Sparx Systems Forum

Enterprise Architect => Suggestions and Requests => Topic started by: skiwi on May 10, 2011, 01:40:06 pm

Title: 9.0 Linked documents (new formats)
Post by: skiwi on May 10, 2011, 01:40:06 pm
Now 9.0 EA can generate pdf documents.
This makes me think that it would be useful if Linked documents could be pdf, as well as RTF. (and perhaps images)

We find linked documents are a good way to preserve evidence within our models.



Title: Re: 9.0 Linked documents (new formats)
Post by: Eve on May 11, 2011, 08:13:07 am
So what you're requesting then is the ability to store arbitrary files in the model linked to elements?
Title: Re: 9.0 Linked documents (new formats)
Post by: skiwi on May 11, 2011, 08:32:26 am
Well yes, the considerations I had in mind were whether EA can render them in a generated document.
If this is not important, or users accept that document generation will not show some files, then lets have all documents.
If not, well it seems to me that EA should be able to render images, PDF documents, at least.

thanks
Title: Re: 9.0 Linked documents (new formats)
Post by: Eve on May 11, 2011, 09:37:38 am
EA doesn't have a renderer for PDF documents, and my criteria for a linked document would actually be that EA can edit it as opposed to view it.
Title: Re: 9.0 Linked documents (new formats)
Post by: Paolo F Cantoni on May 11, 2011, 10:15:22 am
Quote
EA doesn't have a renderer for PDF documents, and my criteria for a linked document would actually be that EA can edit it as opposed to view it.
Maybe Skiwi is alluding to "Animal Farm"...

"All Linked Documents are equal - but some are more equal than others... (ie Editable)"

I'd value three levels of linked document:
Editable, Renderable, Linked Only (ie pointer to the location)

At least that way the metadata gets collected together....

My AU$0.05

Paolo
Title: Re: 9.0 Linked documents (new formats)
Post by: skiwi on March 07, 2012, 01:08:43 pm
And we can link to any document format now ...
(http://i306.photobucket.com/albums/nn245/copperkiwi/Sparx/2012-03-0715-01-48_Component_TeamUp.png)
Title: Re: 9.0 Linked documents (new formats)
Post by: Graham_Moir on March 08, 2012, 09:23:27 pm
Quote
Now 9.0 EA can generate pdf documents.
This makes me think that it would be useful if Linked documents could be pdf, as well as RTF. (and perhaps images)

We find linked documents are a good way to preserve evidence within our models.


I agree generation to a pdf format linked document would allow you to keep a fixed record of model information at a point in time within the model itself.
Title: Re: 9.0 Linked documents (new formats)
Post by: skiwi on March 14, 2012, 09:27:45 am
Feature request submitted

Please weigh in with your support
Title: Re: 9.0 Linked documents (new formats)
Post by: Paolo F Cantoni on March 14, 2012, 10:55:47 am
Quote
Feature request submitted

Please weigh in with your support
Hi Skiwi,

I'm confused, exactly what was the feature request you submitted?

Paolo
Title: Re: 9.0 Linked documents (new formats)
Post by: skiwi on March 14, 2012, 12:31:24 pm
To allow a PDF file, or image to be a linked document (ie read only).

In addition to extend linked document support to ODS and OOXML.
Title: Re: 9.0 Linked documents (new formats)
Post by: Paolo F Cantoni on March 14, 2012, 02:02:29 pm
Quote
To allow a PDF file, or image to be a linked document (ie read only).

In addition to extend linked document support to ODS and OOXML.
Gotcha!

Supported,
Paolo
Title: Re: 9.0 Linked documents (new formats)
Post by: stevesavage on April 17, 2012, 05:24:02 am
For now I just embed PDF files or Images in to the RTF, so far it seems to work.
Title: Re: 9.0 Linked documents (new formats)
Post by: skiwi on April 17, 2012, 06:32:40 am
Quote
For now I just embed PDF files or Images in to the RTF, so far it seems to work.
I'm impressed you got this to work (http://www.sparxsystems.com/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.cgi?num=1330350766/0#0),
particularly with multipage PDF documents.
Title: Re: 9.0 Linked documents (new formats)
Post by: stevesavage on April 18, 2012, 12:20:38 am
As you mentioned in the other thread, only the first page of the PDF is visible in the document, the user has to dble-click on the visible "page" to open the full document in the external PDF viewer.

I include a note at the beginning of the document with instructions on how to open the embedded PDF.


Title: Re: 9.0 Linked documents (new formats)
Post by: skiwi on April 18, 2012, 07:02:02 am
Quote
the user has to dble-click on the visible "page" to open the full document in the external PDF viewer.

I include a note at the beginning of the document with instructions on how to open the embedded PDF.
Now I didn't realise that, thanks
Title: Re: 9.0 Linked documents (new formats)
Post by: skiwi on February 28, 2014, 08:00:03 am
Great to see that EA 11 (http://www.sparxsystems.com/products/ea/11/beta/index.html) now has moved on this:
From the release notes
Quote
Document Management
  • New capability to store any file as an artifact in your model.
  • Extends on the capability of linked documents.
  • Documents are added to a model by dragging the file onto a diagram.
  • Diagram shows the icon displayed in Windows explorer.
  • Double click opens the document in registered application.
  • Changes are automatically brought back into the model when saved
  • Documents included in baselines, XMI import/export and copy and paste.

Other reporting Changes
  • Linked Document editor will now allow PDF documents to be embedded.