Communication Diagram - Messages Ordering and Size

[bh.yokoyama]

I have a few questions about messages auto-ordering and sizing(or format) within a communication diagram.

1) The EA auto-ordering handles 2-level depth groups of messages (e.g.: 1, 1.1, 1.2, 2, 2.1, 2.2). I know that it´s possible to work with more than two level of nested messages using the "Diagram/Sequence Communication Messages" (e.g.: 1, 1.1, 1.1.1, 1.1.2). But is there a way to get this feature done automatically when I´m drawing the diagram instead of having to use the "Sequence Communication messages" dialog later?

2) The messages are drawn as a single line. If I get a method with a large name and lots of parameters, the line gets too long and it may became hard do fit it into the diagram without affecting the overall picture. Is there a way to "break" the message in lines? For example:

aMethodWithLongName( paramater1,parameter2,parameter3 )

broken (or reformated) into:

aMethodWithLongName( paramater1,
                                       parameter2,
                                       parameter3 )

Thanks in advance!

[TrtnJohn]

1)  You can click the Start New Message Group button while you are adding them.

2)  Just click on the text and resize the box to be the size you want the text to be.  Make the box taller to allow multiple lines to fit and the text will automatically wrap to the width you set the box to.

[bh.yokoyama]

TrtnJohn,

Thanks for your response!

I had already tried what you´ve suggested. The point is:

1) Whenever you start a new message group, EA will start a new first-level message group. That is: If you have just added a message numbered 1.2 and starts a new message group, EA will automatically number it 2 instead of 1.2.1. I didn´t see in the dialog box a way to tell EA to start a new sub-group from the current group instead of a sub-group from the first-level group.

2) I click on the text, but the box cannot be resized. I´m only allowed to move the box around.

Do you know of any configuration that might help me out of this?

Thanks!

[TrtnJohn]

1)  I see.  I don't know the answer there

2)  You just need to resize the box by grabbing one of the corners.

[sargasso]

is there a way to get this feature done automatically when I´m drawing the diagram instead of having to use the "Sequence Communication messages" dialog later?

No, but I tend to rough out the entire message sequence first then add the structuring from the menu action later.

hth
bruce


Have had a bit more think about this.  I reckon moving the message order manipulator into a dockable floater (like Notes, tags, etc) and putting some effort into making it more useable would be a worthy Sparx goal.
---> adding to Suggestions & Requests   ---->done

[bh.yokoyama]

2)  You just need to resize the box by grabbing one of the corners.

The only possible action allowed by EA is to move the message around. When I clink on the message, a box is drawn around it and there is no way I can pick one of the corners. The only operation allowed is the one provided by the four direction arrows icon. I even tried to zoom in (who knows? Perhaps I´m not that acurate using the mouse...).  In the sequence diagram it works fine, but not in the communication diagram.

Thanks again!

[«Midnight»]

A bit of a long shot here, but something like this below was making it difficult to manipulate sequence diagrams. I'm grasping at straws here, so please accept my apologies if I'm off base.

Is there any chance that EA is not associating your mouse clicks with the appropriate link, but instead 'seeing' them as being on a nearby element or the diagram background?

After some users reported problems selecting and moving lifelines - EA often interpreted attempts to select as clicking on other elements nearby - Sparx adjusted the criteria for selecting a line in Build 787:

Width of Lifeline "hit test zone" reduced to allow finer selection and discrimination between lifelines and other "decorations"

Would (could?) something like this possibly help you grab the message link? [It might not be quite the same but it seems like you aren't actually selecting the message itself. Hard to be sure without seeing it on your desktop though...]

[TrtnJohn]

The only possible action allowed by EA is to move the message around. When I clink on the message, a box is drawn around it and there is no way I can pick one of the corners. The only operation allowed is the one provided by the four direction arrows icon. I even tried to zoom in (who knows? Perhaps I´m not that acurate using the mouse...).  In the sequence diagram it works fine, but not in the communication diagram.

Thanks again!

Oops.  Sorry, the text I was resizing on one of my communications diagrams was the Link Name not the Message text itself.  I see what you are saying now ...

[bh.yokoyama]

Thanks to you all!

Regarding the message text resizing in the communication diagram, I believe it is not an available feature. I´ve sent an e-mail to the Support and will keep you updated.