MagicDraw UML

DISCLAIMER: Webel IT Australia does not represent No Magic or Dassault Systèmes - the developers of the MagicDraw^® UML (aka Magic Software Architect), MagicDraw SysML Plugin, Magic Cyber-Systems Engineer ^® (Cameo Systems Modeler^®), and Magic Model Analyst^® (Cameo Simulation Toolkit^®) tools. Webel IT Australia offers IT Training Courses in UML^® and SysML^® and in expert use of these supporting tools. Please refer sales and technical support questions to No Magic.

GOTCHA: MagicDraw/Cameo: SysMLv1/UML: The argument context required to see results in Evaluation Mode for custom OpaqueBehavior scripts might not be the same as required for use in an Operation From Model for a Derived Property on a table column

GOTCHA: MagicDraw/Cameo: SysMLv1/UML: If you can extract model info using an OpaqueBehavior and you can see that in the Evaluation Mode in the Expression Editor it might not appear in a column in the Generic Table Diagram because the final Type is not set

GOTCHA: MagicDraw/Cameo: SysMLv1/UML: The 'name' of a Derived Property is parsed and sometimes displayed quite differently in column names. Be careful when mixing lower case and UPPER CASE in the middle of Derived Property names.

TIP: SysMLv1: MagicDraw/Cameo: Activity Diagrams: Consider using the Pin display mode 'Name And Type Labels Inside' for 'Position of Labels'. Dr Darren swears by it!

ISSUE/GOTCHA: MagicDraw/Cameo v2022x: UML/SysML: If you "rename" an ActivityParameterNode symbol on the frame of an Activity Diagram it actually renames the underlying Parameter (only) NOT the name of the ActivityParameterNode element!

SysML/UML: MagicDraw/Cameo: The name of an ActivityParameterNode does not always stay in synch with its Parameter (and it is not always desirable that it does).

SysML/UML: MagicDraw/Cameo: Activity Diagrams: All Pins of CallBehaviorActions and CallOperationActions MUST be displayed (synchronised). All ActivityParameterNodes MUST be shown on the frame of an Activity Diagram.

ISSUE: MagicDraw/Cameo: v2022x Golden, v2022xRefresh1: Comment can't connect anchor to another Comment as annotatedElement

[FIXED in v2022Refresh1]: BUG: MagicDraw/Cameo: 19SP3/v2022xGolden: Activity Diagrams: Pin display mode 'Position of Labels' does not stick, label positions in Diagrams have sometimes moved after re-opening a project [and "FIX"]

Webel: SysML: MagicDraw/Cameo: Strongly recommend that you set the Perspective to 'Full Featured' and 'Expert' at the very beginning at the start of every new project

The Webel Recipe for SysML-friendly Wolfram Language coding in Mathematica

Keywords

As part of a long term project developed, initially during work for a client, Webel IT Australia in partnership with GreenSoft Pty Ltd is developing a very complex Mathematica application with substantial SysML modelling support.

Webel: WISHLIST: MagicDraw/Cameo: UML/SysML: Ability to freeze the Feature lines shown on symbols under Edit Compartments so that the diagram does not "break" when new Features are added elsewhere (reduce graphical coupling)

MagicDraw/Cameo: 2022xGolden: TIP/GOTCHA: Mac: HOWTO Load the available plugins in the Resource/Plugin Manager

No Magic Inc vs Dassault Systèmes 3DS CATIA Magic product names for UML/SysML tools

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No Magic Inc., the original developers of the MagicDraw/Cameo tools for Unified Modeling Language (UML^®) and Systems Modeling Language v1 (SysML^®) - were acquired in 2017/2018 by Dassault Systèmes, and the MagicDraw/Cameo family of software tools have been rebranded.

