Q01. I want to place a model that is not directly related to one ER diagram¶
In the ER diagram, the child elements that make up the model to be edited and the referenced model are arranged and designed. In addition, you can place models that are not directly related to the model you are editing in one ER diagram.
For example, the use case of the requirements analysis process and the components of the design process are designed in different processes, so they are not listed in the same design result. However, if you want to see the connection of design results between processes, you can express the relationship by placing them on the same ER diagram.
In Next Design, when you add a shape definition to an ER diagram, you usually specify a field as the shape target, but you can specify any class instead of a field. This allows you to place use cases and components designed in different stages into one ER diagram.
Below is an example of arranging components that are design results of different processes in Use case diagram defined by view in Quick Start in the following order. I will explain.
- Add the component shape definition to the use case diagram
- Place existing components on the use case diagram
- Add a connector definition that represents the relationship between use cases and components
Add the component shape definition to the use case diagram¶
To be able to place a model on an ER diagram, you need to add a shape definition, but to add a shape definition for a component that is not directly related to your use case diagram:
Operating procedure
- Prepare a project in which the use cases and component profiles are all defined according to Quick Start.
- In the model navigator, select Use Case Model to display the Usecase Diagram view.
- From the ribbon, click Profile> Diagram> Shape and click the type of shape you want to add.
- In the [New Shape] dialog, set the following items.
- Select Class as the Mapping Target.
- Click the [...] button at the right end of [Data Type] and select [Component] from the list of entities.
- Select the shape shape in [Style]-[Figure].
- Click the [OK] button in the dialog to add the [Component] icon to the toolbox.
Place existing components on the use case diagram¶
After adding the component shape definition to the use case diagram, to place the existing component in the use case diagram:
Operating procedure
- In the model navigator, select Use Case Model to display the Usecase Diagram view.
- Switch the toolbox below the Model Navigator to the Reference tab and you will see a list of existing components that you can place in your use case diagram.
- Drag and drop an existing component from the Reference tab of the toolbox onto the use case diagram.
Note
- If the existing model is not displayed in the [Reference] tab of the toolbox, redisplay the model to be edited by one of the following methods.
- Switch views in the model editor
- Switch selection in model navigator
Add a connector definition that represents the relationship between use cases and components¶
To connect the relationship between the use case and the components in the use case diagram, add a connector definition as in the following steps.