Show attributes within Data Object

[andrej.o]

Hello Sparx community,

I have a question - is there a way how to show list of attributes directly on diagram while using Archimate notation and modelling Application layer? Please see the screenshot for illustration. I'm looking for similar function what we are using while modelling in UML (classes with attributes). My version is EA 16.1.1629. I have read there should be an option for "Feature Visibility" and check the "Attributes", but I can not find it.



Thanks in advance, regards

Andrej

[Geert Bellekens]

You can't. ArchiMate Dataobject doesn't know attributes, and it's shapescript doesn't allow showing attributes.

I think the only solution is to use UML Classes and add a relation (trace?) to the ArchiMate Data Object

Geert

[andrej.o]

Thanks Geert, honestly I didn't think about combining types of elements (Archimate + Class objects) on one diagram. But somehow it works 

Andrej

[Sunshine]

Whilst the ArchiMate standard doesn't support attributes you actually can add attributes to a data object and show them in a diagram within Sparx EA. There is an option to show the elements that have stereotypes in their native form by unticking the show stereotype shape in diagram properties. The native form of data object in ArchiMate is a Class in UML. That option means you don't have to duplicate elements however you would be deviating from aligning to the ArchiMate standard.
The other option is to transform ArchiMate Data Objects to UML classes using transformation built into sparx. You'll have to customise a transformation to do that of course as it doesn't come out of the box. This is a more pure approach to modelling that provides you the ability to synch the changes in the data object model (conceptual) to UML class (logical). I was thinking of adopting that last approach on a major transformation program I'm about to join next month.
Hope that helps.