Z-ordering of elements in Use Case diagram?

[dmfreck]

Hello all,

I've got a slight problem when doing Use Case diagrams - the association lines are z-ordered above the use case elements and there's nothing I can do to change otherwise:



It's not the end of the world, but it certainly doesn't help readability. Does anyone have any suggestions?

Thanks,
Matt

P.S.  EA 7, btw.

[«Midnight»]

All I can think of off hand is to route the lines instead of having them straight.

You'd have to come up with a different layout for the use cases themselves, or the diagram would be unreadable. Whether you could come up with an arrangement that looked good to your audience, while still allowing the diagram to be clear, is up to you.

[dmfreck]

Appreciate the reply.  The bigger issue is that Z-order isn't working or doesn't work the way in which I expected it.  Z-ordering works between elements, but doesn't work with lines/associations connected to those elements.  Oh well  

[Eve]

Connectors are always drawn over elements at least in part so that it doesn't look like the connector is going to an element instead of going behind it.

I would recommend routing your connectors to avoid the problem.  If you're still not happy with that then send in a feature request.

[thomaskilian]

Connectors are always drawn over elements...

I think this is not correct.  At least when I send a Note to the background the connector also vanishes behind topped elements.

[dmfreck]

I think this is not correct.  At least when I send a Note to the background the connector also vanishes behind topped elements.

Odd.  I cannot reproduce this either.  Are you using the "Note Link" connector?  On the aforementioned Use Case diagram my note connector still rides above the other elements, even if I top them out.

I thank Sparx for responding.  I can at least understand the rationale for why lines are always on top now.

M.

[thomaskilian]

It might be EAUI. I saw (and am able to reproduce) it in a class diagram with Notes attached to Connectors (so not plain Notes). It's maybe a bug (I won't report this, but maybe one nice Sparxian will add it in their bug tracker).