Copy elements

[ms]

Hi,


I want to copy elements (tables) from one project to another.    This had worked previously when I was using 4.5.  I recently upgraded to 6.5 and it is not working.  

I have tried all the different techniques described in the user guide.  And my search in the forum did not show any results.

When I try to copy diagram I find that copy and paste diagram only works for the same project.

When I try to use Copy elements  [CTL]-[C] and try paste as link, I get the "Error locating the required object" dialog.  I was getting something like "Item already exists ..." dialog.  So I reinstalled 4.5.  But that did not work either.  So now that I have reinstalled 6.5 I am getting the new error "Error locating the required object".

When I try to paste as 'new' I get all sorts of problem that include adding objects that are already in the current diagram.

Like I said it did work in 4.5 but after some trying.  Now it is not working at all.  The error does not say what objects it can not locate or what object already exists in the diagram.

I would really appreciate if some can explain what is going on.

Thanks.

[«Midnight»]

Try exporting the package - the feature only works at the package level - to XMI and then importing to the other project.

[Dave_Bullet]

I've only ever used EA since 6.0 but copy / paste only works within a project.  You can't copy / paste via clipboard between EA instances nor projects.  I think when you close and re-open the project, any object cache (that might be used for copying, unless the data is stored in the clipboard) - is flushed.

Cheers,
David.

[ms]

Thanks so much guys.  Midnight is correct.  I had to export and import the project to my target project.  That created a new model in my project.  From there I copied and pasted the desired elements to the target model.

And I think that is excatly how I did the first time with 4.5.  But I had totaly forgotten about it.  Spent two days trying to figure that out again.  Aggggh.

Again, appreciate your help.

[«Midnight»]

Just take a moment to think through whether you want to strip GUIDs when you do this, or replicate these values in each project.

I should have mentioned this earlier. Sorry...

[ms]

Yes, thanks.

I stripped the GUIDs.  To be honest at this time I don't know what the difference would be.

This product is getting very complicated and sophisticated.  My guess is that I only use just a fraction of its full features and capabilities.

Thanks again.

[«Midnight»]

If you strip them, each element gets a new GUID when it is imported into the receiving diagram.

If not, it retains its 'global' identity. If you were to change the element in the original model, then repeat the transfer, the newer data could replace the old. The pointers could remain the same. Some care is required, but this can be pretty neat.

However, for must uses this is not what you want. Each project is different.

[ms]

Thanks Midnight. For now I will strip the GUIDs.