Editing Dependencies Between Elements in the Dependency Editor

You can use the Dependency Editor to edit dependencies between any elements, e.g. also between diagrams.

Calling the Dependency Editor

Prerequisites

At least one model element needs to be selected to be able to call the Dependency Editor.

Context

You can show the dependent or required elements of a certain dependency type for selection in the Dependency Editor. If you show the dependent elements, the selection corresponds to the required source elements. If you show the required elements, the selection corresponds to the dependent target elements.

Innovator calculates all elements which are linked with the initial set's elements via a dependency of any type. These linked elements are shown at the top of the window.

You can call the Dependency Editor more than once. You cannot change the viewing direction in the opened Dependency Editor.

How to proceed

Select one or more model elements you want to show the dependent or required elements for.
Select Start>Open>Dependent Elements or Start>Open>Required Elements.

The Dependency Editor appears. Model elements which have dependencies to one of the possible dependency types appear in the columns. If there are no model elements with such dependencies, the columns are empty.
Select the type of dependencies you want to view from the Select Dependency drop-down list.

If there are dependencies for the selected type, these are shown by an angled arrow. If more than one of these dependencies exist, the appropriate number of dependencies is shown next to the arrow.

Limiting and Extending the Display

Context

You can limit the display of elements in rows and columns to elements dependent on the selected type. Rows and columns with no such dependencies are hidden. You can show them again at any time.

How to proceed

Activate the Show elements with existing dependencies only check box.

Empty rows and columns with no such dependencies are hidden.

Adding and Removing Elements

Context

You can extend the initial set by dragging other elements and dropping them in the list on the left-hand side (table column); you can reduce the initial set by removing elements from the list on the left-hand side with the Remove from List context menu command.

You can also drag elements into the linked elements area (header). You can remove elements with no dependencies there.

How to proceed

To add elements, select the model elements, drag them and drop them in the left or top area.

The mouse pointer appears in areas where you can drag and drop . Elements are alphabetically sorted.

If empty rows and columns are hidden then it could be the case that element sets are extended but the new elements would not be shown after they are dragged there. This is why empty rows and columns will be shown again.
Select the Remove from List context menu command to remove a selected element from the list.

The element is removed from the list.
To remove all elements with no dependencies from the area with linked elements, select the Remove Elements without Dependencies context menu command.

All elements without dependencies are removed from the header.

Possible Selection of Elements and Dependencies

Multiple selection is separately possible for

Elements from the initial set (left list)
Linked elements (header)
Cells in the matrix (i.e. dependencies)

If more than one dependency is represented in a cell, then all these dependencies are selected when the cell is selected.

Mixed selection of elements from various areas is not possible.

Dependent tool windows like Details or Properties react to the selection made in the matrix.

You can carry out general commands, such as deleting or adding elements to the result region by selecting in the matrix.

Creating Dependencies

Prerequisites

Dependencies can only be created if the source element is permitted to be an owner of dependencies, if a create template exists for the dependency and if the user – in their currently used role – has the correct access and execution rights.

Context

You can use drag&drop to create dependencies in the Dependency Editor's matrix:

Between one or more elements of the initial set (left list) and a linked element or
Between one or more linked elements (header) and an element of the initial set.

The mouse pointer changes to drop mode and shows the icon of the respective dependency type (here, dependency).

You can create dependencies by dragging elements from the initial set (left-hand list) and dropping them in a column. The mouse pointer changes to drop mode and shows the icon of a dependency.

Dependencies are created between the column's element and all selected elements in the initial set.

Linked elements can also be dragged to rows in the same way.

It is also possible to select the Create <Dependency type> context menu command when creating a dependency between two elements on a matrix field.

How to proceed

Select the type of dependencies you want to create from the Select Dependency drop-down list.

If there are dependencies for the selected type, these are shown by an angled arrow. If more than one of these dependencies exist, the appropriate number of dependencies is shown next to the arrow.
Select one or more model elements from the initial set or linked elements you want to create a dependency of the selected type for.
Drag the selected elements and drop them on the element you want to create a dependency of the selected type to.

The mouse pointer changes to drop mode and shows the icon of the dependency type.
Repeat this process to create further dependencies of the same type.

Deleting Dependencies

Context

Dependencies which appear multiple times are shown in the matrix next to the dependency icon as the number of times they appear. Deleting always affects all dependencies of the respective type. There are two ways of deleting single dependencies:

Use the Delete from Model (Shift+Del) menu command to add dependencies to the result region and delete the dependencies you want there.
Along with the Dependency Editor, open the Dependencies tool window; this then shows the dependencies for the selected element. Select the dependency you want to delete and click on the Delete from Model button.

How to proceed

Select the type of dependencies you want to delete from the Select Dependency drop-down list.

If there are dependencies for the selected type, these are shown by an angled arrow. If more than one of these dependencies exist, the appropriate number of dependencies is shown next to the arrow.
To delete all selected dependencies from the model, select one or more matrix fields with the dependencies to be deleted and select Delete from Model.

The dialog of the same name appears. You cannot delete individual elements in this dialog.
Click on Delete from Model to confirm deletion of all selected dependencies.
To delete dependencies which appear more than once from the model, select one or more matrix fields with the dependencies to be deleted and select Delete from Model.

The dialog of the same name appears. You cannot delete individual elements in this dialog.
Click on the Add to Result Region button, select the dependency/dependencies in the result region you want to delete and select Delete from Model (Shift+Del).

The dialog of the same name appears.
Click on Delete from Model to confirm deletion of the selected dependencies.