UML & SysML modelling languages

Sparx Systems ran a webinar last week to demonstrate Enterprise Architect traceability features i.e. to find how our model elements and diagrams are interconnected with each other. This is paramount in modelling where we don't only intend to define a visual representation of a more or less complex concept, but we also need to build a centralised project information repository.

The "usual features" like the Relationships Matrix or the Traceability view were included in the webimnar, as well as examples of the types of links between elements such as realisation links from use cases to requirements.

I discovered the Context Filtering feature that's available on the currently displayed diagram : to enable it, simply right click on a blank part of the diagram, and enable "Context Filtering", or click on the icon on the diagram toolbar.

Click on Read More to see an example illustrating this feature.

This page provides a selection of hints and tips for your daily use of Sparx Enterprise Architect. Various articles are also available via the EA hint tag.

Please do not hesitate to contact me via email (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) if you're looking for additional hints, or if you have any that you would like to share so I can add them onto this page.

Available hints:

1. keyboard shortcuts
2. display a default diagram upon opening an EA project
3. display a diagram or an element's comments/notes in a note on the diagram
4. use the "drag and drop" to create a realization link between a use case and a requirement
5. organise a class' attributes and operations using stereotypes
6. reset a text label to its default position
7. filter the search on a package instead of the whole project
8. use ctrl-c and ctrl-v shortcuts in the project browser to copy/paste packages
9. create multiple connectors between elements using the Relationship Matrix
10. reverse a connector's direction
11. copy a diagram in the Clipboard without the frame

In order to factor a common behaviour between a given set of activities, there is sometimes a need to link a single activity diagram with several composite activities in Enterprise Architect. As a result a double click on any of those composite activities will open the same shared diagram. The benefit is to update a single activity diagram and its elements instead of updating the details of each composite activity diagram.

Prior to the current Sparx Enterprise Architect version (10), this could be achieved through a fastidious process.

Since version 10, EA lets you choose an existing and potentially shared/common diagram for a composite activity :

• either via a right click on the activity from the Project Browser > Add > Select Composite Diagram,
• or via a right click on the current diagram > New Diagram > Select Composite Diagram.

-> the pop-up window lets you choose an existing diagram from your EA project to set against the selected composite activity, as illustrated on the following screenshot.