Composite/context diagrams

[qwerty]

EA supports composite diagrams for many elements. I use them often to show the context of the element. This is nice as navigation is possible by dbl-clicking the element.

Unfortunately there is no attribute which tells me that a diagram was chosen to be the composite diagram for an element. How nice it would be if this could be made visible!

First it should be visible in the project browser. Some (color) indicator could show that the respective diagram is the composite diagram. And the diagram itself should not be moveable outside the element (it is its composite view!). Currently you can move it to any location?!

Second it should be possible to elect an existing diagram to be the composite view from the project browser. Not only from the diagram rendering of the element's context menu (Advanced/Make Composite).

Third the API should be able to find out/set the appropriate composite attributes.

What do you think?

q.

[Per Lindqvist]

I agree with user querty. I have a lot of existing diagrams that I would like to be represented by composite elements, and I am searching the net for information how to do this. Unfortunatly it seems that it is not possible. The only way I see is to make the composite element, and then copy all the elements from the original diagram to the new composite diagram under the composite element.

Anyone have a better idea?

[Paolo F Cantoni]

I agree with user querty. I have a lot of existing diagrams that I would like to be represented by composite elements, and I am searching the net for information how to do this. Unfortunatly it seems that it is not possible. The only way I see is to make the composite element, and then copy all the elements from the original diagram to the new composite diagram under the composite element.

Anyone have a better idea?

Hi Per,

Firstly I assume you are aware that: 1 "composite" element = 1 linked diagram.

So what you can try is create the element to be made composite.  Move the diagram so it is nested under the element.  Make the element composite using the UI.  EA should link the existing nested diagram as the linked diagram for the composite.

HTH,
Paolo

[Per Lindqvist]

Hello Paulo,

I just tested to exchange the diagram under the new composite element for the old diagram, and it did not work at first, but then I deselected composite, and made it composite again, voilá, it works! The old diagram opens up when I click the new composite element.

Per

[qwerty]

To get around this fiddly handing I was asking for the above...

q.

[Paolo F Cantoni]

Hello Paulo,

I just tested to exchange the diagram under the new composite element for the old diagram, and it did not work at first, but then I deselected composite, and made it composite again, voilá, it works! The old diagram opens up when I click the new composite element.

Per

That's because EA hasn't updated the link in the t_object row until you make the element composite again.

Paolo