Editing properties

When you select an element in a diagram, or the diagram background, the properties of the element (or diagram) are available in its properties Inspector (referred to as Inspector). The content of Inspectors varies depending on what is selected in the diagram. Generally an inspector presents several tabbed pages representing different categories of properties. For example, the class Inspector has these tabs:

• Properties: General properties of the class (name, stereotype, abstract, etc.) Displays two columns:

  • Name shows name of each property
    
  • Value displays the value or setting of the property named in the same row of the Name column.

• Javadoc: Properties used for Javadoc generation (author, version, etc.)
  

• View: Visual properties of the diagram icon (color, etc.)
  

• Doc: Source code comments
  

• Hyperlinks: Intra-project and URL hyperlinks to related information (see Hyperlinking diagrams)
  

• Req: Requirements tracking information (number, priority, difficulty, etc.)
  

• Beans: Optional JavaBean properties (if class is a JavaBean)

Property editors

In the general Properties of elements and diagrams, you can enter a value for string type properties by typing a value in the edit field in the Value column. Some string type properties display a "browse" button beside the field to indicate that an editor dialog is available:

• Multi-line string properties display a multi-line text editor dialog

• String properties whose value must be the name of some object or element in the project display

• Some properties can have multiple values. The browse button next to these properties enables selection of a value.

Some properties have a pick-list of available values. You can select from the list or enter your own value in such fields.

Properties inspector (for Class)

Tips for Editing Properties

• Applying changes: Changes to property fields are applied when you:

  • press Enter (inspector dialog remains open)
    

  • press Ctrl+Enter (inspector dialog closes)
    

  • exit the edited field, or...
    

  • when the open inspector dialog loses focus.

Important: Note that if you click the dialog's close button while changes are pending to a field, the changes are not saved.

• In the Diagram pane, select a diagram element to load its properties in the appropriate Inspector. (If you select nothing, the background is selected by default and diagram properties are loaded.)

• Use the element or diagram speedmenu (choose Properties) to display the Inspector. Also accessible from the Object menu. Keyboard shortcut is Alt + Enter.

• To modify a property value, click on it in the Inspector. Some properties are not modifiable with the Inspector and are therefore disabled for editing. Note also that some diagram elements, such as compiled classes, are read-only and therefore all properties are disabled for editing.

• You can edit the name property of nodes "in place" on the diagram icon itself.

• The stereotype property typically has a pick-list but these are not always populated by default. If you want to modify an Inspector to add or modify default stereotypes, it is possible to do so with a little Java programming. See User's Guide: Advanced Customization: Customizing Properties Inspectors.

See also:

• Reference: Selection Manager dialogs