Astah UML Release Notes: 6.0 (October 19, 2009)

  • Model Version:31
    astah* files (.asta) are upward compatible. If the files have been edited by the newer model version of astah*, they cannot be opened in the older model version.

Basic Functions

astah* UML supports UML diagrams and Mind Map.
Please refer to the astah* reference manual for detailed operations.
  • Diagrams
    • Class Diagram
    • UseCase Diagram
    • Statemachine Diagram
    • Activity Diagram
    • Sequence Diagram
    • Communication Diagram
    • Component Diagram
    • Deployment Diagram
    • Composite Structure Diagram
    • Mind Map
  • Documentation Functions
    • Export RTF Document
    • Export HTML
    • Export CSV
  • Language
    • Generate template Java source files from model
    • Generate template C# source files from model
    • Generate template C++ source files from model
    • Import Java source code
    • Import C# source code [Sample]
    • Import C++ source code [Sample]
      • Please note that technical support is not provided for samples (Importing C# and C++)
  • UML
    • UseCase Description
    • Auto-Generation of Class Diagram
  • Additional Functions
    • Reference of Flowchart, Data Flow Diagram, CRUD, ER Diagram and Requirement Table
      • Diagrams created by JUDE/Professional and astah* professional can be opened in astah* UML. However other diagrams except for UML diagrams and Mind Maps would be opened on Read-only mode.
    • Search and Replace
    • Jump to models and view elements
    • Font setting
    • File lock
    • Print preview and setup
    • EMF, BMP format image files
    • Hyperlink
    • Reference/Edit API
    • Reference manual

