The Enterprise Studio workspace is flexible. It is made up of several flexible panes. You can move the panes and windows, resize them, and (de)activate them. This gives you the opportunity to work with the tool in a way that suits you best.
The user interface is composed of a number of standard main components. These are visible by default, but can also be made hidden if desired.
Enterprise Studio application window
On this page:
Ribbon and quick access toolbar
At the top of the application window is the ribbon. It can be used to access various functions. The ribbon provides access to most functions in the application. The commands are organized into logical groups that are brought together on tabs. Each tab relates to certain types of activities.
The ribbon contains the following regular tabs, depending on which mode the ribbon is set: File, Home, View, Report, and Window. If the Expert mode is set, there is also the Advanced tab. The File tab gives access to the Backstage view.
If a model package is open, the ribbon may contain some additional metamodel tabs with functions that are specific to the modeling language or method of the model(s) within the package. These tabs have the name of the associated metamodel. A metamodel tab is available for most of the modeling languages and methods in Enterprise Studio.
The ribbon is automatically minimized by default, it temporarily expands when clicked on. To permanently show the ribbon, click the
control in the top right corner of the application window.In the top left corner is the Quick Access Toolbar that contains a default set of commands, but can be customized to your needs.
Ribbon Simple mode versus Expert mode
When Enterprise Studio is started for the very first time, the ribbon is set to Simple mode. It means that the ribbon only shows a number of basic commands. When in Expert mode, the ribbon shows all ribbon commands available in Enterprise Studio. The Expert mode can be toggled via the switch to the right of the ribbon tabs.
Example of the ribbon in Simple mode (top) and Expert mode (bottom)
Window panes
On the left in the application window, on different tabs, are various panes. Clicking a tab at the bottom will show the pane.
Create | The Create pane contains the concepts that can be used for modeling in the active diagram or view, and a number of generic graphic shapes that can be used in any type of diagram and view. |
Model browser | The The model browser shows the contents of a model package. |
Properties | The Properties pane shows the properties of an object that is selected anywhere in the user interface (in a diagram, view, model browser, etc.). |
Documentation | All elements in the model, but also the individual diagrams and views, and the model itself can be provided with documentation. The Documentation pane is used for this. |
Viewpoints | The Viewpoints pane shows the complete set of viewpoints of a model package. |
In addition, there are a few more window panes that are not visible in the interface by default, but can be made visible if desired. They are:
Navigator | The The Navigator can quickly give you insight in the relationships in your model by navigating between related objects. |
Worksets | The Worksets pane shows temporary sets of data that is generated in response to a performed operation in the tool. |
Messages | The Messages window shows the user different types of information from the tool like search results, reporting results, and error messages in executed scripts. |
Hide | The Hide pane contains the concepts that can be present in a diagram or view, and can be used for hiding and fading elements in the active diagram or view. |
Drawing area (canvas)
To the right of the Create pane is the drawing area, or canvas. The largest component of the interface. When you select a diagram or view in the model browser, it opens in the drawing area. Here you can create your models by drawing objects and relations.
Status bar + navigation and zoom functions
At the bottom of the application window is the status bar. The status bar displays messages about the progress of operations and any errors that occurred. Also, the coordinates of objects are displayed. At the right in the status bar there are navigation and zoom functions that can be used to customize the appearance of a diagram or view.
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