Variability Modeling > Modeling variability in a model > Working with variability items and relationships on diagrams > Creating variability relationships > Creating an artifact dependency
  
Creating an artifact dependency
You can create an Artifact Dependency between an artifact and a Variation Point or Variant in the following ways:
• Through a diagram.
• Through the Property Pages of an Artifact.
• Through the Property Pages of a Variation Point or Variant.
* 
You can expand a Variation Point or Variant in the Relationships pane to see its linked Artifacts. You can also view a Variation Point's or Variant's linked Artifacts through the Items tab of its Property Pages.
To create an artifact dependency through a diagram:
1. Open the diagram on which you want to create the Artifact Dependency.
2. Ensure that the Variation Point or Variant and the artifact you want to link are shown on the diagram. For more information, see:
◦ Adding an existing variant to a diagram.
◦ Adding an existing variation point to a diagram.
◦ Adding existing artifact dependencies to a diagram.
3. On the Variant Diagram or Variability toolbar, click the Artifact Dependency button.
4. Click the Variation Point or Variant.
5. Click the base model item.
Modeler creates a new Artifact Dependency between the Variation Point or Variant and the base model item, unless an Artifact Dependency already exists between the two items:
◦ If the existing Artifact Dependency is not shown on the diagram, that Artifact Dependency is added to the diagram.
◦ If the existing Variability Dependency is shown on the diagram, Modeler creates another instance of that Artifact Dependency on the diagram.
6. If you want to use the parameter value of the source Variant to set a property of the target artifact. For more information, see Setting the value of an artifact property through an artifact dependency.
To create an artifact dependency through the property pages of an artifact:
1. Open the Property Pages of the artifact (an item or diagram) you want to link through Artifact Dependencies.
2. Click the Items tab.
3. In the Show Associated list select Variable Elements.
4. Click the Link button.
5. In the Links Editor, select the check boxes associated with the Variation Points and Variants you want to link through Artifact Dependencies.
6. Click OK.
7. If you want to use the parameter value of the source Variant to set a property of the target artifact, see Setting the value of an artifact property through an artifact dependency.
To create an artifact dependency through the property pages of a variation point or variant:
1. Open the Property Pages of the Variation Point or Variant you want to link through Artifact Dependencies.
2. Click the Items tab.
3. In the Show Associated list select Artifacts.
4. Click the Link button.
5. In the Links Editor, select the check boxes associated with the items and diagrams you want to link through Artifact Dependencies.
6. Click OK.
7. If you want to use the parameter value of the source Variant to set a property of the target artifact, see Setting the value of an artifact property through an artifact dependency.