New Functions

Following new functions are added from JUDE/Professional 5.5.x to astah* UML.
  • astah*
    • JUDE/Professional Users
      • Setup files
        • Setup files are saved in User Home Directory\.astah\uml
      • The extension .jude is changed to .asta
        • .jude files can be opened in astah*
      • astah* log file
        • astah* log files are saved in User Home Directory\.astah\uml\astah_uml.log
  • astah* API
    • "DiagramEditor" is available to modify diagrams by using astah API
    • ClassDiagramEditor Interface (Modification of Class/Object diagrams)
      InterfaceMethodDescription
      ClassDiagramEditorcreateClassDiagram()Create Class Diagram / Object Diagram
      StructureDiagramEditor, parent interface of Editor ClassDiagramEditorcreateNodePresentation()Create Package Presentation and Class Presentation
      createLinkPresentation()Create Presentation of following models:
      Association, Generalization, Realization, Dependency and TemplateBinding
      ClassDiagramEditorcreateAssociationClassPresentation()Create Association Class presentation
      createInstanceSpecification()Create InstanceSpecification Presentation
      createInstanceSpecificationLink()Create Link Presentation
    • UseCaseDiagramEditor Interface (Modification of UseCase diagrams)
      InterfaceMethodDescription
      UseCaseDiagramEditorcreateUseCaseDiagram()Create UseCase Diagram
      StructureDiagramEditor, parent interface of UseCaseDiagramEditorcreateNodePresentation()Create UseCase Presentation
      createLinkPresentation()Create an Extend Presentation and Include Presentation
    • StateMachineDiagramEditor Interface (Modification of Statemachine Diagram)
      InterfaceMethodDescription
      StateMachineDiagramEditorcreateStatemachineDiagram()Create a Statemachine Diagram
      createInitialPseudostate()Create a InitialPseudostate Presentation
      createState()Create a State Presentation
      createFinalState()Create a Final State Presentation
      createTransition()Create a Transition Presentation
      StateMachineDiagramEditor's each methodCreate each model's Presentation
    • MindmapEditor Interface (Modification of Mind Map)
      InterfaceMethodDescription
      MindmapEditorcreateMindmapDiagram()Create a Mind Map
      createTopic()Create a Child Topic Presentation under selected topic
      moveTo()Move selected topic to selected spot
      deleteChildren()Delete all the Child topics under selected topic
      createMMLinkPresentation()Create a link between topics
    • BehaviorDiagramEditor Interface (Creating/Deleting Behavior Diagrams)
      InterfaceMethodDescription
      BehaviorDiagramEditor-Create/Delete behavior diagrams
    • StructureDiagramEditor Interface (Creating/Deleting structure diagrams)
      InterfaceMethodDescription
      StructureDiagramEditorcreateNodePresentation()Create a rectangle presentation (INodePresentation)
      createLinkPresentation()Create a line presentation (ILinkPresentation)
    • BasicDiagramEditor Interface (Creating/Deleting basic diagrams)
      InterfaceMethodDescription
      BasicDiagramEditorcreateNote()Create a Note Presentation
      createNoteAnchor()Create a Note Anchor Presentation
    • DiagramEditor Interface (Creating/Deleting Interface)
      InterfaceMethodDescription
      DiagramEditordeleteDiagram()Delete diagram from Project
      deletePresentation()Delete presentation from Project
      createText()Create a Text presentation
      createImage()Create an image presentation
      createRect()Create a rectangle presentation
      createLine()Create a line presentation
    • Interface that composes diagram information (presentations)
      InterfaceDescription
      INodePresentationInterfaces for rectangle presentations:
      - Refer to arrays of diagram, ID, label, property, element type, plot, width, height, parent, child, rectangle and line presentations
