Use the Beamer tool window to create a new model element from an existing model element and optionally connect the two by means of a relationship. The tool window supports the flexible and transparent mapping of elements and can be configured in many ways.
Mapping Options
You can use the Beamer tool window to derive elements from analysis models with role-based mapping themes in a targeted manner. The beamer permits all types of mapping.
Open the Beamer tool window in the Extras ribbon tab.
Unlike mapping using engineering actions, which perfectly supports and automates the frequent mapping of certain elements, the beamer provides a more flexible option for creating elements on the basis of existing elements and, optionally, connecting these elements by means of relationships.
The beamer supports the following action types:
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CopyLink
An element is created and a relationship is dragged to it (in create mode) or a relationship is created for an existing element (in link mode).
The target element is created as a copy during the creation operation, with a different type if appropriate. The relationship configured in the mapping theme is created between the source and target element. During dragging, a line appears linking the source element with the current position of the mouse.
When you release the mouse button, the element is created as an assigned element of the node onto which you dropped it.
The name of the target element is adopted from the source element.
A create template is used to create the target element. If multiple templates are available for selection (e.g. if multiple types are defined as the target in the mapping), a dialog appears where you can select a type.
The resulting relationship is created using its configured stereotype and does not require a create template.
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Link
A relationship configured in the mapping theme is created between the source element and an existing target element (or subelements of this target element with the same name). The target stereotypes define the elements to which the relationship is allowed to be dragged.
During dragging, a line appears linking the source element with the current position of the mouse.
Unlike a CopyLink, the line must be drawn directly to a target element, since this element already exists.
The resulting relationship is created using its configured stereotype and does not require a create template.
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Copy
Only one element is created with no relationship.
The target element is created as a copy, with a different type if appropriate. No relationship is created between the source and target element. No line to the mouse position appears.
When you release the mouse button, the element is created as an assigned element of the node onto which you dropped it.
The name of the target element is adopted from the source element.
A create template is used to create the target element. If multiple templates are available for selection (e.g. if multiple types are defined as the target in the mapping), a dialog appears where you can select a type.
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Move
The dragged element is deleted in the source and created anew in the target, in another position if applicable. The new element is not identical to the old one as the target stereotype can be a different one.
No line to the mouse position appears.
When you release the mouse button, the element is created as an assigned element of the node onto which you dropped it.
The name of the target element is adopted from the source element.
A create template is used to create the target element. If multiple templates are available for selection (e.g. if multiple types are defined as the target in the mapping), a dialog appears where you can select a type.
The source element is deleted once the move operation is complete.
A mode separates the connecting actions CopyLink (create and connect) and Link (connect) from the creating actions CopyLink (create and connect), Copy (create), and Move (create and delete), thus enabling better mapping control.
Each mapping in a role-relevant mapping theme contains a relationship stereotype that restricts the selection for the source and target stereotype in the mappings. No relationship is necessary for the creating action types Copy and Move.
How to Proceed
Use of Mapping Themes
The beamer uses mapping themes that:
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Are tailored to specific roles
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Define a source root and a target root
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Define precisely one relationship stereotype for all contained mappings
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Contain specific mappings that define a derived element and an action type for an initial element
Configured mapping themes can be selected in the Beamer tool window.
In the Source Selection drop-down list, the mapping theme offers those elements in the source root that arise from the combination of the mappings in the theme for selection.
In combination with the mode, the appropriate relationships and targets are offered in accordance with the selection.
You use the Mode drop-down list to define which mappings of the theme you currently want to use.
The mode switches between:
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create
This mode offers the creating actions CopyLink, Copy and Move from the mappings of the theme.
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link
This mode offers the connecting actions CopyLink and Link from the mappings of the theme. Alternatively, it can relate to the subelements.
A: In a simple drag-and-drop, the dragged source elements are linked with the target element.
B: In a drag-and-drop with the [Alt] key pressed, the dragged source elements are linked with the direct, identically named subelements of the target element. If there are no subelements of the same name or if these are already linked, a corresponding message is displayed.
To carry out a mapping, select a black tree node in the left-hand tree and drag it to a black tree node in the right-hand tree. The mouse pointer indicates whether an assignment is possible.
Once you have selected a node, the existing mapping edges are displayed. The corresponding mappings are selected in the Relationships list below.
To delete a created linking, select the relationship in the lower Relationships list and then select Start>Organize>Delete from Model (Shift+Del).
To delete a created element, select the element from the target area and select Start>Organize>Delete from Model (Shift+Del).
Configuring Mapping Themes
Click on Configure... to open the Configure Mappings dialog. You can edit and create mapping themes in this dialog.
The dialog consists of the configured mapping theme overview on the left-hand side and the corresponding details and mappings in two tabs.
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Mapping Themes List
The overview lists existing mapping themes as
user-defined or 
model-wide configurations.You can manage configurations here. (see "Managing Mapping Themes")
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Details Tab
As details, you enter a name and description for the theme in the supported interface languages and assign the roles that should have access to the contained mappings.
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Mappings Tab
For the definition of all mappings of the theme, you determine the source and target roots in the model and select a relationship stereotype for the mappings along with the relationship direction.
For the individual mappings, you define the stereotype of the initial element and the stereotypes of possible derived elements as well as the action type.
The individual mappings are mixed up within the theme and are then distributed to the source stereotype and mode. If, when you release the edge on a target element, it is not clear what sort of element should be created, the possible create templates are offered in a list so that you can select the target.
Related Topics