Screencast: Cameo Simulation Toolkit: v19SP3: Analysis: When a Property is typed by an abstract Block an instance of a concrete specialising Block will automatically be created and assigned even when the lower multiplicity is 0

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Video style

This screencast video is an analysis of this suspected issue:

Cameo Simulation Toolkit: v19SP3: GOTCHA/BUG: When a Property is typed by an abstract Block an instance of a concrete specialising Block (where available) will automatically be created and assigned even when the lower multiplicity is 0

It also includes a nice demo of using an Activity and Actions to simulate instance creation and assignment in Magic Model Analyst^® (Cameo Simu

Read more about Screencast: Cameo Simulation Toolkit: v19SP3: Analysis: When a Property is typed by an abstract Block an instance of a concrete specialising Block will automatically be created and assigned even when the lower multiplicity is 0

Cameo Simulation Toolkit: v19SP3: GOTCHA/BUG: When a Property is typed by an abstract Block an instance of a concrete specialising Block (where available) will automatically be created and assigned even when the lower multiplicity is 0

MagicDraw/Cameo 19SP3/v2022xGolden: [FIXED in v2022xRefresh1]: Activity Diagrams: Pin display mode 'Position of Labels' does not work correctly for 'Name And Type Labels Inside', only shows the Name inside (not the Label) [and WORKAROUND]

MagicDraw/Cameo: Rule: Internal Block Diagram and Block structure compartment: only one symbol for a given Property may be shown.

MagicDraw/Cameo: Display option: You can choose whether to show Domain Specific Language (DSL) stereotypes: 'None', 'All', 'Only Last'

UML/SysML: MagicDraw/Cameo: WARNING: If you assign a value to a Slot for an untyped Property then assign a ValueType later it will DELETE your assigned value! Assign a type first .

This means that: Not all words appearing between guillemets are necessarily keywords, and words appearing in guillemets do not necessarily represent stereotypes.

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Unified Modeling Language 2.5.1

In addition to identifying keywords, guillemets are also used to distinguish the usage of stereotypes.

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Unified Modeling Language 2.5.1

For some kinds of Classifiers, optionally in the right hand corner an icon denoting the kind of Classifier can be displayed.

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Unified Modeling Language 2.5.1

If a role is typed by a classifier other than Class, the name compartment of the part box symbol contains the appropriate keyword (e.g., «component») above the name.

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Unified Modeling Language 2.5.1

Webel Parsing Analysis: If you have a unique URL for a domain source «document» you MAY additionally set it as an external hyperlink in the MagicDraw/Cameo tool (as well as setting it as the unique 'url' tagged value that acts as the '/uri').

MagicDraw/Cameo v19SP3: UML/SysML: HOWTO Set an OpaqueExpression on a Slot that seems to be stuck on a numerical value.

MagicDraw/Cameo: GOTCHA: When applying a numerical default to a value property make sure the value property has already been typed by Real or Integer (or a ValueType that extends one of them) otherwise it will assign a LiteralString as default.

Q: What types of simulation, execution, and calculation are available for SysML with MagicDraw/Cameo?

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There are a number of ways of simulating and executing various aspects of Systems Modeling Language v1 (SysML^®), and they are not just novelties! They also really help your models become more robust, logical, and organised.

There is "internal" tool simulation of Activities and StateMachines based on fUML (or variations of it).

Cameo Simulation Toolkit v19SP3: The "hover" feature for showing values of objects may show duplicates if there are redefined value properties.

Cameo Simulation Toolkit: Before you run a simulation consider enabling Auto Open Diagrams under Environment Options -> Simulation. Alternatively, consider using split horizontal or vertical window groups (if there are only a few relevant diagrams).

MagicDraw/Cameo: Display options: On an 'entry', 'doActivity', or 'exit' Behavior of a State you may choose to display the specification code of an OpaqueBehavior or just its name.

MagicDraw/Cameo: HOWTO: Create a redefining value property with a default value using drag-n-drop

MagicDraw/Cameo: On dragging a Property onto another Property set it as redefining, the multiplicity of the redefining Property is set to [0..*] if the redefined (dragged) Property only has <UNSPECIFED> Multiplicity

WISHLIST: MagicDraw/Cameo: Ability to set project-wide option to NOT set the multiplicity of a redefining Property to [0..*] on using drag-n-drop when the redefined (dragged) Property has <UNSPECIFED> Multiplicity

SysML: When using Property::defaultValue and Property::redefinedValue to carry a "shadow hierarchy" of redefinitions across an entire system hierarchy, considering using a user-defined keyword such as «configuration» or «scenario» on each redefining Block

