Copying Deployment diagrams

[timhawkins]

I have spotted a small problem with coping a deployment diagram. It may exist in other diagrams too.

If I have any "object flow" connectors that have "custom" routing enabled, and I have broken the lines by setting "line points" in the connectors, then during the copy the connector loses any "line points" that have been set, although it retains its status as a custom connector.

Its only a minor issue, but it results in a copy that needs to be edited again to make it look like the original.

[gsparks]

HI Tim,

Yes ... I see what you mean. The problem occurs when you are doing a shallow copy ... in which case EA does not copy the full link details - so the link path defaults back to a straight line.

I think it should be possible in a Shallow Copy to recreate the custom line points - so Ill make a note to get it done as soon as possible.

Thanks for the note,
Geoff Sparks

[timhawkins]

Geoff thanks for the reply.

A couple of nice to haves

1. Converting an autoroute connector to custom, it would be nice if the line points where retained from the autoroute, often I autoroute a connector and its not quite right, trying to move it in autoroute mode is a pain (it tends to whip around), converting to custom i then have to then manualy insert the line points. Often the autoroute is almost right, it just needs a little nudge to tidy it up. It would really speed up diagram production for me.

2. When you right click on a package and say "new element" it would be nice if you could prefill the name field with any autocounter for the given element type.

[gsparks]

Hi Tim,

Ill make a note to look into the connector suggestion - I dont think it should be too hard.

As for the second suggestion I have currently compromised and added an 'Auto' button that will fill the name with the current counter values for the selected type if available. This will be in the next update.

Regards,
Geoff

[timhawkins]

geoff, could you add an Auto button to the Object properties pannel, to insert the auto value at the cursor position in the short description. If the short description is not in focus, then insert it at the front.