Creating and Removing Dependencies Between Elements Independently from the Diagram

Use the Dependencies tool window to create dependencies between elements instead of creating them graphically in the diagram.

Definition

A dependency is a relationship between two model elements and represents the fact that when a change is made to the independent model, this will affect the dependent model. The dependency refers to the model elements themselves and not to any instances of these elements which may exist. Dependencies can be specified as a generalization, abstraction, use, realization, satisfy etc. depending on the configuration made.

Creating a Dependency

Prerequisites

Dependencies can only be created if the source element can be an owner of dependencies, if a create template exists for the dependencies and if the user has the correct access rights for their role.

Context

Dependencies can be created starting at the source element or the target element.

If you select the target element first, you need to open the Dependency (Inflowing Relationship) section.

How to proceed

Select the source or target element in the model structure or diagram.
Select View>Window>Tool Windows>Dependencies.

The Dependencies tool window appears.
Open the section for the dependency you want in the tool window.
Click on the New button in the section and select the type of dependency from the drop-down list.

The Create new using template dialog appears.
Select the dependency's target or source element in the dialog and confirm with OK.

The dependency is created and shown below the source element in the model structure.

Go to a Dependency

Prerequisites

An element which has dependencies is selected.

A section which shows the existing dependencies is expanded in the Dependencies tool window.

Context

Jump to a dependency or a dependent element in the model structure.

How to proceed

Move the mouse pointer over the name of the dependency or dependent element which you want to jump to.
Select Location in Model Structure in the context menu.

The Model Contents tool window appears if it was not already visible.

Model Structure becomes active and the respective element is selected.

All tool windows which depend on the selected element modify their shown contents.

Removing a Dependency

How to proceed

Select an element's dependency.
Select Delete from Model.

A dialog with confirmation prompt appears.

Attention:
The dialog asks whether you want to remove the selected dependency.

If there is more than one element to be deleted in the list, click on Cancel. This selects the element itself rather than the dependency.
Close the dialog with Yes.

The selected dependency is removed.