Topics

31

PCS General Board / Diagrams don't appear to import

« on: May 13, 2019, 09:21:31 am »

We are trialling Cloud Pro Server and tried importing a model which has both objects and diagrams using XMI the import function. The objects seem to import ok but the diagrams don't seem to come across. Is this normal?

32

Bugs and Issues / Swimlane Line Colour and Width no longer changeable

« on: February 18, 2019, 07:13:21 am »

V14.1 Build 1428.
Found that when attempting to change the colour or the width of swimlanes they no longer change.

33

General Board / Magic Quadrant for Enterprise Architecture Tools Oct 2018

« on: January 30, 2019, 04:40:49 pm »

Another Magic Quadrant for Enterprise Architecture Tools.
Puts Sparx EA down in the Niche Play quadrant.
https://www.gartner.com/doc/reprints?id=1-5JYE8BP&ct=181010&st=sb
Dunno but can't help but feel they aren't evaluating it right.

34

Suggestions and Requests / Improve Alternative Image Management

« on: January 26, 2019, 09:48:33 am »

Two things I think would improve the management of alternative images;
a) When bulk importing using drag and drop on to a diagram it would be good to name the images the same as the file name without extension instead of image1, image2, image3.
b) In the alternative image dialog make it easier to find an image by adding a name filter bar similar to that in the element list.

35

General Board / Bulk Import of Alternative Images

« on: January 16, 2019, 02:42:56 pm »

We need to bulk import lots of alternative images (png format) into Sparx EA model. The only way I can see of doing this at present is to select all the image files from file explorer  and drag them onto a diagram. Unfortunately the images are then named image1, image2, etc rather than using the file name.
Does anyone know of another way where the file name is used to the name the image?

We are using EA V14.1 Build 1427

Was thinking of maybe writing some code but couldn't see an API to import an image file into t_image table. Is there something I've missed?

36

General Board / Gartner's Critical Capabilities for Enterprise Architecture Tools

« on: December 17, 2018, 06:48:37 am »

Got sent this link where Gartner evaluates Critical Capabilities for Enterprise Architecture Tools, amongst the list is Sparx Enterprise Architect.
https://www.gartner.com/doc/reprints?id=1-5WICQR7&ct=181205&st=sb

Having used a number of the other tools in the past its not clear to me why certain tools score higher than Sparx Enterprise Architect in some categories. Unfortunately they seem to have scored Sparx EA the lowest. What do others think? A fair score or biased for some unknown reason?

I guess you should read the small print before taking advice from Gartner

_{Gartner research publications consist of the opinions of Gartner’s research organization and should not be construed as statements of fact. Gartner disclaims all warranties, expressed or implied, with respect to this research, including any warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose.}

37

General Board / APQC Process Model

« on: November 17, 2018, 06:51:14 am »

APQC is a process framework for the full enterprise.

APQC's Process Classification Framework (PCF)® is the most used process framework in the world. It creates a common language for organizations to communicate and define work processes comprehensively and without redundancies. Organizations are using it to support benchmarking, manage content, and perform other important performance management activities.

https://www.apqc.org/pcf

For those who have requested it via PM I've published APQC process model on Git hub.
https://github.com/EASunshine/Sparx-EA

It utilises a custom Enterprise Architecture MDG that is also located there so you need to copy that into a folder and reference it via the MDG dialog set up in Sparx EA to get a proper view of the diagrams.
You also need to change preferences to show both alias and name to see both the ID and name. The ID is in the alias.

To access the metrics you need to enable the metrics window and you will see them when you click on certain process elements.
Enjoy 

38

General Board / Sparx EA V14 B 1419 Installation issue

« on: May 11, 2018, 12:58:36 pm »

Having a problem installing Sparx EA V14 Build 1419 – It goes through install script then stops with error about creating a temporary file to complete installation.

Just upgraded to the latest windows recently so not sure if its that or something else. Windows 10 Version 1803 Build 17134.48
Anyone else have similar problem?

Tried disabling virus protection as I also saw a notification saying "Unauthorised changes blocked" Controlled access folder blocked: C:Windows\...\svchost.exe from making changes to memory. However that didn't prevent the problem reoccurring when trying to install again.

39

Automation Interface, Add-Ins and Tools / Report element with associate risks

« on: February 01, 2018, 05:46:15 am »

So I'm looking that the report template editor the other day and in the report editor tree I see Package>Element>Risk and it got me thinking how does that work? I can Package>Element>Requirement works as each element can have embedded requirements but couldn't see how I would model risks associated with an element so that I can get it out in a report by ticking Package>Element>Risk in the report tree. Any thoughts guys?
The reason I'm asking is I use Archimate work packages for roadmaps and I've been asked to capture risks associated with each work package. I could just nest the risks under each work package but when I saw the report editor it got me thinking I'm I missing something.

