Hello All,
One or two (OK, maybe more) points on sequence diagrams:
1. I have had the darndest time with Z-order and selecting combined fragments. In some cases, I've found that sending enclosing fragment rectangles to the bottom is the only way to reliably select enclosed fragments. If there's a better way to ensure the right rectangle is selected, I'm not aware of it (and would appreciate advice if there is one!).
2. Along the same lines, I haven't been able to place messages within a combined fragment after the fragment has been placed (EA complains that it isn't a UML-compliant connection). Sending the fragment to the bottom of the Z-order stack corrects this. Apparently, EA thinks the connection is going between the fragment and something else rather than between lifelines. It is, of course, possible to place the message outside the fragment, then drag it in, but this is somewhat annoying.
3. Message sequencing can be difficult when attempting to squeeze diagrams into a minimum vertical space. Messages have a tendency to "leapfrog" or jump over each other. Again, all fixable given enough patience, but sometimes frustrating.
4. In general, I have found sequence diagrams to be the most difficult ones to work with in EA. I think Sparx should take a look at improving sequence diagram usability in future versions.
Having said this, EA is still a fantastic product!
Cheers,
Fred Woolsey
