On this page you will find the main functionalities of the Modeling Framework.
Graphical Editor Configuration :
Graphical Editor Generation :
Models edition | |
Model and Diagram files storage | The creation of a new diagram in Topcased result in the creation of two files. The first file has the *.model extension contains informations about the model, whereas the second file with the *.modeldi extension contains graphical information about diagrams (position, size, colors,...). |
Activation of the "Topcased Modeling" Perspective |
Modeling with Topcased is easier by selecting the "Topcased Modeling" perspective : a perspective is a particular configuration of Eclipse environment that
consists of customized views, shortcuts and popup menus. To activate the "Topcased Modeling perspective", select "Window -> Open Perspective -> Other .."
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Creation of a Topcased Project |
<< New in 1.0.0M2 >>
A new project creation wizard is available. This will create a simple Project with a dedicated nature : the generated project only contains a single "Models" folder
that should be usually used to contains the model files related with the project. The project structure will evolve in the future depending on the user needs and feedbacks.
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The Topcased Navigator |
<< New in 1.0.0M2 >>
The Topcased Navigator may be used in place of the default Navigator in the Topcased Perspective.
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Creation of a new Diagram |
Each graphical editor is associated with a wizard whose goal is to simplify user tasks. The creation is so achieved in a few steps. To start the wizard, select the project
where you want to create your model, "Right Click > New > Other..." and then select the corresponding kind of diagram : "Topcased > Topcased Diagrams >
XXXDiagram"
Remark : if you have successfully switched to the "Topcased modeling" perspective, there is a shortcut directly accessible from the popup menu. ![]() ![]()
When you have correctly filled all the informations, click on the "Finish" button to open the editor with your empty diagram. |
Creation of a new Diagram from an existing model |
Each graphical editor is associated with a wizard whose goal is to simplify user tasks. The creation is so achieved in a few steps. To start the wizard, select the model
file that should be associated with the diagram you want to create, "Right Click > New > Other ..." and then select the corresponding kind of diagram depending
on the model file you have choosen : "Topcased > Topcased Diagrams > XXXDiagram".
Once you have selected the expected diagram, the wizard is opened : ![]()
When you have correctly filled all the informations, click on the "Finish" button to open the editor : as you can see the editor is empty. However, if you look at the "Outline" and more precisely the area that contains the model, you will discover that all the model object are present : so you have just to drag and drop the objects into appropriate diagrams and continue modeling. |
Export formats |
Different exporting formats are available. The active diagram can be exported as an image to your file sytem. On the editor, "Right Click > Export to file" and then in the popup window, select
the destination folder and the format among BMP and JPG.
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Control/Uncontrol |
<< New in 0.11.0 >>
These actions are mainly used to split/merge a model into several models. This functionality is mainly used to share a same model between different users. You can "Control" (or split) a model from the Outline View. Select the element you want to extract in a new file, "Right Click > Control" :
Later, you can choose to "Uncontrol" (or merge) these two models. In the original model file, select the controlled element (it should be decorated with a special icon in the Outline View), and then "Right Click > Uncontrol" :
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Rename a Model |
This refactoring method is used to rename a diagram/model file(s), and all the files that are referencing them. The dialog let the user choose the refactoring range : by default, the renaming of the file only
update the files in the same project, but the workspace may be included in the references search (the process will be longer in this case).
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Graphical Properties | |
Direct Edit |
When a label is associated with a graphical element, in general you can directly edit it from the editing Window.
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Resize element |
Depending on the element configuration, an element may be resizable or not. When it is resizable it can be restricted so that only the width, the heigth or both dimensions could be resized. To resize an element,
select it first and depending on the small squares that are drawn around the selection bounds, you can try to extend its initial size.
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Grid support |
<< New in 0.10.0 >>
When activated, graphical elements are automatically aligned on the grid when they are created, moved or resized. When snapping a rectangle, the edges of the rectangle will snap along gridlines. |
Snap to Geometry support |
When activated, graphical elements can be snapped to existing elements. When snapping a rectangle, the edges of the rectangle will snap to edges of other rectangles corresponding to the existing elements.
Similarly, the centers and middles of rectangles will snap to each other.
