Tailoring the Application

Enterprise Architect is a tool with a vast amount of functionality, which is one of the reasons why it is so popular as a tool for modeling systems of any kind. To ensure that the tool provides the most benefit to an organization, team, project or individual, some tailoring of the interface to suit the modeling intent will ensure that all parties achieve the best outcomes.  Most of the settings can be changed by a single button click, transforming the tool to be fit for purpose, which - for us - is collaborating on Model Based Systems Engineering projects.

We will look at a number of places where we can change the application from a generic modeling tool to a systems engineering tool. We will look at these topics.

Selecting a Perspective

Selecting a Perspective is similar to putting a filter on an optical lens. It allows a modeler to just see application facilities relevant to that Perspective - in our case the Systems Modeling Language (SysML).

Selecting a Workspace

Selecting a workspace is important because it allows the user to ensure that the windows, ribbons, toolbars and other visual elements provide an efficient working environment and easy access to the important facilities that are needed.

Setting Visual Styles

Visual styles provide a series of options for the look and feel of the application, including things such as colors and tab positions.

Setting Preferences

Preferences provide a wide range of options for tailoring how Enterprise Architect looks and functions from General settings such as Browser window options to Diagram, Objects and Engineering options. Many of the options apply to an individual user with others pertaining to the entire repository.