Sparx Systems has recently released its latest version of Enterprise Architect 16. Sparx Systems have added various new features in this version. Here is a guide with a list of menus frequently used by EA practitioners. This ultimate guide focuses highly on how to access those frequently used options from menu bars along with some shortcuts. Since there are many changes in menus for frequently used options like Report Generation, Model Exchange, Element Properties, and others.

The below table shows the full comparison between Enterprise Architect versions 14, 15, and 16.

 Commonly Used Ribbon Updates in Enterprise Architect 16

Sparx provides Quick Access Panels in Enterprise Architect 16 to make it easier to choose and access a window.

Design: Contains lists of windows for browsing the structure and content of the model (Alt + 1).

Properties: Contains a list of windows of Elements tools (Alt + 2).

Collaborate: Contains lists of windows for performing discussions, reviews, and collaborations (Alt + 3).

Execute: Contains lists of windows for performing execution analysis, profiling, simulation, scripting, and debugging (Alt + 4).

Construct: Contains a list of windows for all project management transactions (Alt + 5).

Publish: Contains lists of windows for report generator and model exchange (Alt + 6).

Further Information

Please contact us or write an email to info@sparxsystems.in  to have a live demo about the new EA 16 features and capabilities.

Sparx Systems Enterprise Architect 16 now includes a New Scriptlet element that provides a dynamic view of your diagram. Scriptlet is a JavaScript-based powerhouse that allows you to access the underlying diagram and element API for customizing element appearance, text, tagged values, and other properties. Scriptlets are executed automatically when the diagram containing them is reloaded or they can be executed manually on demand.

Each Scriptlet has access to three global objects in addition to the standard automation environment. They are:

• theDiagram – an automation Diagram interface to the diagram on which the Scriptlet resides
• theElement – an automation Element interface to the Scriptlet artifact itself
• theInstance – an automation DiagramObject interface to the Scriptlet artifact itself

Figure 1 Scriptlet in Toolbox

Key Points

• Apply change to the appearance of elements, names, and tagged values.
• Updates to dynamic properties can be automated.
• Create your spreadsheets with the new Grid Style diagrams and Scriptlets.
• Update the Grid style diagrams using new cell references (A:1, A:2, etc.,) API.
• Dynamically colour code elements based on your rules.
• Populate and edit a table of data.
• Render graphics.
• Validate model elements in a diagram.

How to use Scriptlets in EA 16?

• Drag-drop the Scriptlet element from the toolbox.
• Double click on the artifact to open the scripting pad.
• Edit the script as required.
• Reload the diagram to run the script automatically or right-click on the Scriptlet element and choose ‘Run Script’ from the context menu to run manually.
• Multiple Scriptlet elements can be used on a single diagram and, the Z-order of the Scriptlets on the diagram determines the order in which they are executed.
• Scriptlets are model-based and therefore the same Scriptlet element can be used on multiple diagrams.

Using Scriptlets in MDG Technologies

• Scriptlets can be incorporated into the definition of an element stereotype, as part of a Profile in an MDG Technology.
• Scriptlets can therefore be used to make on-the-fly changes to an element’s properties and presentation.
• To add a Scriptlet to an element stereotype, create an attribute named ‘_scriptlet’ within the element used to define the stereotype, and enter the script code into the ‘Initial Value’ field of that attribute’s properties.

Further Information 

Please contact us or write an email to info@sparxsystems.in to have a live demo about the new EA 16 features and capabilities.          

Sparx Systems Enterprise Architect 16 introduces a New “Native Connection” method to both 32 and 64-bit versions in addition to the existing connection methods that require separate ODBC or OLEDB drivers to be installed.

Enterprise Architect 16 makes the simplest and recommended way to establish connections with existing and new repositories like:

• Firebird
• MariaDB
• MySQL
• Oracle
• PostgreSQL
• SQL Server

Native Connection does not require the need for installation of drivers for individual DBMS and DSN definitions.

Enter the details of the database in the Native Connection window and connect Enterprise Architect to it.

Access:

Start Page > Open Project | Server Connection Start Page > Manage Projects > Connect to Server (on drop-down arrow, Select Native Connection)

How do we connect to the Repositories using Native Connection in Enterprise Architect 16?

1. Click on the radio button for the type of DBMS you are connecting to.
2. Give the name of the connection in the description field.
3. Enter the database details as required.
4. Click on test to check whether the connection is successful or not.
5. If the connection is successful, OK button will be enabled. Click on it to connect with the EA repository.

