This provides a single file location on the Mac (or Linux?) to hold the Sparx EA configuration, user searches, database error output when used with Codeweavers Crossover. The same principle would work for the 'bare' Wine.

When Sparx EA is installed into a Bottle each Bottle is deliberately isolated. This is fine normally but if you've created custom search definitions and later create a new Bottle with Sparx EA this new bottle won't have your custom search definitions. You could copy the file containing the search definitions /Search Data/EA_Search.xml but changes to searches in one bottle won't be reflected in the other so you then have to remember to copy from one Bottle to the other, etc.

This method using a symbolic link creates a central single (master) location for these Sparx EA user settings and then places a symbolic link to this common location in each bottle containing Sparx EA.

Note: Since Sparx EA saves the Workspace layout into a folder named after the specific build of Sparx EA, e.g. 'EA1608Workspace-Layouts' there isn't a common file location that can be used to hold these layouts (unless creating a symbolic link to a single .eaworkspacelout file is used).

Another advantage is that if you delete the Crossover Bottle containing Sparx EA these settings won't be deleted with the Bottle. This becomes increasingly important given the cumulative time spent creating custom searches etc.

Create a New Common Location for Sparx EA Settings

1. Under your user ~/Library/Application Support folder create a new 'Enterprise Architect' folder i.e.
   
   • /Users/<<username>>/Library/Application Support/Enterprise Architect
2. Choose the Bottle holding the Sparx EA data to be used for this common folder, the 'Sparx Systems' folder will be located at
   • up to and including Windows 8 bottle: /Users/<<username>>/Library/Application Support/CrossOver/Bottles/<<bottle name>>/drive_c/users/crossover/Application Data/Sparx Systems
   • Windows 10 bottle: /Users/<<username>>/Library/Application Support/CrossOver/Bottles/<<bottle name>>/drive_c/users/crossover/AppData/Roaming/Sparx Systems
3. Copy this folder
4. Paste this folder into the one created at 1 so that you now have
   • /Users/<<username>>/Library/Application Support/Enterprise Architect/Sparx Systems
5. Rename the existing (old) folder at 2 e.g. 'Sparx Systems - old' to preserve the settings should something go wrong

 

Creating a Symbolic Link to the Enterprise Architect Folder

1. Open the Terminal app
2. Type 'ln -s '
3. Drag and drop the 'Enterprise Architect' folder from the Finder window onto the Terminal window to set the source for the symbolic link
4. Add a space after this in the Terminal window
5. Type in the destination where the symbolic link will be saved, for example your desktop '~/Desktop'
6. If you look at your Desktop there will be a folder with a symbolic link / alias icon

Copy the Symbolic Link to Each Crossover Bottle with Sparx EA

1. Copy the newly created 'Sparx Systems' symbolic link, in this example saved on the Desktop
2. Paste the 'Sparx Systems' symbolic link into each bottle that is to use the common settings
   • /Users/<<username>>/Library/Application Support/CrossOver/Bottles/<<bottle name>>/drive_c/users/crossover/Application Data/Sparx Systems
3. Validate correct operation by launching Crossover, then the particular Enterprise Architect and displaying the search dialog (Control + F) and verify that your custom search definitions are listed.
4. When you're satisfied that everything works you can delete the old folder (/Users/<<username>>/Library/Application Support/CrossOver/Bottles/<<bottle name>>/drive_c/users/crossover/Application Data/Sparx Systems - old)