Project Transfer using Native XML

We live in an age of information and digital disruption, where individuals and companies have an almost insatiable thirst for information and knowledge. While it is possible to access the valuable corporate modeling assets stored in an Enterprise Architect repository from any device in any location, there still remain scenarios where a modeler will want to extract or exchange the information stored in the repository. Enterprise Architect is compliant with standards and has always provided a facility to export the models to the standards-based XMI format, but it now also provides a Native XML format export and import facility for the transfer of an entire project's data.  This is a two step process that involves:

1. Opening the source project in Enterprise Architect and exporting it to Native XML using the 'Export Project to Native XML' dialog.
2. Opening the target project in Enterprise Architect and importing the Native XML files exported in the first step, using the 'Import Project from Native XML' dialog.

Regardless of the size of the repository, the model content - including all elements, connectors, documents and reference data - can be conveniently exported and exchanged between repositories at Internet speed. Exporting the data from one repository and importing it into another is fast and can conveniently be used with any type of repository connection (Cloud, Server or file system) and any type of repository (RDMS or file). There is a range of other uses for the exchange of repository content, including such things as backing-up repositories, record keeping or exchange with other tools.

The feature is particularly useful for Cloud-based models where a modeler does not have direct access to the Cloud hosting environment and the data sources are protected by private subnet security. The Native XML format export and import can be used effectively as a project transfer option for Cloud repositories. The data transfers would typically be secured with secure socket layer connections, preventing the data from being compromised in either the exporting or importing phases of a transfer.

Access

Export Project Data to Native XML files

Use the 'Export Project to Native XML' dialog to export the current project to Native XML. The export process will generate multiple Native XML files, representing data of the project.

Import Project Data from Native XML files

Use the 'Import Project from Native XML' dialog to import Native XML files generated by the export process into the current (target) project. The contents of the current project will be deleted prior to importing the Native XML files; if necessary, take a backup of the current project prior to importing the files.

Notes

• Take a backup of the target project to ensure that you can recover any important information it already contains; in a transfer, all records in the target repository are overwritten
• In the Corporate, Unified and Ultimate editions of Enterprise Architect, if security is enabled you must have 'Transfer Data' permission and:
       -  'Export XMI' permission to export project data to Native XML
       -  'Import XMI' permission to import project data from Native XML
• Native XML files, representing project data, cannot be imported using the 'Import Package from XML' dialog
• If you are connected to a SQL Server repository, you require ALTER permission on the t_image table in Enterprise Architect to be able to import model images
• Project can also be exported to Native XML using the Automation Interface function ExportProjectXML()

Learn more

• Native XML File
• Project Data Transfer
• Import Package from XML
• List of Available Permissions
• Project Class