During the summer, we have worked hard to upgrade the Sparx configuration which we have developed for Prime Arch.
The update is free of charge for you who bought the value package which contains the configuration before. It is distributed as a new MDG which could be installed over the older version (updates the existing file).
Updates in the latest release - version 4.0:
•Changes in Diagram Types
•Improved Symbols
•Multiple Dimensions
•Prime Arch Core
•New Toolboxes
•Modeling Support with QuickLink
In the following, we describe each point more detailed.
Changes in Diagram Types
We have reduced the number of diagram types from 3 to one per dimension. In the older version, there was one diagram type per description aspect, for example Process Integration Model. Now, you only need to decide for which dimension you want to model, for example ‘’B – Process’’. The existing diagrams which have the older diagram types are unchanged. To continue modeling in these diagrams, you need to choose one of the new toolboxes.
Improved Symbols
Now, the symbols in Sparx are the same as the app. Simplistic and clear with vivid colors, but especially the ID tag in the color box (for example P31) is changed from image to text. This enables you to increase the size of the font in Sparx without any problems in order to improve the readability. The symbols are exactly the same size as before and have no effect on your existing diagrams.
The placing of the text is vertically centralized and horizontally aligned to the left side.
Now, there is even an option for the object which is called ’’is container’’. By choosing this, the text will be aligned at top and horizontally centralised. This is applicable when you want to place an object inside another object.
Multiple Dimensions
Now, all dimensions except for Security are supported (Security is still under development).
Prime Arch Core
Now, modeling Prime Arch Core is supported, for you who want the user to have a vivid notation without thinking about levels and with fewer types of meta objects in the same dimension.
New Toolboxes
There is a toolbox for each diagram type, for example for ’’G - Capability’’. Besides all the capability objects, there are objects of other dimensions which capability objects have an active relation to. With ’’active’’ we mean that ’’FROM-the object’’ an active action is executed. For example ’’sends’’ and ’’sets requirement for’'.
Modeling Support with QuickLink
QuickLink is a powerful tool for ensuring that right relations are dragged between the objects in a model.
QuickLink is used for two things:
- To drag a relation between two existing objects in a model
- To create a new object starting from an existing object in a model
QuickLink 1: To drag a relation between two existing objects in a model
As shown above, two existing object which do not have relation.
- We drag the ”arrow” from ”Process Step 9” and release it on the Artefact.
- Then, relations that could be dragged will be shown according to the meta model:
- Process step has output artefact
- Artefact is input for process step
QuickLink 2: To create a new object starting from an existing object in a model
As shown above, there is one existing object.
- We drag the ’’arrow’’ from ’’Process Step 9’’ and release it in a position where we want to place the object.
- We get multiple alternative whereof ’’has output’’ leads to ’’Artefact’’.
- By clicking on the Artefact, a new Artefact is created including the relation ’’has output’'