You can describe and design a system using projects, models, model elements, diagrams, and diagram elements.
Creating new UML modeling projects
You can open, close, save, and delete projects as well as the files that belong to a project, including models. When you create a modeling project, you can create both a new model and a new diagram.Adding models to existing projects
You can create a new model in an existing project. When you create a new model, you can create a new diagram within it.Opening external model files
You can open a model (.emx or .pfx) file that is not in your workspace. You can view and modify the model and its diagrams in the UML Model Editor, and then save it in the workspace.Saving models
In the Model Explorer view, an asterisk (*) next to a model name indicates that there are unsaved changes in the model. When you save a model, the asterisk is removed from its name.Exporting models to UML 2.0
You can export an existing model to a UML 2.0 (.uml2) model, which is a common format for interchanging models with other UML tools.Exporting models as templates
You can save a model in the workspace as a model template. Model templates can contain pre-defined model elements and provide the basic structure of a new model. Model templates can be distributed to other team members to ensure that there is a consistent model format within a project.Moving models
You can move a model from one modeling project to another.Deleting models
You can delete a model and its underlying model elements, including diagrams, from a project.Renaming models
You can rename the models that you create. Models are stored in a model file, with an .emx file name extension, and have names that can be the same as or different from the name of the model file. When you rename a model, the model file name does not change.Searching models
In the UML model, you can use the Find/Replace feature to search for text in one or more open models. You can search for a specific model element or a group of model elements that share the same name or group of letters in their name. You can also search to for a specific word in the notes or documentation of a model element.Validating and repairing models
In modeling projects, you can check your models and diagrams to ensure that they meet the constraints that are defined by the Unified Modeling Language (UML). You can also check for compliance with constraints that you defined or that are supplied by other applications.Customizing the modeling environment through preferences
You can use preferences to customize the modeling environment. For example, you can change the default appearance of model elements and diagram elements, create path variables to specify a directory location in the file system, or control whether messages automatically create return messages in sequence and communication diagrams.Working with model elements
Model elements describe the artifacts of software development and add semantics to models. You can add, modify, sort, group, and filter model elements.Graphically representing models by using modeling diagrams
You can use modeling diagrams to visualize and manipulate the elements in a model. Different diagrams represent different views of the system, application, or database that you are developing. Because diagrams can illustrate multiple views of a model, the same model element can appear in one or more diagrams.Graphically representing model elements in modeling diagrams
You can work with diagram elements, also called UML shapes, and geometric shapes in diagrams to model your applications or databases.
Related concepts
Models