Modelio
| Modelio is a comprehensive UML modeling tool supporting the UML2.x standard. Modelio adds modern Eclipse-based ergonomics to the solid modeling and generation know-how obtained with the earlier Softeam modeling tool, Objecteering, which has been on the market since 1991. Modelio provides a central repository for the model, which allows various languages (UML profiles) to be combined in the same model, abstraction layers to be managed and traceability between different model elements to be established. Modelio proposes various extension modules, enabling the customization of this MDE environment for different purposes and stakeholders. Modelio is available in two Editions: Enterprise and Free, with each edition designed to meet different needs. | |
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Modelio Free Edition A comprehensive, UML professional mod-elling tool, free of charge! Modelio Free Edition is a complete, unlimited modeling tool that can be used for personal or professional projects. It provides an HTML or Word documentation generation feature, and also includes an XMI import/export service. Modelio Free Edition provides complete support of UML2 modeling, as well as support of Enterprise Architecture modeling, BPM modeling and SOA modeling. Modelio Free Edition is a single-user tool that cannot be extended through additional modules. It does not support project sharing. Key features Modelio Free Edition is a complete, unlimited modeling tool that we're proud to bring you free of charge! With absolutely no limits on model size, you can use Modelio Free Edition for personal and professional projects. Modelio Free Edition includes the following key features: • Complete UML2 support • Integrated support of Enterprise Architecture and Business Process Modeling provided by the free Modelio EA-BPM Modeler module • Integrated BPMN support provided by the free Modelio EA-BPM Modeler module • SOA architecture modeling with the free Modelio SOA Architect module • HTML or Word documentation generation • XMI import/export • Dynamic and customizable model consistency checks • Integrated traceability management (dedicated graphical editor) • “Smart modeling” interactive modeling assistance • Language, methodology and platform-independent |
Modelio Enterprise Edition Enterprise-wide modelling, large-scale team support, MDA customization to adapt Modelio to your environment. Modelio Enterprise Edition is dedicated to professional modelling and development activities. It supports project sharing, MDA customization, XMI import and export and can be extended through a wide range of modules covering the entire life-cycle of technical or business systems or software. Depending on your chosen configuration, Modelio Enterprise Edition can support requirement analysis, goal analysis, dictionary definition, business rule analysis, teamwork and configuration/version management, model-driven code generation, document generation with a large set of predefined templates and any other MDA extensions that you define. Modelio Enterprise Edition is a highly efficient tool, capable of managing teamwork on large-scale models by large-scale teams. It provides a mechanism used to organize teams, their workspaces and their cooperation. Floating licenses are available for Modelio Enterprise Edition. Key features • Full UML2 support • Model-driven code generation • Code-model synchronization using your favorite IDE (e.g. Java/Eclipse; C#/MS-Visual studio) • HTML/MS-Word document generation and customization • XMI import and export • Teamwork management and project sharing • Configuration and version management with the “Subversion” open-source tool • Platform generation modules (C#, Java, C++, SQL, BPEL, XSD, WSDL, Hibernate) • Metamodel access through a Java API • MDA customization • Tool extension through a wide range of modules • Scripting language support (Jython) • SOA Architecture modeling • Enterprise Architecture and Business Process modeling • BPMN support • Requirement and goal analysis • Dictionary and business rule definition |
Modules for Modelio Enterprise Edition
| Module | Description |
| Core | |
| Modelio Modeler | • Full UML2 support. • Support of team cooperation and project sharing. • MDA support (the Java Designer module is required for all Java customization). • Scripting language support (Jython). |
| Scoping | |
| Goal Analyst | Goal analysis, traceability and impact analysis. |
| Dictionary & Business Rule Analyst | Dictionary definition, business rule analysis, traceability and impact analysis. |
| Requirement Analyst | Requirement analysis, traceability and impact analysis. |
| Modeling | |
| EA – BPM Modeler | • Enterprise Architecture and Business Process modeling. • BPMN support. |
| SOA Architect | Logical architecture, functional architecture and SOA architecture of information system modeling. |
| Generating | |
| Document Publisher | • HTML and OpenXML document and report generation. • Configuration through a large set of templates. |
| Java Designer | Model-driven Java code generation. |
| C++ Designer | Model-driven C++ generation. |
| C# Designer | Model-driven C# generation. |
| SQL Designer | Relational database schema modeling, SQL generation and reverse. |
| Hibernate Designer | Model-driven Hibernate mapping and Java access class generation. |
| XSD Designer | Model-driven XML schema generation. |
| WSDL Designer | Modeling, generation and reverse of WSDL web services (sold with XSD Designer and BPEL Designer). |
| BPEL Designer | BPMN modeling dedicated to orchestration (sold with WSDL Designer and XSD Designer). |
| Teamwork management | |
| Teamwork Manager | • Teamwork management. • Configuration and version management using the “Subversion” open-source tool. |
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Core |
- How to enter multiple lines on requirement editor?
