Sparx Systems Forum
Enterprise Architect => General Board => Topic started by: jamessher on November 22, 2007, 03:16:31 am
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Hi,
Is it possible to number messages in a sequence diagram in much the same way as for communication diagram ?
Thanks
James
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From a UML perspective, no.
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Pity. It would be helpful to be able to refer to specific messages for example in documentation supporting a sequence diagram.
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Have a look at the options: "Tools > Options > Diagram > Sequence > Show Sequence Numbering" and "Diagram > Properties > Diagram > Show Sequence Notes".
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Thanks KP.
Unfortunately in EA7 'Show Sequence Numbering' appears to apply to all sequence diagrams which is not what I would need. Ideally it would be a diagram property rather than a global option.
In EA6.5 (most of our organisation has 6.5) 'Show Sequence Numbering' appears to only apply to new diagrams which is also not ideal.
Also it does appear to be possible to 'start new group' for the numbering as it is for communication diagrams. I need this to change from 1.0, 1.1, numbering to 1, 2.
It would be great if sequence diagram capabilities more closely matched those of communication diagrams. I used a UML in the past which had an option to convert a sequence diagram into a communication diagram which showed how related the diagram types were.
Thanks also for pointer to 'Show Sequence Notes'. I hadn't seen this before - very useful for small notes on side of sequence diagram. It would be great though if there was an option to place notes on right hand side of page since I think this is a more natural placement (at least that is what I have seen in many sequence diagrams in the past).
These are just minor quibbles. EA is a great tool and it is spreading throughout our organisation.
Cheers
James
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EA7 build 818 - Sequence diagram numbering seems to be global as indicated, but 'start new message group' does seem to work for me (wrt 1.x -> 2.1)?
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James,
Why not make a formal feature request to Sparx on this? You can do that by clicking the Feature Request link below the Support link at the bottom of any forum page.
A best practice we use for these is to quote the title of this thread and paste the URL in the body of the feature request. This allows Sparx to monitor the thread and participate in any discussion. Please also let us know what if anything you hear back from Sparx.
David
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Hi gpc,
I cannot see any option for 'start new message group' in a sequence diagram message properties. Where can you find it ?
I am using buuld 817 so maybe it's been addedd in 818.
Cheers
James
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Thanks Midnight for the advice on adding feature requests. I'll dig deeper to see if in fact EA can do what I want in latest builds and if not then I'll submit requests.
Cheers
James
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Start New Group:
http://www.sparxsystems.com.au/EAUserGuide/index.html?reordercommmessages.htm
HTH
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Thanks RoyC, but that only works for communication diagrams I am interested in doing same for sequence diagrams but it doesn't seem to be supported.
Cheers
James
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Well James,
You're about where I ended up on this. There might be a way to do this now, but I certainly cannot find it.
I'd go ahead and make the request. This could be useful. I particularly like the idea that it could be tied to documentation, even if manually. [Of course, this could be something an add-in would help with, but we'd first need the basic function you describe.]
David
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Thanks RoyC, but that only works for communication diagrams I am interested in doing same for sequence diagrams but it doesn't seem to be supported.
Right-click the message and choose "Activations > Start New Message Group".
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Sorry, that should be:
http://www.sparxsystems.com.au/EAUserGuide/index.html?sequenceelementactivation.htm
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Did the above suggestions by Roy and Neil clear it up James?
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Yes Midnight and thanks very much folks for your help. Actually one of the problems I was having was that I was using 'suppress activations' property so the 'Activations > Start New Message Group' option did not appear.
We use EA a lot for system architecture modelling and have lots of sequence diagrams illustrating interactions between computing nodes so we remove the activations since they are not really relevant and add clutter. When we remove activations the option to reorder numbering disappears which is unfortunate but we can live with the 1.x numbering that appears. Ideally we would like the option to use numbering like 1, 2, 3, 4, etc (ie. no need for groups and nesting), but the 1.x numbering is fine.
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You could always make request for some additional freedom in the number format.
Still, the main thing is that you're moving forward again.
Roy and Neil: thanks for sticking with this, and pointing out the solution!
David