System Overview

[tommy]

I want to draw a picture that describes my systems place in a larger context. The system I am working with is in the telecom area and I want to make a drawing that shows the big picture.

It will show the environment where my system will execute with different networks, network elements, cells, location areas, mobile phones and so on. That is, a lot of things that doesn't have a representation in my system. I don't want a lot of classes or objects created for the elements that I draw in the overview. I wonder if that is possible to draw in EA or if I have to turn to Visio or something similar in order to achieve that?

[thomaskilian]

I usually create single diagrams. Later I can create bigger pictures by dragging diagram frames of these on a larger A3 (or even larger). Creating a Single Big Piture is a PITA - unless you got yourself a 100" screen.

[sargasso]

I don't want a lot of classes or objects created for the elements that I draw in the overview. I wonder if that is possible to draw in EA or if I have to turn to Visio or something similar in order to achieve that?

So, are you trying to """model""" something or """communicate""" something.  Think about this very carefully.  Perhaps you want to "draw" a network diagram, perhaps you want to explore possible alternate configurations or even perhaps you are trying to "understand" that big picture.

Regardless, understand what it is you are trying to achieve (communication, problem solving or understanding) and then pick an appropriate medium.  UML may be the answer, I can't tell from your question. If so then maybe EA is an appropriate tool to diagram it in, maybe not.

BUT, BUT, but, please dont think that the tool is the answer.
 

[tommy]

Excuse me from being un-precise. In this picture, I am not trying to model anything but to communicate and document.

Yes, of course I know that the tool is not the answer, but when I have a tool that manages to draw diagrams of one well-defined type (e.g. UML Class Diagrams), I think it would be convenient if I could use it for other types of diagrams as well (e.g. a simplified version of this http://www.umtsworld.com/technology/images/UMTSnetwork.jpg)

In my eyes there would be a huge advantage if I could use the same tool and store as much information as possible in the same model instead of splitting it between a lot of tools and a lot of formats.

[gpc]

Tommy,
EA isn't very useful for drawing pictures and graphics - it's the wrong tool. However, if you were to draw, say, an object diagram showing the interactions of various objects. You could use the appearence->select_alternate_image to specify a non-standard image. I've used this to aid communication of a design where some teams don't understand the subtle differences, but can identify with pictures

[SNSNAN26]

Hi,

I guess, from looking at the .jpg and your exepectation, EA is not the right tool. You can try Visio which is more suitable and has got most of the images built in, which EA lacks. May be we can even ask sparx system to provide more flexibility of using images for modeling.

SN

[tommy]

Okey, that is what I feared. I have to buy something like M$ Visio for twice the price of EA to draw an image that consist of icons instead of squares.

[tommy]

Yes, maybe asking Sparx to provide a "basic overview diagram type" with nothing but plain icons and relations (no attributes, no bells or whistles) would be the best. All functionality seems already to be in EA, all that has to be done is to skip some functionality for these diagrams/images.

[Thomas Mercer-Hursh]

Sounds to me like you are talking about a Deployment Diagram.

[bmioch]

EA can make a diagram like that, it just takes a little work to set up. Once it is, you can use (and reuse) it very easily.

Here are some points to get you started.
This is the easiest way (once it's setup):
- There is a Shapescript function for clouds (I don't think any built in element uses it.)
- Alternate Images and Shapescripts can be associated with Stereotypes.
- Stereotypes (including images and shapescripts) can be put into a Profile
(*EDIT* MDG Technologies can include Images, with Profiles images have to imported seperately)
- Profiles can be loaded into a toolbox that allows easy access to your elements.

also:
- The EAExample models contains images similar to the ones in the diagram.
- There is also an image set available for download from our website that has additional images.

More Info:
Shapescripts - http://www.sparxsystems.com.au/EAUserGuide/index.html?shape_editor.htm
Cloud Shapescript (at the bottom) - http://www.sparxsystems.com.au/EAUserGuide/index.html?example_scripts.htm
Image Manager - http://www.sparxsystems.com.au/EAUserGuide/index.html?bitmapimagesindiagrams.htm
UML Profiles - http://www.sparxsystems.com.au/EAUserGuide/index.html?umlprofiles.htm
Creating Profiles - http://www.sparxsystems.com.au/EAUserGuide/index.html?umlprofiles_2.htm