Skip to main content

Create a model based on a profile

Overview​

Next Design allows you to intuitively create models in various representation formats used in software development.

Below, let's create a use case model using the following steps:

  • Understand the screen layout
  • Create a new project
  • Add a use case model
  • Create actors and use cases and edit the description

Image of the model to be created

Usecase Diagram

Understanding the screen layout​

Next Design's user interface is broadly divided into the top, left, and right sides, centered around the central editing area.

The top has a ribbon displaying menus and commands, the left side has a tree-structured navigator similar to Explorer, the center has the main editing area, and the right side has the sub-editing areas, which are a characteristic feature of Next Design. userinterface

AreaMain Use
(1) RibbonDisplays menus used for editing operations, etc. You can switch between them using the tabs at the top of the ribbon.
(2) Model NavigatorDisplays the structure of the model being edited in a tree view. You can switch navigators according to your needs using the selector at the top.
(3) Main EditorYou can edit the model selected in the navigator. You can switch the model display format using the button in the upper right corner.
(4) Sub-EditorYou can edit related models side-by-side in a two-screen display.

Creating a New Project​

When creating a new project, you need to specify a profile appropriate to the design target.

Here, we will create a new project using the following sample profile.

Profile to use: Quickstart/Modeling/Profile Definition Sample.nprof

Launch Next Design and create a new project from the start page using the following steps.

Create a New Project

:::note: Instructions

  1. Click the [Start] > [Create New Project] link to display the [Create New Project] dialog box.
  2. Enter the [Project Name] and click the [Folder] button under [Profile] to specify the profile (.nprof file) to use.
  3. Click the [Create] button to create a new project.

:::

Adding a Use Case Model​

Immediately after creating a new project in Next Design, only the project is displayed at the top of the Model Navigator. To begin model editing, you need to add the model to be edited below the project.

Here, we will add the following [Use case model] as the editing target for the newly created project.

Model to edit: [Modeling Sample] > [Requirements Model] > [Use case model]

Add Use Case Model

:::note: Operation Procedure

  1. Right-click the project displayed at the top of the Model Navigator, and from the context menu click [Add Model] > [Requirements Model] to add a first-level model.
  2. Right-click the added [Requirements Model], and from the context menu click [Add Model] > [Use case model] to add the model to edit.
  3. Once you add a model in the Model Navigator, that model will appear in the main editor and become editable.

:::

Creating and Editing Actors and Use Cases​

Next Design allows you to directly edit the same model while viewing it in various representation formats.

For example, when starting modeling, you can edit the model in diagram format, which visualizes the model, allowing you to understand the overall structure of the model while modeling. Afterward, you can switch to a form format that represents the model as a list or document to add details to the model.

1. Adding Actors and Use Cases​

To add model components to a diagram, follow these steps:

Add Model

Instructions
  • Select the type of model to add from the toolbox below the Model Navigator and drag and drop it onto the diagram.
Other Instructions
  • You can also drag and drop from the sub-toolbox on the far left of the editor editing area.
Instructions

To enter a model name, do one of the following:

  • Start typing with the model selected.
  • Double-click the model.
  • Select the model and press the f2 key.

2. Associating Actors and Use Cases​

To associate model components in a diagram, follow these steps:

Associating Models

:::note: Instructions

  1. Move the pointer over a model component.
  2. Drag the [▲] icon that appears in four directions and drop it onto the model you want to associate.
  3. If there are multiple relationship types, a pop-up menu will appear after dropping; click to select.

:::

:::caution:

  • You cannot add a relationship between models that are not allowed to be associated.
  • Whether an association is possible is determined by the type of model you are trying to associate.

:::

3. Editing Actor and Use Case Details​

To edit model details by switching the model's representation, follow these steps:

Switching Views

:::note: Instructions

  1. Click the view option displayed in the upper right corner of the editing area to switch views.

(In the example above, there are two views: [Usecase Diagram] and [Detail].) 2. Switch to the [Detail] view from the view selection and enter information in the form-style view. 3. To edit text such as descriptions, do one of the following, similar to entering names in a diagram:

  • Start typing with the input area selected.
  • Double-click the input area.
  • Select the input area and press the f2 key.
  1. To insert a line break in the middle of the text, enter shift+enter.

:::

note
  • The available views vary depending on the entity.
Last updated on