Multiple Copies of Same Element in Diagram

[manfred]

Hi Geoff,

In complex diagrams there is the frequent need to have more than one copy of the same element in a diagram. To be explicit: All copies represent the same model element. The multiple copies are a conveniance for the modeler to reduce line clutter in the diagram. However, this is really an important conveniance.

Thanks,

Manfred
 

[Oscar]

I'll second this request
(but only for very complex diagrams)

Oscar

[Molto Mike]

Same here.

Mike

[CJ]

G'day,

How about this for an idea?

Keep all of your diagrams simple enough so that you never need to repeat an element.  That means you'll have many diagrams, but simple diagrams allow for very focused and easy to absorb content/context.

Then, create a large diagram that shows all of the small diagrams dragged & dropped into the large one as "diagram frames".  Now you'll also have a power-user diagram that is automatically updated when you modify the smaller ones.

How's that for cool.  Great way to target many different audiences.

[manfred]

Hi Jason,

While you are in principle right with your reminder to keep diagrams simple, the need for multiple copies of the same element can show up even in very simple diagrams.

And in particular if you have to work extensively with UML-2 package merge, showing generalization explicitely is frequently necessary (otherwise it would be unclear which stage of the merge is referred to). It would be very silly to allow only one occurance of the superclass and route generalization lines all over the diagram.

The UML-2 specification (infra- and superstructure) shows you many examples of the need for duplicates...

Manfred