Webel: UML/SysML: Navigation: ALWAYS offer a way out of a diagram (usually up a hierarchy, but possibly across) using a navigable symbol (linked to a diagram) and/or a diagram symbol. Avoid "cul-de-sacs"! [But beware of shared package cross-dependencies]

MagicDraw/Cameo: v19SP3: Property created by dragging onto a Class or Block a symbol of a Classifier named with a single letter capital name 'N' has a poor name 'N:N'

MagicDraw/Cameo: You can drag a Class symbol onto a Class symbol (in a Class Diagram) or a Block symbol or ValueType symbol onto or Block symbol (in a Block Definition Diagram) to create a new part property or value property

MagicDraw/Cameo: You can drag out a Property (or Port) from a Class or Block symbol to create an Association with the Property (or Port) as one end

Chain on a CallBehaviorAction for an Operation trigger of a Transition with an effect

Gallery

Tutorial

HOWTO return chain on a CallBehaviorAction for an Operation trigger of a Transition with an effect

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hybrid diagram

SysML Activity Diagram

SysML Block Definition Diagram (BDD)

SysML StateMachine Diagram

HOWTO return chain on a CallBehaviorAction for an Operation trigger of a Transition with an effect

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Chain on a CallBehaviorAction for an Operation trigger of a Transition with an effect

Sections

Consume a SignalEvent message in a StateMachine Transition 'effect' or State 'entry' or 'exit' Activity

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Tutorial

UML/SysML: HOWTO Consume a SignalEvent message in a StateMachine Transition 'effect' or State 'entry' or 'exit' Activity

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Slide kind

hybrid diagram

UML Activity Diagram

UML Class Diagram

UML StateMachine Diagram

UML/SysML: HOWTO Consume a SignalEvent message in a StateMachine Transition 'effect' or State 'entry' or 'exit' Activity

Jump to first slide

Consume a SignalEvent message in a StateMachine Transition 'effect' or State 'entry' or 'exit' Activity

Sections

SysML does NOT distinguish between 'assembly' and 'delegation' Connector kinds (because of its more complex support for nested ports). These Connector type classifications are only relevant in UML.

UML-2.5.1 does NOT permit a trigger or guard on a Transition from an initial pseudostate in a StateMachine but Cameo/MagicDraw does (please avoid).

MagicDraw/Cameo: You can import excel spreadsheets with data into instance tables easily!

MagicDraw/Cameo supports embedding images in diagrams

MagicDraw/Cameo: The tagged values HTML editor can't handle overlines or all macrons.

MagicDraw/Cameo: TIP: tagged values with no specified type or String types optionally support HTML.

MagicDraw/Cameo: HOWTO share a "Block-to-Block" ItemFlow - that was created by 'Between Part Types' mode - between two Connectors. (FYI only, not a Webel-recommended technique.)

Webel: SysMLv1: MagicDraw/Cameo: AVOID the "default" SysML Item Flow Creation Mode 'Between Part Types' completely. Use 'Direct' mode, change it as soon as you start any SysML project under Options → Project → General → SysML [Helps prevent a clash/issue]

SysMLv1: MagicDraw/Cameo: If redisplay of an Association with an InformationFlow or ItemFlow creates a strange extra dashed line with «ItemFlow» keywords (separate from the Association) just remove (only) that extra dashed line from the diagram.

Webel: MagicDraw/Cameo: STRONGLY RECOMMEND: On EVERY project of ANY kind set the Environment Perspective to 'Full Featured' and check the Expert box, even if you are a "novice". For SysML use 'Full-Featured' not just 'System Engineer'!

Cameo/MagicDraw: The Classifier specification setting 'isAbstract' is (for reasons that beggar belief or engineering reason) not by default visible in the Element specification dialog. Enable expertise level 'All' (and for always everwhere).

Webel: MagicDraw/Cameo: Set EVERY element properties & symbol properties filter to 'All' (yes, not just 'Expert', to 'All', even if you are a "novice" on your first project) in EVERY dialog and every project option setting. Use the search filters!

MagicDraw/Cameo: HOWTO turn off verbose context information in SysML-style diagram frames

MagicDraw/Cameo: You can control how or whether applied Sterotypes are displayed on most Element symbols using the 'Show Stereotypes' display option (and in some cases this affects how the entire symbol is displayed).

