Comparison Window for Diagrams

In the Align Models editor, a comparison window can be opened for two mapped diagrams from the current model or from the current model and another model in order to display graphical and logical differences in a graphical diagram comparison.

Purpose

In the Align Models editor, only the graphical differences are evaluated for the display of the comparison results for diagrams - not the logical differences. However, graphical modifications are often associated with logical modifications when the diagrams are updated. (A name change, for example, is thus only taken into account as a difference in the editor itself if it is also associated with a change to the size of the node.)

The comparison window for diagrams determines the graphical and logical differences between two diagrams for a graphical diagram comparison. You cannot make any merge decisions in the comparison window.

Icons for filters and the right-hand Differences area are available for a clear overview of the differences.

Prerequisites

In the hierarchy area of the Align Models editor, you have selected a diagram that is not a single.

Call

Open the comparison window using Open Comparison Window.

This command must be called again for another diagram.

The comparison window is closed with the Align Models editor.

Features

General

  • Diagrams can be arranged horizontally and vertically
  • Diagrams can be synchronously moved and zoomed
  • A diagram can be moved separately with the mouse with the [Alt] key pressed
  • Clear overview of the differences with a link to the relevant diagram elements
  • Direct jump to element in question in the original diagram by means of a double-click
  • Joint or separate display of graphical and logical differences
  • Keyboard commands can be used

Mode Compare

  • Highlighting of graphical differences and/or logical differences
  • Highlighting of diagram elements that exist only in the left-hand or only in the right-hand diagram
  • Highlighting of the diagram elements that exist in both diagrams and have differences

Mode Merge

  • Highlighting of all graphical changes during a merge from the point of view of the right-hand source model (new, deleted, and changed graphical properties)
  • Highlighting of the logical changes during a merge from the point of view of the right-hand source model (new, deleted, and changed logical properties, unresolved conflicts, resolved conflicts, logical properties that have been changed only in the target model)

Structure

The name of the left-hand diagram is displayed in the tab of the window.

The comparison window consists of the toolbar at the top, the two diagram areas and the Differences area.

Toolbar

General

Icon Meaning
Entire Diagram (Ctrl+F9)
Zoom both diagrams with the same factor to fit the entire diagrams into the window.
Change Alignment (Ctrl+O)
Change the horizontal/vertical alignment of the diagrams.
Highlight Graphical Changes (Ctrl+W)
Highlight elements that are graphically modified.

Mode Compare

Icon Meaning
Highlight Logical Changes (Ctrl+E)
Highlight elements that are logically modified.
  Highlight Left Singles (Ctrl+L)
Highlight elements that only exist in the left model.
Highlight Unequal Elements (Ctrl+H)
Highlight elements that exist in both models and are unequal.
  Highlight Right Singles (Ctrl+R)
Highlight elements that only exist in the right model.

Mode Merge

Icon Meaning
New
Show elements that would be created in the left model.
Deleted
Show elements that would be deleted in the left model.
Changed
Show elements that have been changed.
Resolved
Show elements where all decisions for differently modified properties have been made successfully.
Unresolved
Show elements that require decisions regarding differently modified properties.
Warnings
Show elements that have been exclusively changed in the left model.

Diagram Areas

The diagram areas always have the same size and display the left-hand and right-hand diagram. The diagram areas can be arranged horizontally or vertically using the Change Alignment (Ctrl+O) command.

The diagrams are moved and zoomed synchronously as a rule. A diagram can be moved separately with the mouse with the Alt key pressed The Entire Diagram (Ctrl+F9) command makes the display synchronous again.

If differences exist, selected diagram elements are linked with the corresponding entry in the Differences area.

Direct jump to element in question in the original diagram by means of a double-click.

Context Menu in Diagram Elements

Icon Meaning

Go to Diagram (Ctrl+Enter) or (Ctrl+Shift+Enter)

Jump to the element in the diagram.

Go to Element (Ctrl+M) or (Ctrl+Shift+M)

Jump to the element in the model.

Go to Compare result (Ctrl+D) or (Ctrl+Shift+D)

Jump to the element in the Compare result.

Differences

In the case of a selection, the differences are linked with the corresponding diagram elements.

The details of a difference are displayed in its tool tip.

Use the filter to restrict the displayed differences.

How to Use the Keyboard

In addition to the aforementioned shortcuts for menu commands, you can use the keyboard as follows:

  • [arrow keys]

    Move both diagrams in the desired direction. Double the speed with the [Shift] key.

  • [+] (plus)

    Increase the size of both diagrams.

  • [–] (minus)

    Decrease the size of both diagrams.

  • [Ctrl]+[Crsr Down]

    Select the next difference in the list of differences.

  • [Ctrl]+[Crsr Up]

    Select the previous difference in the list of differences.

Supported Procedures in the Comparison Window for Diagrams