Advanced Diagramming
Layers
Software Ideas Modeler allows for intricate diagram organization through the use of layers. This feature enables users to add multiple layers to a diagram, significantly enhancing the clarity and depth of visual representations.
The Layers feature provides functionalities via the Layers sidebar. This sidebar allows for the efficient management and viewing of layers, enabling users to easily navigate through different logical sections of their diagrams. Elements can be transferred between layers through a simple "Move to Layer" option found in the context menu in the diagram editor, providing flexibility in organizing the diagram's structure.
Additionally, layers offer advanced controls such as the ability to show/hide, enable/disable (rendering them completely inactive yet visible), or lock/unlock (making them visible and locked against movement but still selectable and editable). These features offer users granular control over the visibility and interactivity of different parts of their diagram, facilitating a more streamlined and customized diagramming experience.
You can read more about the layout features here.
Containers
The tool supports container elements, such as UML Packages or User Interface Windows, which group related elements. Moving a container will also move all its contained elements, simplifying the management of complex diagrams.
Containers in Software Ideas Modeler offer advanced layout options to accommodate various diagramming needs.
The container layouts include simple (default), stack, flow, table, linear, bezier, circular, radial, tree, and pyramid layouts, to suit different diagramming needs. Each layout type offers unique arrangement and visualization benefits, enabling users to select the most appropriate for their specific context.
Additionally, the software provides specific Select actions for containers, accessible from the Home tab's Editing group. These actions include Select Parent (using the ESC key) for navigating to a container's parent, Select Nested Elements for selecting elements at the next nesting level, and Select All Nested Elements for selecting elements across all nesting levels. These features streamline navigation and management within complex diagrams containing nested elements.
If you want to read more about containers, you can read our tutorial.
Shared Model
Software Ideas Modeler's Shared Model feature offers enhanced diagram consistency by allowing the same element to be used in multiple locations. Users can easily create shared elements through both right-click and drag actions for "Copy Here (Shared Model)" and through copy-paste actions, selecting "Paste as a new instance of the original model element" for the pasted elements. Shared model elements synchronize all properties except their size and position, allowing for their versatile use across different diagrams while maintaining uniform style and attributes. This promotes reusability and ensures coherence across complex diagramming projects.
Custom Shape
Flexibility in design is further offered by allowing custom shapes. Users can maintain an element's model while altering its visual appearance by dragging a new shape from the Graphics sidebar into the element within the diagram editor.
Incorporating New Elements into Existing Flows
Incorporating new elements into an existing flow is streamlined with Software Ideas Modeler. By selecting a connector and choosing "Incorporate New Element" from the context bar, users can split the connector and insert a new element seamlessly, selecting its type from a context menu.
Styling
Uniformity in diagram appearance can be achieved through styling, where elements of a specific type can be styled identically. Users can edit the style parameters of an element via the Style sidebar, tailoring appearance to fit specific needs. Furthermore, styles can be saved and applied universally or selectively to all elements of a chosen type using the Styles sidebar. This streamlined approach to styling ensures a cohesive visual language throughout your diagrams, promoting clarity and professionalism.
If you are interested in more details about the Styling feature, you can read our tutorial about styling diagram elements.
Documentation
The software facilitates comprehensive documentation, both for the diagram as a whole and for individual elements. This documentation can be organized into multiple sections, such as a main description, examples, and more, enabling users to provide detailed annotations, descriptions, and supplementary information that enhance understanding and communication of the diagram's content.
A tutorial that will explain you how to work with documentation in Software Ideas Modeler is available here.
New Comment