Author Topic: Stereotypes for actors possible? (Read 6364 times)

rabra · « **on:** January 28, 2008, 04:37:04 am »

Hallo,
I have created a stereotype for the base class 'actor' in order to give to the actor another symbol than a stickman. What do I have to do in order to make it visible? (When I set the stereotype option in the properties to the new stereotype nothing happens)

Rabra

«Midnight» · « **Reply #1 on:** January 28, 2008, 05:42:26 am »

Hi Rabra,

Some things to check:

Make certain that your stereotype is the one showing up in the drop-down.

In the stereotype dialog make sure that you have set the base element to Actor or <all>.

Also in the stereotype dialog check whether your alternate image is showing up; if you are using a shape script, check whether you see anything if you click the Preview button.

HTH, David

rabra · « **Reply #2 on:** January 28, 2008, 06:19:59 am »

All checked:
- the stereotype is showing up in the drop down.
- the base element is 'actor'
- in the preview of the stereotypes my 'shape' is shown
- in the project browser my actor is marked with the name of the stereotype
- I have assured that I really only have one stereotype with this name.

So what still can be wrong?

«Midnight» · « **Reply #3 on:** January 28, 2008, 06:48:57 am »

Just to cover all the bases, what happens if you right-click the Actor in question, and from the context menu choose Advanced | Use rectangle notation?

rabra · « **Reply #4 on:** January 28, 2008, 11:16:19 pm »

Sorry, nothing happens because for an actor I am not offered a 'rectangle notation'.
(EA 7.0.816)

thomaskilian · « **Reply #5 on:** January 29, 2008, 12:50:57 am »

817: Right click/Advanced/Use Rectangle

Surely it has been there all the time...

«Midnight» · « **Reply #6 on:** January 29, 2008, 04:30:14 am »

Of course it is Thomas. I checked to make sure I had the correct spelling when I made the earlier post.

Rabra, please reread and follow my earlier directions.

rabra · « **Reply #7 on:** January 31, 2008, 03:04:03 am »

I know the option 'use rectangle' for example from use cases. But still I do not find it for actors.
(How can I put an image in here?)
Are we talking about the same subject? Is there perhaps another thing called actor?

(I hope I am not annoying too much)

«Midnight» · « **Reply #8 on:** January 31, 2008, 04:21:42 am »

There's one possibility I have not checked. If an Actor uses a custom image or shape script, is the Use rectangle notation option still presented?

Does anyone know?

gpc · « **Reply #9 on:** January 31, 2008, 06:04:51 am »

This is all a bit confusing?
I don't think it's possible to change the appearence of elements for sequence diagrams, other than selecting one of those provided. This was the subject of a recent thread I believe.
I've just tested this and the "use rectangle notation" is available for a class diagram context, but not a sequence diagram.

rabra · « **Reply #10 on:** January 31, 2008, 06:24:57 am »

Yeah, that's the answer to my question. In a class-, activity-, ... - diagram I have got the option 'rectangle notation' with the possibility of including my stereotype.

But as the actor in a sequence diagram often is something else than a human being (a part of a program, a subsystem, ...) - wouldn't it make sense to have this option in a sequence diagram too?

thomaskilian · « **Reply #11 on:** January 31, 2008, 07:43:42 am »

Likely. However it is (should be) common knowledge that Actors are not necessarily human beings. Probably a "flaw" in the UML definition that they used a stick man.

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