Page title:Introduction

Closed Captioning text:You can use IBM Rational UML modeling products to create powerful diagrams that enable you to describe real-world systems. You can build models that provide the blueprints for large-scale applications, and then transform those models into compiling code. A detailed UML model, with complete UML diagrams, is a solid starting point for designing an end-to-end application.

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Page title:Describe your system by using UML diagrams

Closed Captioning text:UML diagrams are an ideal way to model the many complex facets of a system. You can model the static information of your system by using use-case and activity diagrams. You can realize your use cases and model dynamic information by using sequence and state machine diagrams. You can also model the domain of your system by using class diagrams.

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Page title:UML diagram types

Closed Captioning text:You can create and edit all UML diagram types. You can use static and dynamic diagram types to describe the use-case, analysis, and design models that define your system. You can create the following diagrams types: use-case, sequence, class, activity, component, communication, state machine, deployment, and composite structure.

Page text:You can create the following diagrams types:


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Page title:Using the Palette to create UML diagrams

Closed Captioning text:The Palette contains the tools that you need to create UML diagrams. The Palette is an intuitive, context-sensitive tool that you can use to add UML elements or diagram elements to UML diagrams. Simply click an element in the Palette and drag it into the diagram editor. The Palette contains collections of tools that are specific to each UML diagram type.

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Page title:Dragging elements into your diagram

Closed Captioning text:The diagram editor offers shortcuts that can make creating diagrams simpler. To drag multiple elements of the same type into the diagram, hold Ctrl, drag the element to a location in your diagram, and click to drop the element. With Ctrl still pressed, move the mouse to another location in the diagram and click again.

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Page title:Using the diagram editor

Closed Captioning text:IBM Rational UML modeling products provide context-sensitive tools that help guide you as you create UML diagrams. You can use the diagram assist features such as connector handles and action bars to help you create your diagrams. Connector handles enable you to create new relationships and new elements at the click of a button, and to view all relationship types in a model.

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Page title:Using Action bars to create UML diagrams

Closed Captioning text:Action bars are powerful graphical pop-up menus that you can use to quickly create and edit diagrams. Simply hover over an element and select an item on the action bar. You can create diagrams more quickly, without typing or using the standard menus or Palette.

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Page title:Using Content assist to edit properties and method signatures

Closed Captioning text:Content assist is a built-in Eclipse modeling aid that provides suggestions, displays valid code listings, and attempts to complete your code as you type it. You can use content assist to edit property types and method signatures in a class diagram. Content assist can help you create UML diagrams quickly, and increase the accuracy of your UML diagrams by prompting you with valid return types.

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Page title:Applying custom properties to your diagrams

Closed Captioning text:You can add more meaning to your diagrams by customizing the appearance of specific UML elements. Add color or change the text properties to signify importance, or filter your diagram to show only key elements. Effective UML diagrams can improve navigation through a complex UML model.

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Page title:Summary

Closed Captioning text:The diagram editor, the Palette, and user-assisted modeling features such as action bars and connector handles, make creating complex UML diagrams simpler. These tools enable you to create effective UML diagrams that form the visual basis for complete and accurate UML models.

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