v16.1 - Can an item be in more thanone layer?

[Paolo F Cantoni]

We are starting to use layers in some diagrams.  Do we understand correctly that a diagram object can only be in one layer simultaneously?
We found we had to create additional layers to hold the common items and specific layers to hold the items specific to that layer.


TIA,
Paolo

[BobM]

I can already send you the reply sparx support will give you:

Hello BobM,
Thanks for contacting Sparx Support.
Diagram Layers is intended to view the segments of a diagram to represent any concept that is the basis for separating or grouping the elements on that diagram.
It's not possible to share elements between layers and possible to add an element to a single layer.
If you wish, you can also send the details as a feature request via the Feature request form available on our website.
https://sparxsystems.com/support/forms/feature_request.html
If you have any further questions please let us know.

Best regards,

Sparx Employee
Sparx Systems Pty Ltd
[email protected]
http://www.sparxsystems.com

Please do send a feature request on this as well

We currently work around this by using filters

[Paolo F Cantoni]

Thanks, Bob,

I'll send in a feature request.  We haven't gotten into filters yet.  Can you indicate how you use them for this purpose?  If it's easier than how we are currently doing it, we'll give it a try.

Paolo

[BobM]

It is very dirty but it does the trick.

We use 'One of...' in the Phase field filter and fill in the phase names separated by comma.
You could use element names, or a different field.

[Paolo F Cantoni]

It is very dirty, but it does the trick.

We use 'One of...' in the Phase field filter and fill in the phase names separated by commas.
You could use element names or a different field.

Thanks for that, Bob,

Filters are repository-wide, aren't they?

It's about the same amount of effort as what we're doing now.

Paolo

[BobM]

Thanks for that, Bob,

Filters are repository-wide, aren't they?

It's about the same amount of effort as what we're doing now.

Paolo

Yes filters are repository wide, it is containable with a smaller group that uses them

What are you doing now?

Bob.

[Paolo F Cantoni]

[SNIP]

Yes, filters are repository-wide it is containable with a smaller group that uses them.

What are you doing now?

Bob

An Example may help:
We have a diagram in which we want to indicate three possible views of items.  2 of those views have common elements. So we create three layers (plus those items in NO layer).
Layer 1 Only, Layer er 2 Onlyy, and a Common Layer. So selecting NO layer gives us the base view, selecting Layer 1 + Common adds the items for view 1, and selecting LLayer 2 + Common adds items for View 2.  Does that explain clearly enough?

Paolo

[BobM]

An Example may help:
We have a diagram in which we want to indicate three possible views of items.  2 of those views have common elements. So we create three layers (plus those items in NO layer).
Layer 1 Only, Layer er 2 Onlyy, and a Common Layer. So selecting NO layer gives us the base view, selecting Layer 1 + Common adds the items for view 1, and selecting LLayer 2 + Common adds items for View 2.  Does that explain clearly enough?

Paolo

It does, and I imagine it might require a manual for people (re)viewing the diagrams especially on multiple phase diagrams with elements only used in transition

Sparx should add the possibility to have shared elements between layers so you only have to select one single layer

[Paolo F Cantoni]

[SNIP]

It does, and I imagine it might require a manual for people (re)viewing the diagrams especially on multiple phase diagrams with elements only used in transition

Sparx should add the possibility to have shared elements between layers so you only have to select one single layer

Yes, Bob,
We're worried bout that - that's why we asked the question.

I'll pop in the Feature Request.  Are you aware of any way to use automation to control Layer display?

Paolo

[BobM]

Are you aware of any way to use automation to control Layer display?

From: https://sparxsystems.com/enterprise_architect_user_guide/16.1/modeling_fundamentals/diagram_layers.html

Notes

• - If a diagram layer is selected, it will remain selected as you click out of and into the diagram

Out of experience we know this works very well especially for exporting to documents/html but we have to manually select the layer each time.

However selecting layers is currently not in the Procloud Server applications where you might expect it to be there, in this regard I doubt in the current release 16.124 there is a possible script for it.
Again, this is a feature request that would make a lot of sense for Sparx to implement it.

[Paolo F Cantoni]

Are you aware of any way to use automation to control Layer display?

From: https://sparxsystems.com/enterprise_architect_user_guide/16.1/modeling_fundamentals/diagram_layers.html

Notes

• - If a diagram layer is selected, it will remain selected as you click out of and into the diagram

Out of experience we know this works very well especially for exporting to documents/html but we have to manually select the layer each time.

However selecting layers is currently not in the Procloud Server applications where you might expect it to be there, in this regard I doubt in the current release 16.124 there is a possible script for it.
Again, this is a feature request that would make a lot of sense for Sparx to implement it.

Interesting, When we open a diagram all layers are selected regardless of how we saved it.  Similarly, when exported to HTML all layers are selected.  I'll do some more digging and submit a feature request.

Paolo