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Alignment for graphical elements
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Alignment can be performed whenever two or more graphical elements are selected. They can be aligned between them or resized to match the size of the primary selection.
Note : The primary selection is indicated by black selection handles, non-primary selection is indicated by white handles with a black outline. ![]() |
AutoResize |
Graphical elements can be resized automatically to fit their minimal size. This is used in particular during the Drag'n'Drop of an object from the Outline. |
Show/Hide connection Labels |
<< New in 1.0.0M2 >>
You can choose to show or hide the Labels associated with a Connection. In the "Graphics" tab of the Properties View, when a Connection is selected, there is two lists that
show you the Labels that are linked with the connection : the Left list contains the labels that are displayed in the diagram, and the left list, those which are hidden.
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Diagram navigation | |
Initialization of diagram contents |
<< New in 0.10.0 >>
When a diagram is about to be created, it can be initialized with the existing model objects. This feature is available from the creation wizard (when you create a new diagram from an existing
model file) and during the model edition, when you create a diagram into an existing model object that could be associated with a diagram.
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Navigation to the parent or last active diagram
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Using the toolbar menu actions : you can navigate to the previous diagram or the next diagram. You can also navigate to the parent diagram : the parent diagram is a
diagram that is associated with the first model object in the parent hierarchy of the current diagram.
From the Editing Window : double click on a graphical element that is decorated with the icon From the Outline : double click on a diagram in the outline to show its content. |
Diagram creation |
From the Editing Window : double click on a graphical element. If the element can be associated with a diagram, this will create a new one. When more than one diagram can be associated with the element,
a popup appears and you can choose the type of diagram to create.
From the Outline : select a valid model object, "Right Click > Add Diagram > XXX Diagram". |
Connections | |
Connection creation | Creation of a "connection" (a.k.a. link, flow) requires that the user click twice, once on the source, and again on the target. This allows the user to scroll the diagram between clicks. |
Routers | Three routers are available :
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Move labels |
The labels that are associated with a connection are completely movable. Thus you can arrange them to get a more readable diagram and avoid labels to be displayed above a connection.
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Model validation | |
Display validation errors |
<< New in 0.9.0 >>
The validation errors are displayed in the diagrams.
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Documentation View | |
Documentation View |
You can add additional informations on a graphical element in the Documentation View. Select the element in the diagram, and then in the Documentation View, choose the Comments tab. Then, you can type a multiLine text.
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Link external resources |
You can link Resources with a graphical element. Select the element in the diagram, and then in the Documentation View, choose the Resources tab. When you add a new Resource, a dialog appear :
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Outline View | |
Display mode
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You can change the display mode of the outline :
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Filters |
You can filter elements that are displayed in the tree view of the outline. Select the "Filters..." action from the 'Menu' icon at the top right of this view.
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Object sorting ![]() |
You can sort the model objects that are at the same hierarchical level. By default they are ordered following their creation date, but you can arrange them in alphabetical order. |
Palette tools | |
Marquee tools |
There are three different tools dedicated to the selection of the elements in the diagram :
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Palette presentation |
The Palette can be displayed with several presentations :
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Model Refactoring | |
Reconnecting Links |
User is allowed to reconnect links. All necessary model changes will be performed on the back stage.
All that one have to do is to select the link on the diagram, and grab one extremity to reconnect.
Drag the link end and drop it on the new target.
While dragging the link end over an incorrect target, the mouse cursor will display a cross
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Placing existing object in other containers |
It is also possible to change an exisiting element of container. A container can be a Package in
a Class Diagram, a Region un a StateMachine Diagram, etc.
User is able select a graph node and with a simple Drag and Drop,
try to place it over different containers. When the target object cannot host the selection, the
mouse cursor will display a cross ![]() |
Changing properties of Graph Node |
Some elemens such as Classes in a Class diagram may have lists of properties or operations.
It is also available to change (one by one or several at a time) these properties.
You have to select the concerned objects and drag and drop them into the new node. As well as the
actions explained above, the mouse cursor will display a cross ![]() |
Note | This changes can be done graphically. Dragging and Dropping object from the Outline will be neither executed or modified. |