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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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Import Projects

Enterprise Architect provides support for importing software projects authored in Visual Studio, Mono, Eclipse and NetBeans. Importing and working on projects in Enterprise Architect has multiple benefits, not least the immediate access to Enterprise Architect's renowned modeling tools and management features, but also the access to development tools such as simulation, debugging and profiling.

Access

Ribbon

Develop > Source Code > Solutions > Import a <project type>

Import a Visual Studio Solution

This option allows you to import one or more projects from an existing Visual Studio Solution file or a running instance of Visual Studio. The wizard will generate a Class model for each of the projects and the appropriate Analyzer Scripts for each Visual Studio configuration.

Import a Mono Solution

This option allows you to import Mono projects from a solution file. The dialog that is presented is the same as the 'Visual Studio Import' dialog, but you can choose to target either Linux or Windows. The wizard will generate a Class model for each of the projects and configure them for debugging. The generated Analyzer Scripts reference msbuild to build the projects.

Import an Eclipse Project

The Eclipse 'Wizard' can reverse engineer a Java project described by its Eclipse .project file and ANT build. The feature will result in a UML Class model and Analyzer Scripts for each of the ANT targets you select. The process will also generate a script for each debug protocol you select through the 'Wizard'. You will be presented with the choice of JDWP (Java Debug Wire Protocol), good for servers, and JVMTI (Java Virtual Machine Tools Interface), which is suited to standalone Java applications. These scripts should be used for debugging the project in Enterprise Architect.

Import a NetBeans Project

The  NetBeans 'Wizard' can reverse engineer a Java project described by a NetBeans XML project file and ANT build. The 'Wizard' will create a UML Class model of the project and Analyzer Scripts for each of the ANT targets you select. The process will also generate a script for each debug protocol you select through the 'Wizard'. These scripts should be used for debugging the project in Enterprise Architect. You will be presented with the choice of JDWP (Java Debug Wire Protocol), good for servers, and JVMTI (Java Virtual Machine Tools Interface), which is suited to standalone Java applications.

Import Options

When you select to import a Visual Studio or Mono Solution, the 'Visual Studio Solution Import' dialog displays. Complete the fields as directed in this table.

When you select to import an Eclipse or Netbeans solution, the appropriate Wizard start screen displays. Work through the screens as directed by the prompts on each screen.

Option

Description

<list of projects>

After you have selected the solution file, the projects in the solution are listed in the panel. Select the projects to be imported by the Wizard.

You can use the All button to select all projects, and the None button to clear the selection of projects.

Select Solution File

Browse for and select the Solution file to import from. The Mono Solution files and Visual Studio Solution files have a .sln file extension.

Perform a Dry Run

Select this option to perform the import as a dry run, to check for any errors in the process or output before you repeat the import to change the model content. Click on the View Log button to check the log of the import.

Create Package per File

Select this option to perform the import with finer granularity, creating a separate Package for each file.

Import

Click on this button to start the import process.

Prompt for Missing Macro Definitions

Not applicable to Mono Solution imports.

For C++ projects in Visual Studio, the parser might encounter unrecognized macros. If you select this option, you will be prompted when such an event occurs and will have the opportunity to define the macro. If you do not select this option, the resultant Class model could be missing certain items.

Create Diagram for Each Package

When selected, a Class diagram is created depicting the Class model for each Package. The result is a larger but more colorful model. Deselecting this option will cause diagram creation to be skipped and the import to run faster.

Generate Analyzer Scripts

For Visual Studio Solutions, selecting this option will generate Analyzer Scripts for each project configuration in addition to scripts for each Solution configuration. The scripts will allow for building and debugging the program(s) described by the solution immediately after the import completes. Select the 'Windows' checkbox; if you do not select this option, no Execution Analyzer features will be configured.

For Mono Solutions, this option allows you to target either Linux or Windows. If you select Linux, it is assumed the machine on which Enterprise Architect is running is Linux, that the platform (Java or Mono) is installed there, and that the compiled programs run on Linux.

Startup Project

When this option is selected, the script for this Project will become the model default. The debugging tools, Execute ribbon and Toolbar buttons will automatically target this program.

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