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Add Elements Directly To Packages

You can quickly add new elements to a Package without necessarily adding the element to a diagram at the same time. This is particularly useful in defining a group of Requirements, Changes, Issues, base Classes or other element types that you might not need to represent on diagrams in the model.

The fastest and simplest method is to just select an existing element and then press Ctrl+Shift+N to create another element of the same type in the same location, enabling you to create several elements in quick succession. In that case you would subsequently use the Properties window or 'Properties' dialog to enter the element names and any other required details.

The other methods described here display the 'New Element' dialog, on which you specify the element name and other details to create identified elements individually. In this case you also have the option of adding the element to the current open diagram.

Access

Ribbon

Design > Element > Add Element > Element

Context Menu

Right-click on Package | Add Element

Keyboard Shortcuts

In the Browser window, with an element selected: Ctrl+Shift+N (to create another element of the same type in the same location)

With a Package selected in the Browser window: Ctrl+M

In a diagram, press the M key

Other

Browser window header bar menu | New Element

Add an Element to a Package

Option

Action

See also

Toolset

In the first field, click on the drop-down arrow and select a Perspective to filter the types of element offered for selection to those available through the Perspective.

Note that selecting a Perspective from the 'Toolset' field list does not change the current 'global' Perspective shown in the Choose perspective button.<perspective name> icon. If you want to re-set the 'Toolset' Perspective to the global Perspective, simply click on the drop-down arrow and select 'Active'.

In the second field, click on the drop-down arrow and select the UML diagram type, Profile, Add-In or MDG Technology to further filter the element types to that diagram type, technology, Profile or Add-In within the Perspective.

Name

Type the name of the element.

Auto

As an alternative to typing in the name, click on this button to insert predefined auto-counter text.

If you already have some text in the 'Name' field, it is over-written by the auto-counter text.

Set Auto Naming and Auto Counters

Type

Click on the drop-down arrow and select the required element type from the list.

The list of element types is derived from the diagram or technology shown in the 'Toolset' field.

Stereotype

If required, either type the stereotype name or click on the drop-down arrow and select the stereotype.

This field is not available if the element you are creating is an extended element that already has a stereotype.

Add Element to Diagram

This checkbox is available if you have a diagram open and you are working from the Browser window.

The checkbox defaults to selected to add the new element to the diagram also; if you do not want the element in that diagram, deselect the checkbox.

If you accessed this dialog by pressing the M key on the open diagram, this checkbox is not available. The element is automatically added to the diagram, in the center.

Show Name Under Image

This checkbox is available if you have a diagram open and you have dragged an Image Artifact element onto the diagram from the Browser window. It defaults to selected to print the element name underneath the image shown in the Artifact element. If you clear the checkbox, the element name is not shown.

Save

Click on this button to create the element and close the dialog.

If you accessed this dialog by pressing the M key in an open diagram:

  • the element is created in the center of the diagram, and
  • the dialog remains open

If you accessed the dialog by selecting the 'New Element' option from the Browser window header bar ('Hamburger' icon), clicking on this button also leaves the dialog open.

Save and Close

Available if you have accessed this dialog by pressing the M key on an open diagram, or by selecting the 'New Element' option from the Browser window header bar ('Hamburger' icon).

Click on this button to create the element and close the dialog.

Cancel

Click on this button to abort the changes and close the dialog without creating an element.

Notes

  • The 'New Element' dialog also displays when you create an element in the Specification Manager, if the Specification Type is <Any>

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