Class Diagrams

The class diagrams of the ObjectAid UML Explorer are based on the OMG's UML 2.0 specification (see http://www.omg.org/uml/). They can contain existing Java classes, interfaces, enumerations, and annotations which are collectively called classifiers henceforth in accordance with UML 2.0. Additionally, packages and package roots are supported; the latter are JARs and source folders, modeled as UML components). Class diagrams only reflect the existing source code, which cannot be manipulated through the diagram. They are stored as XML files with the extension '.ucls'.

All user interaction with the class diagram is mouse-based (clicking, dragging, drag and drop, context menus) with only a few exceptions:

Context menu commands apply to all selected items where feasible.

Eclipse refactoring is fully supported. Refactoring updates all diagrams in the workspace appropriately.

Create a Diagram

Class diagrams follow the standard Eclipse conventions for editors: They are opened from the Package Explorer and can be saved as usual. Standard undo/redo behavior is available. Class diagrams are created with a wizard:

  1. Go to the Package Explorer and select the package (or folder) where the diagram should be stored. In general, it is recommended to keep your diagrams with your source code.
  2. To open the 'New' wizard, either press Ctrl+N or right-click and select 'New', then 'Other...'.
  3. In the 'New' wizard page select 'ObjectAid UML Diagram', then 'Class Diagram' and press the 'Next' button.
  4. In the 'New UML Class Diagram' wizard page, you can
  5. Press 'Finish' to create a new empty class diagram.
  6. The 'Classifiers' chapter describes how you can add classifiers and other items to the diagram.

Context Menu

The class diagram context menu appears when you right-click on the diagram's background and has the following options: