ProductsUModelUML Structure DiagramsUML Class Diagrams

Altova UModel® 2008 lets you create UML class diagrams with ease, providing a fast and effective way to graphically model your object-oriented programming constructs.

UModel® 2008 makes class diagrams easy to draw and interpret with color-coded icons and text for each diagram element, intelligent entry helpers, and intuitive element relationship tools.

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For example, in a fictional Meal_type class for an expense reporting application, the class attributes (or properties) would be identified by blue squares, while class operations are marked with violet diamonds in the lower compartment. In addition, UModel® 2008 identifies the visibility property of each attribute and operation with a unique pictorial icon. The icons are keyed to indicate whether an attribute is public, protected, or private.

As you create your class diagram, you can set the visibility of each attribute and operation in the properties window, or by clicking to open a pop-up menu in the diagram. Convenient fast editing buttons and a specialized class diagram toolbar are also provided to help you easily add elements.

One of the unique benefits of UModel® 2008 is that you can directly edit attributes (or properties) and operations within the diagram view. As you type, intelligent entry helpers automatically appear to help you input information correctly.

Altova UModel® 2008 automatically applies syntax coloring to the text of attributes and operations in class diagrams to make them more intuitive. Constraints, identifiers, mathematical and logical operators, types, and values are all automatically displayed in unique colors as you enter your text. Syntax coloring makes your diagrams easier to create, and easier to understand when viewed later.

When one class inherits properties from another class, the generalization arrow is used to indicate the relationship. UModel® 2008 supports UML 2 generalization features with special icons and entry helpers so that relationships between classes and subclasses are easily defined and identified.

When you create a new class, UModel® 2008 lets you specify its parent class simply by drawing a generalization arrow between child and parent. To add properties to the new class, UModel® 2008 offers an intelligent auto-completion window to help you define the class quickly and accurately.

You can resize the auto-completion window on the fly for an expanded view of your options. You can also filter the window contents by clicking the datatype icons. Datatype categories displayed in the auto-completion window are:

• Class
• Interface
• Primitive Type
• Data Type
• Enumeration
• Class Template
• Interface Template
• Datatype Template

Single Model lets you quickly enable any single category, as shown in the screenshot below.

Choosing datatypes from the auto-completion window as you create classes helps prevent type definition errors in source code later on as your project progresses.

UModel® 2008 also offers a right-click menu to easily locate relationships, dependencies, and associations between classes. ‘Show Generalization’ or ‘Show Dependency’ selections can help you analyze and understand models you did not create yourself. The ‘Show Association’ selection can automatically place a copy of all elements associated with the selected class into the design pane.

Click image to enlarge / reduce screenshot

Click image to enlarge / reduce screenshot

The UModel® 2008 Hierarchy helper window also provides a quick view of generalization and inheritance relationships of classes. You can click the Hierarchy tab to view the relationships of any class selected in a class diagram or in the Model Tree.

You can customize the display of classes in your diagram to show or hide individual class properties and operations. The right-click context menu offers a Visible Elements dialog for the selected class.

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This feature lets you simplify the diagram to focus on the properties and operations relevant to the task at hand. Hidden items are indicated by ellipses.

Clicking on an ellipsis reopens the Visible elements dialog.

UModel® 2008 lets you easily override class operations that are inherited from a base class. Simply select any class and open the Override/Implement Operations dialog from the right-click menu and select the operation you’d like to redefine.

UModel® 2008 also offers multiple features to easily create get/set methods for existing class attributes. You can grab a property and drag it to the operations compartment to open the Create Getters/Setters menu for the property.

You can also choose Create Getters/Setters Operations from the right-click menu to open a combined Create Getters/Setters dialog for all the properties of the class

UModel® 2008 supports alternate diagram styles for interfaces between classes. By default, new interfaces are created in class diagram style with arrowhead styles and notations to indicate the interface creator and interface users.

Interfaces have a special Toggle Notation quick-editing button to switch from the class diagram style to the UML ball and socket interface notation.

Quickly create and comprehend clear, color-enhanced diagrams of the classes in your development project. Download a free 30-day trial of Altova UModel® 2008 for yourself!