Showing Relationships
In modeling class diagrams, various kinds of relationships - association, generalization, realization, dependency and containment are very important when studying the relationships among classes. To let you visualize interested relationships easier, Visual Paradigm provides handy ways of showing relationships in diagram.
Showing Association of Attribute
To show the association of an attribute whose type is specified, right-click on it in the diagram. The following scenarios may occur:
Attribute type not exists
If the attribute type refers to a model that does not exist, select
Create Association (TYPE_NAME).
The model and view of the attribute type together with the association will be created accordingly, with the appropriate navigability and multiplicity assigned.
Attribute type exists but not shown in diagram
If the attribute type refers to a model that exists but whose view is not shown in the diagram, select
Add Association (TYPE_NAME).
The view of the attribute type together with the association will be created accordingly, with the appropriate navigability and multiplicity assigned.
Attribute type shown in diagram but no association
If the attribute type view is shown in the diagram but there is no association connected between the attribute type and the attribute’s owner class, select
Show Association (TYPE_NAME).
The association will be created and connected between the two classes, with the appropriate navigability and multiplicity assigned.
Showing Dependencies of Operation
To show the dependencies of an operation, right-click on it in the diagram and select
Show Dependencies from the popup menu.
The dependencies of the operation and its parameters to other classes are visualized.
Forming Diagram to Show Relationships of Classes
In a large scale class diagram, the information is often too much to read, especially when you want to focus on the relationships of certain classes only. In this case, you can select the classes interested, right-click on the selection and select
Form Diagram from the popup menu.
A class diagram will be generated which contains the selected classes and all their immediate relationships.
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