- How to reorder operations in a class diagram?
- Is there a way to create several instances of an element without having to re-select the creation icon each time?
- Can I export/import my models to and from other tools?
- No Java code is generated for my class - why?
- What are model components?
- How can I exchange information between the different editions of Modelio?
- I want to copy/paste a UML diagram into MS-Word or Powerpoint. How can I do that?
- I would like to update my model using the explorer in the most efficient way (i.e. using the keyboard, and navigating/editing as I would do in a spreadsheet editor). In particular, I'd like to find out more about the focus/edit mode.
- Can I create qualifiers on associations?
- In a state machine diagram, how can I resize a composite state? Each time I select the bottom handle, I can’t do anything.
- How can I connect a BPMN task and a UML use case in Modelio?
Q: How to enter multiple lines on requirement editor?
A:The text of a requirement can be written in multiple lines. You must use "Shift+Enter" combination to break lines in the requirement editor.
Q: How to reorder operations in a class diagram?
A: Here's how to reorder operations in a class diagram:
- In the class diagram, mask operations in a class using "Mask.../Content" right-click menu entry on the class element.
- In the UML explorer, reorder operations in the target class. To reorder an operation, select it and use "Move up" and "Move down" arrows present at the top of the UML explorer.
- In the class diagram, unmask operations using "Shift+O" shortcut on the target class (or Drag&Drop operations from explorer to the diagram).
Q: It's annoying when I have to click the class button or aggregate button every time I want to add something. Is there a way to create objects repeatedly without having to re-select the creation icon everytime?
A:
Here's how to create several instances of the same kind of element:
- Instead of clicking on the element's creation button, double-click on it.
- Each time you click within the diagram, the relevant element will be created without having to re-select the element type.
- To exit the "repeat creation" mode, simply click on another element creation button or on the arrow button (cursor icon, top of the palette).
Q: Can I export/import my models to and from other tools?
A:
Modelio uses XMI for exchanging UML models to and from other tools (XMI 2.0).
The XMI Import feature enabling the import of a model from another tool is available in all editions of Modelio, including the Free Edition.
The XMI Export feature is only available in the Enterprise Edition of Modelio.
Please note that although XMI is an OMG standard, XMI files very often come in different flavors depending on the specific tool implementation. You may therefore encounter some limitations when importing/exporting models to and from non-official variants of the XMI norm.
Q: No Java code is generated for my class - why?
A:
The reason is probably that the class hasn't been marked as being a “Java Element”. This can be done in the Java Property tab.
Modelio has a very elegant way of distinguishing between “analysis” elements that do not need code generation (typically PIM elements in MDA terminology) and model elements that are really Java elements and that require code generation (usually called PSM elements in MDA terminology). This enables the clear separation of model parts representing the business model or the application concepts for analysis purposes in non Java element dedicated packages, from Java generated elements in specific packages that have been set as “Java Element”.
