A design describes the structure of a hardware component by instantiating other components from the library and connecting them.
The design area in the center is divided into typed columns to create cleaner layouts. There are four column types: 'Components', 'IO', 'Buses', and 'Custom'. Only items with matching types can be placed on a column. New columns can be created using the Add Column button in the toolbar. The column and its allowed types can edited by double-clicking the column header. The column order can be changed by drag-dropping the columns by the header.
New component instances can be added by by drag-dropping components from
the library into the design area. If dropped on an existing instance, the component will
replace the exisiting instance. Similarly, two existing instances can be swapped by holding the ALT-key
while drag-dropping one on the other.
A hierarchy icon is shown on the top right corner of the instance,
if it has a design of its own. Double-clicking the instance opens the design. If the component
does not have a design, the Component Editor is opened instead. Both options are also available
by right-clicking the instance. All the bus interfaces in the component will be
shown on the component instance and can be connected to other instances by creating an
interconnection with the Interconnection Tool.
Instances can be copy-pasted within the design or into other designs.
Selecting an item in the design shows more details in the windows on the right.
The Ad-hoc Visibility window is always visible in the design. It lists all the physical ports on the selected component instance. If no instance is selected, the ports of the top-level component are listed instead. Setting the ad-hoc option for a port shows the individual port on the component instance symbol or in the IO column, if it is a top-level port.
The Design Configuration Details window is always visible in the design. A design configuration contains additional information about an IP-XACT design. Each design can have multiple configurations. Design configuration defines what are the active views of the component instances in the design.
Generation group has the tools for automatic generation of e.g. VHDL, Verilog, synthesis and simulation scripts, and HTML documentation.
Diagram tools has all the design-specific actions including adding columns, connections and IO pads. Individual connections can be changed to off-page for cleaner diagrams with Toggle Off-Page Tool. Preliminary components can be designed with the Drafting Tool.
View has the tools for zooming in and out in the design. Zooming is also possible by holding the Ctrl-key while scrolling with the mouse wheel. Visible Windows controls what information is shown i.e. IP-XACT library, component preview, context help and design specific windows on the right. Visibility control allows selection whether design details, such as 'sticky notes', are shown or not.
Workspaces store the window layout and visibilty settings. It is handy for quickly changing the layout depending on purpose, e.g. design editing vs. component packetization.