How to get simulink library and block names for the add_block function?

Hello,

I would like to create a Simulink model programatically, using commands such as add_block etc. However, I'm having trouble finding out the correct names for the libraries and blocks in the libraries. As a specific example I have tried to add a Level-2 M-File S-Function with a command similar to the following:

add_block('simulink/User-defined Functions/M-S-Function', 'mymodel/thesfunction')

This however gives the error:

??? There is no block named 'simulink/User-defined Functions/M-S-Function'

It's also not clear whether I have to first load the User-defined Functions library first in this case. So I'm not sure if I have got the name of the library wrong, or something else.

In general how do I find the correct library name and block name for adding the block to a model programatically?

[Richard Crozier]

In fact even the following does not work for me

add_block('simulink/Sinks/Scope', 'mymodel/Scope')

Yielding:

??? There is no block named 'simulink/Sinks/Scope'

Answer 1

[Ryan G]

I bet this is because the Simulink library is not loaded. Try doing this first:

load_system('simulink');

[Richard Crozier]

Actually that worked for the Scope but not the S-Function command

add_block('simulink/User-defined Functions/M-S-Function', 'mymodel/thesfunction')

The following also doesn't work

add_block('simulink/User-defined Functions/Level-2 M-File S-Function', 'mymodel/thesfunction')

or

add_block('simulink/User-Defined Functions/Level-2 M-File S-Function','mymodel/thesfunction')

[Ryan G]

This looks like you are misinterpreting the name of the block. I'm not sure what version you are in, but this will get you the proper name of the block (which rarely changes) in your version.

open_system('simulink')

Now you have access to the simulink library in .mdl form. Navigate to the block you want to add. Now click the block once so it is selected and in the command window type:

gcb

to obtain the proper name of the block. Some of the bigger ones have lines between the name like:

simulink/User-Defined
Functions/Level-2 MATLAB
S-Function

You can remove the lines by deleting them and replacing with spaces:

add_block('simulink/User-Defined Functions/Level-2 MATLAB S-Function', 'mymodel/thesfunction')

[Richard Crozier]

Thanks the following works (slight case diff)

add_block('simulink/User-Defined Functions/Level-2 M-file S-Function','mymodel/thesfunction')

Your general method for getting the right names is what I was looking for, thanks.

[pj110]

I have the same problem but I want to add a '/Asynchronous Machine SI Units' but I get the error " There is no block named 'Simscape/SimPowerSystems/Second Generation/Machines/Asynchronous Machine SI Units' is this any way that I can use add_block() function for other toolboxes in simulink library such as Simscape and ...

Regards,

Pj

[pj110]

 Good news I found it. Bad news the gcb commands give different path and names for each component in SimPowerSystem but by finding the root library path you can add the name of the any of the components you get the block on your mdl or xls file.

for example gcb command for the selected component gave me below: powerlib/Machines/Simplified Synchronous Machine pu Units however it was not the Simplified Synchronous Machine pu Units so I write the firs to part of the path and then I added the name of the component that I want. whatever it works for me but the gcb command is not operate correctly by choosing the component from the library and typin gcb on command window it gives different names for that component. now I use add_block and use powerlib/machines and append the correct name for my component to get the desired block on my mdl file. it has worked for me. for other toolbox it seems the same problem.

pj