Scenario I - Reusing a model on same diagram
Scenario II - Reusing a model across diagrams
Scenario III - Reusing a large amount of model
Our solution - Model Extractor
Hands-on
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Here is a data model created with the ERD tool :
It contains all the entities of an online photo album system. Let's say we now want to create a model that shows the entities related to posting comment under photos. First, create a new ERD. -
Right-click on the background of the new diagram and select Presentation Options > Show Shape Legend from the popup menu. -
This shows the Shape Legend at the bottom right of the diagram. Add a shape legend item that involves entity. To do this, click on Add Shape Legend and select New Shape Legend... from the popup menu.
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In the Add Shape Legend window, select Entity as type, keep the other settings unchanged and click OK to confirm.
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Click on Model Extractor in the Shape Legend pane.
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In this Model Extractor window, select the entities to visualize on the diagram and click > .
The option Extract as Auxiliary View lets you decide whether or not to create a clone for selected elements. If checked, the elements will be visualized as views. If unchecked, new and independent elements will be created. In this case, we just keep the option checked. -
Click OK to confirm and return to the ERD. The selected entities are visualized. The alphabet 'a' at top left of the entities signifies that those are auxiliary views. If you want to suppress the indicator, select the View menu and then de-select Model Indicator .
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You may show the relationships between entities by right clicking on an entity and selecting Related Elements > Show Relationships from the popup menu.