Sparx Systems Forum

Enterprise Architect => Uml Process => Topic started by: subcruw on July 25, 2009, 06:44:01 pm

Title: extend BPMN technologies with tagged value fields
Post by: subcruw on July 25, 2009, 06:44:01 pm

Hello,
I'm trying to add some additional information to the BPMN technologies e.g adding some own tagged value fields to the activity element or configure the alloud connections between elements.
I'd try to modify these in MDG Technologies, but never found the original BPMN items. Im working with EA Version 7.5.

Is there a possibility to extend the inbuild BPMN Technologies or another way to extend BPMN?

Thanks,
Florian

Title: Re: extend BPMN technologies with tagged value fie
Post by: schurms on August 05, 2009, 02:49:08 pm

Florian,

Hi.

1.  If your requirement is to add a tagged value to one or several BPMN elements in a given diagram, then Ctrl - Shift - T will allow you to create a Tag plus an associated value.   Note if you have selected only one element then the tag applies to only one element.   If you selected multiple elements then pressed Ctrl - Shift - T then the tag applies to those elements selected.

2.  If your requirement is to update the default tag value fields permanently for the element, so that each time you use that element in a model the new tag value is present, then you need to Set the Template package.   Search for "Set Element Template Package" in EA help.  You only need to put those elements you wish to "override" from default into the package.   Once set, everytime you take that element from the toolbar and place it into a model, the element will have the attributes of the element you have in the package.

3. In terms of relationships between BPMN elements - the tool defines those allowable by the standard.  

Cheers.. Sean

Title: Re: extend BPMN technologies with tagged value fie
Post by: subcruw on August 05, 2009, 07:31:28 pm

Hi Sean,
thanks a lot for your help.

This is a nice feature to add the needed additional data.

In addition I would to customize the graphics like:

My idea was to edit the BPMN-activity Stereotype definition with shapescript like:
if(HasTag("MyType","true"))
{
   setfillcolor(200,250,100);
}

In 7.1 this stereotype was included in the UML Stereotypes Dialog.
But since 7.5 it's gone.

Any ideas?

Thanks,

Florian

Title: Re: extend BPMN technologies with tagged value fie
Post by: «Midnight» on August 05, 2009, 08:29:27 pm

[edit]I am wrong about this.

Please see Simon's post below.[/edit]
The release notes for EA 7.5 Build 847 say you can now extend stereotypes from other profiles. You probably have to prefix them appropriately, something like BPMN::Activity.

You might have to build this into an MDG Technology. I don't know if this is supposed to work if you just use the Stereotypes dialog alone.

Title: Re: extend BPMN technologies with tagged value fie
Post by: Eve on August 06, 2009, 08:56:42 am

Quote

The release notes for EA 7.5 Build 847 say you can now extend stereotypes from other profiles. You probably have to prefix them appropriately, something like BPMN::Activity.

Are you sure that this is what it says?

I see

Quote

User profiles specifying an instance type for an element will now be able to specify an instance type from another profile.

 But this applies to creating instances from a profiled element, not extending another profiled element.

Title: Re: extend BPMN technologies with tagged value fie
Post by: «Midnight» on August 06, 2009, 08:52:17 pm

Thanks for clarifying this Simon,

Sadly, I was quite incorrect in my interpretation.   :-[

Perhaps wishful thinking got the best of me (once again).   :'(

David

Title: Re: extend BPMN technologies with tagged value fie
Post by: subcruw on August 08, 2009, 10:10:18 am

Hi David, hi Simon

thanks for your posts.
Now I know thats I am not alone with some hopes. ;D

I spend some hours thinking about solving this with MDG without any benifit. Good to know thats impossible :)
I think the only solution is to build a whole new notation or editing the BPMN-XML-File via Editor.
Is there any prospective to get the profile extending feature in future?

Thanks,

Florian