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Display any model on a diagram

In an ER diagram, you design by arranging the child elements and referenced models that make up the model you are editing.

In addition, you can also arrange models that are not directly related to the design of the model you are editing on a single ER diagram.

For example, use cases in the requirements analysis process and components in the design process are designed in different processes, so they are not listed side by side in the same design outcome.

However, if you want to see the connection between design outcomes between processes, you can express the relationship by arranging 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 target of the shape, but you can also specify any class instead of a field.

This allows you to arrange use cases and components designed in different processes on a single ER diagram.

The following explains an example of placing components that are the design results of different processes on a use case diagram whose view was defined in Quick Start in the following order:

  • Add a component shape definition to the use case diagram
  • Place an existing component on the use case diagram
  • Add a connector definition that represents the relationship between the use case and the component

Add a component shape definition to the use case diagram​

Shape definitions must be added to be able to place a model on an ER diagram, but to add a shape definition for a component that is not directly related to the use case diagram, follow the steps below.

Add a shape definition to an ER diagram

Operation procedure
  1. Prepare a project with all the use case and component profiles defined according to User's Manual > Quick Start.
  2. Select [Usecase Model] in the Model Navigator to display the [Usecase Diagram] view.
  3. Click [Profile] > [Diagram] > [Add Shape] from the ribbon, and click the type of shape you want to add.
  4. Set the following items in the [New Shape] dialog.
  • Select [Class] in [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 [Diagram] under [Style].
  1. When you click the [OK] button in the dialog, the [Component] icon is added to the Toolbox.

Placing an existing component on a use case diagram​

After adding the component shape definition to the use case diagram, follow the steps below to place an existing component on the use case diagram.

Placing an existing model on an ER diagram

Operation procedure
  1. Select [UseCase Model] in the Model Navigator to display the [Usecase Diagram] view.
  2. Switch the Toolbox under the Model Navigator to the [Reference] tab to display a list of existing components that can be placed on the use case diagram.
  3. Drag and drop the existing components displayed in the [Reference] tab of the Toolbox onto the use case diagram.
note
  • If the existing model does not appear in the [Reference] tab of the Toolbox, redisplay the model to be edited in one of the following ways:
  • Switch the view in the Model Editor
  • Switch the selection in the Model Navigator

Add a connector definition that represents the relationship between a use case and a component​

To connect an association line between a use case and a component in a use case diagram, add a connector definition as in the following procedure.

Reference

User's Manual > Profile Definition > View Definition > ER Diagram View Definition > Define Connectors > Add Connectors

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