Sequence Diagrams

Tablet UML recognizes the following elements in sequence diagrams:

Icon

Meaning

Drawing Samples

Object

Indicates an object taking part in the diagram. Drawn as a square.

Objects have a modified context menu:

Besides commands from the standard context menu, this menu contains the following commands:

Classifier...: Lets you select a classifier for your object as described under Editing Objects. A classifier can be an actual class, actor, or interface in the model; or it can be just a label that you enter (perhaps because you'll define it later).

Create Operations...: Lets you convert sequence diagram messages that are sent to this object into operations of the selected classifier. This command is only enabled when the object has a classifier, and that classifier represents a class, actor, or interface in the model. For more information, see Creating Attributes and Operations.

Create Attributes...: Lets you convert sequence diagram messages that are sent to this object into attributes of the selected classifier. This command is only enabled when the object has a classifier, and that classifier represents a class, actor, or interface in the model. For more information, see Creating Attributes and Operations.

When you draw an object, Tablet UML will automatically attach a lifeline to it.

Lifeline

Indicates the existence of an object within the span of the diagram. Starts underneath the object. Ends at the point where object is destroyed (or at the bottom if the object is not destroyed within this diagram). There's no need to draw lifelines. Tablet UML will create them automatically when you draw objects.

Lifelines have a standard context menu.

Activation

Indicates a period of time during which an object is participating: either doing some work, or waiting for the completion of some work that it requested. Shown as a a rectangle overlaid on the lifeline of the object. Drawn as a single stroke that moves down or up over the lifeline. (For very short activations, draw down and up as a single stroke.)

Activations have a standard context menu.

Sometimes also called a focus of control.

Message

See Connectors.

Note
See Notes.

If your Tablet PC pen supports a barrel button or barrel switch, you can easily override the default recognizer rules, and choose the recognized element for each shape that you draw. If you draw a stroke with the barrel button pressed, the automatic recognizer will be temporarily disabled; and when you finish the stroke, the context menu will appear, allowing you to manually recognize the stroke (as described under Context Menus)

Icon	Meaning	Drawing Samples
Object	Indicates an object taking part in the diagram. Drawn as a square. Objects have a modified context menu: Besides commands from the standard context menu, this menu contains the following commands: Classifier...: Lets you select a classifier for your object as described under Editing Objects. A classifier can be an actual class, actor, or interface in the model; or it can be just a label that you enter (perhaps because you'll define it later). Create Operations...: Lets you convert sequence diagram messages that are sent to this object into operations of the selected classifier. This command is only enabled when the object has a classifier, and that classifier represents a class, actor, or interface in the model. For more information, see Creating Attributes and Operations. Create Attributes...: Lets you convert sequence diagram messages that are sent to this object into attributes of the selected classifier. This command is only enabled when the object has a classifier, and that classifier represents a class, actor, or interface in the model. For more information, see Creating Attributes and Operations. When you draw an object, Tablet UML will automatically attach a lifeline to it.
Lifeline	Indicates the existence of an object within the span of the diagram. Starts underneath the object. Ends at the point where object is destroyed (or at the bottom if the object is not destroyed within this diagram). There's no need to draw lifelines. Tablet UML will create them automatically when you draw objects. Lifelines have a standard context menu.
Activation	Indicates a period of time during which an object is participating: either doing some work, or waiting for the completion of some work that it requested. Shown as a a rectangle overlaid on the lifeline of the object. Drawn as a single stroke that moves down or up over the lifeline. (For very short activations, draw down and up as a single stroke.) Activations have a standard context menu. Sometimes also called a focus of control.
Message	See Connectors.
Note	See Notes.

Sequence Diagrams

Icon

Meaning

Drawing Samples

See Also: