Activities and Partitions

[shnplr]

Hi,

For an activity diagram, I just want to separate "User" from "System" in a vertical flow like is so common in many example diagrams found on web.

Following the Help (5.3.3.2.3 Activity Partitions), I created an activity element and then right-click-->advanced settings-->partition activity.  I then defined two values (eg Staff and System)

1. This looks OK but the activity has a horizontal line - how do I make this vertical? - also the activity default background color is solid.

2. Also, this method does not seem to make available the partition properties? - I see no partition elements in the project window.

So, I removed the activity and dragged a couple of Partition elements on the diagram, making them vertical. Now I seem to be getting somewhere but there is no option to join'em together nicely down the middle (ie share the middle line)

Any ideas on this please?

Also,

3. What is the difference between "Partition Activity" and simply dragging a Partition element(s) on the activity diagram?

4. Do partition elements have to be contained within an activity element- it seems not???

5. Should I use a boundary with a vertical swim lane instead ?

Any advice to points appreciated, Thanks

[shnplr]

actually I think I find the answer in the EAExample application, where swimlanes are simply drawn on the activity diagram - I really like making things hard for myself!!!