Modeling preferences

You can modify most of the settings for the modeling environment. You can change the default settings to standardize how models, diagrams, and elements operate and appear in the Modeling perspective.

For example, you can change the global fill color for diagram elements, apply a grid and ruler to the diagram editor, and define specific constraints to the UML 2.0 validation capabilities. When you modify a setting in the Preferences window, the changes affect only new model and diagram elements and do not affect existing elements.The modeling preference descriptions in the following table describe only a portion of the available preferences for a specific page. Many additional settings are available on each page.

Modeling Preferences page Description
Modeling (root page) You can specify the global appearance of diagram elements as well as set whether a prompt appears when you delete model and diagram elements. When you save and open models, you can also specify how to manage unrecognized model content or model content from other versions of the modeling tool. The Modeling page is the root preference page; all other pages are subpages of the root.
Appearance You can specify fill and line color preferences for specific diagram elements such as notes, comments, and constraints. In addition, you can also specify the default font type and size for diagram elements. The Appearance page also contains subpages on which you can specify connector, shape, UML Classifier, and UML Component settings.
Default Diagrams You can specify preferences that control which diagram is displayed when you open a specific package. When you add a new package to a model, you can specify which diagram type is created automatically in the package.
Harvesting You can specify whether you want a window to inform you that the harvest process is complete.
Path Maps You can create and edit path maps so that your model files are location-independent, which enables you to move or copy model files between different workspaces.
Patterns You can specify the appearance of pattern-related diagram elements and override specific Pattern Instance pop-up menu settings.
Rulers and Grid You can specify how ruler and grid options appear in the diagram editor. You can set the amount of spacing between grid lines and specify the unit of measurement that the diagram editor ruler uses.
Sequence and Communication Diagrams You can specify whether messages automatically create return messages between objects.
Transformations You can specify the generated standard operations such as constructors and destructors. You can also control whether a prompt appears when you replace UML elements.
Validation You can specify how live validation errors and warnings are displayed, if at all. You can also apply constraints defined by UML 2.0 specification as well as the UML 2.0 metamodel constraints that support the usability of specific modeling functions.
Views You can specify the Model Explorer view stereotype style and specify warning prompts for intermodel references and filtered model elements. You can also specify whether you want properties suppressed in the Properties view.

Parent topic: Customizing the modeling environment through preferences

Related tasks
Customizing the modeling environment through preferences
Setting default modeling preferences

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