Team distributed development

Overview

Next Design allows teams to perform distributed development by dividing models and profiles into files.

The following describes how to operate the following Next Design features.

Next Design Features Overview
Dividing and integrating model files By dividing the model in a project into multiple model files, teams can develop in parallel.
Export/import of model file By exporting the divided model file and importing it into another project, some models can be reused in another project.
Reference to Model File By registering the divided model file as a reference in another project, you can share and edit the model file with other projects.
Profile division and integration By dividing a profile from a project, you can manage the model and profile separately.

Model file division/integration

Split into model files

To split the model in your project into multiple model files:

Division into model file

Operating procedure

  1. In the model navigator, select the model you want to split into model files.
  2. Perform the split into model files using one of the following methods.
    • From the ribbon, click Team Collaboration> File> Split into Model Files.
    • Click Split into Model Files from the context menu.
  3. To split only one model into model files, specify the file name in the [Split into Model Files] dialog and click the [OK] button. (If you select multiple models and divide them into model files, you cannot change the file name.)
  4. Once divided into model files, the model will have an icon representing the model file. It is then stored as an imdl file in the [Models] subfolder in the same folder as the project file.

Note

  • Only models that have the [Allow model file splitting] checkbox checked in the metamodel can be split into model files.
  • If the [Split into Model Files] menu is disabled, check the metamodel definition for that model.

Integration of divided model files

To integrate the split model file into your project:

Integrate split model files

Operating procedure

  1. In the model navigator or project navigator, select the split model file.
  2. Perform the model file integration in one of the following ways:
    • From the ribbon, click Team Collaboration> File> Integrate Model Files.
    • Click Integrate Model Files from the context menu.
  3. Check the message in the confirmation dialog and click the [OK] button.
  4. When the model file is integrated into the project, the icon representing the model file disappears from the model.

Model file export/import

Export Model File

To export the split model file from your project:

Export Model File

Operating procedure

  1. Switch to Project Navigator with the selector at the top of the Navigator.
  2. In the project navigator, select the model file to export.
  3. Perform the model file export using one of the following methods.
    • From the ribbon, click Team Collaboration> File> Export.
    • Click Export Model File from the context menu.
  4. Select the export destination folder and click the [Save] button.
  5. The split model file is exported and stored in the selected folder.

Note

Import Model File

To import the exported model file into another project, follow the steps below.

Import Model File

Operating procedure

  1. Open the import destination project.
  2. Switch to Project Navigator with the selector at the top of the Navigator.
  3. Select the Model displayed at the top level of the tree.
  4. Import the model file using one of the following methods.
    • From the ribbon, click Team Collaboration> File> Import.
    • From the context menu, click Import Model File.
  5. Check the message in the confirmation dialog and click the [OK] button.
  6. In the [Import Model File] dialog, select the model file (.imdl) and click the [Open] button.
  7. When the model file is imported, the model file is added to the [Models] subfolder in the same folder as the project file, and the model file is added to the project navigator and the model navigator.

Warning

Reference to Model File

To share the split model file with other projects for editing, register the model file as a reference in the following procedure.

Reference to Model File

Operating procedure

  1. Open the project for reference registration.
  2. Switch to Project Navigator with the selector at the top of the Navigator.
  3. Select the Model displayed at the top level of the tree.
  4. From the context menu, click Reference to Model File.
  5. In the [Reference to Model File] dialog, select the model file (.imdl) and click the [Open] button.
  6. When the model file is registered as a reference, the model file is added to the project navigator and the model navigator.

Warning

Profile splitting/merging

Profile splitting

To split the profile into files, do the following:

Division of profile

Operating procedure

  1. Switch to Project Navigator with the selector at the top of the Navigator.
  2. Select the Profile displayed at the top level of the tree.
  3. Click Devide into File from the context menu.
  4. When the profile is split into files, it is stored as an iprof file in the [Profile] subfolder in the same folder as the project file.

Warning

Integration of split profiles

To integrate the profile into your project:

Merge split profiles

Operating procedure

  1. Switch to Project Navigator with the selector at the top of the Navigator.
  2. Select the profile that is divided into files.
  3. Click [Integrate into Project File] from the context menu.
  4. When the profile is integrated into the project, the iprof files in the [Profile] subfolder are also deleted.