Class Diagrams

Create a Class diagram

Go to [Diagram] – [Class Diagram] to create a Class diagram.

Auto-create Class diagrams

You can automatically create Class diagrams of a package.

1. If you have source code, import first to Astah.
   – How to import Java source code
   – Use Plug-ins to import source code (C++, C#, and Java)
   
2. Right-click on a package in a tree view and select [Auto Create Class Diagram]
   
   
3. Now you have three options.
   

1. Simple

This creates a class diagram without Attributes and Operations inside the classes.

2. Detailed

This creates a class diagram with Attributes and Operations inside the classes.

3. Unpack Subpackages

This creates a class diagram with the whole models including models inside the sub-packages if the package you select has sub-packages.

Class

Creating a Class

You can find out 5 ways to create a Class in the Diagram Editor page.

Template Class

You can create a Template Class by adding Template Parameters to a class. There are two ways to do so.

1. Select [Add Template Parameter] from Class’s Pop-up menu
   
   
   
2. Define details at the bottom-left pane under [Template Class].
   

Attributes

You can create Attributes by clicking the orange diamond that appears when you have a mouse over a Class.


Also, you can create another attribute by hitting the [Enter] key while an attribute is selected.

Since version 8.5, you can add Attributes by pasting a copied text.

Attribute Visibilities

There are several ways to show/hide attributes.
In order to change the visibility of attributes on a currently-opened diagram, open the [Initial Visibility] tab from the left-bottom pane in Astah and check the options you want in a diagram and click the [Apply to existing elements] button.

Operations

You can create Attributes by clicking a green bar that appears when you have a mouse over a Class.

Also, you can create another attribute by hitting [Enter] key while an attribute is selected.

Moving Attributes/Operations

You can move around attributes/operations by dragging them to another class or within a class.

Since version 8.5, you can add Operations by pasting a copied text.

Anonymous Bound Class

You can create an anonymous bound class by deleting the name of Bound Class.


Anonymous Bound Classes can be specified to the following:

• Attribute Type
• Operation Return Value
• Operation Parameter Type
• The target of Association End A and Association End B
• Base Class of Instance Specification in Class
• Base Class of Object Node in Activity Diagram
• Base Class of Lifeline in Sequence Diagram and Communication Diagram

Example of creating a Bound Class

1. Create a abound class.
2. Create a new class and add an attribute whose type is bound class to it.
   
   
   
3. When you add the class, you will be asked if you’d like to create a new class. Click [Yes].
   
   
   
4. Click [Show Hidden Relationship] from its pop-up menu.
   
   
   
5. Then you will get the relationship of the anonymous bound class.
   
   
   

Nest a Class

You can have a class nested to a package by dragging it into a Package.

Association

You can create associations by choosing an association type from a small icon list that appears when you hover a mouse over a class, then directly click on the target class.

Please refer to “Drawing Lines” for more information.

Jump to Association Ends

You can jump to the Association ends from association line’s pop-up menu.

1. Right-click on the Association and select [Move to related element].
2. Select one that you want to jump to.