Sparx Systems Forum

Enterprise Architect => General Board => Topic started by: Paolo F Cantoni on April 19, 2005, 01:54:58 am

Title: Shapes "docking" within other shapes
Post by: Paolo F Cantoni on April 19, 2005, 01:54:58 am

I've noticed when moving shapes around the diagram that I can appear to "dock" one shape within another.  For example, once I'd discovered this "ability", for some particular diagrams I created a package and attached an element feature Note linked to the Package Notes: feature. (yes, it IS confusing)

I "parked" the note within an extended package shape and "lo and behold" the attached Note can be moved around with the package...  Cool!! 8)  This means I appear to have a grouped item that is a package shape with its description visible on the diagram within the package shape!  REALLY NICE!
(I can't seem to figure out how to put a graphical example in this post )

I did the same with a boundary and some enclosed packages.  The packages appear to be docked within the boundary.  Move the boundary and the packages move also!  Also Cool!!  8)

My problem is I can't find any rhyme or reason to this behaviour.  I have another boundary and some other packages, but they don't get enclosed!

Can anybody tell me what controls this?

Paolo

Title: Re: Shapes "docking" within other shapes
Post by: thomaskilian on April 19, 2005, 05:18:40 am

(No clue. If you want to show graphics you need to place them on you OWN web server and place the link to it here in the board)

Title: Re: Shapes "docking" within other shapes
Post by: Paolo F Cantoni on April 19, 2005, 05:36:33 am

Web Server what's a Web Server?  :)

I don't have a personal Web Server.  I don't have access to our Corporate one and I'm still wondering what the point of the [ img] (http://) [/img] button on the board is since I can't paste anything in there... :(

Any other alternatives for getting an image into the post?

Paolo

Title: Re: Shapes "docking" within other shapes
Post by: Bruno.Cossi on April 19, 2005, 05:45:14 am

Hi Paolo,

you can go to EA User Group, upload the image there and include the link to it between the IMG tags :-)
Even without the screenshot though, I know what you mean, but I have not noticed any inconsistency. I use this feature heavily (ever tried using Screen and UIControl?) and it seems to work every time, as long as the "dockee" is fully enclosed within the "docker".

Bruno

Quote

Web Server what's a Web Server?  :)

I don't have a personal Web Server.  I don't have access to our Corporate one and I'm still wondering what the point of the [ img] (http://) [/img] button on the board is since I can't paste anything in there... :(

Any other alternatives for getting an image into the post?

Paolo

Title: Re: Shapes "docking" within other shapes
Post by: alexander on April 19, 2005, 06:25:35 am

I use that feature for docking classe's  instances inside packages, i saw it that way in the UML manuals and i think this feature tends to this.
You can also dock any element inside any other, for example you can dock sub-activities inside another activity and then use the infamous 'flow-final' and interruptions (also an example in the UML documentation).

Title: Re: Shapes "docking" within other shapes
Post by: Paolo F Cantoni on April 19, 2005, 06:32:13 am

I've just done some more experimenting (following a "feeling in my water") and I think I know what's going on... :D

It's the z-order!  With the "opaque" shapes, it's more obvious.  With "transparent" shapes like boundaries, it's not so obvious! ;D

If the boundary is "sent to bottom" - it groups.  If "brought to top" it doesn't! 8)

Paolo