Sparx Systems Forum

Enterprise Architect => General Board => Topic started by: bmains on November 20, 2007, 09:49:45 am

Title: Auto-Arrange of Diagrams
Post by: bmains on November 20, 2007, 09:49:45 am: Hello,

Is there the ability to auto-arrange a diagram within Enterprise Architect? I have a huge database diagram, and it would be helpful to be able to auto-arrange it into a more meaningful layout.

Thanks.
Title: Re: Auto-Arrange of Diagrams
Post by: «Midnight» on November 20, 2007, 12:25:30 pm: Look up Layout in help, and go from there.

First, however make a backup. You need to get an idea of how EA does layout before you will be comfortable with the process.

There are quite a few options that affect - to a greater or lesser extent - how EA does this layout. The actual effect of each option is not well documented, but you can play around with them to get an idea of what works for you. You'll find the necessary information to locate these when you look up Layout in the help file.

HTH, David
Title: Re: Auto-Arrange of Diagrams
Post by: thomaskilian on November 21, 2007, 02:53:40 am: You can use Ctrl-Z to undo an auto-layout.
Title: Re: Auto-Arrange of Diagrams
Post by: PogPower on December 03, 2007, 06:40:14 am: It is true that the feature is not really well documented.

Is there someone that can explain all the options available. I've played with all of them and I'm not able to get the logic.

Thank,
Title: Re: Auto-Arrange of Diagrams
Post by: thomaskilian on December 03, 2007, 12:53:47 pm: I'm afraid you need your instinct. You can additionally select a bunch of elements and Layout Selected from the context menu. However, starting from a certain complexity you will need human intelligence. Or you write a clever add-in (I wrote one for layout with Ports which are not respected by auto-layout).
Title: Re: Auto-Arrange of Diagrams
Post by: Babysittah on December 04, 2007, 12:32:32 am: ;DHuman intelligence 4 sho yo!
Title: Re: Auto-Arrange of Diagrams
Post by: thomaskilian on December 14, 2007, 03:43:54 am: I just changed the spacing parameters for the auto-layout. If the diagram does not show any relations, the parameters are ignored. Bug report sent.