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Please note : This help page is not for the latest version of Enterprise Architect. The latest help can be found here.

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Create New Elements on a Diagram

Models are constructed from elements, each of which has its own meaning, rules and notation. Generally, when you create a new element in your model, you want to use that element on a diagram. The simplest way to do this is to create the element directly on the diagram. In this procedure, we will use a Requirement element as the example.

Create a new element on a diagram in your model

Step

Action

See also

1

Display the Properties window; select the 'Start > Explore > Properties > Properties' ribbon option.

Also display the Diagram Toolbox; select the 'Design > Diagram > Toolbox' ribbon option

2

Display the diagram on which the elements are to be created, in the Diagram View.

To open the diagram, double-click on the diagram name in the Project Browser.

The diagram opens and the Toolbox is updated to display the categories of elements and relationships that are applicable to that type of diagram.

In this example, we must change this to the Custom toolbox. Click on Search to display the 'Find Toolbox Item' dialog, and specify 'Custom'.

Diagram View

3

Click on the appropriate icon in the Toolbox to select the type of element to create (in this example, the Requirement element).

The element type is highlighted in the Toolbox.

4

Click on the diagram at the location where you want to place the element.

The new element is created as a child of the Package that contains the diagram, and is placed onto the diagram at the cursor position.

The element's initial details are displayed in the Properties window.

5

Use the Properties window to define the element's name and other properties it should have.

Modify Properties

6

Right-click on the diagram background and select the 'Save Current Changes' option.

Notes

  • You can also drag or paste existing elements onto a diagram from the Project Browser
  • If you are creating several elements of one type, after creating the first just press Shift+F3 or Ctrl+click to create the next element of that type
  • You can also create elements using shortcuts to the main facilities of the Toolbox, using the 'Toolbox Shortcut' menu; press the Insert key or Spacebar key to display this menu

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