UML diagrams illustrate the quantifiable aspects of a system that can be described visually, such as relationships, behavior, structure, and functionality. The visual representation of a system that UML diagrams provide can offer both low-level and high-level insight into the concept and design of an application.
In IBM® Rational® products, you work with and manage all UML diagrams in a similar manner. For example, you state default settings for UML diagrams by specifying preferences. To create diagrams in the diagram editor, and to add elements and relationships to them, you use the Create tab of the Palette. To explore a model from a diagram, you use the Explore tab of the Palette.
The following topics provide the general tasks for managing UML diagrams, from setting preferences and creating diagrams to editing, printing, and saving them.