Semantics Tab (Model Editor)

Use the Semantics tab to display the semantic objects and to graphically create relationships.

The Semantics tab consists of two panes:

The left pane contains a hierarchical list of the semantic objects in the selected module, including entities, relationships, and dictionary entries.
To see definitions of existing semantic objects, double-click the object. To create a semantic object, select one of the Add commands (Entity, Relationship, or Dictionary Entry) from the Model menu.
Canvas Pane
The right pane is where you graphically create and view relationships. Drag the entities from the left pane to the Canvas pane to create relationships among them. Drag relationships from the left pane to the Canvas pane to add or modify a relationship in the model.

Entities are displayed in a rectangle containing the name of the entity and relationships are displayed as an oval containing a description of the relationship.

Entities and Relationships

Drag entities and relationships from the left pane to the Canvas pane to accomplish the following:

Addition of a relationship and entities that are part of it to your model.
Drag a relationship from the left pane to the Canvas pane to add the relationship and any corresponding entities to the diagram.
Addition of an entity to an existing relationship.
Drag one or more selected entities onto a relationship that is currently part of the relationship to add entities to the existing relationship.
Creation or modification of a relationship between two entities.
Drag an entity onto another entity in the Canvas pane to create the relationship rectangle.
Creation of relationships among multiple entities.
Create relationships among multiple entities by pressing SHIFT and clicking the desired entities. Then drag the entities to another entity, or right-click one of the entities on the Canvas pane and click Relate.
Modification of an entity or its relationship.
Display and modify an existing entity or its relationship. If you drag an entity to the Canvas pane without dragging it onto another entity, all relationships between that entity and all other entities currently on the Canvas pane are displayed. Double-clicking the entity displays the Entity/New Entity dialog box, where the entity can be modified and double-clicking a relationship displays the Relationship/New Relationship dialog box. There, the relationship can be edited.
Repositioning of entities in the Canvas pane.
Move entities to another position on the Canvas pane by dragging them to the new location. Repositioning an entity anchors it in the new location.
Removal of entities from the diagram.
Remove entities from the Canvas pane by dragging them from the diagram. This action does not delete them from your model.

Shortcut Menu Commands

Canvas Pane

These commands are available only when you click on the Canvas pane and affect the objects within the Canvas pane.

Select All: Select all of the entities and relationships in the Canvas pane.
Add Relationship: Display the New Relationship dialog box, where you add a relationship to your model.
Float All: Set all of the entities and relationships to automatically adjust their positions on the Canvas pane when a new object is added. When an entity or relationship floats, it appears with a shadow around it.
Anchor All: Set all of the entities and relationships to remain in position on the Canvas pane a new object is added. Anchored entities and relationships do not have a shadow.
Zoom In/Zoom Out: Change the view of the entities and relationships on the Canvas Pane.
Clear: Clear all of the objects from the Canvas pane.
Animate Layout: Gradually position the entities and relationships when you add entities to the model.
Help: Display Help for the Semantics tab.

Entities and Relationships

These commands are available only when you right-click an entity or relationship in the Canvas pane.

Add Relationship

Display the New Relationship dialog box, where you add a relationship to your model. Available only for entities.

Explode

Add all of the relationships associated with the selected entity to the Canvas pane. All necessary entities associated with the relationships are also added. Available only for entities.

Implode

Remove the relationships from the diagram associated with the selected entity. Available only for entities.

Float

Set the selected relationship to allow its position to be automatically adjusted on the Canvas pane when a new object is added. A relationship in float mode has a shadow around it. Available only for relationships.

Anchor

Set the selected entity to remain in position on the Canvas pane when a new object is added. Available only for entities.

Remove from Diagram

Remove the selected entities or relationships from the Canvas pane.

Note Removing an entity or relationship does not delete it from the model.

Help

Display Help for the Semantics tab.