Organizing UML diagrams

In UML diagrams, you can organize various elements to optimize the diagram for viewing, printing, or presenting.

About this task

You can organize your diagrams by arranging the elements in them or by aligning the elements with each other or with rulers and grids. You can also organize elements in a diagram by sorting them alphabetically or by choosing to show or hide certain ones.

You can organize several elements at once by adding them to a group and then arranging, aligning, or performing other organizational tasks. To add units to a group, see Grouping elements in UML diagrams.

Arranging elements in UML diagrams
You can arrange all the elements in a UML diagram hierarchically for viewing purposes. You can also arrange only selected diagram elements.
Aligning elements in UML diagrams
In UML diagrams, you can better organize the diagram layout by aligning elements in various ways.
Sorting compartment items in UML diagrams
In UML diagrams, for diagram elements that have compartments, you can sort the compartment items to reduce the complexity or increase the level of abstraction in the diagram. In this context, sorting means putting the items in alphabetical order.
Filtering compartment items in UML diagrams
In UML diagrams, several diagram elements have compartments that display textual and graphical information. You can reduce visual clutter and complexity in diagrams by filtering the contents of these compartments. Filtering hides information based on criteria that you specify.
Specifying parent name styles in UML diagrams
In UML diagrams, you identify a classifier in the diagram by giving it a unique name. In addition to the classifier name, you can display the classifier's fully qualified name, the classifier's parent name, the classifier's fully qualified parent name, or a combination of these options.
Showing and hiding connectors in UML diagrams
In UML diagrams, you can show or hide connectors to reduce visual clutter or to provide more information about the relationship that they represent.
Showing and hiding connector labels in UML diagrams
In UML diagrams, you can show or hide connector labels to reduce visual clutter or to provide more information about the relationships that they represent.
Changing the order of stacked elements in UML diagrams
The elements in UML diagrams can appear stacked on top of each other in layers. You can change the order of diagram elements in stacks to organize the diagram visually. You can move a diagram element up or down a layer, bring it to the front, or send it to the back of a stack.
Layers in diagrams
A diagram can contain many shapes and elements and with increased complexity, the diagram can become hard to follow. Layers can hide or show particular elements in the diagram and can focus on a particular aspect of the diagram.
Adding layers to diagrams
You can add layers to new or existing diagrams in the model.
Modifying layers in UML diagrams
You can modify layers to add, remove, or replace elements in the current layer.
Selecting elements in a layer
In complex diagrams with multiple layers, it is possible to select elements belonging to a particular layer.
Arranging UML diagrams by using ILOG JViews Graph Layouts technology
An UML diagram can be reorganized automatically to a variety of templates to visually change the look of the diagram. Using ILOG® JViews Graph Layouts technology, the diagrams are reorganized based on the template selected. The template organizes the layout of the elements, links and labels to enhance the diagram visually and promotes finding relationships and patterns in the diagram.

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