      - Specify label, property, plot, width and heights
      (e.g) Package, Frame, Note, Class, InstanceSpecification, UseCase, State, Partition, Action, Lifeline, Execution Occurrence, External Entity, ER Entity, Topic and boundary presentations
      ILinkPresentationInterfaces for line presentations:
      - Refer to diagram, ID, label, property, element type, array of dots, source and target
      - Specify label, property and array of plots
      (e.g.) Noteanchor, Association, Generalization, Realization, Usage, Dependency, TemplateBinding, Link, Extend, Include, Transition, Control Flow/ Object Flow, Message, Anchor, Dataflow, Identifying Relationship, Non-Identifying Relationship, Many-to-many Relationship, Subtype edge and link line between topics presentations
    • New methods to get presentation information
      InterfaceMethodDescription
      IDiagramgetPresentations()Get all the located presentations and each cells of CRUD including values and header in cells
      IElementgetPresentations()Get array of presentations
    • New Util methods
      InterfaceMethodDescription
      ProjectAccssorfindElements(Class elementKind, String name)Get models by specifying model type and name
      findElements(Class elementKind)Get models by specifying model type
      findElements(ModelFinder picker)Search model by ModelFinder
      IElementgetContainer()Get parent of model
      getContainers()Get parent of model
    • Operation's body condition, Precondition and Post condition
      InterfaceMethodDescription
      IOperationgetBodycondition()Get Body condition of Operation
      getPreconditions()Get Precondition of Operation
      getPostconditions()Get Post condition of Operation
      setBodycondtion()Specify body condition to Operation
      addPrecondtion()Add Precondition to Operation
      removePrecondition()Remove Precondition from Operation
      addPostcondtion()Add Precondition to Operation
      removePostcondition()Remove Post condition from Operation
    • Attribute's Navigability
      InterfaceMethodDescription
      IAttributegetNavigability()Get Navigability
      setNavigability()Set Navigability
    • New Interfaces
      InterfaceModel
      ICompositeStructureDiagramComposite Structure Diagram
      IConnectorConnector
      IPortPort
      IInstanceSpecificationInstanceSpecification
      ILinkLink
      ILinkEndLinkEnd
      ITerminationTermination
    • DataFlow Diagram
      InterfaceMethodDescription
      IDataFlowDiagramgetNotation()Get notation of DataFlow Diagram
      setNotation()Set notation of DataFlow Diagram
    • ER Diagram
      InterfaceMethodDescription
      IERDiagramgetNotation()Get Notation of ER Diagram
      getModelType()Get Model type of ER Diagram
      getInitialDisplayLevel()Get initial display level
      isAlignAttributeItems()Get array information of Attributes
    • Cardinality of ER Relationship
      InterfaceMethodDescription
      IERRelationshipgetCardinality()Get Cardinalit
    • Some Classes have been changed to @deprecated
      InterfaceMethodDescription
      ITopicPresentation-Interface for topics. INodePresentation is recommended.
      IMindMapDiagramgetRootTopic()Get Mind Map's root topic. IMindMapDiagram.getRoot() is recommended.
      MindmapDiagramEditor-Interface for modifying (Creating/Deleting) Mind Map. MindmapEditor is recommended.
      IModelEditorFactorygetMindmapDiagramEditor()Interface for creating MindmapDiagramEditor.
      IDiagramEditorFactory.getMindmapEditor() is recommended.
      IDiagramgetText()Get Text that is drawn on diagram. IDiagram.getPresentations() is recommended.
      IAttributeisEnable()Check if it is navigable or not. Using IAttribute.getNavigability() to get the navigability is recommended.
      setEnable()Specify the navigability. Using IAttribute.setNavigability() to specify it is recommended.

