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gaphor / gaphor

Gaphor is the simple modeling tool
https://gaphor.org
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Start with empty model or example already filled #2905

Closed SebCanet closed 8 months ago

SebCanet commented 10 months ago

Is your feature request related to a problem?

When launching SysML profile, it's not empty so I have to modify everything: delete diagrams I don't need, erase blocks or change names, etc.

Describe the solution you'd like

Start with an empty profile or an example (like it is actually).

Describe alternatives you've considered

None possible.

Additional context

Educational context.

danyeaw commented 10 months ago

Hi @SebCanet. Thanks for submitting the feature request. When you start Gaphor you can select the Generic New Model which is blank, and then select the SysML profile from the profile dropdown. The purpose of the other selections is to start with an opinionated template that is already setup. Does that meet your needs?

SebCanet commented 10 months ago

Thanks, I understand the way you think we should use. But for my stdent they will see in big the "SysML" and click on it, I think you should seperate "new model" and "template", this panel seems confusing for newbies on your software.

marek-piirikivi commented 10 months ago

"template" is actually in the description where you see SysML button. image

I partially agree with @SebCanet that people who want to create new SysML model will most likely click "SysML" option (me included).

I do not have a good proposal on the course of action. I admit that I am also guilty of making the mistake with this UI, but then again, the UI itself is explicit on what it promises and that's precisely what you get.

SebCanet commented 10 months ago

As you choose a profile after generic choice, maybe we could have 2 columns: UML Template -> UML empty model -> SysML Template -> SysML empty model -> RAAML Template -> RAAML empty model -> CA Template -> C4 empty model -> Empty model ->

Or start choose between Template or Empty model, then choose UML or SysML or ... or empty. I'm trying to imagine how my students will react :-D

marek-piirikivi commented 10 months ago

There have also been thoughts about not having the profile distinction from the drop-down at all and you can choose explicitly whether you want to create UML elements/diagrams or SysML diagrams. For example, right clicking on package > SysML > Create activity diagram; or right click > UML > Create activity diagram. First UI would kinda still remain the same, though whether you want to start with SysML template or UML template.

amolenaar commented 10 months ago

The templates contain some example elements. In that respect they're more like a demo project.

What if we rename those to "example projects" and create Templates that only contain the package structure and maybe an empty diagram, just to get you started?

danyeaw commented 9 months ago

My experience with production SysML models is that the starting templates are extremely complete. Users do exactly what you mentioned of renaming elements and modifying diagrams set up in a modeling method already. In the case of our starting template, the modeling method is a form of MagicGrid.

This has huge advantages, users don't have to start modeling from scratch which is a tremendous amount of work, it improves modeling consistency, and provides guidance to a modeling method.

We should continue to improve the starting model templates, not remove them.

If some users don't want a modeling method defined and do want to start from scratch, I totally understand that. I also get that selecting SysML right now may have an expectation of a blank model. If we add more options to allow creation of a blank SysML model, that would be fine, but I think it would just create a blank model and select the SysML profile.

amolenaar commented 9 months ago

@SebCanet Can you share the template you want to use?

SebCanet commented 9 months ago

I've no specific template, often we start with nothing. The actual starting model is really interesting, just the problem is that it's full of "false" diagram we need to delete.

danyeaw commented 8 months ago

Hi @SebCanet, thanks for the idea. @amolenaar implemented a nice solution which keeps some of the package structure and diagrams, but removes all the example elements and moves them to a separate example section.

SebCanet commented 8 months ago

Hi, that's great, is it useable with v2.24.0?

danyeaw commented 8 months ago

We'll release a new version soon with this update.