Set Appearance of Stereotypes like UI Modeling

[André Ribeiro]

Hello everyone!

I would like to apply a similar appearance to my custom UML profile like the one used in the Simple or Win32 User Interface Modeling MDG Technologiess. I've checked the file SimpleUI.xml in the install folder, but it only contains the icons for the toolbox and I've also noticed that each stereotype is applied to special types of metaclasses (GUIElement and Screen). I would like to know where these metaclasses are defined in order to create a custom version of them.

Thanks in advance!

[Sorno]

Maybe this will give some hints:

http://www.sparxsystems.com/enterprise_architect_user_guide/10/extending_uml_models/set_up_technology_element_imag.html

[qwerty]

Maybe they are produced with Shape Script?

q.

P.S. Try to load SimpleUI.MDG in the Resources. Then you can look into the shape script for the single stereotypes.

[André Ribeiro]

The SimpleUI.xml doesn't contain any mention to EAShapeScript.
I've imported the SimpleUI.xml in the Resources->MDG Technologies, but nothing useful appears:

• UML Profiles (empty);
• UML Patterns (empty);
• Code Management with empty Code Data Types and Code Templates.

I´ve also copied the UML profile part to another file and imported it in the Resources->UML Profiles, but it basically loads the stereotypes, like in the toolbars.
What I need is the project of the SimpleUI metamodel or the metamodel where GUIElement and Screen are defined.

Thanks!

[Eve]

SimpleUI (and Win32 UI) shapes are drawn with EA code. There is no shape script for them. GUIElement and Screen are nothing more than type names.

What are you actually trying to customize?

[André Ribeiro]

Hello Simon M,

Thanks for answering. I'm developing a MDG Technology to generate code for Mobile Applications from UML Models. So, my goal now is to enhance the representation of the model by doing something similar to the SimpleUI and Win32 UI, representing my stereotyped classes like screens and widgets (label, button, textbox, list, menu, image, etc.) instead of using their UML default representation.

Thanks!

[EXploringEA]

Hi Andre,

Not exactly sure what you are doing with your AddIn but in developing an MDG for my eaForms AddIn I found that you can create the icons etc and using shape scripts present stuff on an EA diagram (I also included a special type of diagram so I could manage all events for the diagram and try to minimise user generated issues).

However, the look and feel really wasn't that good so in the end I provided a second WYSIWYG form builder client as a windows form.

Some of the problems I encountered related to the geometry matching the end result and the predictability with drawing of EA objects; I came across a few funnies such as when nesting elements, EA sometimes(!)  suddenly resets sizes / coordinates.  So it was a lot to double check.

So if you are generating a UI that needs to look like the final result may be worth looking at doing it in a windows form over which you will have full control.

At present, I support both the EA diagram with tagged values as additional control inputs and a Form Builder which I keep in sync , however based on user feedback looks like the Form Builder
is what they use;  I suppose people like to see exactly what the end result will look like.  In my case the design and run time forms use common code so will look the same - will be different for a mobile app.

Hope these comments useful.  

[qwerty]

Why don't you post the link to your beta?

q.

[EXploringEA]

@qwerty - great idea.

And of course it provides some screenshots, links to some videos so you can see what i achieved with my two clients - MDG / EA diagram and Form Builder.  

You could even download and have a look for yourselves, to see the differences.

All located at http://trial.exploringea.co.uk for more information.

Drop an email if more questions.

[André Ribeiro]

@MrWappy, thanks for answering and sharing your work.
Unfortunately, it is a bit different from what I intend to achieve.
I'm developing my UML Profile and its supporting framework in the scope of my MSc, so time is a restriction.
@Simon M., can you provide me an example of the code used to represent the Screen and GUIElements?
My goal is to do something similar like SimpleUI or Win32 UI, but instead of depicting a desktop screen (window/form), I want to depict mobile app screens and widgets with some differences.

Thanks in advance!

[Eve]

@Simon M., can you provide me an example of the code used to represent the Screen and GUIElements?
My goal is to do something similar like SimpleUI or Win32 UI, but instead of depicting a desktop screen (window/form), I want to depict mobile app screens and widgets with some differences.!

No Enterprise Architect code is available for any reason.

[André Ribeiro]

Ok, thanks anyway.