Further Information 

Please contact us or write an email to info@sparxsystems.in to have a live demo about the new EA 16 features and capabilities.  

• Enterprise Architect has always allowed modelers to customize the appearance and position of elements in diagrams, and the New Grid Style Diagram option allows you to manage and organize diagrams by sorting diagram elements into cells within a grid.
• Build a Spreadsheet, Dashboard, and even a home page for your model with the Grid Style diagram.
• In Enterprise Architect 16, the Grid functionality integrates with a New Scripting API to reference elements by the provided grid position.

Key Points:

• Holds element in each grid cell
• Configurable in rows, columns, and cell size
• Manages medium to a large set of information
• Row and Column headers refer to the grid position
• Element position can be referred by grid position
• Automatically updates and process elements in the grid using Scriptlet.

How to enable Grid Style in Enterprise Architect 16?

In the Diagram Properties tab, select the ‘Enable’ option for Grid Style from the drop-down list under the section ‘Appearance’.

Figure 1 Enable Grid Style

This action turns on the ‘grid-style’ setting and opens the ‘Grid- Style Properties’ dialog, where you can specify settings such as the number of columns and the height and width of cells.

Figure 2 Grid- Style Properties dialog

Figure 3 Grid Style Diagram

Once the Grid-Style is enabled for a diagram, the option ‘Grid’ appears in the context menu which offers a number of commands specific to it. They are:

• Show Grid Lines
• Show Grid Headers
• Edit Grid
• Compact Grid

Figure 4 Grid Style – Context Menu

Altering the Grid Cells Using Scriptlets

Scriptlet Artifacts can be used to run JavaScript code to access elements in a grid-style diagram and set the appearance of those elements like to set the font and background color, or to alter the text that is displayed.

Each Scriptlet has access to three global objects in addition to the standard automation environment. They are:

• theDiagram – an automation Diagram interface to the diagram on which the Scriptlet resides
• theElement – an automation Element interface to the Scriptlet artifact itself
• theInstance – an automation DiagramObject interface to the Scriptlet artifact itself

Further Information

Please Contact us or write an email to info@sparxsystems.in to talk to our EA Expert to understand more about new interesting capabilities in Sparx Systems Enterprise Architect 16.

•  Dealing with complex and large sets of requirements can be a tedious process. Sparx Enterprise Architect allows you to set up your own naming and numbering conventions for elements of the same type which ease the process.
• Auto Names and Counters can be used to assign a sequential number to element types & stereotypes.

What’s New in Auto Name and Counters in Enterprise Architect 16?

• Auto-naming has been expanded to target specific element types as well as stereotypes.
• Distinguish between elements based on both element type and stereotype.

How do we use it in EA 16?

1.In Enterprise Architect 16, find Auto Names and Counter in Ribbon: Settings > Reference Data > Settings > Auto Names and Counters.



2. New Feature – Stereotype is included in Auto Names and Counters in Sparx Enterprise Architect 16

 

3.Select the Type as “Requirement” (Element type) or the type you need.

 

4.By selecting Stereotype – Configure Perspectives as All and Profile as EAREQ. Check the Business requirements and select OK.

 

 

 

5.Now, enter the Prefix as BUSREQ and Counter as 001 in Alias Section and check the Apply on creation Save & Option

6.Enable the option to show Alias and Name in the diagram

a.Check the “Use Alias if Available” option in diagram properties.

b.In Preferences > Behaviour enable both Alias and Name in the Alias Usage section.

7.Now, create a Business Requirement from the Requirements toolbox.

 

Please Contact us or write an email to info@sparxsystems.in to talk to our EA Expert to understand more about new interesting capabilities in Sparx Systems Enterprise Architect 16.

Auto Refresh Diagrams

• Sparx Systems Enterprise Architect provides the New Auto Refresh feature that allows you to collaborate on diagrams with your team in real-time. This results in improved support for multiple people offering feedback on the same diagram simultaneously.
• It lets your team monitor the changes immediately after enabling the Auto-Refresh option on your diagram with a time interval.
• One can design his own dynamic and distributed real-time modeling environment by combining Review, Chat, Discussion, and/or Journal.
• The Feature is explicitly available in Enterprise Architect version 16.0 and later.

