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Distributed development in teams

Overview​

Next Design enables distributed development by teams by dividing models and profiles into files.

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

Features of Next DesignOverview
Splitting and merging model filesBy splitting a model in a project into multiple model files, teams can develop in parallel.
Export/Import of model filesBy exporting the divided model files and importing them into another project, some models can be reused in another project.
Reference to Model FileBy registering the split model file as a reference to another project, you can share and edit the model file with other projects.
Partial loading of model filesBy switching between automatic and manual loading for each divided model file, you can avoid loading unnecessary model files and shorten the loading time of large-scale projects.
Splitting and merging profilesBy splitting a profile from a project, you can manage the model and the profile separately.

Splitting and merging model files​

Split into model files​

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

divide into model files

Operation procedure
  1. Select the model to split into model files in the model navigator.
  2. Run the split into model files in one of the following ways:
    • Click Team Collaboration > File > Devide into Model File from the ribbon.
    • Click Devide into Model File from the context menu.
  3. To divide only one model into model files, specify the file name in the [Devie into Model File] dialog and press the [OK] button. (If you select multiple models and divide them into model files, you cannot change the file name.)
  4. Once split into model files, the model will have an icon representing the model file. Then, they are stored as nmdl (for JSON format) and imdl (for database format) files in the [Models] subfolder in the same folder as the project file.
note
  • Only models with the Allow model file splitting checkbox checked in the metamodel can be split into model files.
  • If the Devide into Model File menu is disabled, check the metamodel definition for that model.

Merge split model files​

To integrate the split model files into your project, do the following:

Merge split model files

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

Export/Import model files​

Export the model file​

To export the split model files from your project:

Export Model File

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

Import the model file​

To import a model file that has been exported from another project, follow these steps:

Import Model File

Operation procedure
  1. Open the import destination project.
  2. Switch to Project Navigator in the selector at the top of the Navigator.
  3. Select the Model displayed at the top level of the tree.
  4. Perform model file import in one of the following ways:
    • Click Team Collaboration > File > Import from the ribbon.
    • From the context menu, click Import Model File.
  5. Check the confirmation dialog message and click the [OK] button.
  6. In the [Import Model File] dialog, select a model file (.nmdl or .imdl) and press the [Open] button.
  7. Once the model files have been imported, they will be added to the Models subfolder in the same folder as the project file, and will also be added to the Project Navigator and Model Navigator.
info
  • The file saving format of the import destination project and the import target model file must be the same.
Warning

Reference to Model File​

Reference and register model files of other projects​

To share and edit the divided model files with other projects, refer to the model files by following the steps below.

Reference to Model File

Operation procedure
  1. Open the reference registration target project.
  2. Switch to Project Navigator in 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 press the [Open] button.
  6. When the model file is registered as a reference, the model file is added to the project navigator and model navigator.
info
  • The file saving format of the reference registration target project and the reference registration target model file must be the same.
Warning
  • The profile of the project to be registered as a reference must be the same as (or include) the profile that created the model file to be registered as a reference.
  • Please refer to the following content for importing profiles.

Partial loading of model files​

Set model file to manual load​

To set the model file to manual load:

Operation procedure
  1. Select the model file you want to switch to manual loading in the project navigator.
  2. Select [Load Configuration] > [Set Manual Load] from the context menu.
  3. An icon representing manual loading will appear to the right of the model file node.
  4. From the next time the project is opened, the model file will not be loaded automatically.

Reverting model files to autoload​

To switch back to automatic loading of model files, do the following:

Operation procedure
  1. Select the model file you want to switch to automatic loading in the project navigator.
  2. Select Load Configuration > Set Auto Load from the context menu.
  3. The manual load icon disappears from the right of the model file node.
  4. From the next time the project is opened, the model file will be loaded automatically.

Load a model file set to manual loading​

When the project is opened, the model files set to manual load are not loaded. To manually load an unloaded model file, do the following:

Operation procedure
  1. Select the model file to manually load in the project navigator.
  2. Select Load Model File from the context menu.
  3. The model file is loaded.
tip
  • Model files set as manual nodes are displayed with an "M" icon on the project navigator.
  • For unloaded model files, the model file name is grayed out on the project navigator.

Manual load setting of model file

reference

Split/Merge Profiles​

Split profile from project​

To split the profile into files:

divide profile

Operation procedure
  1. Switch to Project Navigator in the selector at the top of the Navigator.
  2. Select Profile displayed at the top level of the tree.
  3. Click Devide into File from the context menu.
  4. Once the profile is split into files, they are stored as .nprof or .iprof files in the [Profile] subfolder in the same folder as the project file.
Warning
  • Do not replace a profile (.nprof or .iprof file) divided into files with a profile edited in another project.
  • When reflecting the profile of another project, please import the profile according to the following contents.

Merge split profiles from a project​

To integrate a profile into your project, do the following:

Merge split profiles

Operation procedure
  1. Switch to Project Navigator in the selector at the top of the Navigator.
  2. Select a profile that has been split into files.
  3. Click Integrate into Project File from the context menu.
  4. Once the profile is integrated into the project, any .nprof or .iprof files in the [Profile] subfolder will also be deleted.
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