FK association arrows - how to remove them

[Reed]

I am using EA 8.0 for data modeling.  When I create a FK according to official EA directions I get an arrow on the target end of the association.  Yet the documentation reference (http://www.sparxsystems.com/enterprise_architect_user_guide/modeling_languages/create_a_foreign_key.html) shows no arrow.  I do not want the arrow but cannot figure out how to remove it. The direction property is grayed out, i.e., not editable. Anyone have a fix for this?

[skiwi]

In the Association Properties change the direction from "Source -> Destination" to "unspecified".

If the property is greyed our check the diagram, source, and target are not locked for change.

I'd be interested to know how you go with maintaining foreign keys, ease of use etc

S

[KP]

The direction field is intentionally disabled for FK associations.

[Geert Bellekens]

What's wrong with the arrow? Why don't you want it to show?

Geert

[Reed]

If the property is greyed our check the diagram, source, and target are not locked for change.

I'd be interested to know how you go with maintaining foreign keys, ease of use etc

S

The elements on either side of the assoc are not locked.

I'm not sure I understand the maintaining foreign keys question.  We are using EA as our data modeling tool so we need to create FKs to indicate the proper relationships among elements in the model.

[Reed]

What's wrong with the arrow? Why don't you want it to show?

Well, for one, the official FK documentation makes it appear as though creating FK relationships can be done without arrows.  And, more importantly, arrows are not part of the standard notation in common data modeling tools.  

It seems to me that the cardinality noted on either side of the relationship along with the labels is sufficient to convey the FK relationship using UML notation.  The arrow does not add any additional information IMO, so I'd rather change the direction to "unspecified".

[Geert Bellekens]

Check the diagram type.
I've noticed that the FK associations on table only display the ERD way (without arrows) when used on a data modelling diagram type.
On a regular class diagram they are displayed as regular associations. (with the arrows)

Geert

[skiwi]

I'm not sure I understand the maintaining foreign keys question.  We are using EA as our data modeling tool so we need to create FKs to indicate the proper relationships among elements in the model.

I too do some data modelling in EA.
I have found maintaining FKs clumsy and difficult to maintain, eg try deleting a FK fully from your model, or changing it.
It might just be me, hence the question  

[ff]

I use a regular class diagram (with arrows) too for data modeling but I have no problem to change the direction as 'unspecified'.
What I experienced before is that if it is greyed out, by simply editing Name for example, Direction isn't greyed out anymore.

I'm glad now (thank you Geert) that by using a datamodeling diagram, you don't get the arrows, but the classical "crow's feet" notation.

You can obtain this notation also in a regular class diagram by editing the properties of the diagram (Connectors, Connector notation, use "Information Enigineering").

kr,
Flip