My UML Profile - Can't Get it to Work

[Thelonius]

My New Year's resolution is to get this UML Profile working.

I've loaded pictures and a narrative of what I've done, the sequence of steps, the results, and an explanation of what I'm attempting to do, here:

http://www.members.iinet.net.au/~jmcleod/UML-Profile/index.html

If anyone can spot the obvious flaw in what should a relatively simple process (in theory) - I'd be very grateful.

Thanks - Jon

[Oliver F.]

You should add name and alias in the notes section of the UML diagram.
I have no idea what you are trying to accomplish with exporting and importing the profile via XMI.
Right click on the diagram and choose "Save as profile".
If you want to get the profile to work it is recommended to package and deploy it into a MDG technology file.
Alternatively you can import the pürofile in the resource view but be prepared that it might not work completely. At least it should appear as a new toolbox option then.

Try out the steps above and keep us updated.

Oliver

[Dave_Bullet]

There are a few gotchas.  Oliver has pointed out one.  NAming has to be precise and match between types or the linkages won't work (esp. when it comes to your custom toolbox being selected when you create one of your custom diagram types).

I have compiled a demonstration MDG covering the basics of diagrams, uml profiles and toolboxes.  The MDG doesn't include patterns and model or code templates, but does the basics ok.  It shows you how to prepare an MDG with custom diagram types (you can't do this with a uml profile alone).

I presented it at the NZ user group last year.  When it is uploaded to the NZ sparxs site, I'll publish a link here.  Should help as a reference.

Cheers,
DAvid.

[Thelonius]

Dave and Oliver

Your help worked - thanks. It works now.

Looks like this now:

http://www.members.iinet.net.au/~jmcleod/UML-Profile/index.html

What made the difference?

1. Right click on diagram - Save as Profile (don't know why I thought I had to do an XMI export ... duh ...)

2. Imported the saved UML Profile to Resources | UML Profiles (hadn't realised I needed to use the Resources tool bar to do this ...)

3. When creating a new Component (Stereotype = businessSystem), drag from UML Profile in Resources Toolbar to diagram, not from the standard Toolbar.

Thanks again.
 

Looking forward to seeing the MDG demo Dave.

Oliver: what's the reason we'd add name and alias to the notes section of the UML diagram? Just good hygeniene? Or is there a mechanical benefit?

[Oliver F.]

2. Imported the saved UML Profile to Resources | UML Profiles (hadn't realised I needed to use the Resources tool bar to do this ...)

Please be aware that using the resource bar to import UML profile is no longer recommended by Sparx. Instead you should package the profile in a MDG technology file.
Otherwise not all features might work.

Oliver: what's the reason we'd add name and alias to the notes section of the UML diagram? Just good hygeniene? Or is there a mechanical benefit?

The mechanical benefit is that is will appear in the toolbox with tool tips and a description.

Oliver

[Thelonius]

Please be aware that using the resource bar to import UML profile is no longer recommended by Sparx. Instead you should package the profile in a MDG technology file.
Otherwise not all features might work.

Hmm. That means I have to go and learn something else. Anyone know a good start point for learning about MDG technology files?

The mechanical benefit is that is will appear in the toolbox with tool tips and a description.

Sounds like a bonus. I'll try it.
 

[Oliver F.]

Hmm. That means I have to go and learn something else. Anyone know a good start point for learning about MDG technology files?

Yes- the online help is a very good starting point, as usual.
There is nothing magic about it- you can use the wizard from the tools menu but make sure to have read the help entry, too.

Oliver