Linking external files to model elements

[wciesiel]

Hi there,

Is there (in EA Enterprise) posibility to link model element to external file (.doc or .rtf for example) ? For example - I would like to attach textual description of events' flow to use-case (as proposed by ie. RUP). Is there a chance to do it in such a way, that this document is visible in model browser? And it would be great if it would be exported in a way accessible from HTML Report...

[KP]

On the Properties dialog for your element there will be a "Files" tab which allows you to associate external files with an element. Selecting a file and pressing the "Launch" button will open the file in the appropriate viewer.

[roman]

Hi KP,

"Launch" doesn't work in my EA 6.1.878 for all fileextensions TXT,PDF,DOC ...  Is there some option in EA to setup this?

I don't think, that it is my windows file-association problem because in explorer, cmd-prompt works it well (DOC,PDF,TXT).

Please respond, thanks.
Roman

[thomaskilian]

Hi Neil,
it seems I did not receive a reply to my last message from 17 Nov 2005? I described the same problem.

[KP]

Hi Neil,
it seems I did not receive a reply to my last message from 17 Nov 2005? I described the same problem.

You're right, Thomas, I don't seem to have replied to your reply. Huge apologies  

I'm not sure if it's the same problem as Roman is having though. Your problem was with relative paths not working when absolute paths do; You said it works under one app but not another and it works with absolute path not relative.. Launch just does a Windows ShellExecute() command. I don't know, but is it possible that some applications won't work with ShellExecute(), or won't work if you pass them a relative path? You may just be stuck with some apps that work and some that don't.

Roman, what application is set up for the filetypes that won't launch? Any parameters that need passing? Does the file exist? Absolute or relative path? What path? If relative, what is the value of the File Directory setting (under Tools | Options | General)? What version of EA? Any other information that might be relevant?

Neil

[thomaskilian]

Hello Neil,
I just changed the default open to Firefox. It actually opens the file, but stays in background. Is there a way to force ShellOpen to bring the application to the foreground?

[roman]

Hello Neil,

sorry for my shorcut's.
My version of Enterprise architect i wrote with shortcut = EA 6.1.878
That means: version=6.1 build=878.

I followed the help description (under Tools | Options | General):
File Directory - Default location for files.
So i put there my absolute project path.
"D:\wrk\Upd_PIS_BIS\model\eap"

That was my error.

Inspired by your answer i maked a new project a looked on the default paths.
File Directory = "$EAPDIR"
In this case works the 'Launch' well for both relative and absolute paths.

Sincerely i don't understand which files you mean in the help. But using the
option with "$EAPDIR" really works well.

Thank you for the tip: "(under Tools | Options | General)".

Roman

[Graham_Moir]

Can I have the 878 build ?  I'm sure it's got a lot more fixes and functinality that the 787 build I currently have !  

[jeshaw2]

[SNIP]If relative, what is the value of the File Directory setting (under Tools | Options | General)? [/color]

Does EA use this file setting to find anything else, such as its own files, or is this parameter just for the use of us chickens?  I've been reluctant to use it.

[thomaskilian]

AFAIK this is only for Files referred inside EA with relative paths (starting with . or ..). You need to end this path spec with a backslash in order to get it to work (an of course a valid path).

[KP]

Does EA use this file setting to find anything else, such as its own files, or is this parameter just for the use of us chickens?  I've been reluctant to use it.

I've checked the source and I can confirm what Thomas said: It's only used for launching files, either on the Files tab of the Properties dialog, or from the Element Browser window.