1. Apparatus for configuring a control system, comprising a model representing a configuration of at least one of the control system and a system controlled thereby, the model comprising a plurality of objects, at least one object is a composite object that includes a plurality of component objects suitable for inclusion in the model independent of the composite object, an application that graphically depicts at least a portion of the model including the composite object and one other object to which it is connected, the application selectively (i) depicting the model with the composite object shown in an encapsulated graphical format, and (ii) depicting the model with the composite object shown in an expanded graphical format.