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Distributed Development in Teams

Overview​

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

The following explains how to use the following Next Design features.

Next Design FeaturesOverview
Splitting and Merging Model FilesBy splitting a model within a project into multiple model files, teams can develop in parallel.
Register Model FileBy registering split model files in a separate project, model files can be shared and edited with other projects.
Export Model FileBy exporting split model files, some models can be reused in other projects.
Partial Loading of Model FilesBy switching between automatic and manual loading for each split model file, unnecessary model files are prevented from being loaded, reducing loading time for large projects.
Splitting and Merging ProfilesBy splitting profiles from a project, models and profiles can be managed separately.

Splitting and Merging Model Files​

tip

Splitting model files allows you to quickly begin design work because the necessary model files are loaded in order when you open the project.
Consider splitting model files when the project size is large.

Splitting into Model Files​

To split a model in a project into multiple model files, follow these steps:

Splitting into Model Files

Procedure
  1. Select the model to split into model files in the Model Navigator.
  2. Split into model files using one of the following methods:
  • Click [Team Collaboration] > [File] > [Divide into Model File] from the ribbon.
  • Click [Divide into Model File] from the context menu.
  1. If you want to split only one model into model files, specify the file name in the [Divide into Model File] dialog box.
    (When selecting multiple models and splitting them into model files, you cannot change the file names.)
  2. Specify the save folder in the [Divide into Model File] dialog and click the [OK] button.
    The folder you specify should be under the [Models] folder in the same folder as the project file.
  3. Once split into model files, the model will have an icon indicating the model file.
    Then, it will be stored as an nmdl file in the specified folder.
note
  • Only models with the [Allow model file splitting] checkbox checked in the metamodel can be split into model files.
  • If the [Divide into Model File] menu is disabled, check the metamodel definition for that model.
tip
  • Select a model in the Model Navigator and click [Select in Project Navigator] from the context menu to see the model file containing that model in the Project Navigator.

Integrating Split Model Files​

To integrate split model files into a project, follow these steps:

Integrating Split Model Files

Procedure
  1. Select the split model files in the Model Navigator or Project Navigator.
  2. Integrate the model files using one of the following methods:
  • Click [Team Collaboration] > [File] > [Integrate Model File] from the ribbon.
  • Click [Integrate Model File] from the context menu.
  1. Review the message in the confirmation dialog and click the [OK] button.
  2. Once the model file is integrated into the project, the icon representing the model file will disappear from the model.

Registering Model Files​

There are three types of model file registration:

  • Registration: Registers the model file as a model in your project.

  • Import: Copies the model file to your own project and registers it.

  • Reference Registration: Registers the model file to be shared and edited in another project.

The type of registration depends on the location where the model file is stored.

  • Registration: Within the [Models] folder in the same folder as the project file.
  • Import: A folder different from the [Models] folder. Select [Import] in the dialog box that appears when specifying that folder.
    (The model file will be copied to the folder selected when registering the model file.)
  • Reference Registration: A folder different from the [Models] folder. Select [Reference] in the dialog box that appears when specifying that folder.
    (The model file will be displayed directly under the [Model] folder.)
Note

To register a model file, follow these steps:

Register Model File

Procedure
  1. Open the project where you want to register the model file.
  2. Switch to [Project Navigator] using the selector at the top of the navigator.
  3. Select [Model] or a folder under [Model] displayed at the top level of the tree.
  4. Register the model file using one of the following methods:
  • Click [Team Collaboration] > [File] > [Register] from the ribbon.
  • Click [Register Model File] from the context menu.
  1. In the [Register Model File] dialog box, select the model file (.nmdl) and click the [Open] button.
  2. If the selected model file is located outside the [Models] folder in the same folder as the project file, the [Register Model File] dialog box will appear.

In the [Register Model File] dialog box, select [Import] or [Reference]. 7. The model file will be added to the Project Navigator, and the model will be added to the Model Navigator.

