Adding BPMN Elements to MDG Toolbox

[Amy_N]

I'm trying to add some of the BPMN elements to a custom toolbox (gateway, start, end and intermediate). However it isn't displayed under 'built-in types' when I try and add from the toolbox page. I have tried adding it as a stereotype in my profile (using the metaclass from the toolbox and then selecting it through stereotypes) but it won't let me select this from the toolbox page unless I have it extending a metaclass. I have tried having the following:

* gateway entends decsion
* start extends activity initial
* end extends activityfinal
* intermediate extends activity

However although they now appear in the tollbox when I install the MDG it doesn't create an element when I drag it onto a diagram

[Amy_N]

The other option is just to draw the BPMN icons using a shape script

[Amy_N]

seems to work if I add a UML activity metaclass entended by BPMN Activity and specialised by another stereotype!

Is there not a way to just add the std BPMN elements straight into the toolbox though?

[philchudley]

Hi

I have just tried a small experiment

I created an MDG with nothing other than a toolbox.

I then added a toolbox page, and then added two elements by:

Added two Built-in Type elements, where I selected Activity from the list of stereotypes

I then overwrote the entries so that

Alias = My own text
Stereotype = BPMN2.0::Activity (BPMN2.0::Gateway, etc)

Upon exiting, check that the attributes in the Toolbox page look as follows:

+ BPMN2.0::Activity=Activity

I then generated the MDG in the usual manner

Upon testing (I assume you have the MDG for BPMN 2.0 checked), I simply created a new BPMN Process Diagram, and changed to my toolbox, whereupon both my elements appeared and both where able to be added to the diagram and exhibited the standard BPMN 2.0 behaviour

Hope this makes sense

Send me a PM if you would like my MDG eap file

Cheers

Phil

[KP]

I have tried having the following:

* gateway entends decsion
* start extends activity initial
* end extends activityfinal
* intermediate extends activity

Have a look in the actual BPMN toolbox XML. If you installed EA in the default location it will be "C:\Program Files (x86)\Sparx Systems\EA\MDGTechnologies\BPMN 2.0 Technology.xml". Open in a text editor and search for "<UIToolboxes>. It's complicated by the fact that the events extend two metaclasses, depending on whether they are edge-mounted or stand-alone and have a hidden sub menu to select which. You should be able to get a feel for what is going on though.

[Amy_N]

Thanks guys. Have managed it using a mixture of both your suggestions:

* BPMN2.0::StartEvent(UML::Event)
* BPMN2.0::IntermediateEvent(UML::Event)
* BPMN2.0::EndEvent(UML::Event)
* BPMN2.0::Gateway

I shoud have also explained what I was doing. My users (for this particular toolbox) are using just a small subset of the BPMN Notation and wanted a customised toolbox with just those elements in. For the actual BPMN activity I ended up creating my own stereotype. These are mainly users that are unfamiliar with the UML and modelling in general. They simply want to do BPMN process flows. The built-in BPMN activity has far too many tagged values that would just confuse them. However they also need to populate some additional tagged values. Thus I found it easier to simple create a new stereotype and add my own tags and shape scripts etc. If anyone has a better way of doing this (hiding certain tags maybe?) I would be very interested. Wouldn't it be great if we were provided with the Sparx models behind the Sparx MDGs, rather than having to sift through the code?     

Our team are managing a centralised model used accross the business. I am developing an MDG and associated methodology to ensure we have a consistent approach. We have more advanced users doing other types of modelling e.g. class diagrams etc. I'm finding it's a balance between making it as simple as possible without restricting users too much!