The Toolbox is an often-essential part of the Enterprise Architect interface. There are several ways to bring up the Toolbox in Enterprise Architect. This tutorial will cover all 4 of them.

1. Via the Ribbon

Ribbon > Design > Diagram > Toolbox.

2. Using Shortcut Keys

Pressing Alt+5 displays the Diagram Toolbox.

3. Pressing the Space Bar

Brings up the Diagram Toolbox in-place via a context sensitive menu.

4. Switching between Docked Dialogues

If you like to dock the Toolbox and Project Explorer together in the same spot, the guillemets arrow can allow you to swap back and forth between the two.

P.S. A quick note about Perspectives...

Perspectives in Enterprise Architect are used to tailor toolsets for domain-specific modeling scenarios. So essentially, you can apply a Perspective to display functions/tools appropriate to the task you're performing and hide all the rest.

Sometimes people can't find the tool they're looking for because they have a perspective set and aren't aware. If you ever find yourself in this position, check the perspectives display down the bottom right of the program.

Then either select the new relevant perspectives required or set the perspective back to default by Perspective > Activate All.

Happy Modeling!

Digital transformation, new business models and the rapid pace of change have had a profound impact on the modern enterprise. Agile approaches can lead to faster feedback cycles, improved stakeholder engagement, reduced waste, improved transparency, predictable delivery and better business outcomes.

The Sparx Systems tool suite supports enterprise agility through better collaboration, strategic management, capability modeling, Kanban diagrams, user stories, integrated communication tools, project management features, traceability and much more.

Presented by Chris Armstrong and Scott Hebbard.

Register Today at:

https://www.sparxsystems.com/resources/webinar/partners/agile/enterprise/index.html

The 2019 ComponentSource Best Selling Awards have been announced for the year, and we are very pleased to report Sparx Systems has been named in the Top 25 Vendors. In a further nod from the company, Enterprise Architect Ultimate Edition made it to the Top 100 Products category.

According to a press release from the company, the awards are calculated using sales in USD $, which are then ranked to form a list and "represent a real world view of the products that are in demand and currently being bought by our global customers".

The ranking product Enterprise Architect Ultimate Edition is the most powerful edition of Enterprise Architect - enabling everything in Enterprise Architect and all MDG Extensions.

At Sparx Systems, our staff regularly use Enterprise Architect's inbuilt "Model Mail" throughout the day, sending messages regarding tasks and work items. The Business and Development staff alike use Model Mail to collaborate, and it has always been handy to link to what we're working on.

Functionality added in version 13.5 made it even simpler to link to model Artifacts. While modeling in context, users can simply right click on the Artifact in question, be it an Element, Package or Diagram Package, and select Collaborate -> Send Message to bring up a new Model Mail dialogue that includes a link to the Artifact embedded in the message body.

Context Menu -> Collaborate -> Send Message

A link to the Artifact and relevant Diagram is then visible in the message body.

It's that simple, and it can simplify your correspondence considerably.

Setting Up the Pro Cloud Server for Enterprise Architect

A step-by-step guide to installing and configuring the Pro Cloud Server. Easily deploy a web and mobile enabled collaboration platform for Enterprise Architect, connecting team members and clients with a live, web-based view of your model – all within your own cloud environment. 

Learn more and register Today!

We are very pleased to publish this compilation of the most popular resources submitted in 2018

Since its launch, the Sparx Systems community site has been a central repository for knowledge and resources around Sparx Systems Enterprise Architect.

Over the past year, contributors showcased numerous skills and shared time-saving expertise, which we have now put together a compilation of the most popular posts submitted to the Sparx Systems Community site in 2018.

These generous contributions help propel the community and modeling industry forward.

Thank you to everyone who has contributed to the community site this past year.

Sparx Systems Community Site Team

In Enterprise Architect Version 14, Sparx Systems added functionality to simplify the process of creating neat and tidy diagrams. This tutorial highlights the "Neaten" and "Auto Route" functions, which are a handy means of tidying diagrams.

The Neaten function brings elements together based on proximity and optimized alignment. Try it out on your next diagram via Layout > Tools > Diagram Layout > Neaten.

The Auto Route function tidies the connectors on a diagram, automatically neatening up lines and re-routing them to avoid overlap, where feasible. See, Layout > Tools > Diagram Layout > Auto Route.

To learn more about diagram layout tools in Enterprise Architect, take a look at the Building Models in Enterprise Architect Guidebook, which covers more functions like Neaten and Auto Route.

Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.

- Helen Keller

Is the digital transformation process a technology, business, customer engagement, digital service or cultural change issue? It is all of the above, and then some. Each function has its own level of importance and naturally, each will become the focus of their process owners. But the risk of this myopia is that process transformation efforts will become siloed, reducing their value for others and will limit the potential for a successful digital transformation, of the whole organization.

Like a digital map, the key functions of an organization are like feature overlays, which when looked at holistically, can provide insights into the aspects within the overall organizational structure, that complement and compete. Similarly, identifying interdependencies between the key processes is to recognize that many of them, will have to be transformed in parallel.

To meet such a collaborative challenge, be it by a business, an industry, a community - or the world, - requires an inclusive approach. Working inclusively requires that everyone has digital access and that the supporting technology platform can meet and grow with the changing needs of every stakeholder, while encouraging knowledge sharing and supporting the capture of community best practice.

In 2015 a great and noble challenge was issued by the United Nations General Assembly. These are the Sustainable Development Goals - a collection of 17 global goals - to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure that all people, enjoy peace and prosperity.

The Global e-Sustainability Initiative (GeSI) System Transformation report released in 2016 found that digital technologies will be fundamental for the achievement of all 17 SDGs, and over 50% of the 169 related targets. The GeSI has also shown “there is a clear, positive link between digital access and 11 of the 17 SDGs”.

Sparx Systems has joined the UN-GGIM Private Sector Network, to work with other member organizations and provide access to collaborative technology, in support of meeting these goals.

Sparx Systems is pleased to announce an upcoming University Week (Feb 25th - Mar 1st).

During Sparx Systems University week, a range of both free and paid training sessions are hosted online and at centers by Sparx Service providers. This week-long event is a unique opportunity to gain knowledge and improve skills around Enterprise Architect. February's course line-up covers a broad range of topics and has been developed with both introductory and advanced users in mind.

Get your New Year off to a great start with a course in your area.

Orphan Elements are elements that exist in the model, but are not included on a diagram for some reason. They can occur in the process of creating and editing diagrams and get left behind, sometimes due to being deleted off the diagram, but not subsequently the model.

Enterprise Architect has a pre-defined search that identifies any Orphan Elements, which can come in handy when cleaning up your model.

To search for Orphan Elements, open the Model Search using Crtl+Alt+A and from the Pull Down Menus > select Diagram Searches > then Find Orphans.

You can search for specific terms as well, for example name - this case "Oliver Twist."

If you would like a list of other pre-defined model searches take a look at our User Guide