Linking to other models

[Hugo]

OK I'm sure EA can do this, but I am not sure how best to do it.

We have 100's of specs for specific user workflows in a large app.

I am creating an activity diagram for one of these and want to (be able to) insert an "Activity" in the diagram, that is really another distinct workflow, i.e. another model.

Is this possible?

[Eve]

Look at Controlled Packages for sharing packages between models.

http://www.sparxsystems.com/EAUserGuide/index.html?controlledpackages2.htm

[Hugo]

OK that seems to be the mechanism I need, but...

The documentation seems to say very little about their use in practical terms.

I have designated a package in one model as 'controlled' and now I want to add this to a diagram in another mode, but how?

I tried having two instances of EA and dragging, but this is not supported.

How exactly can I get one model to 'include' one of these controlled packages?

Also, is this valid or am I beginning to misuse UML/EA:

I have a set of activities in a model, these are a hierarch of packages and each contains a diagram etc.

I want one of these activities (and its diagram) to refer to another activity in another model (this is how our old specs are structured (Word docs, Visio etc)).

So is this quite acceptable to use packages for sharing common activities, or should I be looking at a deeper kind of design structure for this kind of thing?

Hugh

[Hugo]

OK I found additional documentation but it still isn't clear to me.

I read about Package Control and saw "Get Package" on that menu, but its greyed out so I cant use that.

I also read about Get Shared File from Repository Dialog
but it does not say how this dialog is invoked.

Surely every dialog and menu should have some documenttaion about how one gets to it?


So I am unclear on whether I shd be using

1. Package Control -> Get Package
2. Get Shared File from Repository Dialog
3. Import Model from XMI
4. Import/Export -> Import Package from XMI...

Just to remind you, I want to add an element to an activity diagram, that is actually and activity package in another model.

Thx
Hugh

[Eve]

Import the file into your second model.  (Project | Import/Export | Import Package From XMI)

The get package only works with version control.  If you want to use that too then it's worth looking at the whitepaper.  http://www.sparxsystems.com.au/WhitePapers/Version_Control.pdf