Sparx Systems Forum

Enterprise Architect => General Board => Topic started by: Takeshi K on September 17, 2020, 10:26:57 am

Title: BPMN Smart Layout Add-in
Post by: Takeshi K on September 17, 2020, 10:26:57 am

I have posted the following topic to the Community site, but not published yet.

I created a new free Add-in 'BPMN Smart Layout Add-in'. If you are annoying layout of flows (connectors) in BPMN diagram, try this Add-in.


This Add-in adjusts following points at one step:

- Align centers of 'near' objects (both vertically and horizontally)
- Adjust start and end points of flows to the center of object edge if related objects are aligned
- Adjust start or end points of flows to 'near' center of object edge
- Delete unnecessary bended points

How to use

1.Download the zip from the following website
https://www.sparxsystems.jp/en/BPMNLayout.zip

2.Install the add-in by running EAAddinSetupEn.bat with administrative rights
(for detail, see: https://www.sparxsystems.jp/en/EAAddinSetupEn.htm)

3.Run EA, open a BPMN 2.0 diagram, then right-click and select 'Specialize' | 'BPMN Smart Layout'

Demo
You can watch the basic usage and behaviour of this Add-in with the following Youtube video:

https://youtu.be/wdYovcGmGeg (2m18s, no voice)

Notes

- You cannot undo the layout, so please back-up your project before using this Add-in.
- If you find a model which cannot be layouted correctly, please send PM to me.

Title: Re: BPMN Smart Layout Add-in
Post by: Paolo F Cantoni on September 17, 2020, 11:40:38 am

Thanks, Takeshi!

Looks interesting!

Can you define "unnecessary" bends?

Paolo

Title: Re: BPMN Smart Layout Add-in
Post by: Takeshi K on September 17, 2020, 11:51:46 am

Thanks for your reply, Paolo.

Please see the Youtube video from 2m10s, EA creates a bending point on the Decision and the route is broken.
I sometimes face this situation and am annoying to fix the route manually.

Title: Re: BPMN Smart Layout Add-in
Post by: Sunshine on September 17, 2020, 12:54:18 pm

I watched your youtube video and that looks great. How does it work with with Pools and Lanes?

Title: Re: BPMN Smart Layout Add-in
Post by: Takeshi K on September 17, 2020, 01:00:04 pm

Thanks for your reply, Sunshine.

This add-in ignores Pools and Lanes, so they will not move. About elements on Pools or Lanes, usually they are aligned to the center of Pool or Lane.

Title: Re: BPMN Smart Layout Add-in
Post by: Guillaume on September 18, 2020, 04:59:01 pm

Hi Takeshi,

I saw your article on the community site and I must test it soon as it sounds interesting!

Thanks