Sequence Diagram Reuse Elements - No paste [Fixed]

[Backhouse]

Hello,

I've been using interaction/sequence diagrams in Sparx for a while but recently whenever I drag existing elements from the Project Browser into the current diagram. It creates an instance of it without asking.

• I've tried holding down [Ctrl] whilst dragging to force show the Paste Element dialog, this does not display.
• I've tried dragging elements on previous diagrams that have allowed me to specify a linked existing element, the same issue occurs.
• I have also checked the settings under: Tools/Options/Diagram/Behavior/Auto Instance is un-ticked.

This is preventing me from creating my lovely sequence diagrams without cluttering up the Project browser with instances everywhere. Am I missing something?

Cheers,

[KP]

EA 10.0.1007 has restored the ability to create Class lifelines on sequence diagrams.

[qwerty]

That means VC users are able t dig their own grave again. I always wondered why it was allowed to use classes in sequence diagrams. Classes do not communicate. Rather it's their instances which do so.

q.

[Backhouse]

Thanks for the responses. Although I'm not quite following...

Class lifelines? - Does this include component and actor elements? (As those are two main items I used on my sequence diagrams)

VC - ?

Cheers,

[qwerty]

VC = Version Control

Sequence diagrams and version control is a special case in EA, please see here:
http://www.sparxsystems.com/enterprise_architect_user_guide/9.3/standard_uml_models/sequence_diagrams_and_version_.html
- "The Lifelines must be objects [...]"
- "The Lifelines must be in the same package as the diagram"

You must obey These rules, otherwise you *surely* will get the probles mentioned in the original post (this is "by design", sorry!)

from http://www.linkedin.com/groupItem?view=&gid=1356&type=member&item=221402238&qid=bfe172e4-6ff6-4cee-bdd1-ef138f6b5b32&trk=group_most_popular-0-b-ttl&goback=%2Egmp_1356

q.

[Backhouse]

Once I've been approve to view the LinkedIn group message it may answer my question. In the mean time.

How do you define an 'Object'?
I have stuck to the rules and tried making a sequence diagram. This still creates instances..  


(if img tags not working.. http://i45.tinypic.com/24cxh08.png)

[qwerty]

The ':'-prefixed ones are objects.

For sake of clarity you should place your classes in one package (subsequent under something like Design). Create your sequence diagrams inside Collaborations (underneath some Behavior package) which realize Use Cases. From the context menu of the Collaboration select Add/Interaction/With Seq. Diag. Now you can place all instances underneath the newly created element, along with the respective diagram. Use either the lifeline element from the toolbox and classify it via Ctrl-L or ctrl-drag the classes onto the sequence so the instance is created in the Interaction element.

q.

[Backhouse]

Thanks qwerty,

One the huge benefits that Sparx brings to the table for me is the traceability. With the instance:object usage in sequence diagrams. This traceability is broken from the original element when an instance is created.

So when I go to see if Elements A needs changing I see it impacts these sequence diagrams (when links worked). But now my understanding is, the impacts for Elements A wont show the sequence diagrams because they all use instance element :A.

Is that right?

EA 10.0.1007 has restored the ability to create Class lifelines on sequence diagrams.

Will this allow links to work as per previous versions?

Cheers,

[qwerty]

The traceability is not really broken. It's only a bit more difficult. If you Ctrl-U any class you will be presented in what form it is used in which diagrams. Just try it with your sample.

If you need to find all classified objects for a class you need to write your own SQL search (you might consult my book Inside EA).

I guess what Neil (KP) is trying to say that you (once again) can drag classes over sequence diagrams and they create an instant lifeline diagram object. (I was not aware that this had -temporarily- been unavailable.) But as mentioned, it is not a good idea to use classes in sequence diagrams.

q.

[Backhouse]

Thanks for the tip on Ctrl+U. It makes this issue just bearable.

Is there any explanation to why version 10 has introduced this force instance paste option to sequence diagrams?

For myself and other colleagues who use Sparx version 10, we are finding the project browser is becoming very congested with many instances/objects of elements.

Is there any future build to fix/revert this? Our only option at the minute is to rollback to version 9, which isn't desired.  

Cheers,

[qwerty]

Well, I use interaction elements which collect these objects and life lines. This way the project tree looks quite tidy.

q.

[Backhouse]

Can you provide a screenshot of how it all looks?

[qwerty]

You create such an element with New Diagram/Interaction/...

q.

[Geert Bellekens]

Thanks for the tip on Ctrl+U. It makes this issue just bearable.

Is there any explanation to why version 10 has introduced this force instance paste option to sequence diagrams?

For myself and other colleagues who use Sparx version 10, we are finding the project browser is becoming very congested with many instances/objects of elements.

Is there any future build to fix/revert this? Our only option at the minute is to rollback to version 9, which isn't desired.  

Cheers,

Yes is has already been fixed in version 10.0.1007.
In the builds of v10 before that you could still use links to elements on sequence diagrams, but it was a bit more cumbersome to set the correct default options.

Geert

[Backhouse]

Thanks. We are all now in the process of updating to latest build.


Cheers all.