MagicDraw/Cameo: You can assign values to 'tagged values' of Stereotypes via the Tags section in the specification dialog. Make sure you have one of the 'On Shape' or 'In Compartment' Show Tagged Values display options enabled.

MagicDraw/Cameo: You can assign or un-assign one or more Stereotypes to one or more selected Elements at once using the 'Stereotype' context menu item

MagicDraw/Cameo: You can drag-n-drop most applicable Stereotype types from the model browser onto an Element's symbol in a Diagram to apply it to that Element (does not work in all cases).

MagicDraw/Cameo: You and can drag-n-drop the icon for most Diagram types from the model browser onto a symbol in a Diagram to make it the default hyperlink for that Element; clicking on that Element symbol will then open up that Diagram.

MagicDraw/Cameo: You and can choose which Features, element properties, or tagged values of Stereotypes to show on most symbol compartment types

Webel: Recommend maintain a basic black-and-white style file for starting new projects. Webel course attendees have access to a basic Webel.stl file (or clone and tune the 'OMG SysML style').

Webel: MagicDraw/Cameo: First recommended display style settings and project option steps for every SysML (and UML) project. [Includes TIP: DO NOT show the Diagram Name in the optional Diagram Info adornment, show it on the Diagram frame only]

MagicDraw/Cameo: GOTCHA: ‘entry’, ‘exit’, ‘doActivity’ are all subsets of ‘ownedElement’; to use an existing Activity without changing its owner you need to create a “wrapper” Activity. Beware the tool does not simply move your Activity!

MagicDraw: Has an additional tool-specific notation and feature sometimes called "ball-and-socket dependency wiring" for use with provided and required Interfaces in Class Diagrams and some other definition-level diagrams.

Required/Provided Interface notation: Ball-and-Socket "dependency wiring" [tool specific]

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Tutorial

TRAIL: Webel's ultimate guide to Systems Modeling Language (v1) with MagicDraw/Cameo

Section

01:02: UML 101 for model-based systems engineering with SysML

Slide kind

UML Class Diagram

MagicDraw/Cameo: The ordering of feature in a SysML IBD :features compartment may differ from that in its defining Block (and there are no corresponding display options for controlling sorting).

MagicDraw/Cameo: BUG: Sometimes the 'Show Inherited' display feature does not work immediately on Class and Block compartments or SysML IBD :features compartments unless you toggle a compartment (close then re-open it).

Visual nesting of InstanceSpecification symbols has no meaning in the underlying model, only assignment to a Slot does!

MagicDraw/Cameo: When you create an InstanceSpecification in a diagram it will a Select Classifier dialog. It is often faster to Cancel that and then just drag a Classifier onto the instance symbol from the diagram or model tree.

MagicDraw/Cameo: If you want to show a Property or Port listed both in its corresponding compartment on a Class or Block symbol and as the end of an Association in the same diagram, set the display option Show Association Ends As Attributes/Ports to 'all'

MagicDraw/Cameo: If you can't find Usage on a particular diagram just use a Dependency then the refactor context menu item.

MagicDraw/Cameo: You can set a Property as redefined/subsetted by another in a Class Diagram or BDD by dragging its label from an Association end onto the label of another Property on an Association end then choosing 'Set As Redefined/Subsetted Property'

MagicDraw/Cameo: Has a symbol display option 'Show Inherited' applicable to (amongst others) Features of Class and Block symbols, Property symbols, and underlying Featured of Property symbols in SysML IBDs when using SysML Feature Compartments

MagicDraw/Cameo v19SP3: uses the Block compartment name 'signal receptions' instead of just 'receptions'. [CLAIMED FIXED in v2021x]

MagicDraw/Cameo: If you make a copy of the SYMBOL of an Element in a Diagram you have only copied the SYMBOL, it represents the same Element! If you make a copy of an Element in the model browser you have indeed made a unique new (distinct) Element!

MagicDraw/Cameo: You can set many fields in an Element's specification dialog just by dragging compatible elements from the model browser onto the value area of the field.

MagicDraw/Cameo: supports HTML hyperlinks directly on model elements, and they are launchable from model element symbols in diagrams.

MagicDraw/Cameo: supports HTML (including hyperlinks) in String based tagged value (Stereotype property) fields. Just activate HTML mode during tagged value editing.