Figure 1: Auto Refresh Context Menu

Access:

• Right-clicking on the diagram background –> Collaborate –> Auto Refresh
• In Ribbon, select the Layout –> Auto Refresh –> Auto Refresh

Context Menu Options :

Option	Action
Disabled	For all diagrams, this is the default setting. Any user can update the diagram, but there is a risk of updating’ collisions’. You’ll get a warning notice and a prompt to refresh the diagram if another user saves their changes.
7	Set the refresh interval to 7 seconds and enable automatic refresh mode for the current diagram.
15	Set the refresh interval to 15 seconds and enable automatic refresh mode for the current diagram.
30	Set the refresh interval to 30 seconds and enable automatic refresh mode for the current diagram.
60	Set the refresh interval to 60 seconds and enable automatic refresh mode for the current diagram.
Pause & Edit	Allows the current user to edit the diagram by pausing the automatic refresh of the diagram and releasing the lock on the diagram for the current user.
Resume	Saves any outstanding changes to the diagram and reapplies the lock, which prevents any additional modifications to the diagram and resumes the diagram’s automatic refreshing.

Auto Reload Changed Diagrams

• Sparx Systems Enterprise Architect’s New Auto Reload functionality ensures that the diagram you are working on is the most recent version.
• One can reload any diagrams that are open while others make modifications by enabling this functionality in Enterprise Architect.
• It allows one to rapidly communicate with other individuals at work and ensures that the graphical reports EA provides are up to date.

Access: Layout –> Diagram –> Options –> Auto Reload Changed Diagrams

Further Information

Please Contact Us or write an email to info@sparxsystems.in to arrange a detailed demo session of Sparx Systems Enterprise Architect.

Sparx Systems – released a new version of their application, Enterprise Architect Version 16  has undergone significant changes, plenty of enhancements, and an array of new features is made available to the users which will fulfill their expectations.

Here’s a gist of the new features that will entice users to upgrade their Enterprise Architect to the newest edition.

1. Enterprise Architect 64-Bit

Sparx Enterprise Architect has been considerably modified and is now available in two versions: A new 64-bit version and a legacy 32-bit version. Many improvements are included in the new 64-bit version which allows you to work with significantly larger data sets, reports, files, and repositories. A simple, fast, and scalable solution that can handle even the most complex task.

The Key Benefits are

• Leverage 64-bit OS features and capabilities.
• Access larger amounts of memory.
• Process data more effectively compared to 32-bit.
• Support larger report generation tasks.
• Support larger XMI import/export operations.
• Larger diagrams can be exported and saved.
• Larger simulations can be built and run.
• Build and search large Code Miner databases.

2. Support for New Standard File Based Repositories

As a scalable modeling platform, Enterprise Architect provides a range of development options to accommodate a variety of modern enterprises. In consideration of the same, Sparx Systems has extended its support for new standard file-based repositories which are built on SQLite database engine in the latest version of Enterprise Architect.

Enterprise Architect Project (QEA Files) – The basic personal file-based version

Enterprise Architect Shared Project (QEAX Files) – Support shared files with small workgroups

The key benefits of these repository types are

• Out-of-box EA repository.
• Lightweight & Serverless.
• Basic replication is supported for offline development.

Easy migration of existing EAP/EAPX files to QEA/QEAX files which will be compatible with the 64-bit version of Enterprise Architect. To continue using existing EAP/EAPX files, use the 32-bit version of Enterprise Architect.

3. Grid Style Diagram

Enterprise Architect has always supported modelers to customize Element’s appearance and position in diagrams. With the New Grid Style Diagram option, you can build a Spreadsheet, Dashboard, and home page for your model. In Enterprise Architect 16, the Grid functionality integrates with a New Scripting API to reference elements by the provided grid position.

Categorize diagram into cells:

• Holds element in each grid cell.
• Configurable in rows, columns, and cell size.
• Manages medium to a large set of information.
• Row and Column headers refer to the grid position.
• Element position can be referred to by grid position.
• Automatically updates and process elements in the grid using Scriptlet.

4. Collaboration – Team-Based Approach to Modeling

Enterprise Architect provides a suite of new and expanded Collaboration tools to support a rich, cooperative team-based approach to modeling. Collaborate tools have been restructured into the following new windows

• ‘Chat & Mail’: Chat, Mail, Diary, Recent.
• ‘Discuss & Review’: Journal, Discuss, Review.
• ‘Discuss & Review History’: Journals, Discussions, Reviews.

In Enterprise Architect 16, using the Collaborative tools the users can

• Chat in real-time.
• Share small files and images through Chat, Journals, and Discussion.