    • astah* API is not applicable for Requirements, TestCases, Traceability Maps and Requirement tables
  • API sample
    • Following API samples are added.
      • Sample of getting diagram presentation information
      • Sample of creating a diagram presentation
  • Creating models through Text of Clipboard
    • Create models by pasting text through Clipboard on Diagram Editor. If there are line breaks in the text, multiple models can be created for each line of text.() indicates a default model that text can be converted to each diagram.
      • Class Diagram (Class)
      • UseCase Diagram (UseCase)
      • Statemachine Diagram (State)
      • Activity Diagram (Action)
      • Sequence Diagram (Lifeline)
      • Communication Diagram (Lifeline)
      • Component Diagram (Component)
      • Deployment Diagram (Node)
      • CompositeStructure Diagram (Structured Class)
      • Mind Map (Topic)
  • Improvements on converting MindMap to UML
    • When converting a Mind Map Topic back to UML model, the original UML model type appear in the [Convert to UML model] dialog.
  • Improvements on converting UML to MindMap
    • Show UML Icons on Mind Map topics that are converted from UML model
    • [Tool] - [System Properties] - [Mindmap] - [Show UML icon when converting UML Model to Topic] (Default: ON)
  • Export Mind Map to PowerPoint file
    • Export Mind Map to PowerPoint file (.PPT) by selecting:
      • [Tool] - [Mindmap] - [Export PowerPoint] from Main Menu
  • Show hidden relationships
    • Show all relationships on the following diagram by selecting [Show Hidden Relationships] from its Pop-up Menu
      • Class Diagram
      • UseCase Diagram
      • Component Diagram
      • Deployment Diagram
      • CompositeStructure Diagram
  • Improvements on Sequence Diagram
    • Show Lifeline names by using the option
    • [Tool] - [System Properties] - [Diagram Editor] - [Show temp name for Lifeline in Sequence Diagram] (Default: ON)
  • Adjust Lifeline's length
    • Adjust Lifeline's length
      • Select [Adjust Lifeline Length] from Lifeline's Pop-up Menu
    • Adjust the length of plural Lifelines
      • Select [Adjust Lifeline Length] from Pop-up menu of Sequence Diagram in the Diagram Editor or of selected multiple Lifeline's Default, Align to Minimum or Align to Maximum
  • Adjust ExecutionSpecification's length
    • Adjust ExecutionSpecification's length
      • Select [Adjust ExecutionSpecification] from ExecutionSpecification's Pop-up Menu
    • Adjust the length of plural ExecutionSpecifications
      • Select [Adjust ExecutionSpecification] from Pop-up menu of Sequence Diagram in the Diagram Editor or of selected multiple ExecutionSpecifications
  • Improvement on InteractionUse
    • Creating another sequence diagram through InteractionUse
      • If InteractionUse does not have a Sequence Diagram created in, double-click on InteractionUse or select [Create Sequence Diagram] from InteractionUse's Pop-Up Menu to create a sequence diagram
    • Opening a sequence diagram under InteractionUse
      • Double-click on InteractionUse or select [Open Nested Diagram] from InteractionUse's Pop-Up Menu to open the diagram
  • Improvement on Partition in Activity Diagram
    • Show names of Partitions by using the option
    • [Tool] - [System Properties] - [Diagram Editor] - [Show temp name for Partition] (Default: ON)
    • Improvement on Callbehavior Action
      • Creating another activity diagram through Callbehavior Action
        • If Callbehavior Action does not have an Activity Diagram created in, double-click on Callbehavior action or select [Create Nested Diagram] from Callbehavior action's Pop-Up Menu to create an activity diagram
      • Opening an activity diagram under Callbehavior Action
        • Double-click on Callbehavior Action or select [Open Nested Diagram] from Callbehavior Action's Pop-Up Menu to open the diagram
    • Improvement on Activity Diagram's option
      • Default setting of this option has been changed to OFF, [Tool] - [System Properties] - [Basic] - [Allow only one InitialNode in Activity Diagram]
    • Improvement on Submachine state
      • SubmachineState is now added in Statemachine diagram's toolbar
      • Creating another statemachine diagram through SubmachineState
        • If SubmachineState does not have a statemachine diagram created in, double-click on SubmachineState or select [Create Nested Diagram] from SubmachineState's Pop-Up Menu to create a Statemachine diagram
      • Opening a Statemachine diagram under SubmachineState
        • Double-click on SubmachineState or select [Open Nested Diagram] from SubmachineState's Pop-up Menu to open the diagram
      • Creating new Statemachine and modification of it is available from [Submachine] tab of SubmachineState
    • Improvement on crating lines on Line (Right Angle) mode
      • Association lines and Relationship lines won't overlap each other
    • Specifying resolution of copying diagram elements as an image or exporting diagram images
      • Specify resolution when diagram images are copied onto Clipboard or exported as diagram images.
      • [Tool] - [System Properties] - [Image] - [Expansion rate to copy a diagram as a bitmap image (%)] (Default: 140)
      • [Tool] - [System Properties] - [Image] - [Use the zoom level of the screen for copy (Minimum 100%)] (Default:None)
      • [Tool] - [System Properties] - [Image] - [Resolution to export a diagram as a bitmap image (DPI)] (Default: 96)
    • Setting Body Condition, Post Condition and Precondition to Operation
      • New tabs [Body Condition], [Post Condition] and [Precondition] are implemented to Operation's Property View
    • Adding Stereotype with Shortcut key (Ctrl+Alt+S)
      • Shortcut key [Ctrl+Alt+S] adds stereotypes to selected model
    • Export properties as C#3.0 automatic properties
      • New option is added in [C# Option] that includes [Export properties as C# 3.0 automatic properties] option
    • New option for Text and Note
      • New option has been added in System Properties regarding Text and Note
      • [Tool] - [System Properties] - [Diagram Editor] - [Show Text and Note at the forefront of the elements] (Default: ON)
    • Minimum size of Frame has been smaller
    • Opening ".juth" file from Command-line is available
    • "astah* Support Site" has been added to Help Menu to directly receive astah* support

    Existing Bugs

    • [3765] Spaces are not displayed correctly when printing a UseCase Description (Java6)
    • [3049] After ungrouping the EMF images of diagrams from JUDE(astah*), the EMF image falls apart in other tools
    • Depend on the running environment, images in EMF format cannot be pasted directly in Word, Excel or PowerPoint.
      This happens in Office 2000 after applying Windows update KB896424. To paste, go to [Edit] - [Paste special] - [Enhanced Metafile] in Word, Excel and PowerPoint. If you use Office 2003, you do not encounter this problem.
    • In the RTF document export function, the size of images becomes too large or too small depending on the option or the size of diagrams.
    • Some of Japanese characters cannot be input in the Mind Map.
    • A curve line in Mind Map will become a dashed line when you copy & paste an EMF file.
    • Boundaries, Icons and Images in Mind Map are not displayed in the EMF format.
    • Objects lose gradations on exported EMF images. (By [Export Image]-[Save Diagram as EMF]/[Save Multiple Diagrams as EMF]/[Copy to Clipboard]-[EMF])