MagicDraw/Cameo: Many table cells are interactive! You can, for example, edit the 'name' of elements. Most columns are also sortable. And you can navigate from element cells to elements in the model browser via context menu items.

MagicDraw/Cameo: Learn how to effectively use and customise the powerful table, matrix, and relation map diagrams and how to create custom queries, implied relations, and custom properties. It will open up a whole new world of enjoyable power modelling!

MagicDraw/Cameo: In a Dependency Matrix the mode 'Show Element = All' can lead to very large matrices (but it enables you to interactively create relationships for elements that don't yet have any).

Magicdraw/Cameo has a powerful "implied relation" facility for use in query tables, dependency matrices, and as element properties

MagicDraw/Cameo: HOWTO get back an InformationFlow or ItemFlow when it vanishes from a redrawn Connector. Use the 'Show Realised Item Flows' and 'Realize All Item Flows' smart manipulators!

MagicDraw/Cameo: You can easily find all elements a Stereotype has been applied to using Edit > Find OR via a Generic Table Diagram with the Stereotype as the 'Element type' (with or without sub-types).

MagicDraw/Cameo: To callout the element properties of Diagram's context Element into a Note in that Diagram use the context menu item Represent Diagram Context on the Note!

MagicDraw/Cameo: By implementation the name of some Stereotype attributes and operations is UpperCase instead of lowerCase like in the UML and SysML specs

MagicDraw/Cameo 19SP3: Can't seem to show {control} notation on control Pin

MagicDraw/Cameo: For the "rake" symbol to show on a CallBehaviorAction typed by a Behavior you must have the Show Rake Icon display option on AND the Behavior must have a Diagram (such as an Activity Diagram)

MagicDraw/Cameo: Supports embedding of one or more Diagrams in another via the Diagram Overview feature. Awesome!

Webel recommends (usually) display the header of a Package, Model, ModelLibrary, or Profile in the 'tab' (rather than 'top')

Webel recommends when using MagicDraw/Cameo: AVOID the "elided Pin" abstract ObjectNode notation on Activity Diagrams, use explicit Pins!

MagicDraw/Cameo: DO NOT use the ObjectNode menu item on Activity Diagrams ever!

[BUG: FIXED]: MagicDraw/Cameo SP193: Offers the display option to show the name and type label inside a Pin symbol, but it does not seem to work. [FIXED since 2022xRefresh2]

Webel: SysMLv1/UML: Prefer the Name Display Mode 'both' on CallBehaviorAction symbols (rather than 'Show Action Name', 'Show Behavior Name', or 'Show Both or Behavior Name')

MagicDraw/Cameo: ERROR: Incorrectly uses 2 ObjectFlow edges and a CentralBufferNode for "elided Pin notation" instead of an abstract ObjectNode _symbol_ and 2 arrow _symbols_ (notations that are supposed to represent together 2 Pins and 1 ObjectFlow edge)

MagicDraw/Cameo: you can make relationships between elements that are not visible in one diagram using the Relations section of the specification dialog for an element

In MagicDraw/Cameo an assigned stereotype of a Classifier that types an instance-like element (such as a part Property) "shines through" unless it has an instance-level stereotype assigned. This is sometimes called a "secondary stereotype".

In MagicDraw/Cameo if the Type of a Property has a Composite Structure Diagram or Internal Block Diagram defined it will act as the default hyperlink target for the Property

In MagicDraw/Cameo one can just drag the IBD or BDD of a Block from the model browser onto parts that are typed by that Block to make them the default hyperlink target for that part (so one can just "open the parts up" recursively to navigate the system).

MagicDraw/Cameo tool support for Association composition "trees" is not good, and they end up being fiddly to maintain (and they can also cause issues for InformationFlows). Avoid them!

HSUV trail slide: Figure D.4: IBD: Could not show Connector typed by an anonymous Association as 'connectorName:' with trailing colon

Nobody (informed) said that SysML (or even UML) modelling and MBSE is only about graphical modelling, notations, and diagrams! Information can be extracted in many different ways and presented in many different formats from the underlying model!

Magicdraw/Cameo has powerful relationship maps!

Magicdraw/Cameo has powerful query view tables, maps, and dependency matrix diagrams!

