Creating Elements in Diagrams

You can create model elements in diagrams using the context menu's mini toolbar, from the Create Diagram Contents gallery or using the carousel of a preexisting diagram element. Some elements can only be created in a certain way

How to Create Model Elements

There are various ways to create or add model elements in diagrams:

  1. Via the mini toolbar in the context menu

    • To create a new element, position the mouse pointer at the desired location in the diagram, right-click with the mouse and select a template for the desired element from the context menu's mini toolbar.

      The diagram element is inserted in the diagram and added to the model structure.

    • In order to create a subordinate element (e.g. an operation for a class) or an adjacent element of the same type (e.g. another attribute for a class or an object) for an existing element, select the element, right-click with the mouse and select a template for the desired element from the mini toolbar of the context menu.

      The element is inserted and integrated into the model structure.

  2. Via the carousel of a diagram element that already exists

    Select the source element in the diagram. Click on the icon of the link you want to make to the target element in the carousel and keep the mouse button pressed. Drag the rubber band where you want the new element to go and release the mouse button. Select the desired element from the drop-down list of permissible target elements.

    The diagram element is inserted in the diagram and added to the model structure. The selected link is created between the source and target element.

  3. From the gallery in the ribbon

    Click on the icon of the element type you want in the gallery's Create Diagram Contents group and move the mouse pointer where you want in the diagram. The icon is "attached" to the mouse pointer. Click with the left mouse button where you want to place the element.

    It is also possible to keep the left mouse button pressed and drag the icon and drop it where you want in the diagram.

    Tip

    Click with the right mouse button on the templates you want and activate the Repeated Creationtoggle command to create multiple elements of the same type. Move the mouse pointer where you want in the diagram and click on the left mouse button to create an element.

    Certain templates (for example, comments, properties) are found in the Create Diagram Contents group to the right of the gallery. You can create comments by clicking on the icon and then clicking on the element in the diagram or the diagram itself. You can create properties directly for a selected element.

    The diagram element is inserted in the diagram and added to the model structure.

  4. Create in the model structure and then drag to the diagram.

    Create an element in the model structure and drag it to the diagram as a new element.

Some elements can only be created via the mini toolbar, e.g. attributes of classes or extension points in use cases or with the Properties tool window, e.g. conditions for extend relationships.

Create defaults are used for integrating created elements into the model structure (see "Structuring a Model").

Creating an Element Using the Mini Toolbar in the Context Menu

Prerequisites

A diagram exists, is opened and is reserved for editing.

Create templates can be found in the mini toolbar, depending on the context. The mouse pointer needs to be on a diagram element that can be the element type's owner, e.g. also possible on the diagram itself.

Context

Please note that the mini toolbar only shows the most important element types or does not appear at all.

Tip

For two selected nodes, the mini toolbar shows the links which can be selected. Alternatively, open the drop-down list with [Ctrl]+[N].

How to proceed

  1. To create an element in the diagram that has the diagram itself as the owner, place the mouse pointer over a free point in the diagram.

  2. To create an element in the diagram that has an existing diagram element as the owner, place the mouse pointer over this diagram element in the diagram.

  3. Click on the right mouse button.

    The context menu appears. The context menu contains the mini toolbar for selecting permissible create templates; the create templates are either shown directly in the mini toolbar or as icons in drop-down lists.

  4. Select a template for the element you want from the context menu's mini toolbar.

    An element of the selected type is inserted in the diagram and added to the model structure. A unique name is created and selected for elements with names.

  5. Enter the name of the element and then press the [Enter] key.

    The diagram element is renamed. An error message appears if the name entered is not unique.

Creating an Element Using the Carousel

Prerequisites

A diagram exists, is opened and is reserved for editing.

A diagram element which can be linked to a new element exists.

Context

Please ensure that the mouse pointer is within the drop-down list when selecting the new element.

How to proceed

  1. Select the link's source element in the diagram.

    The carousel with permissible links appears next to the source element's selection rectangle.

  2. Click on the icon of the link you want to make to the target element and keep the mouse button pressed.

  3. Drag the rubber band where you want the new element to go.

  4. Release the mouse button.

    A drop-down list with the permissible elements for the selected link appears.

  5. Select the desired element from the drop-down list.

    The diagram element is inserted in the diagram and added to the model structure. The selected link is created between the source and target element. A unique name is created and selected for elements with names.

  6. Enter the name of the element and then press the [Enter] key.

    The diagram element is renamed. An error message appears if the name entered is not unique.

Creating an Element from the Gallery

Prerequisites

A diagram exists, is opened and is reserved for editing.

The new element needs to be on a diagram element that can be its owner, e.g. also possible on the diagram itself. If this prerequisite is not met, the mouse pointer shows .

Context

The Create Diagram Contents group in the Design tab contains a gallery with the icons of the element types that can be created in the respective diagram type due to the configuration set.

Click on New from Template below in the gallery's scroll bar to list all configured create templates.

Create an element from the gallery or New from Template drop-down list using drag-and-drop.

You can create multiple elements of the same type using the activated Repeated Creation toggle command. This also works for just one element.

Certain templates (for example, comments, properties) are found in the Create Diagram Contents group to the right of the gallery. You can create comments by clicking on the icon and then clicking on the element in the diagram or the diagram itself. You can create properties directly for a selected element.

The diagram element is inserted in the diagram and added to the model structure. A unique name is created and selected for elements with names; you can then immediately change this name.

Note

Please note that some element types may behave in a certain way with drag-and-drop.

Innovator simplifies creation of most diagram elements by automatically creating the owner when the first diagram element is created, e.g. a process is automatically created when the first task is created. However, other tasks then need to be dragged to an existing owner.

How to proceed

  1. Jump to the Design tab.

  2. To create an element, drag a template from the gallery in the Create Diagram Contents group and drop it where you want in the diagram.

    The diagram element is inserted in the diagram and added to the model structure. A unique name is created and selected for elements with names.

  3. Click with the right mouse button on the templates you want and activate the Repeated Creation toggle command to create multiple elements of the same type one after another. Move the mouse where you want in the diagram and click on the left mouse button to create an element.

    The diagram element is inserted in the diagram and added to the model structure. A unique name is created for elements with names.

    Entering a name immediately deactivates the Repeated Creation toggle command.

  4. Enter the name of the element and then press the [Enter] key.

    The diagram element is renamed. An error message appears if the name entered is not unique.

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