Decomposing Activity Diagrams

[robH]

It's been a while since I've actively used EA so I'm a little rusty...easy question for someone to answer.

I have 2 Activity diagrams that each refer to a process defined in a 3rd activity diagram. On the 2 main diagrams I'd like to include the 3rd diagram along with the actual details on the screen. I've tried all the ways I could remember to achieve this but with no joy...any help welcomed (apart from rtfm  

Also I'd like to make sure that when (and I'm sure I will) update the 3rd diagram it also updates the 2 in which its referenced.

Many thanks

Rob

[Jan ´Bary´ Glas]

Hi Rob,

The easiest way is to drag the diagram from the Project browser and add it as a diagram frame.

This like is using Interaction Overview construct.

The only problem I suffer from time to time is a need of refreshing the diagram.

HTH, Bary

[robH]

The problem with that is it adds a nasty big AD frame onto the activity on the parent diagram you've got. I just want it to shows the activities directly without the frame. Like manually doing it but automating it to save me the hassle.

[Jan ´Bary´ Glas]

Sorry, I do not know how to do this.

[StefanPears]

You can copy all elements of the third diagram to the clipboard and paste them "as link" to the other diagrams. All changes to the elements and flows affect all three (or more) diagrams. Only the layout itself is individual in each diagram. Another advantage: With "usage (strg-U)" you can find out, where you have reused elements.
hth Stefan

[robH]

Hi Stefan,

Well thats I needed to do but unfortunately EA doesn't quite allow me to do everything I'd wanted.

Essentially I want to define a generic set of activities that I can reuse in other activity diagrams, rather than having to manually create the activities in each diagram they're used in.

I also want to be able to modify the original generic diagram over time and have all the changes reflected in the diagrams that use it too. Currently EA only reflects the changes you make to the elements that were copied as a link in the first place - if you delete something, for instance a control flow between activities, then add it back in again it's seen as a different object and therefore not reflected in the diagrams in which its been copied.

What are the chances of getting this as an enhancement?

[Tonu]

You are quite right, except the example for control flows - if you create a connector between two elements that appear in different diagrams, then the connectior alo appears on all of them. Th eonly case, the connectors are not displaed, is when your connector goes through intermediate node (fork, sunch, etc)

Tonu

[StefanPears]

As mentioned before you cannot add diagrams into other diagrams (except diagram frames). You can add elements and connectors as link. When you add elements to diagram3, you must add then to diagram1 and -2 by your own. When you add or delete connectors or elements in one of the diagrams or change the layout, you mostly have to beautify the others.

Maybe you should give us some more information. What are the inputs and results of diagram3 (tokens, objects, events,...) and how do they affect diagram1 and -2?

Stefan