MagicDraw/Cameo: the coloured stereotype icons for some kinds of elements can't be removed from all diagrams, tables, or matrix views

Magicdraw/Cameo has powerful relationship Dependency Matrix diagrams, and in many cases one can assign or remove relationships directly in the cells of the matrix just by clicking!

MagicDraw/Cameo query tables use a single row (with a group of elements) to represent multiple targets/hits from a relationship, rather than one row per hit.

MagicDraw/Cameo derived relationships and metachain navigation are very powerful and worth exploring

In MagicDraw/Cameo one can display many element properties (and metamodel properties) directly in compartments on most element symbols

In MagicDraw/Cameo one can "call-out" many element properties (and metamodel properties) into a Note using the Edit Compartments context menu item

In MagicDraw/Cameo the name and any stereotype keywords of a Classifier subject of a UseCase may be shown in the top-middle (not just top-left)

Webel: SysMLv1/UML: MagicDraw/Cameo: AVOID the the vendor-specific «useCaseModel» stereotype for Model packages, it leads to confusion with the rectangular 'subject' notation

MagicDraw/Cameo can't show tagged values in {braces} below owner name on instance symbols

MagicDraw/Cameo: There are lots of spelling mistakes in the ISO-80000 ModelLibrary

MagicDraw/Cameo: Most QuantityKind in the ISO-80000 ModelLibrary in are lower case

There is no ElementValue in UML-2.5.1 (although one has been proposed) it is an extension used by the MagicDraw tool family for handling tagged values

Webel's Best Practice policy notes for MBSE with SysML1.x (and UML) and the MagicDraw/Cameo tools

Keywords

The Webel Best Practice items for SysML (and for supporting UML) - tuned for the MagicDraw/Cameo tools - represent the world's most comprehensive guide to robust, fluent, enjoyable, consistent modelling for Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE), developed over two decades, and proven to work on extremely demanding real-world projects!

MagicDraw, Cameo Systems Modeler, and Cameo Simulation Toolkit use the name 'English' for a "default" vendor-specific action scripting language

StateMachine diagram for comparing action language access to an operation for a guard

Gallery

Tutorial

HOWTO invoke an operation as a Transition guard in Cameo Simulation Toolkit

Section

Slide kind

UML StateMachine Diagram

Class diagram for comparing action language access to an operation for a guard

Gallery

Tutorial

HOWTO invoke an operation as a Transition guard in Cameo Simulation Toolkit

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Slide kind

UML Class Diagram

The vendor-specific Action Language Helper (ALH) API can be accessed from all of the various action scripting languages available in MagicDraw, Cameo Systems Modeler, and Cameo Simulation Toolkit

Screencast: Mini tutorial: UML/SysML: Cameo Simulation Toolkit: Send and receive a Signal using a SendSignalAction and an AcceptEventAction

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Video style

A very simple demonstration of sending a Signal using a SendSignalAction and receiving it with an AcceptEventAction within Activities. Uses SysML but the same applies to UML.

Uses Cameo Simulation Toolkit for MagicDraw SysML and Cameo System Modeler.

Screencast: Mini tutorial: UML/SysML: Cameo Simulation Toolkit: StateMachine with doActivity and a Transition with a ChangeEvent trigger

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Video style

A very simple demonstration of a StateMachine with a doActivity and a Transition that uses a trigger with a ChangeEvent for checking a value. Uses SysML but the same applies to UML.

Uses Magic Model Analyst^® (Cameo Simulation Toolkit^®) for MagicDraw SysML and Cameo System Modeler Enterprise Edition.

Screencast: Mini tutorial: UML/SysML: Cameo Simulation Toolkit: StateMachine with entry Activity and Transition guard

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Video style

A very simple demonstration of a StateMachine with an entry Activity and Transitions that use guards to check a value. Uses SysML but the same applies to UML.

Uses Cameo Simulation Toolkit for MagicDraw SysML and Cameo System Modeler.

MagicDraw UML (Magic Software Architect) zone

Keywords

Dr Darren of Webel IT Australia is a long-term MagicDraw^® user, and previously worked for the developers No Magic Inc as a consultant and trainer (Expert Advisor for Science, Engineering, and Education).

This zone is primarily about applications of MagicDraw^® to software engineering wi

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