Linking dictionary items to diagrams
There are two different types of association possible between items and diagrams:
• parent-child associations.
• user-defined associations, allowing you to associate any dictionary item with any method.
Where permitted, you can create links between items in the dictionary and diagrams. You can use this feature when a diagram describes a dictionary item, for example Sequence Diagrams describe use cases.
The following types of dictionary items can be parents of diagrams:
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Activity
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Activity Diagram
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Atomic State
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State Diagram
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Class
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Composite Structure Diagram
Sequence Diagram
Text Diagram
Use Case Diagram
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Data Type
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Composite Structure Diagram
Sequence Diagram
Text Diagram
Use Case Diagram
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Event
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Communication Diagram
Sequence Diagram
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Interface
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Composite Structure Diagram
Sequence Diagram
Text Diagram
Use Case Diagram
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Operation
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Communication Diagram
Sequence Diagram
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State Machine
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State Diagram
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Use Case
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Communication Diagram
Sequence Diagram
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You can create a diagram from the dictionary item context menu. In the case of State Diagrams and Activity Diagrams, this is the only way that you can create them, because a State Diagram must have a State Machine as a parent and an Activity Diagram must have an Activity as a parent.
To create a diagram from a parent dictionary item:
1. In an appropriate pane, right-click the parent dictionary item.
2. Point to New, and then click the required diagram type.
A new diagram is created, with the selected dictionary item as parent.
To open a child diagram from the parent dictionary item:
1. Right click the item, and point to Open.
Alternatively, on a diagram, double-click the item.
2. Click the command for the diagram you want to open.
The item's child and linked diagrams are listed. In addition; for an Attribute or Role, its type's diagrams are listed; for an object node, its linked item's diagrams are listed; for a Call Behavior Action, its linked Activity's diagrams are listed.
If the command for the diagram you want to open is not shown and the Full List command is shown:
a. Click the Full List command to list all the owned and associated diagrams in the Results pane.
b. In the Results pane, double-click the diagram you want to open.
You can also associate any dictionary item with a diagram.
To link a dictionary item with a diagram:
1. In an appropriate pane, right-click the dictionary item that you want to link with a diagram.
2. Point to Links, and then click Associate Diagrams.
3. In the Types list, select the required diagram type.
4. In the left pane, select the appropriate folder, Package or item to display the required diagram.
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If it takes too long to list the diagrams, press the Escape key to abandon the operation. The diagrams that had been loaded before pressing the Escape key are listed
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5. In the middle or right pane, select the check boxes associated with the diagrams you want to link.
6. In the middle or right pane, clear the check boxes associated with the diagrams you want to unlink.
7. Click OK.
To open a linked diagram from an item:
1. In an appropriate pane, right-click the dictionary item that is linked to a diagram, and then point to Open.
Alternatively, on a diagram, double-click the item.
2. Click the command for the diagram you want to open.
The item's child and linked diagrams are listed. In addition; for an Attribute or Role, its type's diagrams are listed; for an object node, its linked item's diagrams are listed; for a Call Behavior Action, its linked Activity's diagrams are listed.
If the command for the diagram you want to open is not shown and the Full List command is shown:
a. Click the Full List command to list all the owned and associated diagrams in the Results pane.
b. In the Results pane, double-click the diagram you want to open.