Shapes scripts: possible for which elements?

[ocroquette]

Hi

Following this discussion, where I try to draw a timer on sequence diagrams:
http://www.sparxsystems.com.au/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.pl?board=general;action=display;num=1178795649

I tried to implement this feature using shape scripts.

Shape scripts work great for classes on class diagrams, but I couldn't draw any custom shape on a sequence diagram.

Is that possible?
If yes, which element type shall I base my custom shape on?
Is there any reference documentation about the shape scripts? The document is pretty succinct on this topic and provides only quite simple examples.


Thanks for your help

[«Midnight»]

I seem to remember a few posts on this in the past. As I remember it (which has little to do with the facts, so check this yourself) sequence diagrams in EA work somewhat differently from other diagram types. One such difference apparently affects shape scripts.

As I remember it (see caution above) Sparx expected to tackle this problem sometime soon, perhaps for the "next major version" - which at this time would be the upcoming 7.0 release.

[ocroquette]

Thanks for you quick reply Midnight.

I have found several references on the forum stating that the sequence diagrams are special, but nothing factual.

Can an expert from Sparx confirm/discuss all this?

Is it possible to have custom shapes on a sequence diagram?

[KP]

Unfortunately, it looks like it isn't possible. Most of the elements that allow shape scripts, when dropped on a sequence diagram are displayed as lifelines, overriding their drawing behaviour. I was hopeful that those which aren't displayed as lifelines but which can have shape scripts (i.e. activity, state) would display their shape scripts on sequence diagrams, but I've just tested and they don't.

[ocroquette]

Thanks anyway.

I will open in any case a bug report against the documentation, and a feature request.