block. These values override any default values that may have been previously specified on these properties on their originally defining block

[SysML-1.6] Initial value compartments may be specified within nested properties, which then apply only in the particular usage context defined by the outermost containing block.