Modelio Java Designer will therefore only manage those elements which are marked as being “Java Elements”. Note that this rule not only applies to code generation but also to other Modelio Java production and automatization features that will only be run on “Java Element” objects (example: accessor generation for class attributes).
Modelio Java Designer will automatically set the “Java Element” mark on each sub-element of a “Java Element” marked package. Therefore it's a good practice to create this kind of “Java Element” top level package and to create all the Java model elements in it.
Q: What are model components?
A:
Model components are used to package a set of model elements along with a set of additional files into a single archive file.
Model components are then deployed in a Modelio project where the UML model elements they contain become available in read-only mode (ie, they cannot be modified in the project where they are deployed).
The typical use of Modelio model component technology consists in providing model components for external libraries like the Java JDK. Once the JDK model component has been deployed, all the classes of the JDK become available for Java modeling.
Typically only a simplified and reduced part of the model is contained in a model component (ie, packages and classes but no methods and no code). Therefore deploying a model component like the JDK preserves accurate modeling (all classes are present) while avoiding the burden of a huge model (the JDK is indeed a real piece of code!) and related potential performance issues.
Note that the Modelio Enterprise Edition enables you to create and package your own model components. This can be efficiently used to organize large team activities in a reliable process where each team can regularly deliver official revisions of the components it is responsible for to other teams. These deliveries are then based on the project schedule.
Both team independence and team synchronization can simultaneously be promoted when using the Modelio model component technology.
Q: How can I exchange information between the different editions of Modelio?
A:
You can move from Modelio Free Edition to Modelio Enterprise Edition.
Modelio Enterprise Edition can read a project (.ofpx) from Modelio Free Edition, and you will be able to load modules from Modelio Enterprise within this project. The reverse is not possible.
Q: I want to copy/paste a UML diagram into MS-Word or Powerpoint. How can I do that?
A:
Don’t use “CRTL C” or “Copy” in Modelio diagrams. These commands work in the explorer and copy the “semantics” (structure and definition) of an element or group of elements, but are not adapted to diagrams.
In Modelio diagrams, there is a specific command in the top right corner of the diagram (“Copy diagram into the clipboard”), which copies the entire diagram. You can then use the usual Windows “Paste” commands.
Q: I would like to update my model using the explorer in the most efficient way (i.e. using the keyboard only and not the mouse, and navigating/editing as I would do in a spreadsheet editor). In particular, I'd like to find out more about the focus/edit mode.
A:
With Modelio, you can quickly browse and update your models in the explorer using your keyboard:
- You can navigate within your model in the explorer by using the arrow keys on your keyboard.
- To edit a selected element, press the "F2" key. This is far more practical than double-clicking with your mouse (mouse handling, context-sensitive interpretations, etc).
- To validate a name change, use the carriage return key.
- To expand a node, press the carriage return key.
And don't forget the “Clone” or “Create sibling” buttons in the explorer, both of which are very useful for fast creation.
For detailed editing (more than just the name), use the element's UML properties zone.
Q: Can I create qualifiers on associations?
A:
Yes. To create a qualifier, you have to use the explorer. The result will appear wherever the association is displayed in diagrams.
Right-click on the “association end” (where you want the qualifier to appear) in the explorer, and select “Create a UML element/Qualifier”.
Q: In a state machine diagram, how can I resize a composite state? Each time I select the bottom handle, I can’t do anything.
A:
In order to be able to resize a composite state, select the state by clicking in the upper part that contains the name. It will then be possible to resize the state as you wish.
Q: How can I connect a BPMN task and a UML use case in Modelio?
A:
Modelio provides a powerful and general purpose “trace” mechanism relying on the standard UML dependency.
The Fast Link editor provides a means of tracing two model elements. Select the task in the BPMN editor, put the Fast Link Editor in edit mode (using the “pen” icon), drag & drop the traced use case from the explorer to the Fast link Editor.
You can also drag & drop the use case in the BPMN diagram, and create a trace link in the BPMN diagram if you want to show it in the diagram.