Save discussions by recording them

• Provide and manage Review feedback.
• Record ad-hoc ideas in an Element Journal daily.

To know more about the collaboration features in the Sparx Systems Architecture Platform tool suite, please visit https://prolaborate.sparxsystems.com/ or contact us to book a live customized demo.

5. Simplified way of connecting to DBMS repositories

Sparx Systems Enterprise Architect 16 introduces a New “Native Connection” method to both 32-bit and 64-bit versions in addition to the existing connection methods that require separate ODBC or OLEDB drivers to be installed. It is the simplest and recommended way to establish connections with existing and new repositories. Native Connection does not require the need for installation of drivers for individual DBMS and DSN definitions. Enter the details of the database in the Native Connection window and connect Enterprise Architect to it.

6. Scriptlet

The New Scriptlet element is a JavaScript-based powerhouse that allows you to access the underlying diagram and element API. Scriptlets run whenever the diagram containing them is loaded/reloaded before the diagram is displayed or they can run manually on demand. Insert the Scriptlet on any diagram and edit the JavaScript as required. Multiple Scriptlets can be used on a single diagram and the same Scriptlet can be used on multiple diagrams. If a diagram has many Scriptlets, the Z-order of the Scriptlets on the diagram determines the order in which they are executed.

• Change the appearance of elements, names, and tagged values.
• Updates to dynamic properties can be automated.
• Create your spreadsheets with the new Grid Style diagrams and Scriptlets.
• Update the Grid style diagrams using new cell references (A:1, A:2, etc.,) API.
• Dynamically colour code elements based on your rules.
• Validate model elements in a diagram.

.

7. Custom Documents

Custom Documents feature is enhanced in the latest Enterprise Architect 16 to provide an even more attractive solution for creating highly customizable reports. Mix and match your graphics, logos, regulations, and text with content sections developed dynamically from the model. Start with a provided template, your base document, or a blank page, and then drag and drop content from the Project Browser where it is needed.

• Ability to choose and use a template when creating a new document.
• More information on how to set up the sections
• Improved content list, which now includes the element and template for each dynamic section.
• Numerous improvements and usability improvements have been made
• Custom Document elements can now be created via Diagram Toolbox

For any assistance in regards to customizing documentation templates in your model, please contact us or email us @ info@sparxsystems.in

8. Support for New Modeling Language – FACE Profile

Using Enterprise Architect 16, the FACE Profile for UAF 1.0 allows users to model the Open Group’s Future Airborne Capability Environment (FACE) data architecture and components. It allows FACE components to be represented in the context of broader UAF system architectures to identify interactions between FACE and other architecture components. FACE Profile is available in the Unified and Ultimate Editions of Enterprise Architect and a separate UPDM license is required for other editions to avail it.

9. Native XEA file exchange format

Native XEA file is a new fast and convenient alternative to the XMI and XML formats for large data sharing. The XEA format makes model archiving and the export and import of Enterprise Architect repositories easier. A Native XEA file exported by Enterprise Architect version 16.0 or later cannot be imported by the earlier versions of Enterprise Architect.

Please contact us or write an email to info@sparxsystems.in to have a live demo about the new EA 16 features and capabilities.

Using images to add relevance to any architecture diagram is a very common practice. Enterprise Architect has always supported modellers to set ‘Alternate Image’ or ‘Default Image’ for elements to create such diagrams.  However the users have always sought for an ability to manage a set of image assets in a catalogue and reuse it across multiple diagrams.

The New approach in EA 15 to manage and reuse images in diagrams is a significant enhancement. The ‘Image Asset’ element lets users create a model item to store an image. These items can then be used to apply overlays on other model elements.

Image Assets

The Image Asset images can be used as alternative images in place of the standard UML notation for elements on diagrams. They can also be used in documentation by inserting hyperlinks to the Image Asset element. When a report is generated, the hyperlinked Image Asset element is rendered using its ‘owned image’

To create an image asset, Select the ‘Artifacts’ section in toolbox | select ‘Image Asset’ | click on the diagram, or Drag an ‘Image Asset’ Artifact from the toolbox onto a diagram.

Figure 1 Image Assets Catalogue

Custom Diagram

The new ‘Custom Diagram’ option in EA 15 allows users to create a highly customizable, graphic-rich diagram that is on-par with any modern drawing tools.  Custom Diagram enables the most options to use the Image Assets.

