Generate Parts From Block Associations

On a SysML Block diagram, the ends of an Association relationship between two Block elements can represent SysML Properties. If an Association End is navigable, the Property that it represents is owned by the Block element at the other end of the Association.

In Enterprise Architect you can automatically generate Part elements from the Association Ends to more visibly represent these owned Properties, using any of the methods described here. The Part is bound to the Association End – they represent the same Property, so changing one updates the other, either automatically or at the next synchronization; that is, if you change the Association Source Role name, multiplicity or Aggregation setting, the Part name, multiplicity and isReference setting are updated; if you change the Part details, the Association End properties are updated.

Generate from Part Association

Click on the 'Part Association' icon in the Diagram Toolbox and drag the cursor between two Block elements.

An anonymous Part property is generated on the target Block element.

Generate from Directed Association

Firstly, ensure that Associations you create will default to 'directed' (select the 'Start > Appearance > Preferences > Preferences > Links' option and select the 'Association default = source --> target' checkbox).

Create an Association relationship between two Block elements, using either the 'Reference Association' icon in the Diagram Toolbox or dragging the Quick Linker arrow and selecting 'Association'.

An anonymous Reference property is generated on the source Block element.

Generate from Internal Block Diagram

Create an Association between two Blocks and give one of the Association end roles a name.

Open the Internal Block diagram for the Block at the opposite end of the connector, right-click on it and select the 'Synchronize Structural Elements' option.

The property is generated on both that Block and its Internal Block diagram.

For example, name the target end role, open the Internal Block diagram of the source element, and select the 'Synchronize...' option to create the property on both the source Block and its IBD.

Change Property-Association Binding

You can, if necessary, change the binding of a Property to an Association End, or bind existing Association Ends and Properties that are not yet bound to each other.

Right-click on the Property in:

• The Browser window, and select the 'Add | Bind to Connector Role' option, or
• The Internal Block diagram and select the 'Advanced | Bind to Connector Role' option

In each case the 'Choose Connector Role to Bind' dialog displays, listing the Associations issuing from the parent Block element.

• Select the Association to bind the Property to
• Click on the OK button

If you subsequently delete an Association that is bound to a Property, when you save the diagram you are prompted to confirm whether to also delete the Property or keep it, unbound to a connector.

If the Property element is locked, it cannot be deleted.