How to change the orientation of elements like Triggers and Signals?

[michielper]

I create state transition diagrams and activity diagrams with multiple threads. To communicate between treads, I use Triggers and Signals. However, the symbols for these elements are only directed from left to right. When I need a trigger or signal that goes from right to left, I end up with a counterintuitive drawing because the elements point to the right!
It should be possible to flip an element!..... But how?

Thanks for your help!

[qwerty]

Probably only by sending in a feature request.

q.

[michielper]

I think this is a serious issue because the main purpose of diagrams is communication with stakeholders. This would seem to be something that can be fixed easily and brings a lot of benefits.

[potterm]

Has my vote - I've faced the same issue on many occasions. 

Whilst waiting for Sparx to fix this you could work around it by developing a UML Profile with a custom stereotype which has a shape script attached.  The shape script tells EA how you wish to have the symbol drawn.  You then apply the stereotype to any triggers or signals that you want to be left facing.  It would need a bit of work to set-up, but once you've done so you'll have a long term solution until Sparx fix it for good.

See the online help here:
http://sparxsystems.com/enterprise_architect_user_guide/13.0/modeling_tools/umlprofiles_2.html
http://sparxsystems.com/enterprise_architect_user_guide/13.0/modeling_tools/shape_editor_2.html

EDIT: In fact I think you can achieve the same by defining a new stereotype in your model and adding the shape script to that (through Configure>UML Types>Stereotypes in the EA13 ribbon interface).  Then you'd not need the UML profile.  The advantage of the profile is that you can easily import the stereotype and shape script into other models.  Not sure if you can export/import if you add the stereotype directly to the model.

[qwerty]

You would need to Export Reference Data/UML Types/Stereotypes and import it vice versa.

q.

[Geert Bellekens]

If the notation is standard UML I'm firmly against being able to change the orientation.

That's the beauty of having a standard you know, based on a convention everyone knows (or can look up) what you mean.
If you go an change that by going from right to left, you are basically creating your own modelling language.
Nothing wrong with that, and with UML Profiles, shapescripts and MDG technologies you can, but it should not be allowed by default for the standard UML elements.

Geert

[qwerty]

I would not be too dogmatic here (EA isn't either). Mirroring seems to be nothing strange. UML has a couple of shortcomings (/bugs) and this looks like one which could be fixed easily.

q.

[Eve]

If the notation is standard UML I'm firmly against being able to change the orientation.

Signal receipt symbol
The Signal receipt symbol is shown as a five-pointed polygon that looks like a rectangle with a triangular notch in one of its sides
(either one).

A SendSignalAction is notated as a convex pentagon with the name of the Signal placed inside it.

So, UML explicitly allows the direction or the receive notch to be swapped. It's not explicit about the send. It doesn't explicitly forbid it, but then it's also allowing any pentagon as long as all angles are convex.

I've never seen either type rendered with a changed direction. I would strongly caution against diverting from the common use of either type. Just because it's possible, doesn't mean that it's a good idea to do it. You'll be doing your stakeholders a favor by using the standard. Eventually they will see a normally notated diagram and think it means something different than it does.

[michielper]

Interesting discussion developing here. It is clear that UML allows for different orientations of triggers and signals. This makes sense, it would be very counter-intuitive to make the essential semantics of a symbol dependend on its orientation.
Again, the main purpose of the diagrams I make is communication. And not primarily with UML experts. When creating understandable diagrams, it is almost unavoidable to have some communication go from right to left. The fixed left-right orientation of the symbols is a big nuissance therefore.
So, please fix this. Attach a rotation handle to each symbol as in Visio. Or make asymmetric symbols flippable. Cannot be too hard and would be extremely helpful!

Regards, Michiel