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Working with Model Types

• Viewing a Model Type from within GM
• Understanding a Model Type Definition
• Editing a Model Type
• Creating a new Model Type

Viewing a Model Type from within GM

To view a Model Type Definition, first select the required model type, then right click on the model type name. This will launch the GIDE view in the right hand pane with the model type definition displayed.

Understanding a Model Type Definition

The model type is stored in structured text using eXtensible Markup Language (XML). There are a variety of nested entries detailing what types of items should be included in the models of this type and what kind of relationships to include as well. Within the entries, properties identify how items should be represented. Items can be shown as icons, using the type icons already present in the type definitions on the EVA Netmodeler server OR they can be associated with Archi Symbols. These are vector (line drawing) shapes held in a library on the server as scripts. The model type definition will just use the name of the symbol to associate the type with the way it should be represented.

Fortunately, you do not have to construct the model type definition manually (although you could). You can use the GM to build up the definition interactively as detailed below.

Editing a Model Type

To edit a model type, first select the required model type. Next, from the list of models, select --Model Type Definition--. This will load the model type definition into the model space. Be aware that you are now working with types, not items: i .e. We are meta modeling, not instance modeling. There are also changes to the behaviour of the icon strip from instance modeling.

Specifically, instead of seeing icons representing the various types in a model type, you will see just a few representing:

• First tool: Any type within EVA Netmodeler, to be shown as a type icon
• Second tool: Any type within EVA Netmodeler, to be shown as a bounding box
• Third tool: Any type within EVA Netmodeler, to be shown as an Archi Symbol (vector)

When you right click and drag one of these into the model space, you are presented with a list to choose the type you want to include in the model type e.g. UML Class in a UML Static Model model type or Process Activity in a Process Model model type. After you select the type, the icon or symbol is dropped into the model space. GM and EVA Netmodeler will, when you save the model type, generate the necessary entries into the model type definition. If you want to create a new type, then left click the icon or symbol in the icon strip and drag into the model space. Update the name to reflect your new type name. Note that the type will only be created on the server once you save the model type. If you want to provide further information about the type (e.g. define properties, allowed relationships, icon, documentation etc. ) Then this can be achieved by right clicking on the type icon in the model space which launches the type editor in the right hand pane. To include relationships in the model type, select a source type, click and drag from the blue relationship bubble to the target type. GM will prompt to allow you to:

• Select from existing relationships between the two types already in the server meta model
• Create a new relationship type
• Create a new relationship type and use it to link the two types involved in the model type definition

Note that for own type relationships (e.g. Hierarchy or network), it is acceptable that the source and target are the same. For example, we may indicate that the Business Unit can include other Business Units. At the type level, this is shown as a relationship from the Business Unit symbol to itself. To create an own type relationship, drag from the blue dot away from the icon, then back to it. Do not forget to save the model type definition before exiting GM, as changes are only made on the server once you do this.

Creating a new Model Type

To create a new model type, use the new model type tool. You will be prompted for a model type name. Once the model type exists, edit the --Model Type Definition-- model. Proceed as above.