One Big Logical Class Diagram

[glutamin]

Hello,
I import source code via "Import Source Directory". For each Package a logical diagram is created. It is possible to create one big diagram? Or merge them all together in one big diagram?

Thanks

[«Midnight»]

I suggest you search the forum for some discussion on this. The subject came up sometime in the past month or so, and was dealt with at some length.

[Oliver F.]

Hello,
I import source code via "Import Source Directory". For each Package a logical diagram is created. It is possible to create one big diagram? Or merge them all together in one big diagram?

Personally I don´t find it convenient to have dozens of classes in one diagram. The reason for having classes documented in UML is to get an overview and fast access to model details. This overview will get lost with growing complexity of the diagrams thus contradicting the aforementioned purpose.

For example I have imported our database model with several hundred SQL tables into EA only to find it unusable. In fact I never use that diagram because it is not handable.

My proposal: Create your own views on different topics. This is rather easy in EA.
Just drag some core classes (on which to focus) into a diagram and then automatically let EA add the relevant dependency elements. You can even configure the traversal depth of this action thus limiting it to the bearable.
Repeat this for other focusable objects and then create an overview diagram with links to the topics.

I find this rather convenient, because it gives some structure and logical grouping by concentrating on certain aspects of the model.

Hope this helps.

Oliver

[glutamin]

Hello Oliver,
what you write one big diagram is the way to chaos is right, even on small projects. Thanks this helps. I am right for the overview diagram pull the topic diagram from the Project Browser to the overview diagram?
When I this do and select "Diagram Frame" all objects in this frame are positioned on the top left corner, although the objects in the topic diagram positioned correct. Is this normal? Otherweise I use "Diagram Reference"

Stefan

[Oliver F.]

Hello Oliver,
what you write one big diagram is the way to chaos is right, even on small projects. Thanks this helps. I am right for the overview diagram pull the topic diagram from the Project Browser to the overview diagram?
When I this do and select "Diagram Frame" all objects in this frame are positioned on the top left corner, although the objects in the topic diagram positioned correct. Is this normal? Otherweise I use "Diagram Reference"

Stefan

Create some class diagrams and put the core classes of the aspects you would like to focus on in them, then add the related elements until you are satisfied.

The overview diagram can be a package diagram or a class diagram or in fact whatever diagram you chose (it does not matter how, just do it ). The you can add the sub diagrams you have created (those with the detail views, see above) by dragging and dropping them onto the overview.
You will get a dialog asking you for frame, reference or hyperlink. For your purpose frame and reference are no win at all, so add them as hyperlinks. This will give you a link icon in the panel.
If you click on such an icon it will send to the view you wanted.
Mow decorate your overview a bit with helpful texts and hints.

That should get you going.

Oliver