| Prev | Next |
Manage Structural Elements
In UML Modeling, you can define certain constructs and events with structural elements (also called Parts, Properties, interaction points or - in the case of Entry and Exit Points on a State element, connection points) that are added on to a parent element. For example, you can add Ports to a Class (as shown), Action Pins to an Action, or Activity Parameters to an Activity. Structural elements become a component of the parent element; certain structural elements (such as Parts and Properties) can exist independent of a parent, but do not have an independent role.
You manage structural elements through the Features window, managing Parts and Properties on the 'Parts / Properties' tab and Ports on the 'Interaction Points' tab. If the parent element is a State, its connection points are shown on the 'Connection Points' tab. All three tabs have the same options, described here.
Access
|
Ribbon |
Start > All Windows > Properties > Element Features > Features > Interaction Points Start > All Windows > Properties > Element Features > Features > Parts / Properties (For a State element, select one of the other options and then click on the 'Connection Points' tab) |
|
Context Menu |
Right-click on element in diagram | Features | Interaction Points Right-click on element in diagram | Features | Parts / Properties (For a State element, select one of the other options and then click on the 'Connection Points' tab) |
|
Keyboard Shortcuts |
> Interaction Points (for Ports) Ctrl+5 > Parts / Properties (for Parts and Properties) Ctrl+5 > Connection Points (for State elements) |
Review Structural Elements
Option |
Action |
See also |
|---|---|---|
|
list of elements |
Review the definition of each structural element currently associated with the selected parent element. If you select the 'Show Owned/Inherited' checkbox, the list will also include any structural elements from any classifiers that the parent element has. If you want any structural element to be visible on the parent element on the current diagram, select the checkbox next to that element's name. Notice that the 'Visible' column in this panel then shows the value True against the selected element. To hide the structural element on the diagram, clear the checkbox. The structural element still exists on the parent element, but is just not visible in the diagram. In the 'Type' field, you can change the assigned type if necessary. Click on the |
Select |
|
All
|
Click on these buttons to select (All) or clear (None) the checkboxes against all listed elements. |
|
|
Show Owned/Inherited |
The tab lists the structural elements on the selected parent element. If you want to include inherited or owner properties from any classifier that the parent element might have, select this checkbox. |
icon and browse or search for and select the required type from the 'Select Type' dialog.Context Menu options
The 'Parts/Properties' and 'Interaction Points' tabs have a context menu providing options that help you to further manage the structural elements on the parent element.
Option |
Description |
See also |
|---|---|---|
|
Add New |
Select this option to add a new structure element of the same kind (Port, Part or Property) to the parent element. The 'Insert New Embedded Element' dialog displays. In the:
Click on the to add the structural element to the parent. |
|
|
Redefine |
Click on this option to create a clone of the structure element, that you can change the properties of. |
|
|
Modify |
Click on this option to edit the properties of the selected structure element in the 'Modify Embedded Element' dialog, which has the same fields as the 'Insert New Embedded Element' dialog described in the earlier Add New table entry. |
|
|
Delete |
Click on this option to immediately remove the structure element from the model. |
Notes
- The name of a structural element displays on the diagram as a label, which you can edit using the 'Labels' context menu