Drawing composite structure diagrams

Composite structure diagram visualizes the internal structure of a class or collaboration. It is a kind of component diagram mainly used in modeling a system at micro point-of-view.

Creating composite structure diagram

• Click on UML on toolbar and select Composite Structure Diagram from the drop down menu.
  
• Right click on Composite Structure Diagram in Diagram Navigator and select New Composite Structure Diagram from the popup menu.
• Select File > New Diagram > UML Diagrams > Composite Structure Diagram from the main menu.

Create composite structure diagram

Creating class

To create class, click Class on the diagram toolbar and then click on the diagram.

Create class

A class will be created.

Class created

Creating part

To create part, move the mouse over the target class, press its resource icon New Part.

Create part

A part will be created.

Part created

Creating port

To create port, move the mouse over the target class, press its resource icon New Port.

Create port

A port will be created.

Port created

Specifying type of port

Right-click the port and select Open Specification... from the pop-up menu. The Port Specification dialog box appears.

Click the combo box of Type and select a class.

Select type

Click OK button to apply the changes. Type will be shown on the caption of the port.

Type shown on port

Creating connector

To create connector, click Connector on the diagram toolbar.

Create connector

Drag from the source shape, move the mouse over the target shape and then release the mouse button to create the connector.

Connector created

Continue to complete the diagram.

Completed diagram