automatic coloring of output action pins and object flows

[ngong]

In activity diagrams I am using action pins to document input and ouput values of an action. If an output action pin of one action delivers the objects for an input action pin of some other action, I connect these two actions by an object flow. Nicely, EA automatically adds required action pins to the actions.

However, you got to look in the properties if you want to know whether an action pin is in- or output, or a connection is control or data flow. On the activity diagram neither an input action pin can be distinct from an output action pin nor can the object flow connection be distinct from a control flow.

To achieve this, I color output action pins and object flows differently from the default, that is used for input action pins and control flows. Each single one manually.
Also I would like to make the line representing an object flow, a dashed one - but cannot find a regarding dialog. Do you know it?

I wonder whether the appearence of output action pins and object flows could be configured differently from the default for action pins or flow connections?

[qwerty]

You could write a shape script and using a TV named "direction" to set the color. SysML has something similar for ports with an arrow.

q.

[Robert van Egmond]

Regarding to this remark.

"Also I would like to make the line representing an object flow, a dashed one - but cannot find a regarding dialog. Do you know it?"

The SysML 1.4 spec says the control flow may optionally be dashed:
"Control flow may be notated with a dashed line and stick arrowhead, as shown in Figure 11.4" 

In EA (15.2) there is an option for this for the whole model under:
Configure->Model->Options->General  , at the bottom of the page you can check "Dashed line for Control flow".

[ngong]

Thank you qwerty. Guess I got to do that if there is no other choice.
Thank you Robert. Seems the "Dashed Line for Control Flow" works for SysML only - I am on pure UML.

[qwerty]

We use own stereotypes for the control flow as well (in order to create dashed lines). That kind of works.

q.