Using Image Assets

The Image Assets from the repository can be used to perform the following actions

• Set as Icon – As an icon of an Existing Element
• Set as Alternate Image – As an alternate Image on an existing element
• Add as element with Icon
• Add as element with Image
• Add as link

Figure 2 Options to Use Image Assets

Set As Icon

Use Image Asset to  set it as an icon for an existing element or a new element (This is my favourite!).  In the previous versions, users must rely on shapescripts to achieve such visualization.

Figure 3 Set Image as Icon

Set as Alternate Image

You can also use the Image Asset to set it as an alternate image for an existing element or create a new element with the image as alternate image.

Figure 4 Set Image as Alternate Image

Updating Image Asset

There are two key benefits in using the ‘Image Assets’

1. Ability to drag and drop from project browser to apply image as an icon or alternate image
2. Ability to update the image asset and also cascade the change across all diagrams where the image asset is used

You can ascertain the impact of modifying a Image Asset by using ‘Find In All Diagrams’ (Element Usage, similar to any other element usage)

Figure 5 Image Asset – Usage

Summary

Using the new enhanced ‘Custom Diagram’ and ‘Image Asset’ of EA 15, I’ve created a deployment diagram (below) which was in-par with a graphic rich diagram created using any drawing tool, at the same time retaining the benefits of a modelling repository.

Figure 6 Prolaborate Architecture Diagram created using EA 15 Image Assets

Further Information

Please contact us or write an email to info@sparxsystems.in to have a live demo about the new EA 16 features and capabilities.

One of the latest features of Sparx Enterprise Architect 15 is the model based add-ins which can be created using JavaScript.  These model based add-ins are defined by a combination of Receptions, Attributes and Operations which can be easy added in a model by just creating with a valid stereotyped classes.

Assuming you have a basic knowledge in Sparx Traditional add-ins, broadcast events and JavaScript.

Why model based add-ins

• Accessed by all the users with in a model
• Purely Model specific
• No installation, registry entries , distribution or license worries
• Self-Documenting as everything is modelled and created directly in EA

Prerequisites

• Signal Reference Library ( Broadcast Events ) –  Defines the entry points to the add-In similar to the com class in the traditional add-ins
• Referencing relevant signals in the receptions

What is Signal Reference Library

These are Signal elements which contain definitions of all the Enterprise architect broadcast events. Signals that are added to the add-in will receive an event when triggered. EAExample model contains all the broadcast event signals under the package Example Model.EA 15 Examples.Dynamic Model Based Add-Ins.Broadcast Types

Mandatory Signals or Events for Add-in

• EA_Connect
• EA_GetMenuItems
• EA_MenuClick

All the available event references examples can be found here:

https://www.sparxsystems.com/enterprise_architect_user_guide/15.0/automation/broadcastevents.html

To Create an JavaScript Add-In

1. Create a Signal Reference Library referring EAExample model. (Simple way would be just do an XMI export of the Broadcast Types package from EA model and import into your working model).
2. Create a package in the root node for modelling the add-in

3. Create a class object with stereotype JavascriptAddin ( this stereotyped element can be found in Model Add-Ins tool box as shown below

4. The name of the above defined will be used in the JavaScript code. In our case it will be “Javascript Addin”
5. Add the signal reference in the created class using the reception.
   • To Access Reception Right-click on the Class element and select the ‘Features | Receptions’ option. The Features window displays, at the ‘Receptions’ page.
     
   • Add the required events by clicking the button to the right of the New Receptiontext in the ‘Name’ column , the dialog will show the available Signals ( it will automatically fetch the parameters details from the object )

• Once selected all the added signals will be displayed in the class object.

6. After adding these events, it time to play with some JavaScript codes.
7. Please open the behavior window (Develop > Source Code > Behavior) make sure the created class object “Javascript Addin” has been selected. It will show all the added events to which we need to add the code

8. Codes for these events are similar to the traditional add-ins ( please refer the attached model for more details )

9. Finally make sure the add-in is enabled. To enable the add-in Specialize -> Manage-Addin and please click Load on startup

10. Once the add-in is loaded you can find it in the ribbon

Note:

• The above referenced model can be downloaded from the http://sparxsystems.in/downloads/Demo Jacascript Add-in SSIN.zip
• EAExample model contains two example Javascript add-ins by default, you need to just enable it in the manage add-ins for using.

For more details or customization please contact info@sparxsystems.in