Graphics: Creating Objects

Creating an entity type and/or inserting it into a data model

1. Click with the left mouse button on the entity type in the insertion area (in the lower right-hand corner of the screen). A phantom frame appears around the mouse pointer.

2. Position this phantom frame in the display area on the data model to which you wish to add an entity type.

3. A confirmation pop-up appears.

   You now have two options:

   1. You can create a new entity type and insert it into a data model:

      Enter a new entity type ID in the dialog box. A confirmation pop-up appears.

      If you wish to create a new entity type, confirm this by selecting Yes. The screen Create Entity Type: Definition appears.

      Make the necessary entries and save the entity type.

      Return to the graphic.

   2. You can insert an existing entity type into a data model:

      Enter the name of an existing entity type (input help) in the dialog box and confirm your entry with Cont.. You are returned to the graphic.

4. The entity type is now included in the graphic.

   If the entity type was inserted into a data model, positioning mode will now be activated for this data model. The data model is displayed in the color magenta and all entity types of the data model can be moved. After inserting an entity type, you can move it directly to the desired position and save the positions in the graphic. (To exit from positioning mode, either select  Edit  Positioning On/Off  or switch to display mode).

Using this procedure you can insert more entity types into the same or other data models.

Creating a relationship

1. Choose  Edit  Connect . The mouse pointer is transformed into a pencil symbol.

2. With the left mouse button held down, draw a line from the source entity type to the target entity type.

3. When you reach the target entity type, release the mouse button. The screen Create Relationships: Definition appears. Enter the necessary information and save the relationship.

   After saving you are returned automatically to the graphic. The relationship you have created appears as a black line extending from the source to the target entity type.

Creating a specialization category

1. First select the entity type for which you wish to define a specialization category in the display area.

2. Click on the blue triangle in the insertion area. The mouse pointer is transformed into a phantom frame.

3. Position this phantom frame to the right of the selected entity type in the display area. A confirmation pop-up appears.

4. In this dialog box, enter the number of the specialization category.

5. The screen Maintain Specialization Category appears. Make the necessary entries and save your specialization category.

6. Return to the graphic. The specialization category appears there as a blue triangle that is connected to the selected entity type by a broad blue line.

Creating specializations

1. First create the associated entity types (described above, under Creating an entity type and/or inserting an entity type into a data model).

2. Create the specialization category for the generalizing entity type (described above, under Creating a Specialization Category).

3. Connect the specialization category to the associated entity type. Choose  Edit  Connect . The mouse pointer is transformed into a pencil symbol.

4. With the left mouse button held down, draw a line from the specialization category (blue triangle) to the corresponding entity type. When you reach the entity type, release the mouse button.

5. The Create Specialization screen appears. Save the specialization.

6. You are returned automatically to the graphic. The specialization appears there as a broad blue line from the specialization category to the corresponding entity type.