SysML: MagicDraw/Cameo: DO NOT use the FlowPort or FlowSpecification menu items or smart manipulator items they are completely OBSOLETE (they create DEPRECATED SysML model element types)! Use FlowProperty and FlowDirectionKind on Block features instead.

Why the completely obsolete (since many years DEPRECATED) old SysMLv1.1 FlowPort is still offered in MagicDraw/Cameo v2024x as a FlowPort menu button on BDDs and IBDs is a completely mystery to me, it does nothing but confuse customers and my SysML training course attendees.

SysMLv1.7: Flow Port and Flow Specification are deprecated in this version of SysML and are defined for backward compatibility.

Use SysML FlowProperty instead on features of any Block that can type a Port, and set the 'in', 'out', or 'inout' FlowDirectionKind:

A FlowProperty signifies a single flow element to/from a block. A flow property has the same notation as a Property only with a direction prefix (in | out | inout). Flow properties are listed in a compartment labeled flow properties.

You can also then use the nice feature listing abilities of SysML in IBDs on the Ports to show the flow properties:

MagicDraw/Cameo: the (not so well named) "Enable Parts Compartment" feature on Ports is highly recommended and can make diagrams much easier to read.

TIP for terminology to avoid confusion:

Although the older SysML FlowPort is strictly deprecated, the term "ports with flows" is often used for a Port typed by a block with a FlowProperty. The expression "flow port" is best avoided to prevent confusion.

Relates to

SysMLv1: Summary of some important changes between SysMLv1.2 and SysMLv1.7 and some DEPRECATED modelling elements [PARTIAL LIST ONLY]

Related notes