## Creating Hierarchical Projects in ViewDraw Schematics

You can incorporate any MAX+PLUS® II-supported design file, such as an Altera® Hardware Description Language (AHDL) Text Design File (.tdf), into a project hierarchy that consists of both schematic and text files. To incorporate a non-ViewDraw design file into a higher-level schematic design, you must create a hollow-body symbol for it in the ViewDraw software. During compilation, the MAX+PLUS II software recognizes the symbol as an identifier for the design file, and inserts the correct logic and connections. You can incorporate any number of design files into a project hierarchy.

To create a hierarchical project in your ViewDraw schematic, follow these steps:

1. Be sure to set up your working environment correctly, as described in Setting Up the MAX+PLUS II/Viewlogic Powerview Working Environment.

2. Create a ViewDraw schematic and save it in your working directory, as described in Creating ViewDraw Schematics for Use with MAX+PLUS II Software.

   | You can instantiate MegaCore™ functions offered by Altera or by members of the Altera Megafunction Partners Program (AMPP™). The OpenCore™ feature in the MAX+PLUS II software allows you to instantiate, compile, and simulate MegaCore functions before deciding whether to purchase a license for full device programming and post-compilation simulation support.

3. Create a design file that uses all uppercase letters for the function name and all lowercase letters for the file extension, e.g., DECODE.tdf. This naming convention is required to prevent conflicts when the file is incorporated into a hierarchical design. When the edifneto utility generates an EDIF netlist file from the ViewDraw schematic, it copies the name of the hollow-body symbol in uppercase letters, regardless of the case that appears in the schematic.

4. Double-click Button 1 on the max2_VDraw icon in the Altera Toolbox Design Tools Drawer to start ViewDraw.

5. In the File Open dialog box, type <design name>, i.e., the name of the hollow-body symbol you want to create. Turn on the Symbol option and choose OK. The Symbol Editor is displayed.

6. Choose Block Size Z-WxH (Change menu) and select a symbol size.

7. Choose Graphics-Box (Add menu) to draw the symbol body.

8. Choose Pin (Add menu) to enter pinstubs.

9. Select a pin and choose Label (Add menu) to label the pin names.

10. (Optional) Choose Graphics-Text (Add menu) to label the symbol.

11. Choose Block Type Module (Change menu). You must choose Block Type Module to specify that no Viewlogic schematic is available to represent the functionality of the symbol.

12. Choose Write (File menu) to save the symbol.

13. In the top-level ViewDraw schematic, choose Comp (Add menu), select the name of the symbol, and choose OK.

14. The MAX+PLUS II software uses Library Mapping Files (.lmf) to map standard ViewDraw symbols to equivalent MAX+PLUS II megafunctions, macrofunctions, or primitives. To use custom symbols, you can create a custom LMF that maps your custom symbols to the equivalent EDIF Input File, TDF, or other design file.

    | You will also need to specify a Library Mapping File (.lmf) in the EDIF Netlist Reader Settings dialog box before compiling with the MAX+PLUS II Software. Go to Compiling Projects with MAX+PLUS II Software for more information.

15. Continue with the steps necessary to complete your ViewDraw schematic, as described in Creating ViewDraw Schematics for Use with MAX+PLUS II Software.

| Go to Creating AHDL Designs for Use with MAX+PLUS II Software in these MAX+PLUS II ACCESSSM Key topics for related information.

Last Updated: August 28, 2000 for MAX+PLUS II version 10.0 |
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