40

Automation Interface, Add-Ins and Tools / How do you add a package to diagram via automation interface?

« on: January 19, 2018, 02:38:32 pm »

I'm trying to get a jscript to work that creates a diagram for each package and adds child elements and packages to the diagram.  I've managed to get the child elements to be added to the diagram but not the child packages.

I think its because I'm passing a Package ID to Diagram.Object.ElementID

theDiagramObject.ElementID( childElement.ElementID);
//Substituted the above code that works with element with this below
theDiagramObject.ElementID( childPackage.PackageID);

Here is a snippet of code

Code: [Select]

function AddDiagramToPackage(  thePackage )
{
    // Cast thePackage to EA.Package so we get intellisense
    var currentPackage as EA.Package;
    currentPackage = thePackage;

    var theDiagram as EA.Diagram;

    theDiagram = thePackage.Diagrams.AddNew( thePackage.Name, "Logical" );
    theDiagram.Update();

    var diagramObjects as EA.Collection;
    diagramObjects = theDiagram.DiagramObjects;
 
    // iterate through all child elements and add them to the diagram -THIS DOES WORK
    var elementEnumerator = new Enumerator( currentPackage.Elements );
    while ( !elementEnumerator.atEnd() )
    {
        var childElement as EA.Element;
        childElement = elementEnumerator.item();
var theDiagramObject as EA.DiagramObject;
theDiagramObject = diagramObjects.AddNew("","");
theDiagramObject.ElementID( childElement.ElementID );
theDiagramObject.Update();
  elementEnumerator.moveNext();
    }

    // iterate through all child packages and add them to the diagram -THIS DOESN'T WORK
    var childPackageEnumerator = new Enumerator( currentPackage.Packages );
    while ( !childPackageEnumerator.atEnd() )
    {
        var childPackage as EA.Package;
        childPackage = childPackageEnumerator.item();
childPackage.ElementID;
  var theDiagramObject as EA.DiagramObject;
theDiagramObject = diagramObjects.AddNew("","");
theDiagramObject.ElementID( childPackage.PackageID);
theDiagramObject.Update();

        childPackageEnumerator.moveNext();
    }

I've scoured the help but can't seem to see how to add packages to a diagram via the automation interface. Any thoughts/help welcome.

41

Suggestions and Requests / V12 to V13 UBitMenu

« on: June 23, 2017, 07:54:05 am »

Would it be possible to provide an extra tab in Sparx EA to show the old menus of V12 in a similar fashion to UBitMenu for Office
http://www.ubit.ch/software/ubitmenu-languages/

The reason why I ask why is that I'm getting it in the neck from all my users who've used V12 and earlier about the ribbon and not being able to find the menu items they've come to love.
I think this would great at helping those well established users of Sparx EA whilst providing the ribbon for the new users. Best of both worlds I think.

I'm sure it wouldn't take a developer too long to add that feature and would provide a means to alleviate the pain a number of users are experiencing. So please implement this idea soon as it was difficult enough to get these users off Visio, spreadsheets etc in the first place without them whinging on about the new user interface.

42

General Board / Where are diagram themes stored

« on: June 06, 2017, 06:55:31 am »

I've created a diagram Theme to align with our corporate brand but can't seem to find where they are stored. Initially I assumed they were stored in the repository but alas that was wrong as none of my colleagues can see the new theme in our central repository. I've looked in the AppData/Roaming/Sparx Systems and Program Files(x86)/Sparx Systems but can't find anything. Does any one know?

43

General Board / Sparx EA V13.5 Beta

« on: May 19, 2017, 07:19:56 am »

Great news - I received an email from Sparx Systems about pro cloud release and Sparx EA V13.5 Beta.

- Build web and mobile friendly navigation diagrams for web ea users to navigate your model easier
- create formal reviews and manage review process from EA
- specify the elements in a review
- join colleagues in the discussion
Lots more ...

I've down loaded the V13.5 beta and I've looked on line to find out more about "lots more..." but can't find anything. 
I guess the supporting material is not ready yet. Not even a mention on the forum

44

General Board / Search result in system output window

« on: April 19, 2017, 09:22:57 am »

I've got a user who has some how got the search results to appear in system output window. I guess they ticked a box in some dialog or something. Is there any way to change it back so it appears in a tab window where the diagrams are located again as per default. I've searched the help and gone through all the ribbons but can't seem to find out how to to do it.

45

General Board / Sharing Model Searches

« on: April 06, 2017, 09:17:09 am »

I have a need to share model searches so I can put a link on a diagram when double clicked displays a list of objects kind of like a catalogue. I managed to get this working from my login but my colleagues using other login accounts can't see the same searches. We are using Sparx EA V13 with SQL Server repository.
Is there anyway I can share searches so my colleagues can get the list of objects too?
Does anyone know where these searches are stored?