Create Toolbox Profiles using the Profile Helpers

1

If you have not already, use the Model Wizard's MDG Technology Builder option to create a set of packages for defining profiles.

In the Project Browser, locate the package with the <<toolbox profile>> stereotype and open its child diagram.  This diagram shows an example toolbox profile with a single toolbox page.

Using the Profile Helpers

2

Drag the Create Custom Toolbox item from the Profile Helpers toolbox page onto the diagram.  The Select a Toolbox Profile Package Dialog is displayed.

3

Using the Toolbox Profile Package Dialog, locate the package with the <<toolbox profile>> stereotype, which was mentioned in step 1.

Select the package and click on the OK button. The Create Toolbox Page dialog is displayed.

4

In the Toolbox Name field enter the name for your toolbox; for example, MyClass.

This is the name which will be displayed for the toolbox when using the More tools... option in the Diagram Toolbox.

5

In the Description field enter a description for the toolbox; for example, Elements for Class diagrams.

This description acts as a default tool tip for your toolbox.  If you do not define a tool tip for a toolbox page, as mentioned in step 10, then this description will be used as the tool tip instead.

6

Click on the OK button.

The diagram which you will use to define your toolbox is created and displayed.

7

(Optional) When dragging an item from a toolbox onto a diagram, this item will typically create an element or a connector.  It is also possible to have a single toolbox item, which when dragged onto a diagram, will provide a selection of items to choose from.  This is referred to as a Hidden Sub-Menu.

If you want your Toolbox to contain one or more Hidden Sub-Menu you should define these before proceeding with the steps on this page.  Refer to the link in the See also column for details.

Create Hidden Sub-Menus using the Profile Helpers

8

You can now define one or more Toolbox pages which will appear on the Toolbox.

Drag the Add Toolbox Page item from the Profile Helpers toolbox page onto the diagram.  The Add Toolbox Page Dialog is displayed.

9

In the Name field, enter the Name for the Toolbox page; for example, My Class Elements or My Class Relationships.

This is text which will display in the title bar of the corresponding Toolbox page.

10

In the Tool Tip field, enter the Tool Tip for the corresponding Toolbox page; for example, Elements for Class Diagrams or Relationships for Class Diagrams.

11

The Icon field in this case will be disabled.  This field is only used when defining Hidden Sub-Menu toolboxes.

12

(Optional) Enable the appropriate check boxes to determine the appearance and functionality of the toolbox page.

Create Hidden Sub-Menus using the Profile Helpers

13

You can now add items such as elements and connectors to the toolbox.  Click on the down arrow which is located on the right side of the Add button.  Select one of the following options:

If you simply click on the Add button, and not the drop down arrow, this will provide the same functionality as the Add Stereotype option.

14

(Optional) It is possible to define a Toolbox item which will create an item from an external MDG Technology. For example you may want to add a tooolbox item which creates a SysML1.3 Block element.

To do this use the Add New Item option mentioned in step 13. The Create new Toolbox Item dialog is displayed. In the Alias field, enter the label to appear on the toolbox item, then click OK.

The Toolbox item will be added to the Toolbox Items list.  In the Stereotype field for this Toolbox item enter the following:

  ExTechnology::ExStereotype(BaseUMLType)

ExTechnology is the ID of the technology and ExStereotype is the name of the stereotpye/metatype that this toolbox item will create. BaseUMLType is the base UML type of the non-UML object being extended.  For example:

  SysML1.3::Block(UML::Class)

Note, all non-UML objects in EA are an extension of a UML Type.  You can reveal an element's base UML type be deleting it's stereotypes. For example, create a SysML1.3 Block. Using the Properties Window, delete the Block element's stereotype. The element's Type will change from Block to Class.

To ensure the correct formatting of the base UML type, refer to the links in the see also column.

Elements Used in Toolboxes

Connectors Used in Toolboxes

15

(Optional) It is possible to define a Toolbox item which will drop a Pattern onto a diagram. To do this use the Add New Item option mentioned in step 13. The Create new Toolbox Item dialog is displayed.  In the Alias field, enter the label to appear on the toolbox item, then click OK.

The Toolbox item will be added to the Toolbox Items list.  In the Stereotype field for this Toolbox item enter  the following:

  My Technology::MyPattern(UMLPattern)

MyTechnology is the ID of the technology and MyPattern is the name of the Pattern to drop; for example:

  BusFramework::Builder(UMLPattern)

If you want to avoid displaying the Add Pattern dialog, replace (UMLPattern) with (UMLPatternSilent).

To define a model-based Pattern in a custom Toolbox (such as the GoF Patterns), create an attribute with a name of the format:

  PatternCategory::PatternName(UMLPattern)

For example:

  GoF Behavioral Patterns::Mediator(UMLPattern)

16

(Optional) After adding the toolbox item it will appear in the Toolbox Items list.  You can optionally add a custom Icon image for a toolbox item.

The icon image must be a 16x16 pixel bitmap file; for a transparent background use light grey - RGB(192,192,192).

To set the icon for a toolbox item, locate the item in the Toolbox Items list and click within the Toolbox Icon column. Click on the ellipsis (.) within this column.  The Select a Toolbox Icon dialog displays. Locate the image file and click the Open button.

17

Repeat steps 13 to 16 for each item you want to add to the toolbox page.  If you want to remove a toolbox item, select it from the Toolbox Items list and click on the Delete button.

Once all the appropriate toolbox items have been added click on the OK button.  A Stereotype element will be added to your toolbox profile diagram.

18

Repeat steps 8 to 17 for each toolbox page you want to include in the toolbox.

19

Save the toolbox profile by right-clicking on the diagram and selecting the Save as Profile context menu option.

Export a Profile