EA with SysML as a Visio Replacement

[lwd]

There are two critical capabilities that I need to move forward with a business decision on junking Visio and proceeding with EA/SysML.

First, is there any way to have a library of predefined blocks?  I have used the Project/Export to XMI.  Is there any feature that would support this capability more directly?

Second, is there any way to do a block diagram roll up?  Hiding details in some kind of upper level entity would be most helpful.

[«Midnight»]

Take a look at EA support for patterns, and possibly profiles. Also look at template packages. These might address - to some limited extent - some of your needs.

A caution though, I've not tried using these features with the SysML (or any) MDG add-in, so I have no idea if they will work at all, let alone in a useful way.

As far as diagram roll-up, perhaps looking at this from the top down will work. EA allows you to designate an element as "composite." This gives the element internal structure, represented through embedded diagrams. [You can also embed diagrams through right-clicking the element (on a diagram or in the Project Browser tree) and choosing Add from the context menu. These features can be used together, with a bit of work.]

Once again, I have only tried this a bit with MDG add-ins, although I understand that the composite feature works well with BPMN.

David

[lwd]

Hi David,

Thank you,
Bill Dunham

[lwd]

I can import a block previously exported in XMI into a new model. However, when I drag the block as a block property onto a new diagram, the FlowPorts don't come with it.

I can't find any way to do diagram roll up.

[«Midnight»]

How did you create the new diagram?

[lwd]

New model; Add-in SysML; add package; Add-in/Sysml/new block diagram.

[«Midnight»]

Long shot here...

Did you try right-clicking the block and then from the context menu choosing Add | Insert Related Elements? Check whether the SysML element types appear in the Limit to Element Type drop-down.

Please let me know what happens.

[lwd]

Some progress -- my thanks for the suggestions and encouragement.

I exported a package named Device_1 to Device_1.xml in a stand alone model. Device_1 is a block with three FlowPorts.

I then imported Device_1 into a new model and constructed a system block diagram with two blocks dragged from the imported Device_1 package onto a new block diagram in the new package System.

I think that:
1) I have predefined a device by exporting its defining package to XML.
2) I have reused the device definition by importing the device to a new model.
3) I have reused the device definition in XML multiple times.

What made this a chase through the woods is learning the technique of pasting the Device_1 block: Paste Element into Diagram/include embedded elements/Based on instance/Device_1.

The only problem is that each block property has a duplication of each FlowPort in the Project Browser. Each duplicated FlowPort does not appear on any diagram.  Even somewhat stranger, the project passes the Tools/Data Management/Project Integrity Check.

Also, sometime after I poked around Exercise5, the FlowPorts on the System block diagram lost their direction arrows.  I closed the model and then reopened it.  Same issue.

[lwd]

Some information on the block properties.  I create a new project.  Add a Package called Device.  ADD in SysML.  Add in SysML/new Block Definition diagram.  Create a Device block on the diagram with three FlowPorts.  Create a new Package under the Model root called System.  Add in SysML new Block Definition Diagram called System.

Paste my first Device block (Paste Element into Diagram as Property/include embedded elements/Based on instance/Device) on the System Block.  All OK.

Paste my second Device Block Property.  The first Device Block Property looses its arrows in the FlowPorts.  The FlowPorts retain their correct directions buy examining the tagged values: the input FlowPort is “in”, and so on.

Also, the Block Properties paste in without names.  I should think they would all be called Device since System could reasonably have multiple Devices on its Block definition Diagram.

[lwd]

Project Integrity Check: an information flow between two input (or output) FlowPorts can be made, and the model still passes Project Integrity Check.