Copy/Paste is Not What I Expected

[alan1]

Hi,
I am new to this forum, so sorry if this is out of place. I like many features of Enterprise Architect (build 1107).

Anyway, I am wondering what are the workarounds for
(1) copy paste not working as expected when trying to copy diagrams as well as elements? This looks to be fairly common so I probably do not need to give steps to reproduce. It just does not copy/paste either of these (at least through ctrl-c and ctrl-v that I can see).
(2) cursor movements to nudge selected elements is large from an efficiency standpoint (but not quite as huge as copy paste working as expected). I am not seeing any response in element movement while using cursors.

Ideas/help appreciated.

Thanks,
Alan

[RoyC]

Perhaps you can be more specific about what you are trying to do and not achieving?

I don't know if there have been any released changes in copying diagrams since build 1107, but there are options available. If you right-click on a diagram in the Project Browser, do you see a Copy/Paste option? That gives you a submenu that includes the option to copy the diagram. Then you right-click on the target Package and select the Copy/Paste option that displays a submenu with an option to paste the diagram into that Package. You then specify whether you want a deep, shallow or smart paste of the diagram. A bit more complex than the Ctrl+C and Ctrl+V steps.

For nudging objects on a diagram, select the object(s), press Shift and press the appropriate arrow key. There are other facilities for moving objects and sections of diagrams around.

All of this is documented in the Help.

[Helmut Ortmann]

Hi,

I don't know any issues with copy and past. If for example in a diagram you drag a class with pressed Ctrl you get a new Class.

The simplest thing (my opinion) to make a copy is:
- Put your diagram in a package
- Copy Package (Right Click in project Browser, Copy Past)
- Past it to a new position

Ctrl + Drag is often a simple and intuitive way for a copy.

You have to think what you really want. A copy of all diagram elements, or just a new diagram with a link to existing elements, or...

There are a lot possibilities inside EA. At the beginning they might be a bit confusing. After a while you get used to it.

Helmut

[alan1]

Helmut and Roy,

Thanks for the great replies! I have everything working as hoped. Also, I really like the nudge. I guess I have just been spoiled by software automatically supporting ctrl-c and ctrl-v without inquiring (or looking in the help). Interesting as well that the diagram paste has the shallow copy as the default (inherently it seems more dangerous-probably in the help why).

Thanks again.
Best,
Alan

[sousac]

Helmut and Roy,

Thanks for the great replies! I have everything working as hoped. Also, I really like the nudge. I guess I have just been spoiled by software automatically supporting ctrl-c and ctrl-v without inquiring (or looking in the help). Interesting as well that the diagram paste has the shallow copy as the default (inherently it seems more dangerous-probably in the help why).

Thanks again.
Best,
Alan

Glad you are getting used to the new concepts.  The core difference isn't that EA doesn't support the common shortcut keys but that it needs to offer you greater control over the copy paste operation.  Unlike a simplistic diagramming tool (no information behind the picture) where copy/paste can only mean one thing => "duplicate this", EA needs to let you control whether or not you want or don't want to duplicate the actual information in the repository.

In my teaching I keep it simple...
- CTRL-C/V from one diagram to another is like saying "show these on this other diagram too".
- Using copy/paste operations in the project browser on packages, views, and elements will allow you to duplicate elements.
- When you use a diagram copy/paste in the project browser, you get the most sophisticated options where EA asks you if/how you want the diagram and its elements treated.