Warning
  • The profile of the target project must be the same as (or contain) the profile that created the model file to be registered. If they are not the same, the design information will not be loaded correctly. You can check which design information could not be loaded in the warning message.
  • If you have registered a model file as a reference, you must maintain that the model file is the same as (or contains) the profile of the project that is sharing and editing that model file. If they are not the same, the design information of the model file cannot be read correctly. If you save the project in this state, the design information saved in another project that is sharing the model file may be lost.
  • For information on exporting and importing profiles, please refer to the following:
  • Profile Definition > Profile Operation > Operation Flow

Export Model File​

To export a split model file from a project, follow these steps:

Export Model File

Operation Procedure
  1. Switch to [Project Navigator] using 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.
  1. Select the destination folder and click the [Save] button.
  2. The split model files will be exported and stored in the selected folder.
note

Moving Model Files​

You can move the location of model files on the Project Navigator. To move them, follow these steps:

Moving Model Files

Procedure

  1. Switch to [Project Navigator] using the selector at the top of the navigator.

  2. Drag the target model file from the tree and drop it into the destination folder.

tip
  • You can change the folder structure of the destination folder from the context menu of the folder under [Model] displayed at the top level of the tree.
note
  • Folders that do not contain model files registered in the project will not be displayed in the Project Navigator.
    If you create a folder in the Project Navigator but do not store model files in it, that folder will not be displayed the next time you open the project.
  • Model files registered as references cannot be moved in the Project Navigator.
  • After changing the hierarchy or name of a model file, please save the project.
    If you close the project without saving, the change in the model file path will not be saved, and you will not be able to load that model file the next time you open the project.
  • Moving model files, renaming files, and deleting folders cannot be undone.
  • If you move a model file using a tool other than Next Design, you will not be able to load that model file.

Partial Loading of Model Files​

Setting Model Files to Manual Loading​

To set a model file to manual loading, follow these steps:

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 indicating manual loading will appear to the right of the model file node.
  4. From the next time you open the project, that model file will no longer be loaded automatically.

Returning Model Files to Automatic Loading​

To return a model file to automatic loading, follow these steps:

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 icon indicating manual loading will disappear from the right of the model file node.
  4. From the next time you open the project, that model file will be loaded automatically.

Loading Model Files Set to Manual Loading​

When you open a project, model files set to manual loading will be unloaded. To manually load an unloaded model file, follow these steps:

Procedure
  1. Select the model file you want to manually load in the Project Navigator.
  2. Select [Load Model File] from the context menu.
  3. The model file will be loaded.

You can also select and load a model file from the number of unloaded model files displayed in the status bar.

Procedure
  1. Click the number of unloaded model files displayed in the status bar. Number of Unloaded Files in Status Bar
  2. The [Load Model File] dialog box will appear. Select the model file you want to load. Load Model File Dialog Box
  3. Click the [Load and Close] button. 4. The selected model file will be loaded.

When Unloaded Model Files are Automatically Loaded​

Unloaded model files are automatically loaded when needed, such as when selecting and displaying a model or referencing field values.
Therefore, manual loading is usually not required.
The mouse cursor will remain in a waiting state during loading. Once loading is complete, you can edit as usual.

Model files set to automatically load are loaded in the background after the project is opened.
If you select and display a model before the background loading is complete, that model will be loaded first.

During background loading, the loading progress (number of loaded files/total number) is displayed in the status bar.
This display disappears when loading is complete.
If loading some model files fails, a warning will be displayed in the status bar.

Models contained in unloaded model files are also displayed in the Model Navigator and Trace View from the moment the project is opened.
You can check the model name, hierarchy, and trace even before loading.

tip
  • Model files set to manual load will display an "M" icon in the Project Navigator.
  • Unloaded model files will have their file names grayed out in the Project Navigator.

Manual Model File Loading Settings

  • You can perform the following operations on all model files in a folder and its subfolders at once in the Project Navigator:
  • Load Settings
  • Load Model Files
    This operation is performed from the folder's context menu.
Reference

Splitting and Merging Profiles​

Splitting a Profile from a Project​

To split a profile into files, follow these steps:

Splitting Profile

Instructions
  1. Switch to [Project Navigator] using the selector at the top of the navigator.
  2. Select [Profile] displayed at the top level of the tree.
  3. Click [Divide into File] from the context menu.
  4. Once the profile is split into files, they will be stored as .nprof files in the [Profile] folder within the same folder as the project file.
Warning

Integrating a Split Profile from a Project​

To integrate a profile into a project, follow these steps:

Integrating Split Profiles

Procedure
  1. Switch to [Project Navigator] using the selector at the top of the navigator.
  2. Select the 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, the .nprof file in the [Profile] folder will also be deleted.
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