SDK: C++ Custom Operator port connections

[Matt Lind]

I have a Custom Operator written using the C++ SDK, and it uses dynamic port 
connections.

1) From inside the _Update() callback, how can I determine the number of 
connected ports in a dynamic custom operator where the number of input ports is 
arbitrary and not known ahead of time?  For example, the envelope operator - 
how does it know how many deformers and kinematic state properties are plugged 
into it?

2) How can I determine if an individual port is connected to anything?  So far 
I've been creating an object of the expected type then calling .IsValid().

For example:

X3DObject oObject = oOperator.GetInput( PortIndex );
If ( !oObject.IsValid() )
{
                                return( CStatus::Fail );
}

Is this the recommended way to validate a port connection?


Thanks,



Matt