Problem with automatic layout

[fabiopascolo]

Hello.
For my thesis I have to build an add-in that create automatically diagrams of the package.
But when I use the automatic layout, the classes inside a package come out of their container.
There is a way to solve this problem?

Thanks

PS Sorry, I'm Italian and I don't speak English well

[Paolo F Cantoni]

Ciao Fabio,

If I understand you correctly, you have dragged a Package onto a diagram, enlarged it, and then dragged its classes over the top.  When you use autolayout, they move out of the (enlarged) package vertex and are placed near it.

If that is the case then try making them NON-Selectable.  EA will then (I believe) not use them for layout purposes.  However, this may defeat your intention.

HTH,
Paolo

[fabiopascolo]

Ciao Fabio,

If I understand you correctly, you have dragged a Package onto a diagram, enlarged it, and then dragged its classes over the top.  When you use autolayout, they move out of the (enlarged) package vertex and are placed near it.

If that is the case then try making them NON-Selectable.  EA will then (I believe) not use them for layout purposes.  However, this may defeat your intention.

HTH,
Paolo

No, unfortunately  it does not work. I would like to make an automatic Layout a package diagram with a structure of container, but EA does not allow it.  

[Geert Bellekens]

Fabio,

It's not the same, but you can show the classes inside a package (without actually having the classes on the diagram) using the diagram option "show package contents".

Depends on what you are trying to achieve, but in some situations this might be enough.

Geert

[Paolo F Cantoni]

No, unfortunately  it does not work. I would like to make an automatic Layout a package diagram with a structure of container, but EA does not allow it.  

Fabio,

If Geert's suggestion doesn't suit your needs, I am experimenting with what I am calling autoupdatable diagrams.  I am developing commercial Add-Ins to manage such diagram creation/maintenance/evolution.  I'm currently in private beta for a specific kind of diagram - which doesn't fit your requirements.

However, I'm also collecting ideas for the kinds of diagrams users might want to manage automatically.

As I understand what you are trying to achieve - for whatever reason - is:

For each package, locate all the elements within it, place them in some sort of grid, then create the package so that it surrounds the elements (as though they were contained within it).

As the model evolves, the diagram would be updated to include/exclude elements that had been added/removed from the package.

Is that a good description?  

If so, I can add it to the list of possible future developments.

If you are interested in improving the specification, either post here, or contact me directly.

Paolo

PS: If any one is interested in a copy of the beta for an element "Neighborhood" diagram manager, please contact me and I'll forward a beta copy.  (Web site coming soon).