Custom Diagrams - Extended attached and/or grouped Symbols

[Former Member]

Hi!

I am currently evaluating SAP PowerDesigner for a model driven approach. Therefore I am trying to create a custom model that has a strong similarity to a data movement model. A diagram of my target model would look similar to the following image:

Target Model

Most important is the fact, that a symbol actually contains of multiple connector ports that can be linked by arrows. Building my own extensions I have achieved the following so far.

My Experiments

1) The internal representation of custom attributes that get transfered to the next vertex via arrow connection.

2) However, I have no clue how to add the connector ports. I have tried using "group" but upon grouping it is impossible to connect arrows to the grouped objects. I tried to build constructs in other models (XML and City Planning) to simulate grouping. This would work for me but I have no idea how to transfer these kind of objects into my custom model (based on the conceptual data model).

Not very pretty but it does the job.

A sticky part that can even be minimized would be wonderful. I have no idea how I would add such a property to a custom stereotype however.

The Questions

1. Can I use metaclasses from different models in my own custom model?
2. Is it possible to create a metaclass that gets attached to another metaclass?
3. Is there a different, maybe easier, way to build the target model above?

Any thoughts are appreciated! Kind regards,

Holger Vornholt

Edit: Somehow the Questions did get deleted.

[c_baker · Accepted solution]

Have you looked into the OOM model and extending it?  Ports are available in the OOM model and some other tools use OOM for data modeling.

Chris

[Former Member · Accepted solution]

Hi Chris!

Thank you this hint helped me to go a little further. Ports are exactly what I've been looking for. The question that remains is if I can configure metaclasses to be used in multiple different models.

I would for example have a physical data model available and would like to use those entities in the OOM model.

Holger